'Dexter' Recap: Isaak Circo Makes Dexter An Offer He Can't Refuse In 'Helter Skelter'

An episode after the writers of "Dexter" pulled out the incest card, they pretty much ran away from that storyline. There was still some weird tension between the foster siblings, which they handled with awkward jokes and strained small talk.
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Spoiler Alert: Do not read on if you haven't seen Season 7, Episode 9 of "Dexter," titled "Helter Skelter."

Deb - Dex Drama: An episode after the writers of "Dexter" pulled out the incest card, they pretty much ran away from that storyline, exactly like they did at the conclusion of Season 6. There was still some weird tension between the foster siblings, which they handled with awkward jokes and strained small talk.

Dexter told Deb he's glad she said she was in love with him, and she talked about feeling relieved from the burden of carrying that secret around with her. Dexter made it clear that while her feelings may be "logical," he's not into her like that. But he did reassure Deb that "you're not crazy," which should mean a lot coming from a sociopath.

Deb quickly went back to giving Dexter sisterly advice, particularly to stay away from Hannah. "She is a killer. You'll never be safe with her." But later in the episode, she was covering Dexter's tracks again -- as he went on his quest to save Hannah from Isaak Circo. Deb called off the 24/7 surveillance on Circo so Dexter could help him take out his assassins, and even helped Dexter figure out where Circo's bodyguard was holding Hannah hostage. Then she showed up there and rescued Hannah after she'd been stabbed in the stomach. Deb's love life is most certainly a mess, but she's still a good cop and a good sister.

Kill Of The Week:

When Isaak learned that the Koshkas sent two experienced hitmen to kill him, he approached Dexter with an offer to help him kill them in exchange for calling off their blood feud. Dexter initially declined, but agreed once Circo kidnapped Hannah to increase his leverage. It was a twist I didn't see coming, but it gave rise to a strange and entertaining alliance between the two gentleman killers.

And they each held true to their side of the bargain. Dexter put his serial-killing skills to good use and quickly took out the first hitman at a rifle range. Although I thought for a moment that Isaak would betray Dexter as he led the second assassin onto a boat, Circo came through, and gunned the guy down from above.

But then things got a little strange. George Novikov, Isaak's disenchanted No. 2, showed up and shot Isaak in the gut. And instead of going to the hospital or a doctor, Isaak pretty much accepted that he was going to die, and asked Dexter to take him out on his boat so he could rest in peace in the sea with his dead lover Victor, and so he could have one last philosophical discussion about love with Dexter. It was a strange and somewhat anti-climactic way for one of the better "Dexter" villains in awhile to go out, but then again, the story stayed true to the character. With the love of his life gone and his own people turning against him, Circo didn't have much to live for anymore.

By the way, now seems like a good time to say that I thought Ray Stevenson did a great job acting the Isaak character. He brought an unusual amount of depth and soul to a "Dexter" villain.

Debism Of The Week:

"Holy fillet of fuck."

Theory Of The Week:

So what happens now between Dexter and the Koshka Brotherhood? Let's connect some dots: George knows Dexter saw him shoot Circo. George also got his ass kicked by Quinn in this episode before he grabbed Nadia and stormed out of the club. This may be a long shot, but I could see George approaching Quinn with a similar deal -- and tactics -- as Isaak used on Dexter. George could kidnap and threaten to kill Nadia in exchange for forcing Quinn to kill Dexter. But as we all know, Dexter will survive the season, so this scenario would more than likely end up with Quinn dead for sticking his hand in the cookie jar one too many times.

How do you see that playing out? What did you think of this episode? Share your own thoughts and theories in the comments.

"Dexter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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