The time has come to say Good Bye Dexter Morgan. The journey has been an incredible one, filled with mixed feelings. The show begun with such an original premise. A serial killer who only kills villains. Born in blood Dexter would have surely turned into a blood thirsty villain himself had it not been for his cop dad. Dexter was thought how to channel his urges, dubbed his dark passenger into something that could benefit humanity. Building on a strict kill code, he has helped bring murderers to justice where the shackles of the justice system have failed.
The journey of dear Dexter may have been incredible but the conclusion left fans with a hole in their chest, much like his victims. Unlike his victims, Dexter returns to take one more stab and a proper ending.
A Quick Slice
In the original series finale, Dexter is lost to sea in a volatile hurricane, and the world believes him to be dead. We would have to had it not been for the teaser end. We pick up with dear old Dexter almost a decade later. He has built a nice quite little life for himself. Dating the town sheriff and loved by all in the close knit community.
Dexter tries to keep his dark passenger locked deep inside, and for the most part succeeds. But a random altercation later and ends up killing his first new victim. While justified (probably) it starts to draw unwanted attention. The sudden appearance of his long lost son only adds to the complications. Never the less, he tries to make it work.
However, even in the small town, there is always evil. This evil just happened to be also well loved business man Kurt. The father of Dex’s latest victim and yes, also a pedigreed serial killer. (It always is, isn’t it?)
The manner in which the show ended, has me split down the center. On one hand I wanted another short run of our favourite serial killer. On the other, I think he also needed a final closure.
Death
Dexter needed to die, his own story had run its course, regardless of the poor original ending. It was not a case of the writers putting together weaker material, but rather what he experienced in the last season. Too much was taken from him. He needed peace. More so he always wanted a pure and simple life for little Harry. As much as having someone who could relate felt good, deep down it was not what he wanted for his son. Dexter knew, that even with his training, his life would not be easy. Worse still it could end up very short.
I think what people missed through the shows significant run, was that he actually wanted a normal life. He wished he could just be like everyone else. And sure he could mimick it. But he could never experience the way regular people do. Above all else, the love for his son was genuine. And when Dexter loves he loves deep and hard. Bottom line, only his death could free Harrison from the gravity of the dark passenger.
Life
On the other hand, there may have been at least 3 more seasons left with a new dynamic. A new father and son dynamic. Unlike before, it would not be quick flashback but a richer deeper look at how does one create a bonfide serial killer. There could have added a lot more into the mix. News of the Bay Harbor Butchers true identity could have been leaked to the public. Harrison and Dexter could be on the run. Each season in new area. They could be this real life (with a very dark twist) Batman and Robin.
End
In the end, it comes down to stretching out a story because you can,or giving your lead the send of he deserves. I think the writers were weary that they could end up screwing it up again. Rather the lead into another controversial finale, they opted to give him a hero’s end. This was as much for Dexter and it was for Harrison or us for that matter.
