MovieChat Forums > Dexter: New Blood (2021) Discussion > Ending is unsatisfying (spoilers)

Ending is unsatisfying (spoilers)

posted 2 years ago by Jehosaphet (1055)
29 replies | jump to latest

So Dexter asked his son for his help...to stop the killings he can't help himself from doing?
Right after his son accused him of having killed coach for fun, which is something that we, the audience, know that he didn't do..
And Dexter just rolled with that? So much to pretend like he needed his son's help to stop all this madness?
Kind of felt like the writers were just looking for a way to come to this ending, and for someone apparently as smart as Dexter, seems like he just really fucking dropped the ball on trying to communicate to his son what had happened. So much that he implied the opposite and then ran with it...

Just kind of goofy and unsatisfying for what has otherwise been a much more interesting and entertaining season that I'd initially imagined. Kind of seems like they did Dexter dirty at the end there...he's never been the kind of killer that needed help from killing the people who didn't deserve it...so wtf...why's he suddenly pretending that he is to the one person he'd want to have believe in him?
Pardon, done...just kind of yelled at the screen for a second before realizing this was probably more productive.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 2 years ago

Reasonable minds can differ, but I liked it.

Dexter didn’t kill Logan for fun, but he did kill Logan. Logan didn’t fit the code. Worse, Dexter acknowledged what a good man Logan was, so his “dropping the ball” on justifying Logan’s death doesn’t matter. No explanation would’ve sufficed for Harrison or even Dexter himself.

Which is why they flashed back to Doakes, Rita, Laguerta, Deb and Lundy … innocent people whose deaths Dexter feels responsible for (although Lundy was a stretch - he was killed by Trinity’s illegitimate daughter, right?). He was re-realizing what he told himself (and the audience) when he turned his boat into the hurricane: people he cares about would be better off without him.

On the other hand, Dexter himself DOES fit the code. So it makes sense, dramatically, for Dexter to die by that same code. Harry gave him the code; Harrison enforced it.

The only issue I have is the implication, which I do NOT agree with, that Harrison’s “better” for having killed his father. Symbolically, it’s fine — he kills off the killer in himself. But practically, it can’t be good for the kid’s mental health.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

No, Dexter killing Logan to escape jail just seemed contrived. Dexter had been so careful when interviewed by the Chief to insure that nothing he said could be considered a confession... and then in jail he loses it and suddenly goes completely stupid? It just felt to contrived as if the writers realized that their carefully spun story wasn't going to give them the end they wanted to so they pretty much picked up the needle on the record player, toss the record and stuck on a record of Stupid Dexter and then dropped the needle halfway to the end of the last track.

Hell even the having Harrison kill him made no sense. If Dexter is trying to get out of Harrison's life and try to fix Harrison, having Harrison kill his own dad isn't going to fix him it is only going to fuck him up even more. I think I'll just try to erase this whole season from my mind as the Dexter as a lumberjack ending as fucking lame as it was isn't as bad as this one.

[–] KittyMack (9) 2 years ago

I agree, Thomas. Dexter's rationalization as to why he did what he did was part of the death of the Dexter character. We saw sides of him we did not see in the original series, as well as the final realization of conscience in terms of how too many innocents died as a direct or indirect result of his actions. The fact that the writers set us up to accept Harrison's murdering of his own father -- at Dexter's behest -- doesn't work. I think the ending of the original series with the lumberjack -- completely alone and without any human solace -- was much better.

[–] HarryShoulder (279) 2 years ago

Dexter did kill the snuff photographer back in one of the seasons who didn’t fit the code. He wasn’t a murderer and Dexter just kinda shrugged it off then too, as well as shrugging off Deb murdering Laguerta. She’d fit the code at that point too. It’s not really out of character to let certain murderers go free.

Him being good with his alibi about Matt goes out the window when the Chief mentions Batista coming. That’s when tells her about Kurt’s shrine. He didn’t just snap and lose it. He planned it.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

There were lots of problem with the episode. To begin with the chief never bothered to get an arrest warrant which would have been necessary given she was arresting him for murdering someone where there was no body and where the supposed victims father had claimed he was alive. Being provide some titanium screws and an anonymous note saying that Jim did killed Matt would not have been enough to get an arrest warrant nor would the chief finding a screw in the remains of Dexter's cabin. In fact all that finding the screw at the cabin would have done is make it look like whoever sent the chief the letter was also the person that burned Dexter's cabin to the ground.

