Dexter Season 5 Finale (open spoilers)

[Swords to Plowshares]

Well, well, well. An interesting end to an interesting season. I don't want to say the finale was predictable, although I did kinda predict what would happen.

Maybe Dexter will be charged with testing the blood on Quinn's shoe, and alter the results to make it look like it was just Quinn's own blood?

We all pretty much figured Lumen would have to leave. She's had her closure and she can go back to something resembling a normal life.

Minor plot holes: the bullet from Deb's gunshot might be found, and of course Dexter's stolen car will be found, raising questions. Not sure if they'll address that next season or not, but it seems likely.

[Spoke]

Seems like they tied up all the loose ends.

Is this the final season, or are more seasons planned?

[Swords to Plowshares]

They were renewed for a 6th season. In my own baseless opinion, I would expect that there are either 1 or 2 seasons left in the tank. I can't see it staying on longer than that.

[Joey P]

Minor plot holes: the bullet from Deb's gunshot might be found, and of course Dexter's stolen car will be found, raising questions. Not sure if they'll address that next season or not, but it seems likely.

I don't think that would be a big deal. She can easily and believably say she thought someone was moving back there and shot at them. Turned out it was just a raccoon.
The stolen car could be a problem.
The thing that I can see being a bigger issue is that Dexter called in the property search an hour earlier. Of course, he never seems to get asked about that kind of stuff.

[Dewey Finn]

Also, how likely is it that they'd ask Dexter to analyze the blood on Quinn's shoe? I would think they would have farmed that out, given Quinn's relationship to Dexter's sister.

And do you think that Deb suspects that Dexter was the second person behind that plastic sheet?

[Ephemera]

I don't think so. Only if she ever suspected his "tenant" was number 13 and she never had any suspicions about Lumen other than about her relationship with Dexter.

[Joey P]

Also, how likely is it that they'd ask Dexter to analyze the blood on Quinn's shoe? I would think they would have farmed that out, given Quinn's relationship to Dexter's sister.
What's the protocol on any type of internal investigation like this? It seems like, at the very least, Deb would have asked LaGuerta to have Vince do the blood work. Deb know Dex doesn't like Quinn and LaGuerta knows that Quinn has some issues with Dex (which Dex may or may not know about). I think she would have been okay with having Vince do it. Or, as you suggested, having an independent lab take care of it.

And do you think that Deb suspects that Dexter was the second person behind that plastic sheet?
I don't think she has the slightest clue.

[Stoid]

I cried. I felt Dexter's pain.

[PunditLisa]

I agree that it was rather predictable, right down to Dexter exonerating Quinn. I also agree that they'd never give a suspect's lover's brother the job of handling the evidence against him. Nor would they allow his own department to do the investigation. They sent IA out when Quinn was suspected of being a dirty cop, but they don't get involved when he's suspected of murdering another cop?

I also predicted that Quinn would protect Dexter (by not revealing that Liddy indicated that he had the goods on him) and Dexter would protect Quinn (by destroying the blood evidence on his shoe).

I'm glad that both Quinn and Lumen survived because to kill them off would have felt like a rehash of former seasons. However, I hated how the writers had to spell out to the audience that Lumen had cost off her dark passenger. We got it all on our own, as if her name wasn't a huge clue.

I thought it was odd for the cops to use the boat instead of driving, but later realized that it was because the writers couldn't figure out a way for Deb to catch the vigilantes, and still remain unaware that it was Dexter, if he had driven his own car to the crime scene.

Still have no idea why Chase had developed such a hatred for women. Did they tease him at camp and call him a Pudger? I guess we'll never know.

I felt the last 2 episodes were extremely rushed, especially Liddy's demise and Lumen's decision to leave. I really admire that they don't try to drag 12 episodes worth of material into 22 episodes like other shows, but I think they had sufficient material to add at least 2 more episodes into this season so that the season felt more fully cooked.

I'm assuming that Dexter will give up his murderous ways for the summer to bond with his kids and we'll see him next fall as the 2 older ones are leaving to go back to Orlando with their grandparents. I wonder whether Maria Doyle Kennedy will return as the overworked nanny and whether a romance will develop between the two of them. (BTW, Michael C Hall will be 40 this February and Maria Doyle Kennedy turned 46 in September. So they're close in age than I originally thought.)

I love the lighting on Dexter. I especially liked the last scene in the sunlight, even though the final words were incongruous with the mood. Hall looked yummy in that purple shirt.

