Dexter Resurrection: And Justice for All

"Prater has a lot of expensive toys. But I'll never be one of them."

I was expecting tragedy. Not Dexter sailing off into the sunset in a million dollar yacht and a choice selection of serial killer files.

Dexter spent most of this episode trapped in Prater's vault on the night of the Gala. I totally get why Prater would decide to just lock up and leave Dexter to die. Who, knowing what Dexter has done, would choose to confront him? But how stupid was Prater to leave Angel's things in there? Everyone has a cell phone. Maybe Prater was just so excited by actually killing someone all by himself that it slipped his mind.

At the end of the previous episode, I thought Charley would be the one to free Dexter. I don't think Dexter should have endangered Harrison, but Harrison's efforts to reach Dexter created a lot more dramatic tension. So good writing choice, I guess.

Brief segue, since this is the season finale. A lot of times, when a long running show adds a kid to the cast, it's a mistake. Harrison has not been a mistake. Jack Alcott was again terrific here. Harrison made one gutsy choice after another to reach Dexter, with the quick thinking we would expect from Dexter himself. I especially liked the scene where Prater was holding a gun to Harrison's head as Dexter was trying to trade his own life for Harrison's. The way it was staged showed that Dexter could see every emotion on Harrison's face, but Prater could not.

And Harrison kept his cool and never stopped thinking. As soon as Dexter mentioned the word "protection," Harrison went for the syringe. I was worried all through this episode that Harrison would die, and I'm glad that he didn't. I really liked seeing Dexter grow as a father this season, to build a relationship with someone he loves and puts first. New Blood had Dexter die a monster. Resurrection moved Dexter in the opposite direction as a vigilante. As Dexter helpfully explained to Prater as he was killing him.

Prater's death was satisfying, and not just Michael C. Hall doing a Peter Dinklage impression. Dexter said that Prater's club were never like-minded people because they victimized the innocent. Harry's ghost follows Dexter around for a reason. While using Brian's kill table, Dexter once again rejected Brian's ghost. (But it was nice to see Christian Camargo, wasn't it?)

As I said, I never expected a happy ending, but I'm okay with it. Dexter is back on a boat disposing of Prater, most appropriately, in front of the Statue of Liberty. The boat's perfect name is "The Getaway," and everyone will think Prater skipped town on it. Dexter doesn't have Miami Metro as a source for victims anymore, but he does have a whole bunch of files. Harrison can go to college while under the wing of Blessing and his family, while he and Dexter get closer as father and son. Dexter: Resurrection left a much better taste in my mouth than New Blood, especially if this is the end. I don't know how it could have been better.

Just one more thing. After a season of set-up, Claudette and Oliva doing "Stayin' Alive" on the dance floor was outstanding comic relief. I also thought it was endearing that Claudette, who dislikes the spotlight, was wearing the brightest, boldest, sexiest red dress at the Gala. And I loved that Dexter left the New York Ripper file behind as what I think was a gift specifically for Claudette. I wish we could see her take the Ripper down. If we get more Dexter, please bring back Claudette and Oliva. They were wonderful.

Bits:

— I liked the gentle way Dexter treated Batista's body when no one else was watching.

— Turns out Gigi is just a very interesting girlfriend. That made me happy.

— I thought in last week's that both Blessing and Dexter gave Harrison condoms. Instead, Dexter gave Harrison a needle full of horse tranq.

— Charley, whose last name is Brown (lol), took her mom back to Amherst. I wonder if we'll see her again? She would make a good partner for Dexter. She could track down the very best victims for him.

— The names on the files Dexter took that I could see: Al Walker (Rapunzel), Yonkers Slayer, Midnight Mangler.

— The table was the Ice Truck Killer's. But whose knife was it? I lost track.

— After so much discussion of nine body bags, Prater fit in only three. No blood slide for Prater. Dexter doesn't want to remember him.

— "I'll thumb a ride." Too funny.

Quotes:

Dexter: "Rest in peace, Angel. you were a good cop and an even better man."

Dexter: (to Brian) "I'm glad I killed you when I had the chance."

Harry: "You said you were coming here to protect your son. Now you want to bring him into the lion's den?"
Dexter: "I promised to keep Harrison safe. I can't do that if I die in here."
Harry: "So this is all about being a good father? Not because you're afraid to die?"
Dexter: "Both things can be true."

Harry: "You think Prater left a post-it note labeled 'secret vault code'?"

Dexter: (to Prater) "Kill me instead. You will be the apex predator, the best of the best, the man who took out the Bay Harbor Butcher. Kill me, and leave Harrison to live with the consequences. Just like the man who killed your parents did to you."

Dexter: "I learned something about myself here. That thing for justice? Maybe it runs in the family."
Prater: "It's not about the thrill of the kill?"
Dexter: "Both things can be true."

Cop: "We gotta call this in."
Oliva: "No one to call, kid. We're all here."

Dexter: "This is who I am, what I am. I'm Dexter Morgan. I'm exactly who I need to be, exactly who you want me to be." (Breaks the fourth wall)

I can imagine that some might not be satisfied, but I am. This season had everything I watch Dexter for, and in spades. Four out of four red dresses,

Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

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