Helter Skelter (Dexter)
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Episode 9
| "Helter Skelter" | |
|---|---|
| Dexter episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | Steve Shill |
| Written by | Tim Schlattmann |
| Cinematography by | Jeffrey Jur |
| Editing by | Keith Henderson |
| Original release date | November 25, 2012 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Helter Skelter" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 81st overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Tim Schlattmann, and directed by Steve Shill. It originally aired on Showtime on November 25, 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 forced to cooperate with Isaak when he kidnaps Hannah, while LaGuerta asks Matthews to help her investigation.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.12 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the closure to Isaak's story arc.
Isaak (Ray Stevenson) is informed by Jurg (Andrew Kirsanov) that the Koshka Brotherhood has sent two more hitmen after Isaak. As their options run out, Isaak pays a visit to Dexter (Michael C. Hall), asking for help, and stating he will be willing to put their conflict aside. Despite the offer, Dexter refuses.
Dexter assists Miami Metro in a new case, where a man was found burned in his car. While the police believes it might be a suicide, Dexter concludes an arsonist is responsible. When another victim is found, they realize they are after a serial killer, nicknamed the Phantom Arsonist. He takes the opportunity to talk with Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) over her confession, but she refuses to delve further. When Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) asks to meet him at his apartment, Dexter finds Isaak instead. Isaak reveals he kidnapped Hannah and forces Dexter to help him fight the hitman, promising to leave their conflict afterwards. To help their mission, Dexter gets Debra to call off the security detail following Isaak.
LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) visits Matthews (Geoff Pierson), offering her new theory that the Bay Harbor Butcher is still active. Matthews is not convinced of her claims, reiterating that James Doakes was the killer, even if she states he never owned a boat. However, he later returns to help her investigation, if she can get him reinstated as police chief to get his proper retirement plan. Quinn (Desmond Harrington) visits the Fox Hole, where Nadia (Katia Winter) reveals that George (Jason Gedrick) forced her to have sex with him. Angered, Quinn brutally attacks George and takes Nadia out.
Dexter tracks one of the hitmen to a shooting range, and successfully kills him. As he talks with Hannah, Dexter uses a picture to find her location. Hannah poisons Jurg and manages to kill him, but loses consciousness after she is stabbed. Debra finds her location, and calls an ambulance. With the other hitman following Dexter, Isaak gets him to go to a cargo ship to confront him. Dexter and Isaak overpower and kill the hitman, throwing his body in the ocean. Suddenly, George arrives and shoots Isaak, fleeing before Dexter can catch him. In his dying moment, Isaak asks to be buried in the same place where Dexter dumped Viktor's body. Before dying, Isaak exchanges a conversation with Dexter over his nature, expressing that he never felt alive until he met Viktor. This prompts Dexter to visit Hannah at the hospital, saying that he felt scared that he would lose her, proclaiming that he feels safe with her.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer Tim Schlattmann, and directed by Steve Shill. This was Schlattmann's 13th writing credit, and Shill's tenth directing credit.[1]