[phungi]

Minor plot holes: the bullet from Deb's gunshot might be found, and of course Dexter's stolen car will be found, raising questions. Not sure if they'll address that next season or not, but it seems likely.
Minor snark: Even if the bullet hole wasn't discovered, wouldn't Deb be required to report discharging her service revolver?

[Face Intentionally Left Blank]

Minor snark: Even if the bullet hole wasn't discovered, wouldn't Deb be required to report discharging her service revolver?

You mean like she'd be required to apprehend two murderers?

[UncleRojelio]

Minor snark: Even if the bullet hole wasn't discovered, wouldn't Deb be required to report discharging her service revolver?

If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it ...

[simster]

Dex had his full kit + Murder tools with him when he stole the car - they only show him with the murder kit (knives) after the accident.

Dex goes by boat to the Liddy crimescene, says he has to run to the lab - without transportation.

What happened to Dex's syringe that he intended to knock out Quinn with? Shouldnt that still be in the van?

What will happen with the photo's that are in Quinn's possession? Deb find them later?

For an unfeeling monster - Dex sure has some emotional outbursts.

[Smitty]

Even if the department accepts Dexter's clearing of the blood on Quinn's shoe, wouldn't Quinn's behavior at the scene lead to a little more investigation? I mean, he pretty much admitted that he knew something about Libby's murder to LaGuerta by his behavior. I just don't see them dropping the whole thing so quickly.

[Simplicio]

They were hinting pretty heavily that Deb recognized Dexter behind the plastic sheeting. Talking to both Quinn and Dexter afterwards she says a bunch of ambiguous things that could be interpreted as talking either about herself, Quinn or her knowing about Dexter.

But then at the party, she says "aren't you glad its over?". Its not really clear what she could be talking about other then his being glad that his helping "#13" with her vigilante killings is over. He certainly wouldn't be glad Quinn has been cleared since he hates Quinn, and as far as anyone except Deb knows, both Jordan and the vigilante killer are still on the loose, so that investigation isn't over with either.

[UncleRojelio]

Dex had his full kit + Murder tools with him when he stole the car - they only show him with the murder kit (knives) after the accident.

They had time to cut up the body and load it into (I assume) Jordan's car. They could have stopped to clean up Dexter's stolen car too.


Dex goes by boat to the Liddy crimescene, says he has to run to the lab - without transportation.

Dexter said he was going to try to catch a ride back to the lab. To Deb that probably means with a uniform cop.


What happened to Dex's syringe that he intended to knock out Quinn with? Shouldnt that still be in the van?

Dexter could have took it with him when he took the video gear.


What will happen with the photo's that are in Quinn's possession? Deb find them later?

Hopefully Quinn will destroy them as part of their unspoken deal now.


For an unfeeling monster - Dex sure has some emotional outbursts.
No kidding.

[simster]

Even if the department accepts Dexter's clearing of the blood on Quinn's shoe, wouldn't Quinn's behavior at the scene lead to a little more investigation? I mean, he pretty much admitted that he knew something about Libby's murder to LaGuerta by his behavior. I just don't see them dropping the whole thing so quickly.

He only admitted to haveing recieved calls from him - nothing about the murder - Laguerta was treating him as a suspect, therefore he acted like a smart one - say nothing without a lawyer - he also knew the blood spot might/would put him at the crime scene, but that would be all it could do.

I like the way Dex played that whole clearing thing off -

[cmyk]

This season had its episodes, especially the premier picking up right after Rita's death, and all the Boyd stuff, but overall, I think it may have been the series' low point. Still highly entertaining, but I hope Season Six will focus the beam more on Dexter's Dark Passenger like they did over the previous seasons. He was too preoccupied with helping Lumen achieve her vengeance, rather than his insatiable blood-lust.

I think they have to have Deb uncover the truth about Dex next season. That'll should add an interesting new boost to this story.

[John Mace]

I thought it was very mediocre. I'm no genius, but I saw every plot "twist" coming before it got there.

No warrant? Oh, I got another one.

Blood on boot? Oh, Dexter clears him.

Sis has the vigilantes cornered. Oh, she lets them go.

Dex is busy telling Lumen about his plans. Oh, she's leaving.

[CJJ*]

The kill of Jordan and the scene with Deb and Lumen/Dex separated by plastic were the only interesting and semi-unpredictable scenes in this lackluster finale.

