Tonight’s the night. Dexter: Resurrection Episode 6 is now streaming on Paramount + and will air Sunday evening on Showtime. If you haven’t seen “Cats and Mouse” yet (written by Kirsa Rein and directed by Marcos Siega), proceed with caution. This article will be filled with spoilers.
The Ties That Bind Us
Dexter: Resurrection Episode 6 largely focuses on themes of family and of moving forward, which seems to be pretty on brand for this season as a whole. Dexter’s landlord, the tremendous new character Blessing Kamara, lost his mother one week after she told Dexter of her desire to die at home surrounded by family. Dexter attended the wake, which was really a true celebration of life. The recently departed Prudence’s family laughed, told stories, ate copious amounts of food, and passed out her ceramic cats as keepsakes. When I eventually die, I’d like to request the Prudence treatment, minus the plethora of ceramic cats.
Harrison and Dexter used this wake as means to continue healing their severely dysfunctional relationship. Harrison brought his father dress clothes that he lifted from the hotel and then accompanied his dad to the wake. They bonded over tying their ties and Harrison mentioned being alone at Hannah’s funeral. A nice bit of closure for one of the better characters from the back half of the original series. Harrison seemed genuinely surprised at the relationships his father already had with this family. For Dexter, blending into society and forming relationships is easy. It’s something he’s been programmed to do. For Harrison, he doesn’t really know how to connect. He’s stunted in that regard and seemed both envious and also melancholy. We’re starting to see that Harrison longs for normality in a life that’s given him anything but.
After the wake, we would see Harrison walk through New York City and look at fliers for NYU. He wants a future, he craves a path of his own, but nothing in his life has made him think that it’s possible. I’ve really enjoyed the exploration of his character so far this season. A lot of context is being placed around the entire Dexter franchise through the eyes of Harrison. In a series full of victims, he’s the biggest one of all. He didn’t ask for any of this, but now he’s got to work his way through it.
Good Guys & Bad Guys
We saw everyone’s favorite new police officer Claudette was instantly suspicious of Lady Vengeance’s involvement with Ryan Foster’s murder. Her instincts were of course right and then validated when Angel came into the station. He explained his history with the Bay Harbor Butcher cases, and his theory that Dexter was the real Butcher, while Harrison killed Ryan. He also said that this case was the one he couldn’t let go.
Claudette agreed to take Angel to question Mia in jail but it was all for naught: Charley had already slipped a prison guard a large envelope full of cash, and Mia was found dead in her prison cell. I will admit to being disappointed that Mia’s arc ended this soon. To me, she felt like a character that could come in and out of the narrative. Ritter’s chemistry with Michael C Hall was unquestionable and it’s a shame that it’s over already. Such is TV though.
Although it was already pretty obvious, this week’s episode cements the fact that Angel will die this season. He’s locked in on Dexter and Harrison. He’s left his job to pursue them. This is clearly coming to a head sooner rather than later and we all know how this eventual confrontation will play out. Which is sad, as Angel has always been one of the most likable characters in this television franchise.
Prior to Mia’s untimely demise, Prater called the other serial killers to an urgent impromptu meeting at his home. The egomaniac Gemini Killer (played by the brilliant David Dastmalchian) was a true highlight of Dexter: Resurrection Episode 6. Gemini is apparently at the top of the FBI’s most wanted list and although it wasn’t clear until this week, he’s the belle of the serial killer ball at Prater’s. Gemini was paranoid that Mia might snitch on him from jail, which perhaps was the reason why Prater had her taken out?
Dexter has already killed one member of this elite group and had another arrested, but he couldn’t help himself again. His stalking of Gemini in a bookstore lead to a humorous moment where Dexter found a serial killer book, which listed the Bay Harbor Butcher as an all-time great serial killer. Of course, it was credited to Doakes, which should come as no surprise, motherfucker. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
While I think Dexter killed Gemini because he fit the code, the photo he found online of a father and son victim at the hands of Gemini is what pushed him over the edge. There was no admission that he was the Bay Harbor Butcher, which was a little disappointing, but Dexter had to be quick and quiet given the circumstances.
I think everyone had a near panic attack when Blessing knocked on Dexter’s door and came dangerously close to finding a dead body in the bathtub. If Blessing dies, we riot. Blessing spilled his heart out to Dexter about being forced into literal war as a child and having taken a person’s life as a result. His mother, in his words, saved him. She brought him to America and taught him to not let his darkness take over, that it couldn’t come home with him.
While I’m sure that the writers’ intention was for the audience to think about Dexter’s relationship with his own father and son both, my mind went to Rita. She was the light in his life once upon a time. He shielded her and the kids from his darkness. Dexter was at his best when she was alive and since she’s been gone, his life—as well as Harrison’s life—has been filled with darkness.
Dexter is trying to be a better parent to Harrison, telling him that he reminds him of Deb. Hot tempered but with a sense of justice. Not a serial killer. This might be the balance the show needs. No more questioning if Harrison is like his father and instead moving Harrison into the Deb role on the show. I would consider this best-case scenario.
Dexter: Resurrection Episode 6 ended with Prater calling the killers to his helicopter, for some kind of surprise. Clearly, Dexter was surprised when the Gemini Killer boarded the flight, less than 24 hours after Dexter killed him. This is when it clicked with Dexter that the killer who killed in pairs, was in fact a twin. Which means we get more David Dastmalchian, which is a win in my book. Until next week…