Dexter - 12/14/08 - "Do You take Dexter Morgan"

[VegasVic]

I'm a big fan of this series but this one was anti climatic. Everything just fell into place. All Ramon needed was a good talking to. A wobbly table let's Dexter break free. He drops George King in front of the cop car with perfect timing. Geez. I would rather have had last weeks episode be the season finale.

[wmcbrine]

Seconded... also, this episode was too sappy, which Dexter should never be at all.

But I liked that he didn't end up killing Ramon, because I'd been sure he would.

[Sirius Black]

Can't wait till later when I get to watch the finale. It's Dexter so it wins double points for just that. If it loses any points for sappiness, the fact that it is Dexter more than makes up for the loss.

[Peter000]

I agree it was somewhat sappy, but worked for me. The whole forgiveness conversation with his imaginary dad was awesome.

But it seemed like that whole "Dexter on the Table" thing could have been milked more. I wanted Dexter to be skinned a bit. His escape was just a bit too easy and convenient.

The vows were perfect. Nothing about feelings at all... just a promise which is about all he could offer.

I feel like it was a good, but not great, season finale. The last episode could have been a half hour longer. Or the events over the last two episodes could have been given three and still not feel dragged out.

[Rob Helmerichs]

But it seemed like that whole "Dexter on the Table" thing could have been milked more. I wanted Dexter to be skinned a bit. His escape was just a bit too easy and convenient.
Of course, as they reminded us during the wedding dance, he didn't entirely escape...he left some blood behind.

What are the odds that will come back to haunt him?

[SoldOnTiVo]

Of course, as they reminded us during the wedding dance, he didn't entirely escape...he left some blood behind.

What are the odds that will come back to haunt him?

That drop of blood on the white wedding dress was quite an image to end on.

Even "sappy", I love this show.

[Cainebj]

well - if this had been any regular broadcast series - they would have ended it with him on the table and we would have had to wait til next year for him to get away...

even if it was all wrapped up neatly, i'm glad they didn't end the season on a cliffhanger...

[wmcbrine]

Yeah, each season is self-contained, which is nice.

[nataylor]

Did anyone notice the screwup with Rita's marriage certificate? It listed her first marriage in 1989, but also listed her date of birth as in 1989. But Dexter said she was 16 at the time, so her birth date should have been 1973. Seems like a really simple thing that the graphics people messed up on.

[NatasNJ]

So will Rita's first husband end up being a new serial killer come season 4?
Made it seem like they were setting that guy to be something in the future.

[Sirius Black]

So will Rita's first husband end up being a new serial killer come season 4?
Made it seem like they were setting that guy to be something in the future.

To be safe, I'll spoiler tag this.



um... Rita's first husband is dead. I believe he hanged himself while in prison.

[Rob Helmerichs]

So will Rita's first husband end up being a new serial killer come season 4?
Made it seem like they were setting that guy to be something in the future.
I was thinking more about the kid (because why else would she have gotten married at 16?). He'd be 18-19 now, certainly old enough to play any number of potentially interesting roles in the series.

[getbak]

um... Rita's first husband is dead. I believe he hanged himself while in prison.
No need to spoiler that, it happened in an episode that aired before the episode being discussed.

As it turns out, Paul (the father of her two children) was Rita's second husband. He is dead.

This week's episode was the first time we've had any indication that she has been married twice before.

Presumably, something will happen in the next season that will relate to her first marriage...whether it's a return of her first ex-husband, or the child she had when she was 16.

[Sirius Black]

Well that's what I get for wandering into the thread before seeing the episode. ;)

[retrodog]

I wanted Dexter to whisper into the ear of the skinner "I was telling you the truth" just before he snapped his neck. Maybe he did and I just couldn't hear it.

I'm not going to express disappointment about how the episode played out too much but yes, it was a indeed a little anti-climactic.

Nice to sis get her shield. Detective Morgan it is. Although I was shocked to see the boss so full of compliments when they've had such a rocky relationship in the past.

[NatasNJ]

Presumably, something will happen in the next season that will relate to her first marriage...whether it's a return of her first ex-husband, or the child she had when she was 16.

Was it said that she had a kid with her first husband? Or are you assuming that as a possible plot line?

[Amnesia]

Although I was shocked to see the boss so full of compliments when they've had such a rocky relationship in the past.Maybe part of it was that she's indebted to Dexter...

[retrodog]

Maybe part of it was that she's indebted to Dexter...

She has always had the hots for Dexter but hated little sis. I'm not sure that anything changed that. Maybe seeing her screw up and appear more human in a way that she'd more likely relate to her helped. Not sure. I guess that would explain why she asked her that last minute question and then seemed to grant her promotion based on the honesty of it.

[verdugan]

I guess that would explain why she asked her that last minute question and then seemed to grant her promotion based on the honesty of it.

