Dexter 4x12

Dexter has been trying to rid the world of the monster that is known as the “Trinity Killer,” but family and work and many other distractions sidetracked him time and again. Now, the killer is on to him. Arthur Mitchell knows his real name and occupation. This is the season finale and the heat is on! Arthur tells Dexter to leave him alone and advices him to give up his vigilantism. “You’re not very good at it. Goodbye, Dexter Morgan.” Dexter follows him, but is stopped by Quinn who accuses him of chasing girls instead of working on his rapport of Christine’s suicide. Dex brushes him off, hot in pursuit of the “Trinity Killer.” He chases him to a parking garage, meanwhile side-swiping a car’s side-view mirror as he’s talking to Rita on the phone about honeymoon plans. In the garage, Dex subdues Arthur and finds an envelope stacked with all the money he owns. Dex concludes Arthur is planning his getaway. He is disrupted by a scene outside the garage. The man whose car he damaged has called in the police. He argues with the officers and gets arrested for fleeing the scene of an accident. In prison, Dex wonders whether it’s because of his “Dark Passenger” or his family life that he messed up. Rita then picks him up, as he’s released due to overcrowding.

Ordered to take a day off, Deb has another meeting with one of her father’s informers. The woman takes her on a trip. They arrive at a house that Deb recognizes as the place where the “Ice Truck Killer” took her. The woman tells her this is where one of Harry’s old girlfriends, Laura Moser, lived with her two boys. Researching Laura Moser, Deb learns her sons names where Brian and Dexter. Capt. Matthews, one of her father’s colleagues, confirms that Harry adopted Dexter after Laura died, but encourages her to keep the information to herself.

Meanwhile, Miami Metro realizes Stan Beaudry cannot be the “Trinity Killer,” because there is enough evidence to place him elsewhere in many cases. Batista has also discovered that in each killing cycle there was a missing boy prior to the three killings. The “Trinity Killer” must have planted the evidence to frame someone else. Deb talks to Scott, the boy kidnapped by the “Trinity Killer,” hoping to find any new clues. He draws a picture of the Four Walls logo. That leads them to the building site where they find the body of another victim. Running through the names of volunteers working for Four Walls leads them to the killer. Once they arrive at the Mitchells’ house, Dex is already there – acting as if he is searching the garage for evidence. Deb notices something is off, but is too concerned about her own discovery. She tells him she knows Laura Moser was his mother, and that the “Ice Truck Killer” was his brother, but stops short of wondering if Harry could be his father. She is thankful that Dex has been the one constant, the one constantly good thing in her life. Dex expresses his gratitude.

Dexter has more pressing concerns. Arthur has fled Miami in his repaired and newly painted convertible. When his engine overheats, Dex jumps up from behind the car. (I have no idea how he was able to trace him.) Next, we’re back at the bomb shelter where Arthur held Scotty. Dex has prepared the scene for his ritual. He confronts Arthur about the monster he is, while Arthur pleads that he gave everything to his family. Dex tells him Christine killed herself. Arthur chides that he’s no better than him. Dexter bludgeons Arthur with a framing hammer and later dumps his body at sea. He wonders if Rita is looking up at the full moon from the Florida Keys, where she is waiting for him to celebrate their honeymoon. He feels connected and hopes his family can help him be rid of his “Dark Passenger.” Once home, he responds to a lovely message Rita left him. He hears her cell phone ringing in another room. Then baby Harrison starts crying in the bathroom. Turning on the light, he sees his son in a pool of blood. Rita lies lifeless in the bathtub. What a nightmare! Dex thought he could keep his family safe, but the sins of the father shall be visited upon the children.

This has been another excellent season. The main story arc as well as the various subplots were riveting – apart, perhaps, of the dalliance between LaGuerta and Batista. I watched all twelve episodes in the span of about a week as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The performances, not only of Michael Hall (Dexter) and Jennifer Carpenter (Debra), but of all involved, were stellar. The addition of John Lithgow (Arthur) and Courtney Ford (Christine) this season was also tremendously engaging. Season five has already started a month ago. So, stay tuned for more Dexter next week.