We all knew (1) Libby would be discovered, (2) Quinn would be implicated, particularly by the blood spatter, (3) Jordan, Lumen, and Dex would all have to be in the same room at some point, (4) Jordan would have to die, most likely murdered, (5) Deb and Quinn would be resolved one way or the other, (6) Lumen would have to leave, and (7) Harrison's birthday party would have to occur, and Rita's kids (Aster in particular) left to reconcile with Dex.

Furthermore, given the formula for past seasons, it was pretty clear a lot of the resolutions would intertwine and rely on lucky coincidence to be resolved. That made things like Dex's faking the blood report fairly predictable; of course Dexter would be instrumental in Quinn's ultimate fate, it was only a question of which way he'd go. Exonerating Quinn is the neater solution story-wise because it's closer to a reset than if, say, Quinn went to jail. Lumen leaving is another one--given the formula and the profile of the actress, Lumen either had to die or leave; letting her live is a first (considering what happened to Lila, Jimmy Smits, and Trinity), but her departure was handled extremely poorly--what was with having her ride the front of Dex's boat "Titanic"-like, flashing him loving smiles? I half expected the writers were going to bump her off in an accident--which would have been preferable to her inexplicable change of heart the next morning. I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up again next season; her character provides so much in the way of dramatic possibilities for Dexter that the writers would be fools to ignore it (or, worse, give Dexter another girlfriend--who could possible top Lumen?).

Given the above, there just wasn't a lot of room for surprises. I was poetic justice to see the overly-confident Jordan get outsmarted, and I thought that was surprising and handled well. I'll also say the writers played fairly and laid good groundwork (over several episodes) to make Deb's ultimate actions believable. But there is an inherent problem with an approach that resembles a limiting series--if after year one she is, say X away from knowing his secret, then the next year it's X/2, then X/4, and so on, the increments get smaller and smaller, meaning they're less explosive as time goes on.

For next season, the only possible way things could progress is if some who already knows Dexter well finds out his secret--my guess is Aster.

[BMada]

I think the end of season six is a reboot for Dexter. I think he finally realizes that no one can love him for who he is, not even someone who had the darkness and was part of his serial killing ways. No normal human can accept his secret dark passenger.

Another possibility for Dexter is him coming to terms with getting past his dark passenger just as Lumen did. Not sure he can since his struggle began at such a young age and his whole darkness can never be removed so easily as bumping off the rapists of Lumen.

Hopefully Debra's veiled comments in the finale about her knowing what Dexter does or did as the vigilante will be explored next season. I really hope she kinda suspects or knows what Dexter does but doesn't want to confirm it outright because it'll totally blow her mind and make her go insane.

[Justin Credible]

I was really hoping the scene in the cabin would be the moment when Deb finally finds out about Dexter. I think that would have made this episode even better than last season's finale.

[Sage Rat]

I'm going to have to disagree with you all. While I wouldn't say that there were any major surprises, that's true of every show (outside of Breaking Bad). Overall, the gods didn't have to intervene too much to pull off the ending -- unlike the season where Doakes ended up as the Bay Harbor Butcher -- and that's really all you can ask of any show.

I thought it was a good wrap up to a great season. Hopefully 6 will stay up to the standards of 4 & 5. (2 & 3 were fairly lame, on the other hand.)

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

I was really hoping the scene in the cabin would be the moment when Deb finally finds out about Dexter. I think that would have made this episode even better than last season's finale.

So was I. That would have been such an awesome moment and ended the series on a high point. The whole season I kept thinking that's what they were leading up to, with two previous fake-out scenes of Deb almost catching Dexter in the act.

[PunditLisa]

Overall, the gods didn't have to intervene too much to pull off the ending -- unlike the season where Doakes ended up as the Bay Harbor Butcher -- and that's really all you can ask of any show.


...Except for the scene where a roadside fruit seller figures out that Chase is headed to a deserted camp. Now, had they been on a lonely dirt road, I'd have bought that. On a 4 lane highway with tons of cars? No. It was obviously a major stretch of road because it had both a streetlight and lots of traffic. If the only thing in that direction was a deserted camp, then there's no explanation for all the cars.

[Bijou Drains]

I thought the camp was on a side road that the fruit guy saw him drive down.

[simster]

He also didn't say that was where Chase was headed - Deb asked him "whats down that road /that way" - the answer was "an old campground" - Deb is who put it together beyond that.

and its not unreasonable for the vendor to know the area atleast that well.

