How it ended.
Spoiler Alert: Major season finale spoilers below. Srsly, don't read past here if you haven't seen the episode yet.
Well, that is that, huh? After a strange and menacingly-building season, Dexter's fourth season came to a shocker of an end last night. One might even call it a "game-changer", that most hallowed of TV phrases, with the very structure of Dexter's life torn apart, the show's fundamental DNA forever altered.
I mean... Rita's dead, y'all. Rita's dead. Which means a huge portion of the show's, like, philosophical inquiry has been shuttered and turned off forever. I'm guessing that Cody and Astor will be taken by their grandparents, and Dexter will be left alone with little Harrison (ugh on the the name). And, what? Dexter will start dating again? You know, once he finishes explaining how exactly the Trinity (Quartet?) Killer managed to hit him in his own home. I'd imagine that will be the beginning of next season, and then we'll move on to... possibly more stand-alone episodes, rather than a big villain, season-long arc. Which is fine. Different, but fine.
And what of Rita's absence? Other than the way she helped shape Dexter's borders, will we miss her as a character? While I love Julie Benz—something about the solid spine that lies behind all that gentleness—Rita had kind of become one of television's most annoying characters. There was just no room left for her. Unless she found out that Dexter was killing people, which would be a game-changer on an end-of-the-show level. So that couldn't happen. Not only four seasons in. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that her death is sad in the context of the show, but I won't miss Rita. And I feel sad for Benz, a good actress who someone should employ. Anyone looking for a saint with a secret? Here's your woman.
The plotline with Deb finding out about Dexter's Ice Truck Killer connection was handled with the appropriate mixture of tension and emotional grit, with Jennifer Carpenter turning in yet another vivid and keenly keyed-up performance. The moments where she lets her brash ballsiness bubble over into fraught anxiety and that kind of whiny, desperate despair are really when Deb hums as a character, and Carpenter tends to hit the right notes every time she's asked to play that particular tune. Though I'm still trying to push the wicked knowledge that bro and sis are married in real life out of my head, that cathartic scene of familial bond-tightening was graceful and sweet without being hokey. I know that Deb eventually finds out about Dexter in the books, and I want her to find out on the show all the more now. Sure it'd probably mean the end of the series, but it would be such a relief for poor old Dex.
I'd say in terms of disappointments, the only one I'm feeling about this season is that I had thought that Quinn might emerge as a bigger, more pivotal player. I know he was dating Christine the Lundy-shooter, but I hoped that some of his animosity toward Dexter was going somewhere grand. Which, this season at least, it doesn't appear to have been. Maybe next year! And really that's a minor quibble. Mostly this season, though a little slow in getting to it, bloomed into something scary and aching and dreadful—a look at the tenuous nature of family and existence, at the dark masses we all must swallow and lock up in sheds in order to be with one another, to live in the civilized and communal world. More this season than ever before, I got the sense that Dexter may actually be trying to say something about people and How We Live, while also spinning a bloody and beguiling yarn about murder.
What did you think? Satisfied? Saddened? Disappointed?
Dexter is freaky
there's no way rita is dead. and if she is, it was poorly written.
