By Buzz Byrne

The down side to magnificent television writing such as DEXTER, a show that has taken the path carved by THE SOPRANOS and THE WIRE- the path of pushing a complete narrative in one season to new heights, the down side is that during the much anticipated final act, the climb to the precipice can turn slow. This season has been so good, so perfectly explored and plotted out, one can forgive an episode like tonight’s that works mostly to pump up the finale.

There were opportunities tonight for greatness but even the brilliant Michael C. Hall whiffed. It was rare to see an actor that has been so consistent miss on the fertile ground that was laid out for him.

Dexter (Mr. Hall), has his world shattered by the discovery that his adoptive father (James Remar) and true creator killed himself when Dexter revealed himself to be an honest to goodness, flesh carving murderer. “Harry looked into the eyes of his creation and saw evil.” Making this discovery in the presence of his prisoner and future patsy, Detective Doakes (Erik King) was a master stroke. Doakes has always been the other side of the mirror to Dexter, alike but distorted by the reflection. Keeping him in the cage for so long is out of step with the normal Dexter logic but that dynamic has allowed the two characters to search in each other to find out who and what they are.


Psycho ex Lila (Jaime Murray) has put the full heat on Angel Batista, framing him up for drugging and sexually assaulting her, all in an attempt to drag Dexter back into her life. Suddenly Dexter has the lives of two of his police co-workers in his hands. “For such a neat monster, I’m making an awfully big mess,” he confesses in voice over. Normally the answer would be surprisingly simple for a serial killer: stack up the corpses and move on. But when the rules by which you live and practice have been proven to be baseless, things get messy.

The buddies of the drug dealer who’s shack Doakes has been holed up in find the Detective right after he escapes. Dexter stumbles upon the group and in a bit of throwback to the good ol’ days, Dex and James dispatch the bad guys…and Doakes ends up back in the cage. But their talks have turned something in Dexter. He feels he can’t murder an innocent like Doakes and he confesses that he might be willing to, ulp, turn himself in. He checks the locks and takes a stroll in the full moon light. He is peaceful, bathed in the cool blue. This is the calm, this is the soul of Dexter seeking a moment away from the fuel and the blood, the natural chemicals that make him burn.

He draws up a will. He gives Rita his minivan and tells her he really cared for her and the kids, no matter what happens. He sees Lila and tells her he won’t be around soon so there is no endgame for her framejob on Angel.

But Debra has been pursuing this angle. She has discovered that Lila’s visa has expired and confronts her on it. “I want you out of town by sundown,” is basically her message. Lila’s response? She has stolen Dexter’s GPS device and follows its last coordinates to the shack in the Everglades.

The FBI is closing in too, just as Lieutenant Laguarta is uncovering evidence that would clear Doakes. But is it all too late?


Dexter has dinner with his sister to finally reveal himself and let her take him in. But something happens during this time. Dexter finds a strength in the faith his sister has in him. He finds a clarity, a sense of self that is valuable and he finds the joy in a well cooked steak. The opening credit sequence, where food stands in for the human carrion Dexter revels in is a key for this. The sensuality of food, the texture of flesh and freedom become intertwined in one decent steak and Dexter knows he won’t turn himself in. This was the moment that Hall could have explored more but instead we found his discovery through his dainty, goofy calliope music and a voice over. These are not the tools of an actor of his caliber.

But how will he survive? Lila has never been what she has appeared. Is it possible that she could be a better candidate for The Bay Harbor Butcher than Doakes? We’ll find out next week.