Waiting to Exhale (Dexter)
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"Waiting to Exhale" is the second episode of the second season and fourteenth overall episode of the American
television drama series In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-gen ...
''
Dexter Dexter may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Dexter, the main character of the American animated series ''Dexter's Laboratory'' that aired from 1996 to 2003 * Dexter, a fictional character in the British Diary of a Bad Man#Main, web series ''Diar ...
'', which first aired on 7 October 2007 on
Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...
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 {{More citations needed, date=August 2016 {{Infobox character , color = red , name = Dexter Morgan , series = Dexter , image = Dexter Morgan.jpg , image_size = 200px , caption = Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan , first = Novels:''Darkly Dr ...
, 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.


Plot

The police continues piling up bodies from the harbor, nicknaming the killer as the "Bay Harbor Butcher."
Dexter Dexter may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Dexter, the main character of the American animated series ''Dexter's Laboratory'' that aired from 1996 to 2003 * Dexter, a fictional character in the British Diary of a Bad Man#Main, web series ''Diar ...
(
Michael C. Hall Michael Carlyle Hall (born February 1, 1971) is an American actor and singer best known for his roles as Dexter Morgan, the titular character in the Showtime series ''Dexter,'' and David Fisher in the HBO drama series '' Six Feet Under.'' Thes ...
) 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 Keith Ian Carradine ( ; born August 8, 1949) is an American actor who has had success on stage, film, and television. He is known for his roles as Tom Frank in Robert Altman's film ''Nashville'', Wild Bill Hickok in the HBO series '' Deadwood ...
) 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 Matthew Joseph Willig (born January 21, 1969) is an American actor and former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. Early life and education Willig was born in La Mirada, California. He played football and basketb ...
) 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 is set out in killing him. That night, Dexter tries to intercept Little Chino at his house, but is a trap set up by Little Chino, forcing him to escape.
Rita Rita may refer to: People * Rita (given name) * Rita (Indian singer) (born 1984) * Rita (Israeli singer) (born 1962) * Rita (Japanese singer) * Eliza Humphreys (1850–1938), wrote under the pseudonym Rita Places * Djarrit, also known as Rita, a ...
( 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 Luna Lauren Vélez (born November 2, 1964) is an American actress and the identical twin sister of actress Lorraine Vélez. Her most notable television roles are as María LaGuerta on Showtime (TV network), Showtime's ''Dexter (TV series), Dexter' ...
) notices that Pascal (
Judith Scott Judith Scott may refer to: * Judith Scott (artist) (1943 – 2005), American fiber artist * Judith Scott (American actress) (born 1965), American television actress * Judith Scott (British actress) Judi Scott (1957–2018) was a British the ...
) 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 Debra is a feminine given name. Debra may refer to: People * Debra Adelaide (born 1958), Australian writer * Debra Allbery (born 1957), American poet * Debra R. Anderson (1949-2022), American politician * Debra Austin (born 1955), American bal ...
( 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 The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension the North Atlantic Current, North Atlantic Drift, is a warm and swift Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows through the Straits of Florida a ...
, which will become harder for anyone to discover. Content with finally getting the gang arrested, Debra decides she is ready to move out. Dexter is called by Rita 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 is an addict. 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.


Reception


Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Waiting to Exhale" was seen by an estimated 0.89 million household viewers with a 0.4/1 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.4 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 1 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it. This was a 12% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 1.01 million household viewers with a 0.5/1 in the 18–49 demographics.


Critical reviews

"Waiting to Exhale" received mostly positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of ''
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'' gave the episode a "great" 8.4 out of 10, and wrote, "A problem ''Dexter'' sometimes has rears it's head here in a scene when Dexter relates very strongly to a young girl, which is displayed via some very direct flashbacks - subtlety is often not this show's strong point. But overall, this is another interesting episode that does a solid job of looking at Dexter's relationship with various adversaries, past and present - Rudy, Little Chino, and Lundy - and showing how he reacts to their presence in his life." Scott Tobias of '' The A.V. Club'' gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "After the reckoning of last season's finale, in which Dexter's put down his brother, and the first episode of this one, in which Rita's ex Paul gets killed in prison, “Waiting To Exhale” turns into a strong meditation on grief, and the various ways people say goodbye to the flawed souls that have shaped their lives. In other words, it was basically an episode of '' Six Feet Under'', except the deaths here are of unnatural causes." Alan Sepinwall of '' The Star-Ledger'' wrote, "Rita, meanwhile, confronts Dexter with far more strength and savvy than she would have been able to show when we first met her, and I like that she automatically makes the leap to Dexter being a heroin addict. After all, why on earth would she suspect something as outlandish as her boyfriend being the Bay Harbor Butcher, and why wouldn't she guess that he had a similar problem to the other love of her life? Dexter admitting to an addiction (albeit not the one Rita thinks he has) is going to lead to a lot of fun in the coming weeks." Paula Paige of '' TV Guide'' wrote, "Whoever came up with the idea that has Dexter working on his own case is pretty brilliant. We are in for a real treat this season." Daniel Fienberg of '' Zap2it'' wrote, "the women are becoming more interesting and complicated on ''Dexter'' this season. In addition to Deb's reaction to trauma, we've seen an evolution of Rita over the past two episodes. Would last year's Rita have been so quick to catch Dexter in his lie about planting the drugs on her deceased hubby? Sure, she jumped to the wrong conclusions about him, but that misjudgment will pay immediate dividends." Keith McDuffee of '' TV Squad'' wrote, "what now with Rita? He's admitted his addiction, though not exactly the way Rita thinks, of course. This is by far the most brilliant aspect of this season, one you'll see play out starting next week." '' Television Without Pity'' gave the episode a "B+" grade. Julie Benz submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.


References


External links

*
"Waiting to Exhale"
at
Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...
's website {{DEFAULTSORT:Waiting to Exhale 2007 American television episodes Dexter (TV series) episodes Television episodes directed by Marcos Siega