Episode 107: Circle of Friends

Circle of Friends is the seventh of twelve episodes in Season One of the Showtime series DEXTER, and the seventh overall episode of the series. It first aired 12 November 2006.

Rita must deal with the return of her menacing, recently paroled husband, Paul Bennett. The Ice Truck Killer is supposedly identified, but Dexter is skeptical.

Summary


Debra and Angel identify the Ice Truck Killer as Neil Perry, a taxidermist with a history of mental illness and violence. After tracking down Perry to a sleazy motel, Debra and Angel arrest him where he gleefully confesses to the crimes. But something about Perry's confession does not sit right with Dexter.

Lt. LaGuerta sees the arrest of Perry as a way to further advance her political career, but feels betrayed when her superior, Captain Matthews takes the credit.

Debra begins to have a meeting of minds with Rudy, the prosthetic guy who works at the hospital, who asks her on a date. Meanwhile,

Rita must try to adjust her life when Paul, her violent-tempered and recently paroled husband, shows up and throws his weight around by attempting to be compassionate to their children, Astor and Cody.

Also, Dexter tries to cover up his past mistake when Jeremy Downs, one victim who Dexter allowed to escape, is arrested again for a murder charge. Dexter confronts him in a police interrogation room and asks Jeremy why he killed again. Jeremy admits that he can't feel anything (like Dexter), and he thought that killing would bring him something different. Dexter explains to Jeremy that he is the same way, and tells him only to kill people that deserve to die.

Meanwhile, Rita stands up to Paul and tells him that if he can handle supervised visits for six months, then she might consider letting him have unsupervised visitation. She then hands him divorce papers. Agreeing that he will follow these orders, Paul submits very quickly and signs them. Rita, very surprised that Paul didn't put up a fight, smiles.

Dexter wants to give Jeremy more of a guiding light, but when he goes into prison for a visit, he finds that Jeremy committed suicide. He took Dexter's advice and killed someone that deserved to die.

Dexter, disappointed that the Ice Truck Killer is nothing more than a mentally disturbed psycho, requests to see Neil Perry so that he can ask questions. Neil walks into the room and Dexter says, "Hi." Neil genuinely does not recognize Dexter at all. Dexter smiles as he realizes that the Ice Truck Killer is still out there.

Related Pages

 * Bayside Elementary School
 * Blood Slide Boxes
 * Captive Prostitute
 * Code of Harry
 * Detective Pullman
 * Dexter's Apartment
 * Flamingo Park
 * Ice Truck Killer Case
 * Juan's Hot Dogs
 * Kill Tools
 * Miami Motor Court
 * Neil Perry's Mobile Home
 * Pink Motel (Miami)
 * Rita Bennett's House
 * Roberta Perry
 * Slice of Life 
 * Valedictorian Murder Case

Reception
Eric Goldman said: "Dexter continues to move along at a brisk pace, and this week delivered one of its busiest and best episodes yet."

The show received moderately positive reviews from online fans, gaining an 8.6 on IMDb and a B+ from Television Without Pity users.