The Big Bad Body Problem is the seventh of ten episodes of Dexter: Original Sin.
Synopsis[]
“Dexter needs to find a new hiding place after his most recent dumping ground is blown. Harry and LaGuerta pitch a controversial theory to Spencer, as the hunt for a missing child continues.”
Notes[]
- At the end of the episode it is revealed that the kidnapper responsible for murdering Jimmy Powell, Jr. and the mutilation of Nicky Spencer is the Miami Metro Homicide Captain Aaron Spencer.
- This is currently the second latest main antagonist for a first season (for a separate series) reveal in the franchise at the seventh episode . Brian Moser (as Rudy Cooper) in the Season One episode ’Shrink Wrap’ has the latest reveal at eight episodes and Kurt Caldwell is the earliest for the mini-series Dexter: New Blood shown to be the killer in ’H is for Hero’, the fourth episode where he drives a girl to the cabin used for an earlier murder of Lily Kosnicki.
- This is also one of the latest reveals of a main antagonist across the existing Dexter shows, with his reveal only 3 episodes remain in the season for Dexter to focus on bringing him down. While Brian was revealed in the eighth episode of his season he remained anonymous to other characters until the eleventh, giving the audience an edge in his identity.
- With a realization of who the kidnapper is, this is the first episode of the franchise where Dexter targets a main antagonist.
- This episode is the first to fully introduce Hector Estrada, who up until this point was only shown in a photograph on a board detailing his cartel.
- Dexter begins shopping for a new dumping ground after the Everglades is ruled out, checking through maps of nearby bodies of water until he ultimately discovers the an area off the coast though remarks that he would need a boat - hinting towards his later acquisition of the Slice of Life
- The episode provides hallucination depictions of three real life serial killers that Dexter looks to for inspiration on disposal - Ed Gein, David Berkowitz and John Wayne Gacy though determines that each of their methods don’t fit his needs.
- Ted Bundy, the Zodiac Killer and several other killers are mentioned earlier in the season as well.
- Dexter disposes of Levi Reed’s corpse in a dumpster which is later buried beneath a landfill marking the only known instance of disposing a body in this manner. He does not pursue this further due to the risk, the smell and the complications involved.
- During a watercooler discussion as Masuka boasts that he saved Dexter's life back in the Everglades, Clark Sanders admits that the location was a great place to hide a body - which Dexter remarks in an internal monologue that it was. Seizing the opportunity to participate in "gallows humor" he workshops methods with members of the department on how one would dispose of a body deflecting it as a hypothetical question on how one could get away with it. This marks the first time he brainstorms with members of Miami Metro Homicide to benefit his actions as a serial killer. Additionally, several ideas are suggested from characters in the discussion, which Dexter remarks on in his mind.
- Vince Masuka suggests that if it's a hot girl to try taxidermy (following his usual perverted mentality complete with a laugh) that Dexter brushes off. Similar to Ed Gein albeit realizing that Masuka was just joking, Dexter would never stuff and display a corpse as it goes against the principles taught by the Code.
- Officer Muszynski suggests that he would invite Dr. Hannibal Lector over for dinner, suggesting cannibalism. Dexter remarks that Muszynski was never very helpful. Dexter's repulsion to cannibalism is later explored in the original series ("What's Eating Dexter Morgan?"} which would rule this method out indefinitely.
- Clark Sanders says that he would dump them at a construction site, the night before they pour the cement. Dexter thinks that it's not bad but he'd have to wait for a new skyscraper for every kill. This method of disposal is actually utilized by the Trinity Killer who secretly hid the body of a young boy at every charity build he participated in, which allowed him to move across the country under the guise of his work to restart each cycle of murders.
- Dexter utilizes his forensics badge as an excuse to be at a crime scene he was discovered at for the first time, he would utilize the badge several times in the original series after this - including another trip to the Everglades as he reaches the destroyed cabin where Doakes was blown to pieces.
- Dexter seizes an opportunity to tamper with a crime scene for the first time in this episode, when he is at his own scene in the Everglades. Seeing an opportunity to dispose of Ferrer’s remaining arm out of fear that his prints could lead back to him, Dexter feigns being attacked by an alligator which he feeds the arm and claims that it ate the evidence.
- Dexter’s advice is taken several times in this episode by other characters:
- Maria LaGuerta approaches Spencer about a potential serial killer based on Dexter’s explanation at the third crime scene for the N.H.I. Killer, quoting him directly as she explains the evolution of the killer’s methods to find what he feels is most pleasurable.
- Tanya Martin praises Dexter for spotting a blood spatter on the outside of the box used to house Nicky Spencer’s finger, suggesting that it may belong to the killer. When she presents the evidence report to Spencer in his office she mentions the blood spatter and credits Dexter with the discovery.
- Angel Batista realizes from photographs taken of the arm found in the Everglades that it belongs to Tony Ferrer. His motivation to open a case on the arm prompts Dexter to intervene, providing insight that Ferrer got what he deserved and that had that photo been shown to his victims they would believe it to be justice. He then redirects Angel back to helping Nicky Spencer, which Angel thanks him for “talking him down from the ledge” in his pursuit chasing after Ferrer’s killer (Dexter himself).
Music[]
Songs in this episode:
- Open – Daniel Licht (2007)
- The Ice Truck Killer – Daniel Licht (2006)
- Orange Crush – R.E.M. (1988)
- New Legs – Daniel Licht (2006)
- Shove – L7 (1990)
- Free Ride – Edgar Winter (1972)
- Rush Hour – Jane Wiedlin (1988)
- Dexter Kills Speltzer Theme – Daniel Licht (2012)
Gallery[]