[Dewey Finn]

For next season, the only possible way things could progress is if some who already knows Dexter well finds out his secret--my guess is Aster.
At one point, Aster had a one-on-one conversation with Dexter, and there was something slightly odd about it. I'd have to watch the episode again to be sure, but I think you may be right about her. I think she's going to have a larger role in the next season.

[Bijou Drains]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/dexter-stars-split-michael-c-hall-jennifer-carpenter-divorce_n_796279.html

Deb may not last long next season

[PunditLisa]

I thought the camp was on a side road that the fruit guy saw him drive down.

He drove down the road, knocked Lumen out, then turned back around to the main road.

[Sage Rat]

...Except for the scene where a roadside fruit seller figures out that Chase is headed to a deserted camp. Now, had they been on a lonely dirt road, I'd have bought that. On a 4 lane highway with tons of cars? No. It was obviously a major stretch of road because it had both a streetlight and lots of traffic. If the only thing in that direction was a deserted camp, then there's no explanation for all the cars.

I didn't say that the gods didn't intervene, just that they didn't put their hands in too much. I think it actually very plausible that there would be a witness to Chase having someone locked in his trunk. He's always let others do the hard work, so he's liable to make rookie mistakes of packaging and moving victims. That this happened right next to the camp, on the other hand, was implausible and entirely the gods intervening.

[CJJ*]

One other interesting observation about the finale. Contrast the way the writers handled Quinn's character on-screen vs. Dexter. For Quinn we get little hints that he's up to something--deleting calls from Libby on his cell, brooding quietly in the interrogation room, his "thank you" to Dexter that implies something more. But for Dexter, we get a constant voice-over of his inner character; almost nothing is left for the audience to figure out. One exception was the break-up scene, where he finally _shows_ us how he's feeling rather than narrating it--that IMO made the scene far more dramatic, and I really wish Dexter could surprise us like this more often.

Granted, the mind of a serial killer may be quite unusual, but is it so odd that we need so much voice-over? The choices in the finale with Quinn's character and Dexter's ability to use Lumen as a sounding board for his innermost feelings show that perhaps it isn't. Of course, with Lumen off the show, the writers have deprived themselves of at least one of those--yet another reason her departure is problematic for the series.

[Sampiro]

Any idea how realistic it would be that a homegrown Miami cop wouldn't be able to speak Spanish? In Chicago or NYC that would be a plus but in Miami I would assume it would be a requirement or that all kids learned Spanish in school.

[Stoid]

I can't tell if it'smy romantic nature or not, but I think it could have been very interesting to keep Lumen around...

[Bijou Drains]

I would think most Miami cops would know basic Spanish related to their work but they would not all be fluent.

[Boyo Jim]

I think the was a very weak season, even though I enjoyed it.

The writers are coasting -- they aren't making a a serious effort to make the plot consistent and logical.

AFAIC, the two biggest screw ups this season were the idea that they closed the barrel girl case without catching their suspect or even waiting for lab results; and that Laguerta could just designate Deb as the one who screwed and was responsible for the night club shooting. And there a bunch more holes, many pointed out by you folks in these threads. I don't think any prior year caused me to do nearly as much head scratching.

Oh yeah -- did Deb see Jordan's body? The thing I found least believable about the last episode was that Dex and Lumen would take the time to take the body away when they knew police would be arriving fairly soon. I would think they would just pick up their shit and GO.

[Stoid]

The thing I found least believable about the last episode was that Dex and Lumen would take the time to take the body away when they knew police would be arriving fairly soon. I would think they would just pick up their shit and GO.

That was the biggest head scratch for me... they were making a huge assumption - she said she was calling it in and wasn't specific about whether she was reporting a BODY... is she were, and they took it, how the hell was Deb supposed to explain that???

For all the holes... I still really loved it. I loved that Dex got to be seen and to connect, if only for a short while.

[Stoid]

Because he got to be a real hero for someone at last, up close and in person, what he did really made a difference, the way he imagined it in the last episode of the first season...

[What the .... ?!?!]

That was the biggest head scratch for me... they were making a huge assumption - she said she was calling it in and wasn't specific about whether she was reporting a BODY... is she were, and they took it, how the hell was Deb supposed to explain that???



Me too.

I thought Deb's speech about her duty as a cop was a bit off also. She says she can't just let them go and then she just let's them go. Was that supposed to be a 5 second cliffhanger?

