Dr. Manny Pena

Dr. Manny Pena is a character in Season Two of the Showtime series DEXTER.

He is a marine biologist who arrives in Miami to help with the Bay Harbor Butcher Case.

Summary

 * “See-Through”

After Dexter overhears Vince Masuka say that he has a break in the Butcher case, he questions Debra about it the next morning.

"Dexter: “So, what’s this big break in the Bay Harbor Butcher Case I keep hearing about?” Deb: “Algae.” Dexter: “Algae?” Deb: “Yeah. Masuka found microscopic algae inside the garbage bags with the bodies.” Dexter: “Algae under the sea -- imagine that. How does that help?” Deb: “‘Cause there are over 100,000 species, all different. Masuka thinks he can use them to pinpoint in which harbor the killer keeps his boat.” Dexter: “Oh.” Deb: “He’s got some marine biologist coming down to take a look. Can you imagine something so little being the thing that breaks this case? I got to go. I’ll see you at the station.”"

It doesn’t make sense, Dexter thought. ''If there’s algae on my victims, it would have to come from the ocean where I dumped them. Obviously, I’m missing something, and I don’t like that.''

At work, Dexter attempts to find out more details from Masuka.

"Dexter: “Hey, so, I heard you found some algae that might help crack the big case.” Masuka: “You heard right.” Dexter: “What kind of algae?” Masuka: “Diatoms. Eukaryotic algae.”"

Okay, Dexter thought. This is the first time I regret not being a bigger nerd.

"Dexter: “Eurkaryotic?” Masuka: “I’ll let Manny explain it to you. He’s picking up the evidence tomorrow so he can study it in his own lab. You know marine biologists -- real prima donnas.” Dexter: “Any chance you could show me?” (Vince is called away by Lt. Pascal.)"

Later, outside of the field morgue, Angel Batista remarks to Dexter that it’s so hot, he could melt. Dexter privately wishes the bodies would melt away, which gives him an idea. That night, Dexter breaks the morgue’s AC unit, and sets it up so that the garbage collection truck will be blamed.

The next day, Dr. Manny Pena explains the importance of the algae to Frank Lundy and Vince Masuka as they are about to enter the field morgue.

"Manny: “For example, we find the genus Nitzschia, and we know we’re talking about a freshwater marina, and the algae can tell us more about what kind of pollutants are in the water, which would even further narrow...” (He stops talking when they enter the morgue.)"

The three of them are confronted by the sight and smell of decomposing bodies. Dr. Pena retches and leaves the morgue to vomit.

"Lundy: “Damn it!”"

Back inside the station, Masuka expresses his disgust to Dexter.

"Masuka: “Fucking garbagemen!” Dexter: “Oh?” Masuka: “Broke the refrigeration unit. It blew hot air all night. It turned the bodies into pink mush.” Dexter: “How awful!” Masuka: “Completely ruined.” Dexter: [sighs] “You brought your marine biologist and everything.” Masuka: “Yeah. It made him vomit. [both laugh] Anyway, good thing the heat didn’t affect the rocks. Lundy had us store them separately.” Dexter: “The rocks?” Masuka: “Yeah. The algae we found on the rocks. The Bay Harbor Butcher used them to weigh his bags down. We’re assuming his picked them up where he docks his boat.” Dexter: “But I thought the marine biologist came to examine the bodies.” Masuka: “No. No, it’s all about the rocks, baby. Manny took them to his lab. Should have results in a week or so. That should help us narrow down what marina they came from.”"

Dexter realizes that he's still in danger of being discovered and ponders electrocution versus lethal injection.

Related Pages

 * Coral Cove Marina
 * Bay Harbor Butcher Case
 * Vince Masuka