HOLLYWOOD—Tonight’s episode of “Dexter” was titled “Hop A Freighter.” A freighter was what the wild ride-like episode should be called. Dexter and Lumen both found themselves in jeopardy, but one managed to get out of trouble just in time, while the other was taken on a perilous journey, which will be the highlight of next week’s season five finale. The show manages to focus on so many rich and fascinating characters, while Michael C. Hall’s acting ability manages to steal every scene he’s in with costars.

Deb continued her quest to find the vigilantes, who she believes are out to murder all the men who raped and tortured the women found in the barrels. Not only was Deb on track, but Lt. Batiste also found out that Deb’s request for an order to keep Jordan Chase in Miami’s custody was denied, so Batiste in her quest to ask forgiveness for setting up Deb as a reckless cop went to another judge in time to get Deb’s order approved. Deb then without haste headed to the Miami airport to stop Chase, who was nowhere in sight. She knows in her gut that Chase is involved with the murders of the innocent women, and now seems petrified by what he may be capable of doing again.

Jordan Chase also managed to kidnap Lumen, who cut him in an effort to get away from him, but he was able to overpower her after killing the woman who was used to bait Lumen into his trap and to be captured. Quinn unwittingly became part of Liddy’s murder, because Liddy called Quinn after kidnapping Dexter, and forced Quinn to meet him at the docks, where he planned to extract a confession out of Dexter. Dexter managed to overpower Liddy, then stab and kill him, while blood was seen by viewers to be leaking out of the side door of the van onto Quinn’s boot. Then we saw Quinn walking away, then he got back into his car and drove off, not realizing Liddy was dead in the van, and Dexter was hiding in the back of the van waiting for Quinn to leave.

Tonight’s episode showed a much more tough side of Lumen, played brilliantly by actress Julia Stiles. Michael C. Hall is on his way to yet another well-deserved Emmy® after his dramatic marathon performance tonight. Dexpert Bobby Head tells Canyon News, “I hate to see the season end next week, but what are Lumen and Dexter going to do to get her away from Jordan Chase? I wonder if Lumen’s not long for the show and if she may even be killed next week?”

The writing for tonight’s episode was amazing again. The way the writers have plotted out Dexter almost being caught again, yet making it seem like it’s the first time it’s happened is so fresh, exhilarating and chilling at the same time. After the first season of “Dexter” someone asked me, how in the world can you root for a sick serial killer? My answer now to that person is, watch next week’s finale. You’ll see Dexter as a hero, not a monster, and you had better be sure to tune in to season five’s finale, which Showtime vows will leave you shaking from excitement.
“Dexter” airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on Showtime.