Dexter (Michael C. Hall) is practically dancing around … Rita (Julie Benz) and the kids are taking a vacation, and our friendly serial killer is left alone to bask in his twisted glory. And just enough time to stalk a female officer, Zoë, who he suspects of killing her husband and young daughter.

His research leads him to the house where Zoë killed her family, which is now on the market, to try to find the pair of gloves that the officer wore when she did the crime. In a strange piece of coincidence, he runs into the woman he’s tracking, and they share some flirty jibber-jabber. But then a weird turn of events: Zoë pulls Dexter over, and it seems as though she knows what our hero is up to.

What ensues is a fun game of cat and mouse where the mouse (Dexter) is actually more like a lion. And our cat? Just a little lamb.

As far as the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow) is concerned, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) and Lundy (Keith Carradine) end up having to do their research under the radar, as Maria (Lauren Velez) doesn’t approve. And neither does Anton (David Ramsey), Deb’s boyfriend. Because it’s becoming more and more evident that Deb and Lundy still have some sexual tension brewing between them. I found myself screaming at the television while Lundy and Deb air their feelings out. I mean, come on, Deb … Anton rules, and Lundy’s a withered up, retired FBI agent! You do the math. But the conclusion of their affair? A bang that I found very irritating and somewhat disturbing.

Our newest killer himself is staking out in an alley behind the bar, leading to him getting the crap beat out of him. What a strange, strange man the Trinity Killer is.

Maria and Angel (David Zayas) find themselves defining their relationship in an encounter that can only be defined as awkward. Should they let the cat out of the bag regarding their hook-ups, or should they just let things simmer down? Who do Angel and Maria turn to for advice? Our friendly neighborhood serial killer, Dexter.

This episode was filled with goodies, including an encounter between the Trinity Killer and Lundy, which Lundy takes note of in his handy dandy audio recorder. My favorite part, however, was Dexter’s realization that he would rather be found out than lose his family. I can only hope that this season of Dexter continues on its uphill ride.