[Ruffian]

Hubby and I were both entertained, but we agree--worst homicide department EVER!

We were both confused by "the girl who broke the barrel girls case." Um--as far as the department knows, ALL of those perps are missing, not dead. (Well, okay, Deb knows Chase is dead.) They have no other bodies.

Oh wait, yes they do. Emily. Um--the cops are going to find her bludgeoned body dragged into another room, with evidence of Chase and *some*one else being there and putting up a fight. Sooooo... ???

And isn't Trinitiy still on the loose as far as they know?

Entertaining season, though a bit flimsy when it comes to these things.

[Boyo Jim]

Hubby and I were both entertained, but we agree--worst homicide department EVER!...

I hadn't thought about this, but... if you think of them as sort of Keystone cops of murder, it might be even more entertaining. Remember "Ex-Police" on SNL -- I think it was Dan Ackroyd and somebody else -- would bungle their way through a confrontation, usually shoot down some poor innocent schlub, and settle back all self-satisfied about a job well done after? Like that.

[SuperNelson]

Hubby and I were both entertained, but we agree--worst homicide department EVER!

We were both confused by "the girl who broke the barrel girls case." Um--as far as the department knows, ALL of those perps are missing, not dead. (Well, okay, Deb knows Chase is dead.) They have no other bodies.

Oh wait, yes they do. Emily. Um--the cops are going to find her bludgeoned body dragged into another room, with evidence of Chase and *some*one else being there and putting up a fight. Sooooo... ???

And isn't Trinitiy still on the loose as far as they know?

Entertaining season, though a bit flimsy when it comes to these things.

If I recall, Deb had the same objection to being called "the girl who broke the barrel girls case." She kept saying it's not a solution, just a theory.

[Terraplane]

I hadn't thought about this, but... if you think of them as sort of Keystone cops of murder, it might be even more entertaining. Remember "Ex-Police" on SNL -- I think it was Dan Ackroyd and somebody else -- would bungle their way through a confrontation, usually shoot down some poor innocent schlub, and settle back all self-satisfied about a job well done after? Like that.

In one of the first episodes Dexter says "With the solve rate for murders at about twenty percent, Miami is a great place for me." Looking online it seems like the national rate is somewhere in the mid 60% range. So, yeah, Miami Metro (at least the department portrayed in the show) is pretty terrible.

[Boyo Jim]

In one of the first episodes Dexter says "With the solve rate for murders at about twenty percent, Miami is a great place for me." Looking online it seems like the national rate is somewhere in the mid 60% range. So, yeah, Miami Metro (at least the department portrayed in the show) is pretty terrible.

I didn't recall that line, and for me it puts a whole new light on the show. I had thought that the people were some kind of elite team, so I was bothered when the did illogical stuff or failed to do things. But, if they're SUPPOSED to be a bunch of ass clowns... well, that makes the writers super-geniuses. :)

[c_goat]

So Quinn must know that Dexter killed Liddy, right? I guess he's keeping it to himself to protect Deb?

[Boyo Jim]

So Quinn must know that Dexter killed Liddy, right? I guess he's keeping it to himself to protect Deb?

I don't think he knows, but I'd bet he thinks so. He knew that Liddy was bugging Dex, and he knew that the videos were taken from the van.

[tr0psn4j]

Wow lots of complaining about the season in here! While I don't really disagree with the points you guys brought up, I didn't notice 90% of them until reading this thread. I really liked this season.

One thing I would have changed is handling the Dexter and Lumen relationship a little differently. While it would have been great to see her stay for a while, they obviously had to break them up. They should have done that at the beginning of the first episode of the next season though. It would have been a lot more dramatic like that. We would have them together at the finale and the couple of months before the season premier to think of them as a couple. Then the sudden breakup for maximum dramatic effect.

[Boyo Jim]

Wow lots of complaining about the season in here! While I don't really disagree with the points you guys brought up, I didn't notice 90% of them until reading this thread. I really liked this season.

One thing I would have changed is handling the Dexter and Lumen relationship a little differently. While it would have been great to see her stay for a while, they obviously had to break them up. They should have done that at the beginning of the first episode of the next season though. It would have been a lot more dramatic like that. We would have them together at the finale and the couple of months before the season premier to think of them as a couple. Then the sudden breakup for maximum dramatic effect.

I agree that your way of handling the relationship would be preferable. It is possible, though, that the season was already written and produced before they had a commitment for another season. Perhaps that had something to do with wrapping up the issue this season.