finally the bi*ch Rita is dead man what an annoying character that has no room to develop or lift a room for the whole show to evolve ! and for her gone now the children from the mother side will go and I'm sure they wont be missed I know it cruel but let be honest they were annoying I'm excited to see what villains are stored for us
finally the bi*ch Rita is dead man what an annoying character that has no room to develop or lift a room for the whole show to evolve ! and for her gone now the children from the mother side will go and I'm sure they wont be missed I know it cruel but let be honest they were annoying I'm excited to see what villains are stored for us
finally the bi*ch Rita is dead man what an annoying character that has no room to develop or lift a room for the whole show to evolve ! and for her gone now the children from the mother side will go and I'm sure they wont be missed I know it cruel but let be honest they were annoying I'm excited to see what villains are stored for us
finally the bi*ch Rita is dead man what an annoying character that has no room to develop or lift a room for the whole show to evolve ! and for her gone now the children from the mother side will go and I'm sure they wont be missed I know it cruel but let be honest they were annoying I'm excited to see what villains are stored for us
I miss Rita already :(
I've been troubling myself about the timeline quite a bit, according to how it's given in the episode Arthur could have killed Rita somewhere between visiting Deborah's appartment (where he realized it wasn't Dexter's address, and I'm guessing found some document with his real address) and coming back to the mechanic's to pick up his Mustang. Dexter was waiting for him at the mechanic's, and tailed him from there to the point where he finally captured him. As neolityk points out, Rita's message mentions the moon. Only she doesn't mention she's looking at it at the moment, she mentions "there's going to be" a full moon tonight, and tells Dexter to take a moment and look at it. It was just a subtle clue as to Dexter realizing how fortunate he is, and then losing everything, as he actually does notice the moon in the boat when dumping Arthur's body, and imagines Rita watching it too. Only Rita is already dead, and everything is already over. So there's really no timeline issue here. The real issue is, when the police finds Rita's body killed according to Trinity's method, they're gonna wonder why he broke his pattern especially for Dexter's wife. And with Trinity's family already contacted by the police, and the case turned over to the FBI, isn't Kyle Butler's name going to come up? And aren't they going to connect the dots between Butler and Dexter (especially with Arthur having visited the station, talking to Dexter, and Angel having noticed him)? Plus, during the time when Rita was killed the police believed Trinity had already bailed Miami. Aren't they gonna start looking for him again after a new victim outside their timeline? The only rational explanation I can come up with to close this hole is if Dexter "fixes" the crime scene so that it doesn't look like a Trinity victim, or if he makes Rita's body disappear. And even then, I don't see how the series can continue with its present narration pattern, Dexter having to take care of a baby and being a serial killer at the same time... Rita's death will probably change Dexter's character forever, as well as the structure of the show. Anything less than that would be unrealistic.moreless
Rita is not a Trinity victims and I will try to explain you why:When Dexter leaves Rita, it still sunny day, and he's going right to the garage where the mustang is parked, when Arthur Mitchell comes to take back his car it still clear day....But when Rita leave a message on dexter phone to tell him she go back home, she's talking about the moon that she's watching, so at this time it's the night....Dexter was in the car with Arthur Mitchell during the end of the day till the his death, for me it's a clue that he can't be Rita's killer.Tell me where I can be wrong?
First of all what a marvelous, great, fantastic seasons finale. and we got rid of Rita. what a boring personalitycant wait for the next eps/season
Satisfied!Rita is now obviously a Trinity victim but where is the cycle? Now that killer's body is probably somewhere in the Philippines seas. FBI took the case from them and will there be another FBI agent who will annoy Dexter for being question why his wife the last Trinity victim, we all now that he's gonna be hiding because he was now discovered and wanted. I think "season 4's ghosts" will hunt Dexter now that his blood is everywhere, i mean Rita's case, trinity's visitation on the Department because I think someone saw him and remember him somehow i don't know if it's Bastista or Quinn, and, His annoyance for the death of another victim cause by him just like the Photographer and "Kyle Butler".
I am Satisfied but also sad .... the end of 4th season was great but little sad for me ... I miss Rita so then Dex I think .... 5TH SEASON !!!
Trinity didn't know about Dexter pass. The baby just happen to be there.
Really didn't see that coming!! But that's why the show is so great and you just can't miss it for a sec! Without Rita, there's going to be no holding back for Dex and I wonder if Dex will pass on Harry's teaching to his son
I think Rita took her life. And the that the Baby sit in a pool of blood have nothing to do with Dexter... it was just too much blood coming out and the Baby happens to sit on the floor. Thats what I think anyway... It also makes it better if Rita took her life. Or else the Police must ask the question why did Trinity kill Detxters wife and so on... and they must search the house etc... the end of Dexter... so no. That will not happen I think.
