Hey Dexheads,

Just fair warning that there might be some SPOILERS in this post. Nothing too detailed at all, but hints about where certain storylines may/may not go. Proceed with caution, friends!

Isaak is dead. I think most of us had a sense of “disappointment” that the big guy made his grand exit a wee bit early. For better or worse, Isaak was ripe for the kill table, but it was nice to see that his final moments and poetic send-off were fitting for such an awesome character, and especially a brilliant performer. Ray Stevenson will be missed, but he’s etched himself in the great rogue’s gallery of Dexter’s best foes. We raise a glass to you, sir!

So where do we go from here?

Usually at this point in the season, Dexter’s racing against the clock to nab the Big Bad while personal turmoil is raining down from all directions. Double-crosses, major plot twists, and big revelations?

But this is no other season.

It seems that the fans are split in two: Those that are disappointed that the season is not going in the direction they expected, and have story/character/logic issues. And those that are very interested in the personal and emotional stakes, and feel refreshed by the uncertainty ahead.

Both camps have valid arguments.

Gone are Isaak, the threat of the Koshka Brotherhood, Louis Green, Ray Speltzer, and if all your vengeful hopes lie with George being wrapped in plastic...think again. The Quinn/George storyline seems to resolve itself in Episode 10 (if a little anti-climactic). Although the lasting impact and how it ultimately affects Quinn’s story is still to be determined, it seems that the creators are intent on tying up the loose ends to centre on THE most important aspect of the season...

The Dexter/ Deb/ Hanna triangle.

Introducing “The Phantom” storyline this late in the game was an interesting choice. It just HAS to mean something, right? Are the creators planting the seeds for a potential Big Bad for Season 8, or is there some major twist coming that we’d never predict? After watching Episode 10...

It’s neither.

It might be a minor spoiler to say that The Phantom’s storyline is wrapped up in Episode 10. So why even introduce it in the first place? Let’s just say that The Phantom themselves and their crimes is a blip in the bigger picture, but it’s the overall influence on Dexter’s character and the implications it hints at could be pretty major. The last time something like this happened to Dexter, it was followed up with “Nebraska”. Let’s hope the creators have the balls to follow through this time. My hunch is that they will.

But it’s not the only event in the Episode that influences this narrative development...

Hanna’s dad, Clint McKay, is introduced in the episode. I won’t spoil how the character contributes to the story, but he’s a pretty key figure from a storyline, thematic, and back story perspective. Kudos to actor Jim Beaver for leaving a lasting impression in the episode with a solid performance.

Laguerta now has a new “partner” in her BHB investigation in Matthews, and what she uncovers could be a major piece of the puzzle. The target is firmly put on Dexter, but the question now becomes “what comes next”. The episode leaves us with the promise of a significant conversation to be had in the very near future.

Sorry if this week’s post is a little muddled and scattershot. The true juicy details of the episode lie within the character’s feelings, emotions, and outlook for the future, and it’s hard not to get into spoilery specifics. The title of the episode itself might give you a big hint as to the nature of the episode.

If you’re still on board the Season 7 journey, then Episode 10 is another solid continuation into the unknown. The emotional stakes are higher, the on-going danger is getting closer, and the remaining few episodes promise to be a very personal conclusion.