[simster]

I don't think he knows, but I'd bet he thinks so. He knew that Liddy was bugging Dex, and he knew that the videos were taken from the van.

Somehow I think Dexter's description of the murder helped Quinn decide he don't know nothing - "Knife was expertly plunged into the victim, death was instantaneous"

[Larry Mudd]

So Quinn must know that Dexter killed Liddy, right? I guess he's keeping it to himself to protect Deb?I think Quinn knows that Dex killed Liddy, and my impression is that Deb knew exactly who was behind the tarp.

Most of the dialogue in the denoument seems to underline that both Deb and Quinn know the score and that they're actually pretty okay with it. Completely OTT, but more in line with the book, for whatever that's worth.

[Swords to Plowshares]

In one of the first episodes Dexter says "With the solve rate for murders at about twenty percent, Miami is a great place for me." Looking online it seems like the national rate is somewhere in the mid 60% range. So, yeah, Miami Metro (at least the department portrayed in the show) is pretty terrible.

Yep. Not sure if that line has any basis in reality, or if it was made up in the book or made up in the show. My guess is it was from the book.

[Fair Rarity]

I don't think Deb knew. I like that the writers left it open as a possibility for us to debate, but she was too normal with Dexter afterwards. She have no reason to suspect it was Dexter.

But (assuming the divorce doesn't affect things too much) I think she will find out something soon. She's too good of a cop and Dexter is sloppy now.

[Hello Again]

Yep. Not sure if that line has any basis in reality
Miami-Dade's homicide clearance rate is considered low, but they solve around 44% of their cases.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/may/24/cold-case-chronicles-most-murders-go-unsolved-flor/?print=1

The Miami-Metro Homicide department as portrayed in "Dexter" is almost indescribably incompetent. They are so entirely bumbling, unethical, unobservant, and ignorant of the legal requirements of their profession, not to mention wholly lacking in any form of common sense, it's basically an insult to police officers everywhere. I still enjoy the show, but they delivered some real whoppers this season.
-Apparently the M-M brain trust never heard of establishing a perimeter? They failed to do that at least 3 times this season.
-No one told Deb her star fruit stand witness called the police station in Spanish?
-No one asked Liddy for a badge number when he checked out several thousand dollars worth of equipment? Yeah Right. I have to show more ID than that to get a ballpoint pen at the government office where I work.
-No one thinks there's anything wrong with a husband and wife in a supervisory relationship? For reals? This has never been allowed in any workplace I have experienced.
-It doesn't bother anyone that TWO of their detectives have had sexual relationships with serial criminals? -

I have long believed that "Dexter" and "Burn Notice" occupy the same universe, since only under the microbrained M-M could such a quantity of large explosions and fatalities of ominous bad guys go unremarked. Indeed, in a recent episode of "Burn Notice" Michael Weston talked to someone from the "Miami-Metro" police department. That made me LOL.

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

I don't see how Deb would have any inkling that it was Dexter behind the tarp. She does not know anything that would connect him with the case. Remember, she does not know that Lumen was the 13th victim. I don't even think that possibility was left open, as from all she knows about the case it would not make sense to think Dexter was involved.

[Simplicio]

I don't see how Deb would have any inkling that it was Dexter behind the tarp. She does not know anything that would connect him with the case. Remember, she does not know that Lumen was the 13th victim. I don't even think that possibility was left open, as from all she knows about the case it would not make sense to think Dexter was involved.

Presumably, she could've just recognized her brother (and/or Lumen) despite the tarp. With that, there wouldn't really be any need to piece anything togeather more then she already had.

I'm pretty convinced the last two bits of dialouge between the Morgans were at least meant to hint that Deb knew Dexter was the vigilantes accomplice. Of course, its quite possible that the writers themselves haven't written the story arc for the next season and so don't know if that's actually what'll happen.

[Sage Rat]

I'm pretty convinced the last two bits of dialouge between the Morgans were at least meant to hint that Deb knew Dexter was the vigilantes accomplice.

Seeing as they were just talking about Quinn, it seems more likely that she's talking about Quinn's investigation of Dexter being over.

Deb simply isn't the sort to think that her brother is helping a vigilante to commit murders and accept it out of hand. She'd get all up in there on Dexter about it.

