Thursday, November 29, 2012
My Review of Dexter's 7x09: "Helter Skelter"
Written by Tim Schlattmann
Directed by Steve Shill
Dexter: “What makes you think Hannah means anything to me?”
Isaak: “And if she didn’t, I’d be dead by now.”
Sadly for Isaak, this is exactly the fate that befell him but probably more shocking would be that he didn’t wind up on Dexter’s table but shot by his annoying former lackey, George instead. As deaths go, Isaak certainly deserved better but at least this episode proved to be an interesting one for him to go out with though.
I found it interesting that Isaak only resorted to kidnapping Hannah because Dexter refused to protect him from both Oleg and Benjamin. It easily could’ve been a scenario where Hannah’s abduction would be used to lure Dexter for a final showdown and had circumstances been different, it’s also how Hannah could’ve used against Dexter but they weren’t.
I liked that Isaak was astute enough about Dexter’s abilities in order to get rid of the men who were hired to kill but what I really liked about this episode was the back and forth between Isaak and Dexter, with some truly great performances from both Michael C. Hall and Ray Stevenson as well for good measure.
Although the mob plot continues to bore on so many basic levels, Isaak was the only good thing to materialise from it and his observations on both Dexter’s reasons behind killing as well as Dexter’s relationship with Hannah made for some interesting television. Also, I do like that for a villain, Isaak did keep his word.
He seemed genuinely serious about letting both Dexter and Hannah go and he did help with luring Benjamin to the port in order to take him out. I guess because of this stuff it kind of made his death sad. I think I’m sadder that they couldn’t have kept him for the remainder of the season and I’m sadder that we’re still lumbered with the dull George as well.
George wanting to go up the food chain by killing Isaak didn’t make him a more interesting character this one and neither did him sleeping with Nadia in order to annoy Quinn. I really just don’t care nowhere near enough about this remainder of this plot, so I’m hoping the rest of the strand will wipe it out within the next three episodes.
As for Hannah herself – she was cool under pressure and even managed to trick Yurg but she did seem rather put out when Dexter actually let slip that he cared about her. I guess maybe Hannah’s more in love with the idea of being with a serial killer than actually being with Dexter himself. It also makes all of Deb’s continued warnings to Dexter about her more grounded too.
Also in “Helter Skelter”
Hannah mentioned that her fear of the water came from her father, who it seems we’re going to be meeting in the next episode.
Dexter: “There are no two stronger emotions than fear and love. In many ways, they’re not so different. Both can make you do crazy things.”
Angel’s restaurant has hardly been opened and already it’s having problems. I guess Angel really can’t catch a break, can he?
Dexter: “You’re scared.”
Isaak: “If you knew who these two men were, you would be too.”
Dexter: “You’re not crazy.”
Deb: “That coming from you?”
Dexter: “Should make you feel better.”
With Isaak dead, it seems that our focus is soon going to be on a killer who incinerates their victims.
Isaak: “Just how men have you killed?”
Dexter: “A lot.”
Tom: “Go home, Maria. The only help you’ll get from me is a lift back to Cuba.”
Matthews didn’t hold back in his hatred for Maria but he was quick to help her with her Bay Harbour Butcher theory when he realised he could benefit from it as well.
Hannah: “I miss you.”
Dexter: “Likewise.”
Deb (re Hannah): “She’s a killer. You will never be safe with her.”
Dexter: “You’re safe with me.”
Chronology: A couple of days since “Argentina” I guess.
Another solid episode. I’m not entirely sure where the show is going to go with the Ukrainian plot now that Isaak is out of the picture but at least “Helter Skelter” was a good character piece for him and with Hannah and Maria’s plots, the next few episodes should remain rather interesting for Dexter.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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