I think there's more to it than that, as they showed the Lt. closing her dead friend's case file.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Was it said that she had a kid with her first husband? Or are you assuming that as a possible plot line?
As I said before, that's the only reason I can think of that a 16-year-old would get married. There has to be a kid.

[bpurcell]

As I said before, that's the only reason I can think of that a 16-year-old would get married. There has to be a kid.

Actually, my thinking is that she was pregnant but had a miscarriage after the marriage (possibly from spousal abuse), thus ending the marriage.

I doubt that the first husband will come up next season. Each season, there seems to be some side story at the end that makes us think that's what's going to trip up Dexter, but the story never comes back. I think the only purpose for knowing about the teenage husband was to help Dexter understand that everyone has secrets that should be respected.

[nataylor]

Maybe Rita got married to get away from her mother, who she seems to not get along with.

[MickeS]

I thought this was an excellent season finale - EXCEPT for the way George King's death was handled, as others pointed out it was a little too convenient.

But I liked how they handled Ramon, and I LOVED Dexter's taunting of King by telling him how he disposed of Freebo. I also liked the rest, and I felt they did a great job this season of building up the characters and the tension. The start was slow, but it was worth it.

I am bummed about not having this show to look forward to every week. :(

[FlugPoP]

I thought this was an excellent season. Poor ending but I do like the fact that there is no cliff hanger(s).

[Sirius Black]

Anyone happen to know when in 2009 we can expect it to return? The sooner the better, of course.

I thought the ending was good. Rita's past may not play into next season but the blood on the dress probably will.

When this show ends (however that might be), it will be rather explosive for everyone who knows Dexter. I wouldn't want to be around for it.

[bengalfreak]

On the whole, I gotta say, great, great season. The last episode was kind of bleh. It should have been a 2 hour finale. The encounter with the skinner should have been much longer and more intense. I would have loved to have seen Dexter's reaction as King began to cut his flesh.

[Ekims]

I think having Lt. LaGuerta "befriending" Debra is because everyone else is pairing up. Debra has a boyfriend, Dexter married, Angel with a girlfriend and her two friends being dead. I think she is just letting her guard down.

[MickeS]

I didn't think the blood on the dress was of any significance except symbolic. Why would it matter? Am I missing something?

I wonder if Ramon was involved in the murder of Ellen Wolf in any way. I don't think so, but the way he talked about how he usually had to help Miguel out of trouble made me suspicious. I would be surprised if this is the case though, they haven't kept any storylines from season to season so far.

[nataylor]

I didn't think the blood on the dress was of any significance except symbolic. Why would it matter? Am I missing something?If he's bleeding now, he was bleeding at the warehouse. Which means the cops might find his DNA there. That would be hard for him to explain.

[DevdogAZ]

But it seemed like that whole "Dexter on the Table" thing could have been milked more. I wanted Dexter to be skinned a bit. His escape was just a bit too easy and convenient.
The thing that bothered me most about the table was that if he was able to move his arms back and forth, why didn't get get the one out of the way before the table fell on it.
If he's bleeding now, he was bleeding at the warehouse. Which means the cops might find his DNA there. That would be hard for him to explain.
But wouldn't he be the one called in to collect and analyze the blood? We've never had any indication that there are any other forensic blood guys in the Miami PD.

[nataylor]

The thing that bothered me most about the table was that if he was able to move his arms back and forth, why didn't get get the one out of the way before the table fell on it.He broke his hand on purpose so he could pull it out of the rope. If his hand wasn't broken, he couldn't get it out. Otherwise, if he could just pull his hand out, why knock the table over in the first place.

[MickeS]

If he's bleeding now, he was bleeding at the warehouse. Which means the cops might find his DNA there. That would be hard for him to explain.

Ah. I don't think this will be dealt with at all, but I might be wrong. And like DevdogAZ points out, most likely it would be Dexter doing this anyway.

[DevdogAZ]

He broke his hand on purpose so he could pull it out of the rope. If his hand wasn't broken, he couldn't get it out. Otherwise, if he could just pull his hand out, why knock the table over in the first place.
Ah, good point. I didn't catch that fact. I was just thinking that by knocking the table over, he was able to wriggle free or something.

[LlamaLarry]

Ah. I don't think this will be dealt with at all, but I might be wrong. And like DevdogAZ points out, most likely it would be Dexter doing this anyway.Even if masuka did it I would bet they would attribute finding lab staff DNA in the test as lab/evidence contamination and exclude it.

[TAsunder]

They could have just had Debra shoot King as he was about to cut Dexter and it would have been wrapped up just as nicely. Miguel was Dexter's best man and he works for the police in the forensics area, so to the cops it would seem reasonable that King's next target would be Dexter. Just my opinion...

