Jennifer Carpenter gets a lot of attention for cursing like a trucker as Dexter’s Debra Morgan. But, really, the tough girl act is just that: an act. Deb, at her core, is a mess, and she has shed the (gallons of) tears to prove it. This season, though, she has been crying at a pace that’s impressive even for her (alcohol and a guilty conscience don’t mix, people!). In the first three episodes alone, Deb has already demonstrated all of her signature cry moves. See for yourself:
The Frozen Face of Terror
Deb is a proud woman, so even though she cries a lot, she does not surrender easily to tears. Her face stiffens before it crumples, leaving her to appear terrified of her oncoming emotions. In this case, she might actually be terrified: El Sapo, a hit man, just beat her up.
The Stop-Looking-at-Me Cover-up
What do you do if you’re too humiliated to let your brother — the man you love and the reason you’re a wreck — see you cry? You hide behind your hands. Deb might also be hiding because she’s embarrassed for having sex with Billy Walsh.
The Ugh, Stupid Feelings Head-Hold
Feelings are icky. Deb does not want to deal with them, especially when she’s hung-over. By holding her head in her hands, she expresses frustration. And nurses a headache.
The Surrender
Deb can’t keep things bottled up forever. Here she is — six months after killing LaGuerta — finally losing it at the station. “I want to confess,” she blubbers to Quinn. When she finally unravels, she unravels fast.
The Full-On Crumple
Let it out, Deb. You have a pretty fucked-up life.
