Weeks ago I posted a poll asking who everyone thought the Skinner was in this season of Dexter. The odd thing about this killer is that, so far, he’s not proving to be central to the overall plot of the season. The reveal of him being tree-trimmer King was anticlimactic at best. With King now on the loose from the events of last night’s episode, we’re left wondering what his motive really was.
Over in the comments of the TV Squad review of the episode, commenter “Alberto” mentioned an interesting theory: is King working for Miguel? Let’s look at the evidence.
In the last episode, Miguel offered to interrogate King off-camera in order to try striking a deal with him. Moments later, he exits and just shrugs that he was unsuccessful. But what really happened in that interrogation room? Miguel could have easily talked reason into his minion, perhaps letting him know that he doesn’t need to look for Freebo anymore (because Dexter took care of him). Or maybe Miguel’s not convinced that Dexter did the deed and is ordering King to find out at any cost.
Also note that King held “respect” in high importance, something Miguel has mentioned on more than one occasion.
Then there is, of course, Miguel’s late brother. To me, all signs point to Oscar having been under Miguel’s wing, carrying out his favorite brand of alternate justice.
Adding to this army of psychopaths is Dexter, someone whom Miguel can actually relate to on a personal level. Now he’s learning all he can about carrying out killings of his own, without relying on his band of head cases to do the deeds for him.
This would be a step in the right direction for this show, as it’s something that’s finally not completely telegraphed throughout the season. To find out King was acting on Miguel’s behalf would be surprising to many, methinks. How about you?
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Nov 24, 2008 @ 14:50 EST5EDT
This is seriously spoilerish. Even the headline. Good job.
(Sorry, Mark, but speculation is not spoilerish…not even a little bit)…
I cannot for the life of me remember where I have seen the actor who is playing George King (but I could swear it was Fame or something similar from the 80s) – but he is one of those guys who isn’t going to be cast as a cameo.
I have high hopes that he will somehow be tied to Miguel, and that it will have an even more devastating effect on the storyline than Miguel’s glory in his new role as the Miami Avenger.
Once Dexter caught on to the game Miguel is playing, I knew we were in for a big story for last three episodes. It would be surprising if The Skinner didn’t tie in somehow as more than just the Tree Trimming Skinner.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah actually he was in Fame. Good catch.
Reveling George King is the skinner in the opening paragraph less than 24 hours after the ep has aired IS spoilerish.
*POST AUTHOR*
If you didn’t know it was King already, before this week’s episode and based on all of the evidence … I feel for you.