I notice questions about how Trinity may have known about Dexter and putting the baby in a pool of blood. Well, Trinity had stopped at Dex's old apartment and Deb was living there, so it isn't a stretch here to conclude this is how he knew Dex's current address plus he probably found the files that Deb was exploring about Harry & Dexter's past.I suspect next season we will see not only Harry's ghost talking to Dexter, but Rita's ghost as well as a countering /balancing mind & soul searching for Dexter, so I don't think she is completely written out of the scripts (I rather hope she returns in this capacity).. This season did bring in another character that got little coverage as well ... the next door neighbor. If Trinity had a secret journalist daughter, it's not a real stretch he had a secret son. Or, maybe the neighbor was a good buddy of Dexter's brother and knows the family history. It's not a stretch that this guy could have killed Rita out of vengeance or perhaps he's just of another sociopathic breed who has had means to delve into backgrounds of Dexter, and might have a goal for setting up Dexter. With the way Harry seems to have played around with the ladies, who's to say Dexter doesn't have a half-brother.There are many plot twists that can be speculated on how next season will start up ... maybe Dexter decides to hide Rita's body ... .or tidy the scene to be more in tune with Trinity's MO ... lots of ways on how things could go. There are many areas for Deb to connect the dots to what Dexter is doing from the pieces left open in this season. I question, as well, the broken roof of Dexter's private shed. Seems to me there is something more sinister in this than was portrayed and only Rita probably knew the truth.I will miss Rita's character regardless.moreless
I have a feeling that we will find out that Rita committed suicide. The scene just wasn't right for what we know about trinity. He always cleaned up after a bath tub murder, he didn't leave blood everywhere. Also it doesn't seem like he would have had enough time to both murder Rita and take one of his showers before picking up the car.
What I dont get is how the Trinity killer knew to put Dexter's son in the blood like that (born in blood... again.) Guess it could be coincidence, but as far as I know he didnt do that before. No way he could of known Dexters past either. A minor plothole, but still a hole.
LOVE IT!! This whole season, which I thought was way too short, was wonderful. And John Lithgow, OMG! what an actor! Dexter and Trinity was excellent!
WOW! I never would have guessed the show would take a turn like that. Looking forward to what lies ahead for Dexter and HIS SON.
what else can i say?satisfied? saddened? disappointed? i really can't tell. it all has to sink in first...
Very good article, hard to believe it is done by the same writer who did "The Most Annoying Characters On TV, Vol. 2". Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. Thanks
Her death proves that Harry was right all from the start, he cant have a normal life. I think next season he will be back to his the emotionless darker season 1 Dexter.
WOW, that was some piece of great writing! First, casting Lithgow was PERFECT. He's been a great actor forever, and can do serious or funny. Man, he gave me chills watching him, in this role. I don't know how they can top this season, it was PERFECT! How can Dexter turn away the Dark Passenger if he doesn't have a family now? The family is what he used as a cover, initially, but later he said it's what will keep him sane and defeat the the Dark Passenger. He has a reason to live as a normal person with the family, now that's gone, so what will become of Dexter? I'm curious as to whether or not someone will REMEMBER Trinity coming into the actual Police Station and meeting Dexter, let alone how Trinity got to Dexter's house. These are cops, they are trained to remember all faces, especially foreign to their staff. They had Trinity's picture on the board, for God's sake. Rita needed to die! She's the typical American wife, people claim she's overboard but all I see is Benz acting perfectly as the typical wife. If you don't like her character, chances are you ARE that wife or have that wife. I agree with the article that this season was about 'family', the good and bad of the 'image' of family, and the consequences of secrets creeping in, ruining bonds. Yes, your neighbor will bone your wife if you're not around, and had Dexter just gone with his family, instead of being obsessed with killing Trinity, Trinity wouldn't have been able to kill his family, but would have gotten away from him- however picked up by Feds. He didn't play the father role well, by securing his family FIRST, and paid the price. Dexter destroyed his family, and now he, the struggling, confused, psycho must raise a child. What do you THINK he'll teach his son? Cycle of Pyscho, I call it. Perfect writing!moreless
First, sorry about my english. Well, really i felt like crying after seen the death of Rita, was hopping another end, where all was fine, and they lived happily ever after. But i guess this is only in books :p .I hope there is another seasson, and i'm very curious about it. So in the end this season wos great, and a little disappointed in the end. :)
