Dexter

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Season 3, Episode 3, Aired 10/12/08

Episode Summary

After Dexter meets a pedophile at the grocery store, who's set his sights on Astor, he has to make a decision about his code. Miguel and Dexter both know the new body that showed up skinned wasn't Freebo's doing, and need to find a way to convince the Homicide Squad. Dexter is still wrestling with his potential role in the baby's life.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Michael C. Hall

Dexter Morgan
Julie Benz

Rita Bennett
Jennifer Carpenter

Debra Morgan

Fan Episode Reviews (17)

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Predators And Prey Written by Scott Buck Directed by John Dahl

9.0

"Superb"

By shawnlunn2002, Jun 29, 2010 Report Abuse

Dexter (to Nathan): "I'm not like you. Nobody hurts my children."

If there was a statement needed to cement your commitment as a parental figure, I'm not sure if (from a legal perspective) murdering a paedophile is the way to go about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to see scum like Nathan taken off the streets, it's just authorities frown on all forms of murder (except self-defence).

Dexter was worried that he wouldn't make a good father to his unborn child but his skills with Cody and Astor really didn't back up that fear. Even Dexter's expertise in faking have their limitations and he's more or less said on more than one occasion that he does care about what happens to children.

When it came to Nathan, there was no way about it though the moment Dexter spotted him talking to Astor in the supermarket, he was justified in worrying. Nathan looked like trouble from the off and Dexter didn't have to look hard to find the evidence to back up his theory.

Even on the beach there was a sense of worry. No-one takes photos of children unawares like that ever. Dexter was right to be suspicious but his confrontation with Nathan was new. Dexter sometimes vets out his victims, he rarely takes them aside and tells them that he knows all their sordid details.

He however did do that and I did think that maybe Dexter was try to give Nathan a chance to either get his sick urges until control or leave town. In the end, Dexter paying him a house call and killing him was the better option. Even if Nathan hadn't personally attacked Dexter by taking photos of Astor, Nathan is still a danger to society.

Nathan's serving as a plot device to get Dexter around the idea of a biological worked for me. It worked more than poor Dexter having to deal with yoga classes. Whatever happened to antenatal? Dexter's sheer awkwardness over the whole debacle made me feel a little for him.

I noticed that throughout the episode, Rita insisted on not pressuring Dexter but was sort of pressuring him to make a decision. Not that I'm down on Rita for that, it's just something that really stuck out for me. Dexter's sending of positive energy made for a lovely moment.

Then there's Deb's reaction to the idea of becoming an auntie. By far, the funniest thing this show has ever done. No-one can send out a congratulations like Deb. This is one of the few times where her excessive swearing was incredibly sweet. I found myself giggling with it.

Deb was also another person who told Dexter to get into gear with becoming a father. The various slaps to the arms as well as telling him that he's brilliant brother. Deb was on fine form with her brother and it was her way of being nice to him after he did something nice to her (he put up a missing photo of Tegan around so she'd get another clue). With all the positives of family present and accounted for, Miguel's kind of a bad representation on the friendship front. I mean, the guy really just kept pushing and pushing with Dexter here, especially on the whole Freebo debacle. Dexter seriously needs to watch himself with this bloke.

Wanting to know where Freebo's body is was hardly unreasonable and even trying to bond with him over failed fathers could be natural but Dexter's had too many bad luck with people that he's 'connected' with (Brian/Rudy, Lila) and it's very unlikely that Miguel is somehow going to buck the trend.

It is however very likely that he can make things ten times worse for Dexter. Even if he is an accessory to a murder, it's still Dexter who would serve a longer jail sentence and even Miguel giving Dexter his blood stained shirt still doesn't make me want to trust him in a massive hurry.

Dexter's pondering on the nature of Miguel's motive is good though. In an alternative reality, maybe Miguel would be genuinely trustworthy but in this one, I just can't help feeling the opposite and soon enough if previews for upcoming episodes have shown me, Dexter will come around to the same way of thinking.

