TV lovers know that the episode before the season finale typically involves putting all the pieces in place for the big ending episode. With that in mind, it’s surprising when we’re introduced to a new character in the form of bingo enthusiast, Barb. When we saw Brian Moser’s police record last week, I did notice that they took the time to include a photo. I suspected this might mean adult Brian would be introduced—and there he is. Like Killmonger before him, Brian really does have legitimate beef with Barb from his perspective.
LaGuerta shows massive balls confronting Harry about stealing a file. As predicted, she doesn’t take his (TMI, don’t you think?) explanation. That’s a thing liars like Harry do. They reveal just enough embarrassing personal information to make the rest seem believable. Even with all the multi-mistress-retconning, Harry is still a pretty terrible person.
Detective Morgan’s convo with Spencer answers another big retcon question: Why was a detective in a patrolman’s uniform when he found Dexter in the shipping container? Now we know. What we still don’t know is why Brian and Dexter were left alive. Next week we’ll no doubt learn. I’m guessing Brian was instrumental in saving he and his brother’s lives.
Nicky does remember that his kidnapper is also his dad. When the elder Spencer removes his mask and tells his son he did nothing wrong—we know his plan really is to murder his own son just to hurt his mother. Gross.
Deb’s visit to the station illuminates a few things. Every woman in a male-dominated field wishes there were more women there. Her relationship with Maria was rocky from the start. Debra is likely to end up where she feels encouraged. So far, the only people we’ve seen encourage her all season are Dexter and Tanya. BTW, is it really legal to have a random person with no certification drawing blood donations?
We have to laugh when Harry tells Dexter we’re sure there’s no serial killer. He tells Bobby pretty clearly that the serial killer in question is Brian. “Save Dexter” is good advice. I fully expect Bobby to die in the finale. We’ll see. LaGuerta investigates Harry’s BS, making Camilla a criminal in the process. Girl, it’s illegal to falsify records even if it’s for a good friend for a decent reason. Dexter could have stopped Brian a whole lot sooner if he’d known the truth about any of it. Not telling Dexter even after he knew Brian was stalking him is unconscionable.
Doris Morgan is a hero and a queen. Imagine putting her hurt aside to take in the sons of her husband’s mistress. Sexism alert: I wouldn’t have as much respect for Doris had she forgiven the Harry of TOS. One affair might just be a terrible, selfish mistake. But routinely sleeping with informants (especially given how it compromises cases) with a loving wife at home just makes him trash. This Harry isn’t exactly trash, but he certainly needs a good airing out.
It makes sense that Doris would want to take in both boys—though she didn’t know about Brian’s earlier violent behavior. When he tries to smother the baby though, (I didn’t like Harry calling Baby Debra “Deb”) it’s clear that it would be irresponsible to keep him. The implication is that Dexter’s first words after his mother’s death are “Where is Biney going.” Sad, and improbable that he would someday not remember that he had a brother at all.
Laura Moser’s body after the find might be the single most gruesome thing we’ve seen in all of Dexter. The shot where you can clearly see the expression on her...head was held just long enough to be horrifying. It’s no wonder both boys were ruined by it.
Which leads us to the dismemberment of Barb the social working bingo fan. I like to think I’d be a whole lot louder if I was her, but that might be wishful thinking. Brian has clearly worked his way up to this kill (which inexplicably includes Barb standing up while knocked out). The look of horror on Barb’s face when she sees the chainsaw? Yeee-ikes! Brian’s anger is understandable. But it’s also the petty revenge of a childlike mind. He straight up trained to meet Barb to ensure that her death was as terrifying and painful as possible. Mission accomplished, I guess. And she never even got her Applebees. Cruel.
The end of Blood Drive had me in fits. I was angry that Dexter would go after Spencer this way since I so want him to be consequenced publicly. Then I was deeply amused at the needle going through Spencer’s hand, because that was hilarious. But then...I was so damn mad that Dexter would make such a stupid mistake as to let Spencer escape. Until...
We see that it was Dex’s plan all along to get Spencer to lead him to Nicky. It’s a risky plan, but no one believes Dexter about Spencer. If anything happens, a car accident for example, Spencer could get away and Nicky would die.
Did Spencer kill Jimmy Powell? Has he killed other kids too as Dexter implies? It could be that Spencer used the Powell kidnap/murder as a premise to get back at his ex-wife. But when Spencer does escape from Dexter—he takes both photos with him, his son and the Powell kid. Does he just like killing kids? What is the story there? If he can admit he took Nicky just to spite his ex, why wouldn’t he admit to everything?
Of note this week:
- Deb’s college scholarship is still a possibility. Nice!
· The phrase “children’s charcuterie.”
· The social commentary surrounding gay folks giving blood.
· Doris seems to be the only person to call her “Debbie.”
· I predicted Tanya leaving her job in disgrace—seems I was wrong.
· “Bad Dudes” is a real video game. Apparently that’s news to lots of people.
· Dexter describing Spencer’s release as “serial killer blue balls.”
· Still not a single mention of Dr. Evelyn Vogel.
Next week is the big season-ender. Lots of questions remain. Will Dexter save Nicky? Will he expose Spencer? Will his crimes make any kind of sense?