My Review of Dexter's 3x10: "Go Your Own Way"

Written by Tim Schlattmann
Directed by John Dahl

Rita: “His best friend is cheating on my best friend, and he won't tell me with who.”
Deb (to Dexter): “You have a best friend?”

Yes and as friends go, Miguel is definitely a disappointment. Friendships have never been Dexter’s strong point and with the tension between him and Miguel in the previous episode, it’s only natural that this one would see things escalate quite impressively.

Miguel is clearly a man who doesn’t like to be yanked around but he’s also more than happy to do it to Dexter. Hence, this episode spent so much time in both of them trying to usurp the other. Dexter will eventually emerge as the victor but that doesn’t stop Miguel from going far.

He was happy for Maria to put that bartender in prison for Ellen’s murder. Miguel even commented on how the guy looked guilty. The guy might have been an engaged man looking for a bit on the side bootie call with Ellen (does that quash the lesbian theories with her?) but that doesn’t make him a murderer.

Similarly Dexter saw something guilty in the bartender as well but he knew damn well that Miguel was looking for a scape goat. We can thank Quinn for denying Miguel at least one scapegoat. I guess Quinn’s kind of good when he actually does his job properly.

Maria was certainly a wreck in this episode. It’s nice to see that Ellen’s death has an effect on her. In fact, Maria’s more distraught over her friend than she was with Doakes but it also meant that she was prone to snapping at people. Even Dexter felt a bit of her anger when he was researching something for Angel and didn’t catalogue it.

However Miguel viewed Maria as another means of keeping himself out of jail and even went to seduce. Miguel has no feelings for the woman but he’s definitely aware that she has some for him. Low blow, Miguel. Of course, Sylvia might have blown things with Miguel’s other option.

In previous episodes, Sylvia’s suspected that Miguel has been cheating on her and thanks to Rita, she thinks it’s with Maria. I sort of hated Rita for this. While I don’t especially like Miguel, Rita had no evidence to back up her claims. All she did was get some vague hunches from Dexter. Next time, Rita best to think before dropping a bomb like that.

Of course this only served to widen the rift between Dexter and Miguel. Miguel actually thought that Dexter was responsible (maybe indirectly, but this was Rita’s doing) and decided to get his own revenge. Getting warrants for Dexter’s lab, an ethics investigation on Deb, Miguel certainly knows how to play dirty.

The problem for Miguel is that Dexter is way better at it. If Dexter could easily get into Miguel’s house in broad daylight and steal back evidence linking him to Ellen’s murder without dismembering staff, then shouldn’t Miguel be a lot more careful than to underestimate him? And there’s also the bloody shirt in the cleaners. Miguel really should wise up.

I guess Miguel’s team up with the Skinner was something a little late in the game for the writers. The Skinner’s still such an impersonal threat that it’s easier for Miguel to manipulate him. Also Dexter got kidnapped and tied up in the boot of a car fairly easily as well. Either the Skinner’s really good or Vince’s making sure that Opie attended his stag do.

Vince was actually in enough scenes in this episode and he’s been pretty underutilised this season. It seems weirdly appropriate that he would be the one to organise a bachelor party for Dexter, though once again we can also thank Quinn for a little input as well.

Angel on the other hand got a stronger story as well. Poor Barbara got the shit kicked out of her due to some random john and Angel got Dexter to track him. I liked that Dexter imparted some wise advice about opening certain doors. Unlike Miguel, Angel had the good sense to take heed of what Dexter said.

I was beginning to wonder if there was more to Barbara than meets the eye. I actually want Angel to be happy, so if we do get more on her, I’m hoping it’s not sinister stuff. Let Barbara be a good cop who actually loves Angel, even if his snoring is that bad. Angel, I empathise.

With Angel and Barbara being happy as a couple, Deb’s shaky attitude with Anton certainly got highlighted. It would suck if she didn’t get her shield because while she has been reckless with the Skinner case, she is for the most part a better cop than other characters on the show.

I don’t blame Anton for punching Quinn. Quinn was right to apologise over shafting him with the CI stuff but at the end of the day, Quinn’s unprofessional ethics did put Anton in harm’s way. Deb needs to make up her mind about him – either ditch him or fight for him. Either way Deb, do it quick.

Also in “Go Your Own Way”

Isn’t there a song by the same name of this episode? I think it’s one from the Cranberries.

Dexter (re catering): “It’s too much really.”
Miguel: “I won’t take no for an answer.”
Dexter: “You might have to.”

Miguel hid Ellen’s ring that he stole in his cigar box. Bet Dexter’s really glad he didn’t get a chance to teach his former friend any other tricks.

Quinn (to Deb): “You’re right, it’s your shield. If you want people talking about you, that’s your choice.”

Angel (re Barbara): “She talks about me?”
Cop: “She says you snore like a motherfucker.”

Author Jeff Lindsay made a cameo in this episode as one of the cops watching over Barbara. Maybe we’ll get Charlaine Harris in True Blood one day.

Miguel (re bartender): “Looks like a good killer to me.”
Dexter: “He’s not.”

Dexter (re Maria): “She’s ripe for the picking and Miguel knows it. He’ll use it and I’ll lose my leverage.”

Ellen was married twice, according to Maria. She did mention one of her divorces in “The Damage A Man Can Do”.

Anton (re Quinn): “I nearly died because of that prick.”
Deb: “Without that prick we never would have found you. You’re lucky if he doesn’t press charges.”

I think if I were Anton, I would sue given the ordeal of being a Skinner victim.

Masuka: “I was expecting someone …”
Tammy: “Trashy?”
Masuka: “Yeah.”
Tammy: “That’s sweet.”

Dexter: “Wow, I didn’t get it before, Miguel but you can’t be reasoned with, guilted, controlled. This whole back and forth game for leverage is pointless.”
Miguel: “That’s right. I’ll do what I want, when I want, to whomever I want. Count on it.”

Chronology: A few days since “About Last Night” and no Harry in this episode.

“Go Your Own Way” is certainly an intense episode. Dexter and Miguel’s back and forth fighting for supremacy is certainly engaging as is the final moments where Dexter found himself abducted. Only two more episodes left.

Rating: 9 out of 10.