Even with all the stuff he knew and the platitudes about justice not getting served, Miguel had no problem standing aside and allowing Chicky Hines to take the rap for a DUI he didn't commit. Maria herself looked pretty disgusted and even more so when she overheard Chicky's lawyer talking to the press.

Deb on the other hand when she wasn't happy for her brother, seemed determined to get more information from Anton as best she could. The only problem was that following Javier's death, Anton wasn't as eager to talk to him and going all hard ass on him in the bathroom wasn't her best idea either.

Anton didn't exactly make things easy on himself either. If Deb was too rash with him, it was only because Anton continued to goad her and lighting up a joint in front of her was dumb on his part. Did he really think she wouldn't arrest him? Maybe Anton wanted to be arrested. He did express some fears about his safety during their heated confrontation. After all, Javier got skinned as well as Tegan.

As for Quinn, what the hell is his deal with Deb and Anton? Maybe he fancies Deb and it's jealousy, maybe Anton's more dangerous than we know and he's worried for Deb or (more than likely) Anton has something on Quinn and Quinn would rather Deb not knowing. All are valid guesses on my part.

It is pretty likely that one of these guys will end up sleeping with Deb if not both of them. Anton's little song tribute to Deb (Skinny Mean **** generated a fair amount of laughs, especially given that even Deb was able to see the funny side of the whole thing. She even danced as a result of knowing what it meant exactly.

Also in "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

The previously on bits for this episode were longer again. They always seem to be with this show.

Rita: "You do your grocery list alphabetically?"
Dexter: "How else would you do it?"

If it were me, probably listing it off with most important to least important. Or randomly write everything I remember and curse myself for the item I forgot.

Quinn: "You like milk or cream?"
Dexter: "Neither."
Quinn: "Not exactly the chatty type, are you?"

Deb: "A baby? A **** roly-poly, chubby cheeked **** machine? Are you kidding me?"
Dexter: "I've never heard it described in quite those words before, but yeah."

I only just read in the May issue for Sky Magazine that Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter recently got married, so congratulations to them.

Sylvia (to Rita): "Men are such babies. They have to be carried kicking and screaming into fatherhood."

Dexter (re Miguel): "Showing up late at night like this. Is it creepy or is it what friends do?"

During the meeting under the bridge, I was worried that Miguel might have found a hole in Dexter's story. Luckily he hasn't but I bet he will though.

Dexter: "My father was disgusted by me."
Miguel: "Disgusted? No offence to the dead but your father's an idiot."

Anton (to Deb): "Looks like having conversations with you is dangerous for your health."

I noticed that Chicky's lawyer was played by the brilliant Anne Ramsay. Hopefully we'll be seeing her in more episodes this season.

Deb (re Tegan): "I'm thinking of putting her picture on milk cartons."
Dexter: "It's a good idea."
Deb: "Except no-one would ever drink milk again."

Dexter: "What's that for?"
Deb: "I know you, Dex; you're the best brother in the world. You can do this. And if you don't trust yourself, trust me. I'm the smart one in the family."

Anton's little 'puta' comment about Deb reminded me of LaGuerta frequently calling her that in Darkly Dreaming Dexter.

Quinn (re Masuka): "Who the **** are his people?"
Angel: "I don't know little scientists or something."

Dexter: "So there it is. I'm gonna be a father and raise my child. It's what any good man would do."

Chronology: The day after "Finding Freebo".

The first two episodes of this season were good but "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was much better. Rita's pregnancy plot should bore me to tears but it doesn't, the skinnings are obviously leading to something bad and Miguel is dangerous.moreless

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3 0
Dexter may have found a friend, Deb continues to entertain.

9.0

"Superb"

By stewie1423, May 09, 2009 Report Abuse

As I said in another review I love the development between Miguel and Dexter. It was so intense when the former was waling through the office and Dexter knew he knew about the killing of Freebo. Plus the way he kept turning up or calling Dexter 'You're not alone' and such...such a good storyline.

