Dex Takes a Holiday
Dexter targets a police officer while Rita is away.
The 40th episode of Dexter, "Dex Takes a Holiday," aired on Showtime on October 18, 2009. Written by Melissa Rosenberg and Wendy West, and directed by John Dahl, it follows Dexter as he sets his sights on a police officer while his family leaves town, and Debra decides to rejoin Lundy. The episode drew 1.51 million viewers and earned critical praise for its ending.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Dexter
- Released
- 18 October 2009
- Length
- 55 minutes
- Director
- John Dahl
- Writer
- Melissa Rosenberg; Wendy West
- Photographer
- Romeo Tirone
- Editor
- Stewart Schill
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Rita takes the kids out of town for a wedding, leaving Dexter alone for three days. He plans to use this "vacation" to target Zoey Kruger, a Pembroke Pines police officer suspected of killing her husband and child while another man was framed and killed. Dexter visits Zoey's house during an open house and finds blood and gunshot residue in her garbage disposal. Zoey pulls him over and warns him to stay away. Meanwhile, the Trinity Killer provokes a man outside a bar, and Lundy visits a hotel where a murder occurred thirty years prior, encountering Trinity. Dexter requests Darius Rey's file to attract Zoey; she confronts him at a gas station. He states he knows she killed her family, and she threatens to accuse him of rape, but Dexter notes the blood pattern will not support her. Angel and LaGuerta ask Dexter for advice about revealing their relationship. Debra visits Lundy at his hotel room, where they have sex. Zoey sneaks into Dexter's house to kill him but is sedated; he takes her to her daughter's room, stages evidence to close her case, and kills her after she confirms she killed her family to feel free. He cleans up before Rita and the kids return. Debra and Lundy talk as she leaves the hotel parking lot; an assailant shoots them, critically wounding Debra and killing Lundy. The assailant robs Lundy and flees. Debra says "stay with me" before losing consciousness.
Reception
In its original American broadcast, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.51 million household viewers with a 0.7/2 in the 18–49 demographics, meaning 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode and 2 percent of those watching television at the time viewed it. This was a 21% increase from the previous episode, which had 1.24 million viewers and a 0.5/1 rating. The episode received critical acclaim. Matt Fowler of IGN gave it a 9 out of 10, calling it perfect for the character and fans. Emily St. James of The A.V. Club gave it an A–, noting that Lundy's death was expected but the episode heightened dramatic stakes. Kristal Hawkins of Vulture wrote that Dexter identifies with a killer and that the Trinity Killer case culminates in a suspenseful final scene. Billy Grifter of Den of Geek stated the episode underlined that Dexter is the best show he is currently watching. Alan Sepinwall found a rote quality to Dexter's kills, suggesting the show is marking time until his path crosses with Trinity's. Gina DiNunno of TV Guide noted that the assailant steals Lundy's wallet and watch, and questioned whether the Vacation Murderer or a scared serial killer is to blame.
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