Ep 3. Popping Cherry

Dexter season 1 episode 3, "Popping Cherry," is an intense episode in which Dexter Morgan, blood spatter analyst by day and serial killer by night, begins to mentor a troubled teenager who he believes is on the verge of committing murder.

The episode begins with Dexter's sister, Deb, catching a case: the murder of a young woman who was dismembered and left in garbage bags. Meanwhile, Dexter has his own problems to deal with, as he is still grappling with his own urges to kill and how to manage them.

When Dexter's co-worker, Masuka, shows him pictures of the crime scene, Dexter becomes intrigued by the killer's work. He sees a level of precision and care in the dismemberment that speaks to him on a deep level. And when he realizes that the victim was a virgin, something clicks inside him – he sees the opportunity to help someone before they become a murderer.

Dexter had been watching a young teenager named Jeremy Downs, who fits the profile of a future killer. He's a loner, gets bullied at school, and has violent tendencies. He has also been seen in the company of the victim. Dexter decides to mentor Jeremy, hoping to steer him away from a life of violence.

The scenes between Dexter and Jeremy are tense and unsettling. Dexter is trying to be a positive influence in Jeremy's life, but he is also trying to resist his own urges to kill. As he guides Jeremy through a beachside cleanup project, he keeps fantasizing about slitting the boy's throat.

Meanwhile, Deb is making progress on the murder case, but her boss, Lt. LaGuerta, is breathing down her neck. LaGuerta is determined to solve the case quickly and neatly, even if it means overlooking important evidence. Deb, on the other hand, is determined to do things by the book. She works tirelessly with her partner, Detective Batista, to piece together the evidence and catch the killer.

As the episode progresses, Dexter's relationship with Jeremy becomes more complicated. He's trying to balance his desire to help the boy with his own violent fantasies. At one point, Jeremy suggests they "pop a cherry" together – meaning he wants to kill someone. Dexter is horrified but also aroused by the suggestion. He realizes that he needs to keep a closer eye on Jeremy to avoid losing control.

The tension comes to a head when Dexter and Jeremy confront the killer together. Without giving away any spoilers, the scene is both thrilling and heartbreaking. Dexter is forced to confront his own demons while trying to save a boy who may or may not be beyond saving.

Overall, "Popping Cherry" is a strong episode of Dexter that highlights the show's unique mix of gritty crime drama and psychological horror. It's a testament to the show's quality that it can create such complex characters and situations that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. This episode sets a high bar for the rest of the season and leaves plenty of questions and concerns for the viewer to ponder.