Loved when Dexter killed the creepy man watching the kids but then took the milk that Rita's requested from his victims fridge. Genius. Deb also stand out for me...she is both hilarious and really likable. I really hope she gets her well deserved shield, that'll be a good turn of events for her. The scene in the club where Anton started singing about her was really funny.

Dexter finally accepts Rita's pregnancy and puts his hand on her stomach. Very good ending. Very good episode.moreless

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1 1
kind of a filler but better

8.5

"Great"

By drrdheroe, Oct 18, 2008 Report Abuse

well for me this is the worst episode of the season so far but its still pretty good . it feels more like a setup episode with dex getting miguels shirt and the skinner case moving on.
now the best part of the episode was the character development that dexter experienced from not being sure if he can be a dad to realising he can.
as for breaking the code i can forgive them for that first of all it was a pedophile maybe not as bad as a killer but still not a good man and second of all he was doing it to protect astor wich made him realised he can be a dad to his baby and therefor the character development.
8.5moreless

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2 1
well written and revealing

10

"Perfect"

By abcd-tv, Oct 17, 2008 Report Abuse

in this episode, dexter is faced with a multitude of problems.will he be a good dad? can he trust miguel prado? will he be able to steer the cops away from freebo?. dexter has some trust issues with prado who senses the same and gives dexter the shirt with freebo's blood which can incriminate him to earn dexter's trust.i felt that the writers MIGHT have given away the crucial element(the shirt) which dex might use to put away miguel if he became a problem.
dexter's concerns about his capabilities as a parent are answered in the affirmative by his own actions when he kills the paedophile to protect astor.the intensity on dex's face when he sees the pervert looking at astor's picture revealed the fondness he has for those kids.the last scene told me that dex has finally accepted that he will indeed be a good dad.moreless

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6 1
Throughout this episode, my heart beat 2 times faster until it was over, and for only one thing: Dexter.

9.0

"Superb"

By soapie13, Oct 15, 2008 Report Abuse

For the most part, I found that this episode was pretty boring. But there was one specific part that totally changed my views. When that pedophile at the grocery store found an interest in Astor, my heart started beating 2 times faster and did not stop. As soon as Dexter spotted that disgusting man attempting to make conversation with Astor, all I could do was grin. I was worried about Astor but still, I knew she was completely safe while Dexter was around. And when Dexter walked up and talked to the man in a sort of mocking tone, I could only grin wider. I was so proud of Dexter for defending Astor, and I was somewhat laughing at the poor pedophile, because he had no idea what was coming for him. I knew there was absolutely no way that in the end, Dexter would let the man live. No matter if he hadn't killed anyone, and even though he claimed that the whole pedophile phase was "over", Dexter had all the right in the world to do what he did to that man.moreless

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2 1

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Goof: When Miguel arrives at the street festival he removes his glasses. In the next shot, he is still wearing them. Edit
- Goof: In the scene where Miguel and Dexter are drinking beer at the street festival and Dexter tells him he has mixed feelings about him being a father, a man wearing a blue t-shirt, sunglasses and holding two beers walks by them. In the next shot, the same person is walking behind them. Edit
- Goof: In the scene at the cemetery, the camera and other set equipment can be seen in the reflection of Miguel Prado's sunglasses. Edit
Notes
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Quotes
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- Quinn: Sugar is so much better than artificial stuff, don't you think? Dexter: I guess. Quinn: You like milk or cream? Dexter: Neither. Quinn: Not exactly the chatty type are ya? Dexter: No. Edit
- Dexter: (voice over) It seems ironic that I, an expert on human dismemberment, have to pay $800 to have myself virtually dissected. Edit
- (Dexter talking about his family's medical history) Dexter: (Voice over) Like mom was killed by a chainsaw, my brother was killed by….well, me. Edit
Allusions
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- Title: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" This is reference to a lyric in the song "Wimoweh", which has been recorded by many artists and in some cases has just been recorded as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" Edit