Waiting to Exhale (Dexter)
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Episode 2
| "Waiting to Exhale" | |
|---|---|
| Dexter episode | |
 Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) hallucinates a conversation between himself and his deceased brother Brian Moser (Christian Camargo) | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Marcos Siega |
| Written by | Clyde Phillips |
| Cinematography by | Romeo Tirone |
| Editing by | Rob Seidenglanz |
| Original release date | October 7, 2007 |
| Running time | 56 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Waiting to Exhale" is the second episode of the second season and fourteenth overall episode of the American television drama series Dexter, which first aired on October 7, 2007 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by executive producer Clyde Phillips and was directed by Marcos Siega.
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 tries to find and kill Little Chino, while dealing with the discovery of his murders.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.89 million household viewers and gained a 0.4/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, writing and character development.
The police continue piling up bodies from the harbor, nicknaming the killer as the "Bay Harbor Butcher." Dexter (Michael C. Hall) is stressed over the discovery of the bodies while also investigating a murder related to Little Chino. The woman murdered, Eva, left a child, and Dexter expresses guilt that he could've prevented her death by killing Little Chino.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation, with Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) assigned to the case. He forms a task force between Miami Metro and the FBI; Doakes (Erik King), who admires Lundy, asks to join, but Lundy feels he does not work as a team member. The department is surprised when Little Chino (Matt Willig) walks into the station with his lawyer, providing them with security footage that gives him an alibi in Eva's murder. Dexter avoids Little Chino but sets out to kill him. That night, Dexter tries to intercept Little Chino at his house but it is a trap set up by Little Chino, forcing him to escape.
Rita (Julie Benz) is shaken while arranging Paul's funeral, still not telling her children about it. Dexter does not believe she should spend money on him, but an upset Rita demands that he respect her decision. At the funeral, Dexter hallucinates that Brian (Christian Camargo) is watching over him. LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) notices that Pascal (Judith Scott) is having problems with her fiancé, Bertrand, and often covers for her. LaGuerta is further worried when she discovers that Pascal wiretapped his phone conversations. Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) refuses to move out of Dexter's apartment, and despite wanting to go back to the police force, she is still traumatized by her experience with Brian.
After a kid identifies Little Chino's gang as Eva's murderers, Little Chino sets out to kill the kid. Dexter arrives in time to sedate him and save the kid. Properly tying Little Chino, Dexter executes him. He takes the body to a new location that will take it to the Gulf Stream, which will become more challenging for anyone to discover. Content with finally getting the gang arrested, Debra decides she is ready to move out. Rita calls Dexter to visit her, and she reveals she found Paul's shoe. She explains that Paul believes Dexter knocked him out and drugged him, to which Dexter confirms, but claims he took the drugs from the police department.
Nevertheless, Rita is confused over how Dexter knew how to cook heroin, and Dexter proclaims he has an addiction. Rita believes it is related to drugs and comforts him, believing that is the reason why he often leaves at night. Dexter goes to the marina, deciding that he must move forward, and that involves getting over Brian. He removes the Barbie doll from his keychain, causing the hallucination of Brian to fade out.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer Clyde Phillips and was directed by Marcos Siega. This was Phillips' second writing credit, and Siega's first directing credit.[1]
