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Dexter
S1.E9
All episodesAll
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IMDbPro

Father Knows Best

  • Episode aired Nov 26, 2006
  • TV-MA
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Michael C. Hall in Dexter (2006)
Psychological DramaSuspense MysteryCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Dexter is joined by Rita, Debra and Rudy for a weekend away when he learns that his biological father, whom he was told died thirty years ago, has just recently passed away and left him ever... Read allDexter is joined by Rita, Debra and Rudy for a weekend away when he learns that his biological father, whom he was told died thirty years ago, has just recently passed away and left him everything he owned, including his house.Dexter is joined by Rita, Debra and Rudy for a weekend away when he learns that his biological father, whom he was told died thirty years ago, has just recently passed away and left him everything he owned, including his house.

  • Director
    • Adam Davidson
  • Writers
    • Jeff Lindsay
    • James Manos Jr.
    • Melissa Rosenberg
  • Stars
    • Michael C. Hall
    • Julie Benz
    • Jennifer Carpenter
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Adam Davidson
    • Writers
      • Jeff Lindsay
      • James Manos Jr.
      • Melissa Rosenberg
    • Stars
      • Michael C. Hall
      • Julie Benz
      • Jennifer Carpenter
    • 11User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos31

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Michael C. Hall
    Michael C. Hall
    • Dexter Morgan
    Julie Benz
    Julie Benz
    • Rita Bennett
    Jennifer Carpenter
    Jennifer Carpenter
    • Debra Morgan
    Erik King
    Erik King
    • Sgt. James Doakes
    Luna Lauren Velez
    Luna Lauren Velez
    • Lt. Maria LaGuerta
    • (as Lauren Velez)
    David Zayas
    David Zayas
    • Det. Angel Batista
    James Remar
    James Remar
    • Harry Morgan
    C.S. Lee
    C.S. Lee
    • Vince Masuka
    Christian Camargo
    Christian Camargo
    • Rudy Cooper
    Mark Pellegrino
    Mark Pellegrino
    • Paul Bennett
    Dominic Janes
    Dominic Janes
    • Young Dexter
    Dakin Matthews
    Dakin Matthews
    • Dr. Pittman
    Joseph Lyle Taylor
    Joseph Lyle Taylor
    • Sgt. McKay
    Jeanette Miller
    Jeanette Miller
    • Elderly Neighbor
    Christina Robinson
    Christina Robinson
    • Astor Bennett
    Daniel Goldman
    Daniel Goldman
    • Cody Bennett
    Laura Marano
    Laura Marano
    • Young Debra
    Kathrin Middleton
    Kathrin Middleton
    • Doris Morgan
    • (as Kathrin Lautner Middleton)
    • Director
      • Adam Davidson
    • Writers
      • Jeff Lindsay
      • James Manos Jr.
      • Melissa Rosenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    8.510.9K
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    Featured reviews

    4polite-45692

    Deb's histrionics ruined the flow

    Deb's histrionics ruined the flow of this episode. She is the equivalent of a low-IQ, impulsive child who has an inability to consider matters related to truth, curiosity, or anyone else's point of view. Instead of a discussion, she shouts and causes needless drama.
    8claudio_carvalho

    The Cable Guy

    Dexter inherits a house from a man called Joe Driscoll, who claimed to be his biological father and apparently died from heart attack. Dexter travels with Rita to pack and clear the house for selling. Later, Debra and Rudy unexpectedly show up to help them. Dexter investigates the death of Joe in the morgue and with his neighbor and finds evidences that he might have been killed. Meanwhile Sergeant Doakes shoots and kills a man in Miami and Angel is requested by the Internal Affairs to testify; but what Angel has witnessed and Dexter's report about the blood splatter contradict the statement of Doakes. Angel lives a dilemma with his conscience and principles whether he should tell the truth of become a rat. Paul presses Rita to visit his children and is brutal with her.

    In this episode, Dexter discloses the truth about his origins and realizes that Harry lied to him. The Ice Truck Killer now close to Dexter and Debra is able to manipulate Dexter and get inside information about his past that he will certainly use in the future. The poor Angel lives a great dilemma with the situation with Doakes while the mask of Paul falls. The taste of music of Joe Driscoll could not be better. My vote is eight.

    Title (Brazil): "Papai Sabe o Que é Melhor" ("Father Knows What is Best")
    9g-bodyl

    Certainly Knows How To Be Exciting!

    The ninth episode in the first episode of Dexter is definitely engaging like it's predecessors. After the last episode ended on an exciting cliffhanger, this episode manages to do the same though not as mind-numbing as before. I liked this episode for two reasons. The first reason is that this is more family-centered. In other words, we learn more about Dexter's past and his biological father. The second reason s that there is a theme of morality which is a big issue within police departments.

    This episode "Father Knows Best," has Dexter learning that his biological father recently passed away after being told he was dead for over thirty years. Rita begins to get abused again by her ex-husband. Debra and her new boyfriend Rudy are taking it to the next level. Angel faces a moral dilemma whether he should rat out Sgt. Doakes or not after he killed someone.

    Overall, this is another very good, engaging episode. I like how they come up with these amazing cliffhangers. I just want more and more as I watch more and more. If this episode was any indication, big things are about to happen. I rate this episode 9/10.

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    Related interests

    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    James Stewart in Rear Window (1954)
    Suspense Mystery
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul alliterates Dexter's name, like the titles of the Dexter books.
    • Goofs
      The medical personnel in Dexter's childhood flashback reveal that his blood type is AB-. He goes on to state that "it's hard to come by, and our supply was low." While it is correct that type AB- is the rarest blood type, at around 1% frequency in the US, a person with AB- blood can receive a blood transfusion from donor blood of types AB-, A-, B-, and 0-, making it a preferable blood type to have for a person on the receiving end of a transfusion.
    • Quotes

      Dexter Morgan: Thank God for showers. Private time to think. Harder to come by now that I'm in a real relationship.

    • Connections
      References Father Knows Best (1954)
    • Soundtracks
      Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
      Composed by John Fogerty

      Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 26, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Colleton Company
      • Clyde Phillips Productions
      • John Goldwyn Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 55m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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