[PunditLisa]

I don't know. They deliberately wrote scenes in which Deb identified with #13. There was one scene in particular where she confessed to Dex that she was beginning to wonder if she was a monster because she felt that some people didn't deserve to live. It was a compelling scene for the two of them because before it was Deb the white knight and Dex the dark knight fighting evil people. Deb was beginning to see what Dex had seen all along -- that sometimes you have to stand outside of the law to provide "justice."

[PunditLisa]

The Miami-Metro Homicide department as portrayed in "Dexter" is almost indescribably incompetent. They are so entirely bumbling, unethical, unobservant, and ignorant of the legal requirements of their profession, not to mention wholly lacking in any form of common sense, it's basically an insult to police officers everywhere. I still enjoy the show, but they delivered some real whoppers this season.

The worst, IMO, was calling in the CSI unit because they got a report of shots fired at an empty warehouse....and then allowing unarmed civilians to mosey around the area before they secured the scene.

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

I don't know. They deliberately wrote scenes in which Deb identified with #13. There was one scene in particular where she confessed to Dex that she was beginning to wonder if she was a monster because she felt that some people didn't deserve to live. It was a compelling scene for the two of them because before it was Deb the white knight and Dex the dark knight fighting evil people. Deb was beginning to see what Dex had seen all along -- that sometimes you have to stand outside of the law to provide "justice."

Oh they were definitely hinting all through the season that Deb may be OK with what Dexter was doing, and I was almost certain that was where the final episode was heading, which is why I was so disappointed when they wussed out in the end and had her let them go before finding out who they were.

[myskepticsight]

Deb did not know it was Dexter behind the tarp or she would not have fired a shot. I think maybe that scene was a set up (hopefully) for next season when they finally end the show and let someone besides the viewer find out what Dexter does.

Personally I hope season 6 is the last. None of these premium cable shows really go past 5-6 seasons usually...most TV shows can't stay fresh a whole lot longer than that. Some can, most can't. I LOVE Dexter but I'd rather them go out with a bang then start to suck.

[PunditLisa]

Deb did not know it was Dexter behind the tarp or she would not have fired a shot.

Which, of course, brings up another of Deb's flaws: She had no idea what kind of weapons the vigilantes had. They could have shot her dead while she was being nice to them.

[Stoid]

Deb did not know it was Dexter behind the tarp or she would not have fired a shot. I think maybe that scene was a set up (hopefully) for next season when they finally end the show and let someone besides the viewer find out what Dexter does.



Only if he can stay alive and free! No ending the show by killing Dex or jailing him!

[Simplicio]

Deb did not know it was Dexter behind the tarp or she would not have fired a shot.

It was pretty obviously a warning shot. She was four feet away, if she wanted to shoot them she would've hit them.

Which, of course, brings up another of Deb's flaws: She had no idea what kind of weapons the vigilantes had. They could have shot her dead while she was being nice to them.

She told them to stay still, and when they moved a little, fired off a warning shot. They couldn't have drawn on her.

[Ellis Dee]

Deb was beginning to see what Dex had seen all along -- that sometimes you have to stand outside of the law to provide "justice."I don't think Dexter sees it that way at all. He's not looking to serve justice, he's looking to find an outlet for his homicidal tendencies that he can rationalize away as being acceptable.

[tr0psn4j]

I don't think Dexter sees it that way at all. He's not looking to serve justice, he's looking to find an outlet for his homicidal tendencies that he can rationalize away as being acceptable.

I agree with you, he's doing it because it's the least bad thing he can do given his circumstances. The Lumen set of murders was an exception though.

[Ellis Dee]

One thing I really liked was Dexter's facial expression when Lumen killed, uh, the first person she killed. Hall did a great job portraying gleeful hunger in that moment.

I don't think Lumen's rapists were much different than any other of Dexter's kills. It was just a more compelling rationalization.

[Simplicio]

I agree with you, he's doing it because it's the least bad thing he can do given his circumstances. The Lumen set of murders was an exception though.

Thing is, almost all of Dexter's murders now are exceptions. In theory, he kills because he has to and serial killers are just a practical target given to him by his father so he doesn't hurt the innocent. But in the show, almost all his killings are driven by a sense of justice, a desire to protect someone, practical concerns (get him before he gets you), etc. He's been a vigilante killer almost since season 1.

I like the show, but it ran away from its premise really early on and never looked back.