Dexter was not an idiot, he had navigated himself through being a suspect in the past and would have known that the chief was grasping at straws. Frankly it was contrived to have him say anything to the chief and not simply said I want a lawyer. Then you get the chief running out and searching Kurt's place, she had no search warrant so anything she found would have been inadmissible in any court case. They made so many big errors when they had been so careful to write things in a plausible way in the first series...

Frankly even Logan being killed was the most contrived piece of shit writing in the whole episode. First there was no reason for Dexter to try and escape. He was still well being convicted beyond a reasonable doubt for everything... but then how in the hell did Logan get killed? It appeared we were supposed to believe Dexter managed to break his neck which made zero sense given there was a jail cell door between Logan and Dexter such that Dexter couldn't have pulled his head back to snap his neck. At most he might have been able to strangle Logan, but as soon as he did that Logans body would have gone limp and he would have slid to the floor long before Dexter would have been able to cut off the blood to his brain long enough to kill him.

[–] Ldlamb (601) 2 years ago

Now, it may not be smart and the arraignment and subsequent preliminary hearing may not go well if she can’t articulate a strong case….but she absolutely can arrest without a warrant if she believes there is probable cause that the arrestee committed a felony.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

She has no evidence of the crime though. That is the reason she would need an arrest warrant. No body, not even an open missing person file. There is simply not enough evidence of any actual crime existing. If the police were to witness a crime, or if someone were to file a criminal complaint then the police could arrest someone for the alleged crime... but here there is no grounds for any arrest. which is why she would need to get an arrest warrant after providing the evidence she had to a judge.

[–] Ldlamb (601) 2 years ago

The titanium screws that have been positively identified as the screws that were put in Matt Caldwell’s leg is the evidence…and their discovery at Jim’s house is the probable cause to arrest Jim….we can argue all day whether that should be enough for her since other people could have left them there…but she absolutely has the right to arrest without a warrant at that point.

[–] Alex (1495) 2 years ago

This is where the bullshit writing jumped the shark. Who in their right mind would leave a titanium screw at his house, let alone Dexter fucking Morgan.

[–] Ldlamb (601) 2 years ago

NY laws on warrantless arrest.

140.05 Arrest without a warrant; in general.
A person who has committed or is believed to have committed an offense
and who is at liberty within the state may, under circumstances
prescribed in this article, be arrested for such offense although no
warrant of arrest therefor has been issued and although no criminal
action therefor has yet been commenced in any criminal court.

S 140.10 Arrest without a warrant; by police officer; when and where authorized.
1. Subject to the provisions of subdivision two, a police officer may
arrest a person for:
….
(b) A crime when he or she has reasonable cause to believe that such
person has committed such crime, whether in his or her presence or
otherwise.

[–] KittyMack (9) 2 years ago

Harry, we still saw sides of Dexter we did not see in the original series. It was almost palpable. But this was predesigned to get the viewer to accept his murder-by-son. It just didn't work.

[–] Jehosaphet (1055) 2 years ago

Exactly where I'm at. Why was Dexter suddenly crapping his pants to get out of his cell and "find my son"? Where this sudden urgency?
Because its that urgency that undoes everything he'd thus far achieved.
And he just suddenly grabs Logan and puts him in a chokehold, thereby confirming to Logan that he IS indeed dangerous, and eliciting the response of him going for his gun. All while Dexter quietly informs the audience that he didn't want him to be a hero...that he just needed to go find his son.
WTF Dexter, you say that shit out loud...to the person you're choking out, who, for the love of everything holy, you do NOT want going for his gun. On account of that being the nail in your own coffin and all.
But nope...Dexter just goes nuts and loses everything that made Dexter Dexter; his careful deliberate actions, his calculated intelligence...dude just goes completely out of character and then yeah, further screws up his son when all is said and done, and he's dead. Show over. CMON.

[–] smidget28 (781) 2 years ago

I liked it also. I was not prepared for it at first, but by the time he brings the kid to his dealing with Kurt I started thinking that Harrison would eventually see the need to end him.

