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EPISODE 12: "Born Free"
Episode 12: Born Free

Episode summary: Dexter frantically searches for clues for Debra's whereabouts when Rudy, finally revealing himself as the Ice Truck Killer, abducts her and forces Dexter into a series of mind games to find her where he finally reveals his connection to Dexter: "Rudy" is actually Brian Moser, Dexter's long-lost biological brother. Meanwhile, Lt. LaGuerta locks horns with her replacement Lt. Esmee Pascal, who's even MORE officious and pompous than LaGuerta or Captain Matthews, and who hampers the case by ignoring key evidence to further advance her own personal career. Sgt. Doakes finally comes to blows with Dexter over his denial about knowing the Ice Truck Killer, and Rita is contacted by the imprisoned Paul who tells her that Dexter framed him for his drug possession charge.

Original air date: 12/17/2006

Written by: Daniel Cerone, Melissa Rosenberg

Directed by: Michael Cuesta


Dexter's Open Case Files
Add image of victimDescription of crime: Continued search of the Ice Truck Killer: Debra Morgan is missing. Rudy Cooper/Brian Moser is the suspect.

Victim(s): Debra Morgan

Assigned officer(s): Doakes,LaGuerta, Masuka,Esme Pasquale (the new lieutenant that replaced laGuerta), Dexter

Crime scene: Dexter's mother's house, Debra is tied up, Dexter is in the house, and Rudy/Brian runs. Later, Rudy breaks into Dexter's house to attempt to kill Debra again.

Suspect(s): Rudy Cooper/Brian Moser

Clue(s): A Born Free screensaver on his computer, "Born Free" record at Brian's "killpad" and Rudy's house

Blood spatter evidence suggests...none

Killer calling card(s): Barbie at Rudy's/Dexter's house

Add to Dexter's victim files
Episode 12: Born Free - Dexter Wiki
Victim Name: Brian Moser / Rudy Cooper

Age/Occupation: Prosthetics doctor

Where/how Dexter stalks victim: The Ice Truck Killer has been leaving Dexter clues. He finally figures it out and tears his apartment apart looking for a clue on where to find Rudy and Debra. He follows the clues left for him and meets Rudy/Brian face-to-face at their mother's house. Before Rudy/Brian kills Debra, she wakes up, Dexter grabs his hand, and the police show up. Later, Brian/Rudy breaks into Dexter's house to attempt to kill Debra again.

Why victim deserves it: He is the Ice Truck Killer. He has killed at least six different victims and maimed Tony Tucci.

Dexter's kill methods and rituals: Rudy/Brian sets Debra up the same way Dexter kills his victims: he plans to kill her together. Rudy/Brian gets away then Dexter tricks him when he breaks into Dexter's apartment to kill Debra: Dexter had placed Brian/Rudy's prosthetics in his bed to pose as Debra. When Rudy/Brian attacked the dummy, Dexter choked him and brought him to his apartment to kill him. He wrapped Brian/Rudy up as he does with all of his other victims, however, this time he didn't collect a slide of blood. He slits Brian/Rudy's throat, then laid his forehead against his brother's as the blood drained from his body. Dexter made Rudy's death look like a suicide where Rudy killed himself as he killed his victims. Dexter mourns his brother's death: he was the one victim Dexter wanted to set free.

Victim's last words: "I don't need to be set free, Brother."

Location of killing:Rudy/Brian's apartment in his freezer kill room.

FLASHBACKS

Episode 12: Born Free - Dexter Wiki
  • Flashbacks of Harry carrying Dexter out of the cargo container his mother was killed in.

  • Dexter remembers his mother used to paint her fingernails different colors.

  • It isn't until this episode that Dexter realizes that Rudy/Brian is his brother after he sees his mother and himself playing at thier old house.
  • When Harry is carrying Dexter out of the cargo container, Dexter has a small cut on his left check, foreshadowing his method of collecting his blood sample for his slide collection.
  • Dexter's brother Brian putting a band-aid on his knees and telling Dexter to bed his knees the next time he's on his skateboard. Dexter says "Hi" to the little boy version of himself, he says "Hi" back and yells "Look out" when Brian comes up behind Dexter with a syringe.


    		CLUES TO DEXTER'S PAST

    • Dexter and Rudy/Brian are blood brothers and witnessed their mother's murder together.

    • Dexter was three when Harry Morgan found him. Harry left Rudy/Brian behind.

    • Dexter feels Harry betrayed him because he wasn't alone.

    DEXTER'S RELATIONSHIPS
    Developments with Rita:
    • Paul tells Rita he thinks Dexter is dangerous and the he thinks Dexter knocked him out, planted him in his hotel room, and shot him up with heroine. Paul continues to harass Rita about Dexter. Rita finds the shoe Paul tells her to look for.

    • Paul's NA sponsor, Bob, comes by Rita's house to say that he thinks Paul was attacked.

    • Dexter blows Rita off when she comes by his work for presumably the first time. Dexter tells her Deb is in trouble and can't deal with her too at the moment and takes off.
    		Interactions with others:
    • Doakes follows Dexter to the cargo container lot. Doakes knows that Dexter is somehow connected to the Ice Truck killer.
    • Debra yells at Doakes and LaGuerta to treat Dexter like a hero because he's just saved her life.

    • Debra questions why the ITK chose her, then thanks Dexter profusely. She stays with Dexter at "Che Dex".

    • Doakes gets in Dexter's face when LaGuerta tells them that Rudy isn't the Ice Truck Killer's real name. Dexter says he didn't know that, Doakes tell him not to be smart, Dexter replies sarcastically. LaGuerta tells the two of them to stop and get over whatever is going between them.

    SIGNIFICANCE OF EPISODE TITLE

    Born Free is the name of the Andy Williams song Rudy (or Brian) leaves Dexter at both of their apartments. The song itself evokes images of being completely liberated and absolutely free of all inhibitions and having nothing to hide from anyone, which is something Rudy feels he can offer Dexter once he joins him as a brother in murder.

    EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
    Best Moments:

    • Dexter and Doakes' scuffle in the cargo container lot: Doakes is surprised by Dexter's show of strength.

    • Dexter meeting face-to-face with Rudy/Brian at their mother's house, then arguing over "The Code" over Debra's body.
    • Brian setting up and bounding Deb for Dexter to kill the way Dexter usually sets it up. He tries to convince Dexter to kill Deb.
    • Deb defends Dexter and says he's a hero when Doakes is questioning Dexter and saying that he's going to look into putting him on suspension.
    		Best Lines:

    • "You can't be a killer and a hero. It doesn't work that way!" (Rudy to Dexter)

    • "You're the only one I ever wanted to set free" (Dexter to Rudy)
    • "You're not suppose to wake up. I can give you more if you want. Its not a service I usually offer. (Dexter to Rudy)

    • His happy place. Where he kills more than time. - Deb

    • Rita: I got your message. How's Debra?
      Dexter: Hmm, she has all her limbs. Rita: Thank God she is alive. That poor thing must be a mess, falling for a serial killer.
      Dexter: What are the odds?


    EPISODE TRIVIA
    • <<Add Trivia>>
    ORIGINAL VERSUS NETWORK BROADCAST
    This one is for the superfans, tell the newbie fans what they're missin' out on!
    Showtime Original Series: DexterIN THE SHOWTIME SERIES
    In the CBS Broadcast of DexterIN THE CBS BROADCAST









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