I liked the drama between Dexter and the spirit of Harry in season 3. It also served as some tense moments in season 4, especially during the finale. I wouldn’t mind that continuing as long as the conversation changed. This would be an opportunity for Dexter to question why he does what he does, especially since the last thing of substance Rita said to him was that he can control his demons (or something like that). Yes they’ve talked about this before, but now that Rita is gone as a result of his need to explore his demon, he might actually take proactive steps in controlling it. He could claim that Harry’s rulebook served to make Dexter’s dark passenger a permanent resident. In the series finale, he could even shut Harry out permanently, which is probably a good idea considering it’s not actually the spirit of Harry, it’s just the manifestation of the code. Every response he gives Dexter is just what Dexter thinks Harry would have said, but in reality, he has no idea because Harry killed himself when he saw what Dexter had done.moreless
My predictions for next season:
It would be interesting if the first episode opened with Dexter abducting a killer, and as he’s performing his ritual flashback to the conversation he had with Trinity, and the signs he missed. He would call the guy Arthur, confusing him greatly, and terrifying him right before killing him in whatever artistic fashion his reptilian brain can think of. I think initially Dexter is going to push everyone away. He’s going to keep Deb and others in the department distant to protect them. However, something will happen that puts them in danger anyways, and in the end of the season he will have an epiphany and decide if they’re closer and involved in his life (emphasis on Deb) there’s less chance of them getting hurt. I think Quinn is going to wonder why Trinity targeted Rita. I think he’s going to begin following Dexter as Doakes did in season 2. I kind of doubt this, but I think it would be interesting if in a heated moment of self defense, Deb killed Quinn to protect Dexter (like if Quinn was about to kill Dexter). Regardless, I think whether if it’s at the beginning of season 5 or the end, it’s time for Deb to find out about Dexter. She has known since the beginning of book 1, and it has done nothing but add layers to the story. As amazing of a show as Dexter is, it really only has 1 or 2 more seasons of stay power. High ratings are no reason to keep a show going if the art suffers.moreless
To anyone doubting it, I'm pretty sure Trinity did in fact kill Rita. In the Hall/Lithgow interview after the show, Lithgow said it's interesting to re-watch the scene knowing what has already happened. After I re-watched it, I noticed Trinity had an odd look on his face when Dexter told him he had a family. Later in that conversation Trinity proclaimed it was already over, and Dexter seemed confused by this. Also, when Dexter checks his voicemail, Rita says the moon is “going†to be amazing that night; she didn’t say it looked amazing. Trinity must have killed Rita before or after pawning the jewelry from his house. Dexter had to of been hiding in Trinity’s trunk since he picked up the car. There are some potential plot holes that need to be addressed next season: Rita’s taxi driver needs to be interviewed. If Rita only forgot her ID, she would have asked that driver to wait instead of calling another one. It’s plausible she brought Harrison into the house just to be on the safe side because not everyone wants to leave their child alone with someone they don’t know, even a taxi driver. However, what about her luggage? How long did the driver wait before emptying his/her car of Rita’s belongings? Also, Trinity’s family is going to be questioned extensively. Odds are they are going to mention Kyle Butler. The FBI will likely contact Dexter’s department to see if they know anything about that. There’s a chance someone could put two and two together. Especially if they mention to the family the last person that Trinity killed, and show a family picture (which would include Dexter).moreless
All I'm going to say is - article well written and supported!
I don't think they should have killed her off, though of course it brings up lots of possible plots for the next season. (Not really good plots, but new ones.) So, Dexter will be a single father. So, Dexter will no longer have Rita to make him feel more human. That sucks for him. Still, having the responsibility of raising his son ought to connect him even more to the world, rather than less, since before he knew that his kid had at least one "normal" parental figure. Now it's just him. I really love Julie Benz, by the way. Yay Darla! I didn't really love this entire season of Dexter. I guess I just like Dexter the best when someone is on the verge of uncovering his secret. Here's hoping Deb finds out next season! (And to all you people who say the Rita thing could just be a dream, I wish, but I fear she is really dead. I DO agree that Trinity may not have killed her. . . Maybe it was even suicide? Probably not, but that would be a twist.)moreless
Wauw, I just saw the episode and all I can say is wauw! I really did not see the end coming. Poor Rita, poor children and poor Dexter. Can't wait till the next season!
quinn killed rita...
fantastic finale....in the next season, i think Dexter will be torn between the need for vengeance against all the "monsters"/criminals and the will to be a parental model for his son....so i expect nothing less than satisfying season...
Is it just golpher27 and I that feel it is just a dream or his imagination as he stated it was all hazy, just like when he was seeing Harrisons 1st BD and when he shes Harry.
That was damn shocking finale.
