Slack Tide (Dexter)
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| "Slack Tide" | |
|---|---|
| Dexter episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Tim Hunter |
| Written by | Scott Buck |
| Cinematography by | Romeo Tirone |
| Editing by | Stewart Schill |
| Original release date | November 8, 2009 |
| Running time | 53 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Slack Tide" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 43rd overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Scott Buck, and was directed by Tim Hunter. It originally aired on Showtime on November 8, 2009.
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 targets a photographer suspected of having killed models, while Debra returns to the field.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.76 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the ending and themes.
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) is called to a crime scene in the swamp, where a dismembered human arm is found inside an alligator. The arm belonged to a Latina model, who had a photoshoot with photographer Jonathan Farrow (Greg Ellis) on the day she disappeared. When Farrow comes for questioning, he disgusts everyone with his personality, but provides an alibi.
Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) returns to the field after recovering from her wound. When Christine (Courtney Ford) tries to talk to Debra, Dexter prevents her from getting near her. As Quinn (Desmond Harrington) comes to defend her, Dexter threatens Quinn that he could reveal that he stole money from the crime scene if Christine comes close to her again. Later, Debra moves into Dexter's apartment, raising Quinn's suspicions over Dexter's life. Debra also meets with Valerie Hodges (Mary Mara), an informant who worked for Harry (James Remar). Valerie confirms sleeping with Harry, but reveals that Harry actually had sex with all of his informants. Heartbroken, she gives up her research and entrusts the files to Dexter, who destroys Laura Moser's file.
Dexter once again meets with Arthur (John Lithgow), asking for his help in building a connection with his family. Arthur suggests getting his children to do other activities, which Dexter finds helpful to his vigilantism. Dexter convinces Cody (Preston Bailey) in taking part of a young sailors club. Later, Dexter accompanies Arthur in chopping a tree. On the way back, they hit a deer, which disturbs Arthur. Arthur cannot bring himself to put the animal out of its misery, so Dexter does it for him, missing his chance in killing Arthur. Using the lumber, Arthur builds a coffin for the deer.
Dexter stops focusing on Arthur, to instead target Farrow. Angel (David Zayas) has discovered that more models who worked with him have also gone missing, apparently killing Latina models who were in America illegally (ensuring no missing persons reports would be filed). He sneaks into Farrow's studio, discovering blood and a fingernail belonging to the woman in the swamp, confirming the murder took place there. He follows Farrow to a club to kill him, but realizes that Quinn is following him. He gets a girl to distract Quinn, allowing him to escape but delaying the murder.
Despite being forced to accompany Cody on a weekend getaway with the young sailors club, Dexter still leaves during the night while everyone sleeps so he can murder Farrow. He sedates Farrow at his house and brings him to his kill table. Farrow denies killing the models, claiming he only photographs the brutality so they can "live forever." Dexter is unmoved, and kills him. A few days, he is shocked when he finds that Farrow's assistant has been arrested. Angel reveals that it was the assistant who killed the models, as they have footage and DNA to corroborate it. A shaken Dexter goes to his office, disturbed by realizing he killed an innocent person, violating the Code of Harry.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer Scott Buck, and was directed by Tim Hunter. This was Buck's eighth writing credit, and Hunter's second directing credit.[1]
