Argentina (Dexter)
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Episode 8
| "Argentina" | |
|---|---|
| Dexter episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Romeo Tirone |
| Written by | Arika Lisanne Mittman |
| Cinematography by | Jeffrey Jur |
| Editing by | Amy E. Duddleston |
| Original release date | November 18, 2012 |
| Running time | 58 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Argentina" is the eighth episode of the seventh season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 80th overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Arika Lisanne Mittman, and directed by Romeo Tirone. It originally aired on Showtime on November 18, 2012.
Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities. In the episode, Dexter is conflicted over Debra's request to kill Hannah, while Isaak puts his revenge plan into motion.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.25 million household viewers and gained a 1.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the dialogue and performances.
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) visits Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), telling her he cannot kill Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) as she asked him. Debra reiterates that she is responsible for many murders, including Sal Price, even playing his recorded interview with her, where she confessed to killing a woman with Wayne Randall. Dexter turns her down, saying the decision will follow her for the rest of her life if he kills her.
Isaak (Ray Stevenson) evades the police following him, allowing himself the chance to try to kill Dexter near a donut shop, but misses the shots. Debra hopes she can use this to charge Isaak, but Dexter does not think anything will come out of it. The Koshka Brotherhood grows frustrated with Isaak's actions, as he is deviating from their business ventures. They contact George (Jason Gedrick), who offers to solve their situation. George wants Quinn (Desmond Harrington) to continue working for him, but Quinn refuses and threatens to open an investigation on the Fox Hole's illegal immigrants. George later visits him, showing that he has an audio exposing Quinn destroying the blood evidence against Isaak. He forces Quinn to cooperate in supervising drug circulation at the strip club.
Astor (Christina Robinson) and Cody (Preston Bailey) arrive in Miami to stay with Dexter while their grandfather undergoes surgery. As Isaak might target Dexter, Debra agrees to let them stay with her. They go dining at the new restaurant owned by Angel (David Zayas), where Cody reveals that Astor has been smoking marijuana. Dexter offers advice to Astor, and promises not to tell her grandparents. Deducing that Isaak might be staying at Viktor's apartment, Dexter pays him a visit, only to discover a hitman sent to kill Isaak. Dexter overpowers the hitman and kills him. Isaak and his bodyguard Jurg Yeliashkevych find the body, realizing that the Koshka ordered a hit on Isaak. With very limited resources, Isaak is forced to call Miami Metro on the scene.
LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) continues her investigation, reducing the list of police workers who own a boat. She takes an interest in Dexter's boat, especially as he suddenly moved out of his usual marina around the time of the Bay Harbor Butcher's discovery. Debra discovers that Dexter is in a relationship with Hannah, which is why he refused her request to kill her. As they argue, Debra finally confesses she went to the church where he killed Travis Marshall to tell him she loved him.
Dumbfounded by the revelation, Dexter leaves Debra's house. He follows Isaak to what turns out to be a gay bar. They agree to pause their attempts to ambush one another, opting instead for a civil conversation in which they establish their mutual respect. Isaak reveals that Viktor was his lover, which explains why his quest for revenge is personal. Despite his unwavering intent to kill Dexter, he acknowledges his shared nature as an outsider in society, albeit for different reasons, and declares that they could have been friends "under different circumstances."
The episode ends with Debra sharing a joint with Astor, Isaak listening repeatedly to Viktor's last voice message in his secret hideout, and Dexter returning to Hannah and reflecting on the meaning of "home".
Production
Development
The episode was written by co-producer Arika Lisanne Mittman, and directed by Romeo Tirone. This was Mittman's second writing credit, and Tirone's fifth directing credit.[1]