[–] Tyler1986 (235) 2 years ago

Dexter can justify killing anyone as meeting the code if they are attempting to apprehend him, rule #1 is "Don't get caught."

[–] KittyMack (9) 2 years ago

It was a good series, but the ending left a lot of holes We knew that Episode 9 was Dexter's epitaph -- that was clear. And when he killed Logan, we knew immediately that this was the nail in the coffin of the Dexter character (not just for Harrison, but for the viewers as well), leading up to Harrison's final act of shooting him. Still, I just didn't buy it. Dexter's final of realization of "real love" was to gift his son with the act of murdering of his own father? I couldn't make that jump. Harrison could have easily shot him in the leg, and so on, if he wanted Dad to give himself up to the authorities. And what about the forensics nightmare Angela has to face. Why didn't she use her own gun? Who was the gun registered to? What about the crime scene that was full of tire tracks, multiple footprints, etc.?

Conscience, justice, and the "sins of the father." These were the excellent, interweaving themes, but could have been better served in the finale.

[–] KittyMack (9) 2 years ago

"Real and true love" would have been for Dexter to give himself up. Now THAT would have been an ending -- not suicide by son.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Even Dexter killing himself would have been better than having his son do it... Very cowardly and cruel to the person he thinks he finally loves. It was as if the writers of the original character started leaving the show after each of these episodes but by the time it got o the final episode they lost all the writers and the janitor that had never watched a single show was handed the job of writer.... a complete shit show by the end. Sadly it was never great, but it did show some promise before it just fell apart completely.

[–] Jehosaphet (1055) 2 years ago

Yeah him killing Logan...never saw that coming. I didn't understand the urgency...and of course that's when the voiceover pops up and Dexter is talking about "Don't be a hero, Logan, I just need to get back to my son"
Firstly...why not say that out loud? Logan has his doubts but knows there's a possibility that Dexter is a serial killer, so...having Dexter surprise you with a chokehold is of course going to have him thinking he's dealing with a murderer. By not saying that out loud, Dexter was inviting Logan to react the way he did.

Secondly, what's the sudden rush to get out? Its like Dexter was suddenly having a panic attack, "I just need to get to my son!". Why? Maybe its something I missed, but why was there suddenly a rush?

Also? Why did the Sheriff go to investigate the location of the bodies by herself, then suddenly panic afterward when realizing that Logan was still back at the precinct with Dexter? She told him to stay put, finds the bodies...and then is suddenly, "OMG LOGAN!" and high-tails it back to the police station. What?
How did finding those bodies give her any more agency when it came to Logan being alone with Dexter?

So much of the last 15 minutes of this episode left me scratching my head. Dexter pointing those bodies out was his way out, those were his ticket to ride. He hadn't incriminated himself during the interview, he was free to plan his next course of action...and suddenly just HAS to break out of jail immediately for some reason having to do about worrying about his son for some reason.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

That was the biggest plot hole in the episode. As you say there was no reason for him to need to get out. Harrison was in no danger so there was no reason to think he needed to get to his son, who he had already instructed to hole up in the tavern.

I still don't see how Dexter was supposed to have been able to kill Logan. I think we are supposed to believe he snapped his neck... but how does someone snap a persons neck when they are behind iron bars that keep you from being able to pull the person's head back enough to break it, where you can't possible move it side to side enough to break it. You can't even really get a proper choke hold on the person through the iron bars. The only way you could have really had Dexter kill Logan would have been to have Dexter get hold of the gun and use it but that didn't happen.

Was also a bit strange that Logan would go to a jail cell with a gun on him when he was being cautious just prior to that having Dexter stand on the far side of the cell just so he could set a meal on the door shelf.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 2 years ago

Dexter knew Batista was coming up from Miami, so time was short

He counted on Kurt’s museum to distract Angela and the other cops long enough to allow him to escape

Not sure how Logan died, exactly. Maybe a crushed windpipe?

Logan got sloppy because he’d known “Jim” for so long beforehand, and already knew that the case probably wouldn’t stick.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Batista coming up from Miami wasn't going to do much. Dexter leaving and letting people think he was dead wasn't a crime. Taking someone else's identity would have been if a Jim Lindsey actually existed... it isn't even clear if he took anyone's identity of just made up the name. In either case the worst he had with Batista was explaining why he just left and never showed up which wasn't too difficult to explain given the death of his sister and all. There was no threat from Batista.

