Dissecting Dexter’s Consequences in 812: “Remember the Monsters?”

Dexter, Hannah, and Harrison almost make it on their flight to Rio when Jacob Elway shows up at the airport, threatening the life they planned to share together. After getting airport security onto Elway’s case to defuse the situation, Dexter inadvertently delays all succeeding flights until after Hurricane Laura passes through Miami. Meanwhile, news that Debra is in critical condition after getting shot by Oliver Saxon reaches Dexter shortly after this delay, fortifying his desire for vengeance upon the Brain Surgeon. Though Dexter believes he has transcended the need to kill, his petulance toward Saxon makes this kill far more personal than any other kill he has performed. Once Saxon is taken care of, the only loose end left in Miami is Debra, who would otherwise be left to vegetate in Miami Central hospital.

Misogyny and Parenthood in 810: “Goodbye Miami” & 811: “Monkey in a Box”

Debra decides to return to Miami Metro just as Quinn decides to dump Jamie. Dexter’s control over his life and the people in it continues to evade him. Just when he is able to pack his bags and leave for Argentina with Hannah and his son, he discovers that his need to kill does not outweigh his need to be with Hannah, thus allowing Daniel Vogel the opportunity to shoot Deb and Deputy Marshal Clayton.

Mornings with Mum: Why Breakfast Is No Substitute for Parenthood

Though Thomas C. Foster in How to Read Literature like a Professor proclaims that “in the real world, breaking bread together is an act of sharing and peace” (7), communion in Dexter always leads to chaos. Daniel (alias Oliver Saxon) responds no more favorably to Evelyn Vogel’s desperate attempt to reconnect with him over breakfast than Rita does to her ex-husband, Paul Bennett, when he brings donuts to Astor and Cody. They each seem to be offering peace; however, donuts and coffee in each case are mere band-aids to the real  issue. Dexter can even be incorporated in this conversation, for he, too, uses pancakes to appease Harrison and his imaginary elephant friend. These parents offer the most basic form of human sustenance to their children in hopes of reestablishing or reinforcing a pre-existing implicit promise of protection and reliability with their children. While Cody, Harrison, and Astor (to a lesser degree) fall prey to this tactic, Daniel scoffs in his mother’s face when he claims that making breakfast for him makes her feel like his mother again, for she “gave up that privilege a long time ago.”

Doppelgangers, Brotherhood, and the Oedipal Complex in 808: “Are We There Yet?” & 809: “Make Your Own Kind of Music”

Dexter discovers that Zach Hamilton has absorbed the Code through the observation of his Spiritual Father. Hannah McKay further complicates Dexter’s already convoluted situation by consuming his every waking thought and involuntarily impairing his decision-making skills. Debra’s difficulty with her brother’s life choices and unmistakable vengeance against Hannah compels her to put Jacob Elway on her trail, ultimately leading us to Dexter’s final path of destruction.

Dexter’s Demons in 806: “A Little Reflection” & 807: “Dress Code”

Zach Hamilton is taken on as Dr. Vogel and Dexter’s spiritual son once it becomes clear that Miami Metro has no evidence to incriminate him for Norma Rivera’s murder. Debra, upon being drugged by Hannah McKay, inadvertently gives Dexter an ultimatum: choose safety for yourself and your family, or choose Hannah McKay.

Guilt, Monsters, and Trauma in 804: “Scar Tissue” & 805: “This Little Piggy”

Debra continues to push Dexter away until she learns that Harry killed himself, driving her to kill herself and her brother; however, she is rescued and she ends up saving Dexter once again, which proves that she will “always choose Dexter.” AJ Yates catches wind of the fact that Dr. Vogel is poking around in his things and kidnaps her. Yates’ murder and disposal brings the three together.

Mere Psychopath or Serial Killer? Dexter’s Natural Inclinations in 802: “Every Silver Lining…” & 803: “What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?”

The Brain Surgeon has picked his next victim, compelling Dr. Vogel to recruit Dexter for his help in tracking down who she believes to be one of her former patients. After Dexter goes poking around Lyle Sussman’s hunting cabin, the Brain Surgeon discovers that Dexter is Vogel’s partner in crime, placing them both, as well as Dexter’s family, in jeopardy. Debra continues to fall apart and attempts to confess to Quinn that she killed LaGuerta, but he simply loves her too much to allow her to blame herself for the Captain’s death.

Parenthood and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 801: “A Beautiful Day”

Season 8 picks up six months after Debra decided to shoot Maria LaGuerta, the fateful decision that would change the Morgan family’s lives forever. Debra has decided to push Dexter out of her life in order to try to find a way to deal with her decisions, yet Dexter is determined to push his way back into her life. Although LaGuerta is a solved problem, Dr. Evelyn Vogel’s sudden resurfacing in Miami to work side-by-side with Dexter Morgan causes some unwanted tension in Dexter’s life.

Dexter as Spider and Ogre in 712: “Surprise, Motherf**ker!”

Hannah McKay is tried for the murder of Sal Price, but poisons herself to escape from custody. Maria LaGuerta arrests Dexter for the murder of Hector Estrada, but his friends, family, and co-workers are quick to stand up for Dexter and believe that LaGuerta was trying to set Dexter up to look like the Bay Harbor Butcher. Debra ultimately is faced with the decision of whether to kill her brother, her only living kin, or take out LaGuerta, a beacon of traditional law and “goodness.”

Trauma, Futures, and the Hannah-Deb Feud in 710: “The Dark…Whatever” & 711: “Do You See What I See?”

Dexter meets Clint McKay and then takes him out. Deb relentlessly seeks ways to arrest Hannah McKay against Dexter’s wishes, but when she is drugged and gets into a car crash, Dexter stands up for her and her mission and helps her arrest Hannah. Maria LaGuerta solves the Bay Harbor Butcher mystery and pins the blame correctly on Dexter, but his skilled methods of planting evidence seems to get Tom Matthews convinced and off of his trail. LaGuerta persists however and nearly catches Dexter in the act of taking out Hector Estrada.

Harry’s Shadow and Futures in 708: “Argentina” & 709: “Helter Skelter”

Debra finally comes around to understanding and even encouraging Dexter’s Dark Passenger, but Dexter isn’t all too thrilled with who she requests to have killed. Maria LaGuerta seeks the advice of Tom Matthews, but still inches closer to Dexter’s truth. Hannah McKay dreams of Argentina, which inspires Dexter to attempt to envision a life – a normal life. Isaak Sirko demands Dexter’s services, but ends up teaching him a thing or two about love instead before his death.