"Helter Skelter" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the American crime drama television series Dexter.
Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.12 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
As their options run out, Isaak pays a visit to Dexter (Michael C. Hall), asking for help, and stating he will be willing to put their conflict aside.
LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) visits Matthews (Geoff Pierson), offering her new theory that the Bay Harbor Butcher is still active.
Quinn (Desmond Harrington) visits the Fox Hole, where Nadia (Katia Winter) reveals that George (Jason Gedrick) forced her to have sex with him.
"Helter Skelter" was a pretty fine episode that took me in a direction I didn't expect, but it also planted a few seeds that I'm not entirely crazy about.
Club gave the episode a "B–" grade and wrote, "Obviously, there will be more complications for Dexter now that LaGuerta is getting closer to cracking the mystery of the Bay Harbor Butcher, and now that Matthews has agreed to give her damaging information about the Morgan clan.
"[5] Richard Rys of Vulture gave the episode a 2 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "By the time the credits rolled, I wondered what Dex would have to say about my disappointment.
"[7] Katy Waldman of Slate wrote, "While the episode provided a bit of wish fulfillment — I really wanted to see Dexter and Isaak team up in a murderer-buddy comedy, and they actually started to do it a little — I was mostly disappointed, especially by sappy and unconvincing dialogue in the second half.
"[9] Billy Grifter of Den of Geek wrote, "It's difficult to see it any other way, but the creative people behind Dexter dropped the ball right at the point that season seven was about to score, big time!
"[10] Matt Richenthal of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.6 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "For a show previously best known for its action and plot turns, this season has been all about heartfelt conversations.
"[11] Alex Moaba of HuffPost wrote, "now seems like a good time to say that I thought Ray Stevenson did a great job acting the Isaak character.