DEXTER: Slack Tide

The creative team behind DEXTER have always sought out ways, in varying degrees of success, to bring the audience inside the mind of Dex. It’s not always meaningful, but most of the time we get a peek at something truly fascinating. This week was full of those threads, with the last moments marking a significant event in the “Dexter” universe.

Dexter had too much to learn from Trinity to kill him this week. Therefore Arthur Mitchell’s spot on the table was taken by a photographer who was raping and killing young, undocumented models. After making some nasty comments to Deb on her first day back, the photog moved to the top of Dex’s list. Conveniently, Dex had to work late at night, on his mission to be a better father.

One thing we haven’t seen yet is how Harry feels about Dexter making Arthur this almost surrogate father figure. At least that’s how I’m seeing it. Dexter looked to Arthur for advice on how to be a father. This week, that advice was to push the kids out into the world, in part to give Dexter time for his “recreational activities.” I can’t help but think what Harry, a la Dexter, would say about this. Sure, Harry wasn’t the best father. Deb learned that all to well this week. But he was still a nurturing figure in both their lives and now he has been replaced by another serial killer. It’s an odd situation, but it works somehow.

I’m proud of Dexter and the way he’s trying to be a better father. Let’s be honest, without the contrast of home vs. personal life, this would be a much more mundane show. But it’s nice to think that this will last for a while. And even if he doesn’t bat a thousand as a Dad, neither did Harry, so that bar is low.

I’m tired of beating around the bush. Dexter broke the Code. He broke it and he broke it good. In the past, Dex has walked around the Code. Sometimes he outright violated it, albeit without his knowledge. This time around Dexter killed the photographer, who might have been a creep, but was, as far as we and Dexter know, innocent. This is an earth-shattering development in the Dexter universe. Whenever something new involving the Cod is introduced, it seems to change Dexter’s world in significant ways – sometimes for the better, but sometimes for the worse. As this killing marks what is perhaps one of the last elements to be broken of the Code, there is no way to know how this will play itself out.

One thing is for certain. Next week, Dexter will renew his missing to kill Trinity, and from what as show in  the previews, it looks as if he will get closer than ever.

Dexter broke the Code, flat out. Was it as bad as it seems? Thoughts of Dexter’s relationship with Arthur? Other important moments to discuss from tonight’s episode?