Overall a bit anti-climacti in terms of suspense. But in terms of the season's theme and the character of Dexter, I thought it was a pretty good ending.

[retrodog]

I think there's more to it than that, as they showed the Lt. closing her dead friend's case file.

Yeah, you're right, and there's even more to it than that. She (the Lt.) just had two very good friends, who she trusted absolutely at one point, turn out to be killers. The first was the guy from last season (Dokes or whatever) who turned out to be the Bay Harbor Butcher (for all intents and purposes) and then Jimmy Smits. So her picks for a trustworthy relationship have turned up to be crappy, as far as she knows. Maybe she is more understanding of Deb (decisions and attitude) because much of her previous reality has fallen apart. Or maybe she has just decided that all men suck and it's time to only trust women. Yeah, that's it... GIRL POWER!!!

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg1MzU2MDM1NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNzk2NTY3._V1._CR32,0,421 ,421_SS80_.jpg

[stlarenas]

I think there's more to it than that, as they showed the Lt. closing her dead friend's case file.

I also noticed that she shared the same danishes with Debra as Eleen shared with her the night at the apartment.

I think Lt has realized that she missed out on a lot of friendships due to over committing herself to her work. When Deb said she valued friendship over work, Lt saw something in her she wished she had...

And that led to Lt "turning over a new leaf" and befriending Debra purely out of a desire for friendship - not because work dictated it...

At least thats how I saw it....

[verdugan]

I also noticed that she shared the same danishes with Debra as Eleen shared with her the night at the apartment.

At least thats how I saw it....

You're right. I forgot about the cupcakes. I think you might be right about turning over a new leaf. Wonder how that will impact the story/Dexter?

[goblue97]

Yeah, you're right, and there's even more to it than that. She (the Lt.) just had two very good friends, who she trusted absolutely at one point, turn out to be killers.
...and she has the hots for Dexter (not to mention Ryan O'reilly).

[VegasVic]

...and she has the hots for Dexter (not to mention Ryan O'reilly).

Ryan O'Reilly. There's a flashback to a great show. :up:

[FilmCritic3000]

So, no thoughts on the season finale?

I liked it, even if it was a bit tidier than earlier seasons.

Though I think that blood dripping on the wedding gown will carry significance next season. Like crime scene evidence significant.

I also think more info on Rita's first marriage is going to be revealed. Dexter's enamored with his new family but this will continue to gnaw at him.

It was good to see LaGuerta & Deb bonding. Their relationship certainly has come a long way from where it was.

So do you think Deb will peel away the layers of Dexter's past, with her investigation of her dad's relationship with his CI, which as we all know brought Dexter into this world? I think she'll wind up confronting him about this, but not until the end of next season at the very least.

I can't wait until next season.

[Rob Helmerichs]

So, no thoughts on the season finale?
Apparently you didn't notice the many posts above yours?

[FilmCritic3000]

Apparently you didn't notice the many posts above yours?

Sorry. :D

That's what I get for copying and pasting my post from another board I frequent. :D

[getreal]

Well, I thought it was a great season finale -- even if it appeared that loose ends were all tied up nicely. I also don't see how the blood drop on Rita's wedding dress was anything but symbolic. The wedding is not a crime scene, so who would be collecting evidence? And why?

Deb said that King's death was "suicide by cop" so I'd say that case is closed. They are not investigating DNA evidence from the scene above where the cop car hit him.

The loose ends, though, which I think will impact the storyline next season, probably involve Dexter's knowledge of Rita's secret, and Deb's investigation of her dad's past relationship with Dexter's birth mother and the existence of a brother. I don't know if she will tie the brother in with her lover, the Ice Truck Killer. I doubt that Rita's first teenaged hubby will have any significance -- unless it turns out that Rita killed HIM! :eek:

The women on this show really have a tough time picking men as lovers who are not also killers.

What was Dexter originally planning to do with Ellen's ring when he was visiting with Ramon Prado? I don't think he could have planted it on him.

[Rob Helmerichs]

I also don't see how the blood drop on Rita's wedding dress was anything but symbolic. The wedding is not crime scene, so who would be collecting evidence? And why?
What it reminds us is that Dexter is bleeding. And he started bleeding at the warehouse. Where no doubt forensics people will be collecting all kinds of evidence, and looking to see whose blood it is that they find there.

[madscientist]

Dexter was going to show the ring to Ramon and suggest that Ramon back off, or Dexter would have the ring (with Miguel's fingerprints on it) "anonymously" turn up, and blacken Miguel's memory and the family name. When he got to talk to Ramon he decided that wouldn't work, and he figured a better way out anyway.

[MickeS]

Well, I thought it was a great season finale -- even if it appeared that loose ends were all tied up nicely. I also don't see how the blod drop on Rita's wedding dress was anything but symbolic. The wedding is not crime scene, so who would be collecting evidence? And why?

