“I Had a Dream,” the second-to-the-last episode of season three, begins with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) trapped in the trunk of a car, convinced that Miguel (Jimmy Smits) has finally won, and he’s on his way to his death. As Dexter contemplates his situation, he finally breaks the rope that binds his hands together. He braces for the trunk to open, ready to pounce on his assailant.
When the car trunk finally opens, Dexter jumps up, punching his kidnapper in the mouth - Vince Masuka (C.S. Lee). Masuka, Batista (David Zayas) and Quinn (Desmond Harrington) had “kidnapped” Dexter in order to surprise him with a bachelor party. An embarrassed Dexter apologizes for his reaction while Masuka puts ice on his swollen eye.
While pretending to enjoy himself, Dexter remembers hearing that “Bachelor parties aren’t for the groom, but for all the guests,” and thinks about how true this statement is. He sees an SUV drive up and watches as Miguel gets out of the car. His Best Man and next kill, Miguel, has arrived for the party.
This episode is classic Dexter, and longtime viewers will be thrilled. Everyone knows that Dexter cannot have a “true friend,” as he thought Miguel was. At the same time, it was hard not to root for the friendship. Dexter, all alone with his dark secret, finally had a man he could kill and golf with.
But like Lila from the second season, it wasn’t meant to be. Dexter discovered that Miguel was manipulating him, and after a scary Miguel told him that he would “Do what I want, when I want, to whom I want!,” He knew that Miguel had to be stopped, and who better to do it than Dexter himself?
Episode 11 contains strong performances by Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Jimmy Smits and David Ramsey. Ramsey’s Anton Briggs is a wonderful addition to the cast, and because of him, Carpenter’s Debra has become more of a multi-faceted, layered character. Watching the interaction between Anton and Debra while he told her about his experience with the Skinner was touching and absorbing.
Jimmy Smits was an excellent guest star this season, giving a hard, complicated edge to a character that at first appeared sympathetic, but typical. As Miguel’s dark character was slowly revealed, he showed a man willing to do absolutely anything to get his way, and on the verge of snapping at any moment.
- Dexter - "I Had A Dream"
- Season 3, Episode 11
- Directed by: Marcos Siega
- Written by: Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis
- Starring: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz
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