Oh man, I had trouble sleeping after watching this episode. I just kept imagining that baby sitting next to Rita while she was dying.

Something else I thought odd:

Dexter's dad went to a lot of great lengths to bury the info that would have revealed Dexter's identity and the circumstances of his adoption. So why did he keep the kid's name as "Dexter"? Deb reading the names of Laura Moser's boys rubbed in how ridiculous this was as it made it easy for her to figure it out.

My psychiatrist told me to stop watching TV after I called him this morning.

I've always thought the series would end this way. But I don't know now.

I can't get that image of Rita in the tub, specifically the look on her face, out of my head. And just knowing what Trinity did to her adds fuel to it.

What if they do a very ballsy move and move the story ahead 15 years and have him training his son on "the rules".

I was really hoping they would save the innocent kill. Then Dexter would kill an innocent and then in the finale take his own life in an ironic twist of fate.

I cannot believe no one has commented on this:

I can't see Dexter offing himself considering what it would probably do to Deb.

TiVO. There are a lot of people that have not watched it but will still read this thread.

So when the hell did Dexter climb into the Mustang. Wasn't it already gone when he noticed the smashed windshield?

Deb learns that Doakes was not the Bay Harbor Butcher and begins investigating. She doesn't learn the BHB's true identity, but manages to figure his next victim. She tracks him to the kill room, and sees a shadowy figure about to stab somebody on a table. She shoots and kills the figure, and not until she gets closer does she realize that it's Dexter!

They shouldn't. After an episode has aired, its content is fair game. I don't understand the spoiler tags either.

I took it that Dexter went to the body shop before Trinity picked it up and got in there. He also removed that part that caused the car to sputter out.

Did anyone notice that looked like the same street where he had his car accident?

I was just reading some other Dexter threads (I watched the last 3 episodes last night) and dsa Shea called it.

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/9869549-post68.html

I didn't think it shocked Trinity because....

-He saw what Dexter was capable of when Trinity attacked his son in his own house. Dex threw the belt around his neck and attempted to end it there. Then immediate after in the kitchen, Dexter with the kitchen knife saying "I should have killed you when I had the chance". The fear in Trinity's eyes in that scene showed that he actually feared for his life and maybe saw something behind Dexter's eyes.

-Dexter (Kyle Butler) had admitted to killing an innocent man.



-Trinity wanted to die and wanted his cycle to stop. I think the end of Trinity was more about Trinity accepting his fate as being surprised by who Dexter really was. Trinity knew first hand that the image you put out isn't necessarily who you really are.[/spoiler]

When I watched the episode, I thought it was the same street......was it not?

I hope they don't write the kids out of the show. Astor's just about getting old enough where I won't feel guilty fantasizing about her. (kidding)

Next season could go anywhere, so I would say it could be a "clean slate" in a way, seeing how easy it would be to write the kids off and have it just focus on Dexter and Harrison. Lone Wolf and Cub style!

I doubt they'd flash forward 10+ years. It'd be WAY too much effort to apply "aging effects" to the entire cast of the show, and no way they'd cut all the actors sans Dexter and Deb at this point in the game. I can picture them skipping a few years in an opening montage type thing in order to age Harrison so there can be some interaction between the two of them.

If next season turns out to be the last, then it's going to center around Dexter's "fall." While I love the character, I just can't see them ending with "and he kills, happily ever after..." That was more or less the ending of the first season. Hopefully they'll skip having a "villain" and just focus on Dexter and Deb finding out he's a killer. Jimmy Smits and John Lithgow both did good turns as antagonists these past seasons, but after last night, there's no way a new character can have the impact Arthur did.

Anyways, my bets are on something similar to what Groucho said; Deb brings Dexter down, either by law or by force. Back in Season 1 or 2, if she had found out, I think she'd be "ok" with it (after some persuasion) since Harry knew and trained Dexter. Currently, her opinion of Harry has sunk to an all time low, so I don't think Harry's blessing is going to do much good.

The only consistent thing about the character of Debra Morgan is how much she loves and adores her brother. She knows something is up with him, and has for a while, but she has massive blinders on. I honestly think she would do anything to protect Dexter, even if she knew he was the BHB. The only way I see Debra bringing Dexter down is the way Groucho described: in a situation where she doesn't know that it's her brother until it is too late.

I have no idea, but it sure looked like it. I wondered if that was somehow intentional, but I am not that familiar with Miami.

There are a couple moments that stand out to me:

-Dexter says "I have a family too, Arthur" to which Trinity simply raises his eyebrows (as if to say "Really?"). Which raises the question: When Arthur woke up, did he assume Dexter already found Rita? Is this line the moment he realizes Dexter has no idea? Because immediately after is when he starts talking about "God's plan."

-Dexter says "I accept nothing. Nothing is inevitable." Arthur replies "It's already over." Cut to Dexter looking confused, Arthur "It's already over."

True. I can't see her killing him intentionally, but accidentally. As far as just arresting him, I can see that going down easier. The other consistent thing with Deb is her dedication to her job. I can't imagine her being fine with the truth about Dexter. Again, a few seasons ago, maybe. Now? Not so much.

I agree. I think Deb would protect him like Trinity's daughter did.

Did this episode remind anyone else of Seven?

Awesome episode - the entire thing, not just the ending. Has this show actually won any Emmy's? If not, that's criminal.

Awesome episode. The ending also reminded me of Seven.

Unfortunately for me, the ending could've/should've been more amazing than it was. The reason, you ask? I'll tell you. I was anxious to get home to watch the finale as I was watching something else on my notebook while on the train ride home. When I was done watching, I put the notebook in standby and overheard the fucking moron sitting across from me telling his friend the ending of the episode in great detail. When I realized what he was talking about, it was already too late. This is the first time I've heard someone talk about the show outside of work (and this forum) - good timing, huh? Yeah, I wasn't happy.

What was the song playing at the end when Trinity was on the table? I recognized the song but don't know the lyrics, sounded like "Oh Rita".