Dexter 4x06

Arthur Mitchell is a husband, father of two, school teacher, church deacon and charity worker – an exemplary citizen of his community, living the perfect life – by day, and a serial killer by night. Dexter is inching closer and closer, but is too intrigued by Arthur’s seemingly happy family that he cannot take his life just yet. He wants to learn from him – plus the “Trinity Killer” finished his latest cycle. So, the urgency is gone – as long as Miami Metro won’t catch the killer first. Eventually, Dexter introduces himself to Arthur as “Kyle Butler.” Arthur invites him to his charity building project, Four Walls. At his own home, Rita demands that they see a therapist to talk about his compulsive lying. The therapist in a way berates Rita for expecting that Dexter would change, if she thought he lied, cheated, and used drugs before. Rita remains distant and Dex doesn’t know what to do. Taking a lead from Arthur, he buys Rita and the kids present. Rita just schedules another session. There, Dex talks about his mother’s murder and confesses that he is afraid Rita will leave him, too, if he opens up emotionally. I am still disturbed that I empathize with Dexter, and continue to find Rita unsympathetic.

At the latest crime scene, Dexter discovers a smudge on the wall. The killer deliberately had his victim point at it. Later, Masuka discovers two strains of DNA – from the ash as well as the saliva – and they are related! Dex researches Arthur’s family history, and learns that his sister Vera died in a bathtub accident, his mother Marsha jumped to her death, and his father Henry was beaten to death in an alley: Arthur is recreating his family deaths with his ritualistic cycles! Dex finds an excuse to visit Arthur’s home and notices Four Walls trophy plaques all in locations where the “Trinity Killer” struck. Arthur also keeps an urn with Vera’s ashes. He is hiding in plain sight. Arthur is angry to see “Kyle” near Vera’s urn, but calms down and confides that his family saved him. He had to jump in with both feet. As a present he gives “Kyle” a framing hammer, the murder weapon of his last victim! It is engrossing how Dex is looking up to Arthur. Clearly cracks are appearing in Arthur’s perfect family.

Meanwhile, Miami Metro has arrested Johnny Rose’s girlfriend, Nicky. She shot him after reading about his syphilis. During the interrogation she admits they were responsible for the “Vacation Murders,” but denies they shot Lundy or Debra. Deb wants an answer and confronts Nicky in her cell, but she still denies she shot Lundy and her. Then Deb discovers that some of Lundy’s evidence was taken from his hotel room. She suspects that Nicky is telling the truth – and that the “Trinity Killer” must have shot them because they were getting too close. Angel and Maria are still struggling with their relationship – and the possible career consequences. Maria would hate to see Angel leave homicide, so she requests a transfer to press liaison. Now it’s Angel who doesn’t want her to sacrifice her career for him. So they sign affidavits that their relation has ended. They’re told that there will be severe consequences if they continue this charade. Although Quinn has managed to keep Christine from talking about his work, she does ask him to arrange an interview with Deb. She wants to run a hero piece on her. All her charm fails to convince Quinn as he refuses. Other highly entertaining episode – I cannot wait for the next one!