Dexter Morgan returns, forking on a knife’s edge as he comes to terms with the darkness that lies within his son, Harrison. And no matter what home he’s in, Dexter still can’t ignore the sight of Ronald attempting to enter an UrCar. When he takes action, it leads to a more profound exploration of Harrison’s possible link to a horrifyingly recent act of violence. Dexter fights both his protective instincts and the shadow of his dark past. As he discovers the truth behind who Harrison was, he’s forced to come to terms with his own demons, as well.
The UrCar Incident and a Father's Intervention
Dexter’s vigilance is about to be seriously put to the test when he recognizes Ronald trying to climb into an UrCar. In a timely response, Dexter gets involved, stopping a deadly crisis from unfolding. This shocking incident serves to further establish Dexter’s mission to protect those around him, even as he continues to struggle with his own unfortunate violent nature.
Dexter’s inquiry soon leads him to the scene of Harrison’s most recent crime. Dexter admires a beautifully confusing street sign in New York. Harris even concedes that if Harrison killed Ms. Roman, he really cleaned up well. The meticulousness of the cleanup raises questions about Harrison's capabilities and whether he is indeed following in his father's footsteps.
Balancing Priorities: Son and Serial Killer
Dexter admits that Harrison is his top concern, but he’s still pretty sure he can juggle it all. The statement reflects Dexter’s internal conflict over the issue. As he wrestles to balance his responsibilities as a father with an insatiable desire to probe and subdue evils in the world around him.
Fueled by a desire to find out what’s going on, Dexter sleuths his way into Ryan’s hotel room, and the boy is practically giddy. Our reaction to this crime shows how deep our obsession with crime runs. It reflects a profound urge to parse the minutiae, suggesting the lasting impact of his personal Dark Passenger. Dexter soon comes to understand that Harrison did indeed dismember Ryan’s body right in the bathroom. Since such a gruesome task had to be done, the kitchen was the best place for it.
Unveiling the Truth: A Glimpse into Harrison's Actions
Dexter slips into the kitchen after all of the staff has gone home for the evening. Now, he’s hell-bent on finding the answers. It’s HIS fastidious search that reveals a single droplet of blood on the ceiling. Just as easily, he rubs it out. This discovery validates his suspicions and shows a clear physical connection to Harrison’s possible involvement.
Dexter comes into possession of a New York driver’s license with his actual name on it. This revelation raises questions about Harrison's motives and whether he is intentionally mirroring his father's actions or being manipulated by outside forces. Dexter knows that New York is a big city. He thinks it’s not large enough to host two Dark Passengers; a showdown with his son seems inevitable. To deepen this irony absurdity even further, Dexter’s car is being towed, which adds an additionally ironic humor layer.
Delving Deeper: The Serial Killer and the Haitian Driver
Dexter's determination to understand the darkness around him leads him to investigate a serial killer who attacked a Haitian driver. He meets with Blessing's friend, Chike, to gather information about Chike's encounter with the Dark Passenger. This ongoing quest is a testament to Dexter’s never-waning thirst for discovery and his desire to get inside the heads of murderers.
Dexter continues to hang outside the Empire Hotel, still unwilling to reach out to Harrison despite Harry’s insistence. This hesitation reveals Dexter's internal struggle as he grapples with his past mistakes and fears about his son's future. Dexter has a heart-to-heart sit-down talk with Harry about the times Dexter fucked up when he was Harrison’s age. This back and forth illustrates the cycle of trauma, as well as the way the past can so easily repeat itself.
Dexter, looking back on his own teenage experiences when he was Harrison’s age, finds both similarities and differences between their lives. He fears that Harrison could be treading the same route. This brings into question whether there is a biological/ hereditary predisposition to violence, or if it is a learned behavior developed by Dexter’s own acts. Parents, parental control, evil. This understanding poses deep philosophical questions. Going deeper, parent involvement or absence seems to amplify the effects of different forces.