[Sage Rat]

I like the show, but it ran away from its premise really early on and never looked back.
The premise wouldn't work as a show. From episode 1, Dexter's narrator bits were a constant source of worries, likes, dislikes, and statements of caring and kindness. That all flies in the face of being a sociopath. He loves Deb, Aster, and Cody, as well as Harry. Rita was always halfway a front, and certainly his version of love is a bit more shallow than most's, but overall he's far from being a monster. And if he was, people wouldn't be interested in watching him.

[Simplicio]

The premise wouldn't work as a show. From episode 1, Dexter's narrator bits were a constant source of worries, likes, dislikes, and statements of caring and kindness. That all flies in the face of being a sociopath. He loves Deb, Aster, and Cody, as well as Harry. Rita was always halfway a front, and certainly his version of love is a bit more shallow than most's, but overall he's far from being a monster. And if he was, people wouldn't be interested in watching him.

His narration in the first season actually is pretty amoral. He cares for Deb as a special case, but other then that everything is more or less a front. All his friendships in the office are put ons. He dates Rita because she doesn't want to be too intimate. He kills serial killers not because he's concerned about their future victims, but because he needs to kill and Harry trained him to go after serial killers to sate that need. He still has worries, likes and dislikes (and in regards to Deb, even emotions of caring), but they're almost all centered on his serial kiling and keeping his serial killing secret.

So I think they could've kept going in that vein and kept the show interesting. But as you say, Dexter would've been a monster, and presumably the writers felt the audience wouldn't keep rooting for a monster.

[Walker in Eternity]

Only if he can stay alive and free! No ending the show by killing Dex or jailing him!

I'm a season behind you here in the UK, but after seeing season 4 and reading this thread, I think the only way they can wrap up Dexter finally will be with a lethal injection or a Butch and Sundance moment.

Don't get me wrong, I love the series, but there really is only one way it can truly end, if it is to maintain any reality at all.

Maybe in a few years we can have a sequel of sorts as Harrison follows in his father's footsteps. Although with no Dexter or Harry to guide him he might not last long.

[Stoid]

Walker! What kind of crazy are you to read this thread before you have seen this season???? Why ruin it for yourself??

[Walker in Eternity]

Luckily I have a bad memory, by the time the DVD comes out I won't remember enough to spoil it.

Plus I've only skimmed a few juicy bits and not read every spoiler.

[simster]

The way to end it is to have Dex be the 'victim' of an even better Serial Killing avenger - the other way would be for him to turn himself in (or do himself in) after these floods of emotions make him realize he'll never have anything as long as the mosnter is alive.

Every season has had him trying to be more human, only to be shot down at the end - and each shot is closer to the heart - as evidenced this season.

[Boyo Jim]

If Dexter found another Dexter-like serial killer, would he kill him?

[c_goat]

The way to end it is to have Dex be the 'victim' of an even better Serial Killing avenger

Like a Trace Buster Buster Buster, but with Serial Killers?

[simster]

Other ways Dexter could end -

1.) Mike, Sam and Fi convince him to leave town
2.) Horatio glares at him after removing his glasses.
3.) The BAU get involved - probably requires Gideon to come out of retirement.
4.)

[Sage Rat]

The writers of Dexter aren't interested in moving the story along. Each season we get a new prime target, a new emotional interest, a chance that Deb will discover everything, and all just to resolve itself so that the next season can be exactly the same. Breaking Bad or Sons of Anarchy have an actual advancing story line from season to season, but Dexter doesn't. Technically speaking, yeah he got married, yeah his wife died, but in practical terms nothing different happened because of any of that.

Overall, I don't see these writers choosing to end the series with Dexter's death. I doubt that they'll ever even reveal his secret to Deb (or if they do, they'll immediately kill her off and replace her character with Aster or someone that Dexter wants to protect). At the end of the series, at the most he'll have decided to move to a new town to start all over again. But, he'll have his kids along and a boat. Everything will be much the same.

[tr0psn4j]

If Dexter found another Dexter-like serial killer, would he kill him?

Probably not. He didn't kill Lumen. He was also okay with the mayor up until he started killing for his own benefit.

[Boyo Jim]

Not the mayor -- the DA.

[Enderw24]

Well Deb and Dexter, married in real life for two years, are getting a divorce. This may have been the biggest reason why Deb didn't learn of Dexter's secret this season even though everything about Deb's character and the storyline was leading up to that moment.

Rumors abound about Deb even making it through the next full season.

[Boyo Jim]

My first prediction for next year -- Deb gets killed off early and the rest of the season is Dexter's revenge.