Glad she's dead and can't wait to see what they do with the next season
@k_adams: I stand corrected, of course you are right about the age difference between Harrison and Dexter when he found himself in the scene of his mother's gruesome murder. Harrison is too young to develop the emotional and mental aspects of the mother/son relationship that would lead to trauma. (Only a few hours since I watched the finale, still emotionally overcharged by it...) On the other hand Dexter's understanding of his association to the concept of family, to society and to other people in general will be forever changed by this. The symbolism may lose its meaning in Harrison, but it is still very powerful in Dexter. When he was in the boat just before he went home to find Rita's body, he asserted his all-too-human feelings for her. Reaching out to someone and managing to love them sincerely was something he'd never done before. So the guilt for Rita's death will be just as powerful as the love. He carries the "mark of Cain" so to speak, and in his mind so does his son, after repeating the symbolism. Who knows what happens next...moreless
Sad and amazing!!! I can`t wait for the next season...Dexter is the best!!!
@ drumstel. I think you may be right in that its just too easy to blame Trinity for the murder of Rita. How did Trinity find where he lived anyway because he only found Dexter's old apartment. Also the trinity killer is much cleaner with his kills and did not leave pools of blood behind.
I'm extremely sad, but I know it had to be done. Dexter was actually beginning to heal. There couldnt be a show anymore if he continued in that direction. But that does not mean I was expecting it. I was pissed! And completely devastated for hours. Rita was so perfect and angelic. She did not need to die.:'(
I loved Rita and I am sorry she is dead. It is strange that nobody caught on that the Trinity killer was the man who had visited Dexter in the office I mean Batista passed right by. I guess nobody paid any attention because it seems it was the visit the police station day for seniors and the fact the the Trinity killer and Dexter were so civil and even shook hands. Quinn who must also have seen Trinity was distracted by the suicide of his girl and his desperate need for closure. Really looking forward to next season.
Rita is not dead! It's all Dexter's imagination. Look at the way the final scene is played out, just like when Dexter is "talking" to Harry. Glowing but hazy lighting. When did Arthur have time to do the deed and clean up?
@ lyta_499: very nice indication that dexters father is once again prooven right and the patriatric order is stabilized. but one very important thing to notice: harrisson does not have to be like dexter. since the show always followed psychological filmtheory, harrisson is too young of age to even slightly understand what has happened in the bathroom. dexter on the other hand was a young boy (definitley past the mirror stage of selfawareness) when his mother was killed who understood the concept of motherhood and alonleness. being apart from the mother/ the safe place is traumatising, not the incident/ murder itself.
The finale was shocking beyond repair! Sure, Rita was holding Dexter back from his murderous assignments, and many of us thought during the course of this season that he would either quit killing altogether or make a serious mistake and get caught - noone can juggle so many things at once and keep such a dark secret at the same time. On the other hand, Dexter has been trying to deviate from the lonely, austere existence Harrys's code proscribed for him for 4 seasons. He tried to have a friend, a lover, a soulmate, every time it turned out that Harry was right. Harry has been "telling" Dexter that having a family is a bad idea from the beginning of the season. He was bound to be proven right once more. I just didn't think Rita would be murdered, that was such a shock... It made me sad, I liked Rita in the show and I'm gonna miss her. Now Dexter's fate is irrevocable, he will have to accept being a "monster". Very symbolic that his son is the only constant that will be left for him next season, and he is born in blood just like Dexter...moreless
This was Dexter jumping the shark in a variety of ways. I mean the guy was IN THE ROOM with like 20 cops and Dexter standing there, and yet later in the episode they go 'this is the guy we're looking for' and no one remembers him at all. lol. Dexter's sudden appearance at the Roadside when he knocks trinity out is laughable as well. Also, how is the excuse going to be even moderately reasonable for Trinity killing Dexter's wife? This was just stupid in every way. After this show veered away from the books it went entirely downhill.
I watched this last night I have to say Rita was gettin annoyin but her death will surely have a major effect on Dexter and the rest of the family. It will be interesting to see waht they do for season 5. But still the ending of season 4 was a shocker
I don't think Deb and Quinn will be on to him, 'cause he's secrecy and desire to be alone has an excuse now. They won't mess with him after his wife was murdered. The thing is, if there are cameras in the police station, somebody might see Dexter talking to Trinity