['Dexter,' - 'Beauty and the Beast']

According to your comments last week, Julia Stiles is one of those divisive actresses whom some of you love, and some of you love to hate, but this episode clearly set her up as another one of Dexter's damaged, morally ambiguous allies (who, as always with Dexter's non-cop friends, has about a 1 percent chance of surviving the season).

This week, let's explore the three guest stars who made this episode memorable and should keep this first Rita-less season full of interesting women characters.


1. Lumen (Julia Stiles): This was not your typical, completely docile kidnapping victim. Despite her many scars, bruises and injuries, Lumen (and yes, motel manager, it is a weird name) obviously had it bad way before Dexter saved her from Boyd's cell ... and proceeded to imprison her again. We know she was scared of men (or she would've jumped in that car full of young, ogling guys) and seemed like the victim of repeated rape and torture, but she also had no problem trying to fight off Dexter or stabbing him with a knife. The promo spots for next week tease her looking clean, fresh-faced and singularly focused on exacting vengeance with, or without, Dexter's help. So, we'll see exactly where this story line is going quite quickly. Out of curiosity, did anyone else think of the first episode of 'Lost' when Lumen was treating Dexter's wound?

2. Sonya (Maria Doyle Kennedy): Regardless of how you feel about Stiles, you've gotta love this Irish singer-actress's guest performance as a straight-shooting nanny who knows how to put Dexter in his place. It also didn't hurt that she looks like a slightly younger version of the awesome Mary McDonnell. Dex doesn't mind strong-willed women (Deb, Laguerta), but Sonya was so observant and intuitive, it was a wonder he was willing to put himself in daily contact with her -- especially after he knew she was suspicious of his parenting skills. As one recent commenter mentioned, will she too have some deep, dark secret she keeps from the Morgans? Otherwise, she's too good to be true. She's got a fierce edge, and she's also sugary sweet with baby Harrison. After this episode, it's clear she's going to have loads of opinions and won't be afraid to share them. It would be fun to see Sonya, with her melodious cadence, have it out with potty-mouthed Debra over something, since such few people can go toe-to-toe with Deb.

3. Officer Cira (April Lee Hernandez): After a ton of dialogue last week, diminutive Officer Cira didn't have as much to say this week, but her understanding of the Santa Muerte killer's M.O. and her not-quite-friendly relationship with Deb make her a compelling character. She, as well as Sonya, needs a back-story, though, and it's not as obvious what her deal is, other than that she's Venezuelan and has a personal connection to the Santería-like beliefs that surround the neighborhood's murders in ritualistic intrigue. So far, she's under-developed, even though she's had a decent amount of screen-time. Deb could use a female friend, since Laguerta's more boss than girlfriend material, so maybe they'll develop a more mentor-protégé-like camaraderie as the season develops.

Burning questions:

-- What a great last-second save to keep Quinn from definitively pointing the finger at Dexter a.k.a. Kyle Butler. Maybe he *won't* be Doakes after all. Do you think he'll keep pushing to see if he's right?

-- Is the internal affairs investigation going to unearth something seedy about Laguerta instead of Batista? How many times is someone going to mention that Laguerta gives the "best blow jobs in Miami"? Is the I.A. officer just looking for Laguerta to show him her skills?

-- What's the back-story on the Santa Muerte killings? How did Deb end up the only person in that back room with Fuentes, when there were at least four officers right next door?

Memorable quotes:

-- "F--k me in both ears," Deb to Masuka.

-- "My mother told me when I just a little girl, 'Never lie to someone who trusts you, never trust someone who lies to you.'" -- Sonya to Dexter

--"Who would've thought? Better than donuts." -- Dexter, thinking how easy it was for the squad to get caught up in baby Harrison

-- "How do I know you didn't kill all of these women" -- Lumen/ "You don't. It's a leap of faith, for both of us." -- Dexter

'Dexter' airs Sun., 9PM ET on Showtime.