Deb said that King's death was "suicide by cop" so I'd say that case is closed. They are not investigating DNA evidence from the scene above where the cop car hit him.

Exactly my thoughts too. I could be wrong, but it didn't seem as anything but symbolic to me.

[getreal]

Dexter was going to show the ring to Ramon and suggest that Ramon back off, or Dexter would have the ring (with Miguel's fingerprints on it) "anonymously" turn up, and blacken Miguel's memory and the family name. When he got to talk to Ramon he decided that wouldn't work, and he figured a better way out anyway.

As I think about this scenario, why would Dexter show the ring to Ramon? That would implicate Dexter as well. :confused:

I understand that the ring would be used to smear the Prado name, but showing it to Ramon, while the other cops still refer to him as "Lieutenant" ... I would think that they would actively go after Dexter for possessing Wolfe's ring.

Hmmmm ....

Can't wait for the next season. I wonder if they'll pick up the story right after Rita gives birth, or if they'll jump ahead a couple of years?

[stellie93]

I didn't get why Dex didn't just let them find him in the warehouse with the killer's dead body, and say that he just killed him in the process of escaping---which he did??? Did I miss something?

[madscientist]

As I think about this scenario, why would Dexter show the ring to Ramon? That would implicate Dexter as well. :confused:

I understand that the ring would be used to smear the Prado name, but showing it to Ramon, while the other cops still refer to him as "Lieutenant" ... I would think that they would actively go after Dexter for possessing Wolfe's ring.Why would it implicate Dexter? It has Miguel's fingerprint on it, not Dexter's. Plus Dexter has an alibi, Miguel's car is implicated by (illegally obtained, but he's dead anyway) fiber evidence, etc. Even if Ramon started yelling and got Dexter caught in the holding room with the ring on him, Dexter would have no trouble talking his way out of it (Miguel was his friend; he could have come by that ring any number of "innocent" ways).

And if Dexter got out of the room then it's even easier for him: he can have the ring show up somewhere anonymously if he needed to.

[Rob Helmerichs]

I didn't get why Dex didn't just let them find him in the warehouse with the killer's dead body, and say that he just killed him in the process of escaping---which he did??? Did I miss something?
He would have had to explain why the Skinner was after him.

[Amnesia]

I didn't get why Dex didn't just let them find him in the warehouse with the killer's dead body, and say that he just killed him in the process of escapingBut then the cops would wonder why the killer took Dexter in the first place...

[Mr_Bester]

He would have had to explain why the Skinner was after him.
There were any number of reasons... He was friends with Miguel(who the skinner killed..at least that's what the cops think), the skinner was drafting off Dex's sisters investigation which could easily lead to Dexter being in the way, Dexter did forensics on the skinner case and if he was dead and the skinner was caught, he couldn't testify(a stretch). And the writers are definately more clever than me, they could have written it out better than that.

[madscientist]

I'm sure Dexter could have talked his way out of it if he'd had to. But I'm equally sure he much preferred to be completely out of it. Much, much better for Dexter if no one ever knows he was there or had anything at all to do with the skinner: far less chance of anything unexpected happening.

[Ment]

I'm sure Dexter could have talked his way out of it if he'd had to. But I'm equally sure he much preferred to be completely out of it. Much, much better for Dexter if no one ever knows he was there or had anything at all to do with the skinner: far less chance of anything unexpected happening.

Agreed, Dexters MO when he is following the Code is to reduce all the variables. Given his experience with Miguel, free-lancing is out of the question for him.

[stellie93]

But, in real life, what he did was really risky--suppose the car had stopped sooner or the body hadn't fallen just right. Then he would be explaining why he was running from the cops with a corpse. Also he could've been seen leaving the building which should have been surrounded by cops by then. Much safer to just be a victim. They accepted that the skinner was after Miguel, so Dexter is the next logical step.

I know--not real life. ;)

[BK89]

Yeah - count me in on not getting why he wouldn't just stay and act the victim. THe first thing I thought of when he goes for the window is this place must be surrounded by cops. If they catch him trying to escape he is screwed. He could jsut play it cool and say that he was just the next serial victim of the skinner.

[verdugan]

If they catch him trying to escape he is screwed. .

Not really. He could just tell the cops outside that he finally had a chance to escape when he heard the sirens. He could just continue to play the vicitim.

Stay = 100% chance of being found and have to play the victim
Jump out window = Some chance nobody will see him. If somebody does see him, he'll just play the victim.

Solved :cool:

[7thton]

If he's bleeding now, he was bleeding at the warehouse. Which means the cops might find his DNA there. That would be hard for him to explain.

I think that is a bit of a stretch. No way does season 4 refer back to season 3 for a major plot point. Every season has, so far, been self contained. This is a good thing.