And yes I know the chief was babbling about Dexter being the Bay Harbor Butcher, but that had been done before and no one was able to pin it on Dexter even though others had tried. Making it even more ridiculous was the chief acting as though she had some evidence on the Bay Harbor case that everyone else had somehow over looked. I mean to begin with Dexter's kills in Miami that were dumped in the bay were dumped in pieces and had all been underwater quite some time before being found. There would have been no way anyone would have found any ketamine in those bodies, nor would they have been in good enough condition for people to find needle marks on their necks. That whole shit show simply reeked of the writers making shit up on the fly to try and get to the contrived ending they wanted.

And why would Logan have suddenly gotten sloppy after he had just stepped up his game? After he started being cautious he also got more suspicious of Dexter because of how the chief rushed off.. no way he would now suddenly become Barney Fife and forget how to be a cop. It was more contrived bullshit.

[–] HarryShoulder (279) 2 years ago

Depends on if he had boat life insurance that was cashed in on. That would be a crime. I would’ve assumed Harrison would’ve been the beneficiary but it could’ve been his Jim Lindsay identity. Too bad we didn’t get more answers about that stuff.

However, I believe the fact that the Bay Harbor Butcher injected his victims was discovered by Deb and Miami metro back in the Doakes season. However I believe they know he uses M99, not ketamine. That’s why they thought he was law enforcement, if I remember correctly.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Boat insurance wouldn't depend on his being alive or dead, only life insurance would have be possible problem... but most it is very likely he had no life insurance as he probably did like most americans and used the life insurance he had from his employer. Of course as he had retired that life insurance ended. Also it is unlikely Harrison could have ever tried to get the life insurance as he was in Argentina and a minor, his guardian would have had to file for him and she wasn't going to go to the US embassy where she would have been arrested and sent back to the US.

There was really no reason for him to fear Batista other than embarrassment for running away.

[–] KittyMack (9) 2 years ago

I agree on all counts. But Dexter killing Logan? The Dexter we've known for some time would not have done this...but we've seen certain aspects of him we never saw before throughout this series. The writers intentionally inserted the murder of Logan into the plot to supposedly give Harrison the final incentive to shoot Dexter. Still, it just doesn't work. Dexter commiting suicide or giving himself up would have served the finale much better. And for Dexter to panic over Angela's discovery of ketamine? There are at least half a dozen explanations that would have served to throw in reasonable doubt.

[–] MissTaken (17) 2 years ago

This ending was perfect. It was pretty emotionally sophisticated and it wrapped up multiple loose ends but as terrific as it was to see Dexter back in action. he could not endlessly escape. It will be fun to watch Harrison.

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 2 years ago

I was shocked that that was the best they could do. I enjoyed the season all the way up until Dexter kills Logan and the 15 minutes that followed. Head-shaking bad.
As KittyMack said, Dexter turning himself in as his son asked would have been a more interesting ending (though after he kills Logan it isn't the same show nor character anymore anyhow)

[–] letess (1093) 2 years ago

Unsatisfying and not in line with Dexter’s character - he kills alone - except for the time with Lumen. And remember the 3rd season - he tried with Jimmy Smits. In S5, Dexter was desperate that Harrison not have any “killing” tendencies - and to this day, he doesn’t. He has anger issues - but he is not a ritual killer.
Spoilers
When he saw dad carving up the body into 9 parts, he was repulsed.
Actually, it is quite devastating if you think about it. Here’s Harrison - loses his mother to a violent death, he goes to South America with his guardian and loses her to pancreatic cancer, abandoned by dad Dexter - he has anger issues as a teen - travels and finds dad - but eventually fits in in this small community (something Dexter had to struggle faking). Gets a girlfriend, has lots of friends, celebrated by the community and school, bonds with dad over Christmas, does well scholastically in school - and now what - kills his dad -??? - Even Dexter doesn’t do that - kill Harry. So now - what’s Harrison’s future - he has to get out of town, next to impoverished, without a circle of family and friends, at 16 before he graduated from high school - how does one live with the killing of their father because he’s basically a good kid with a conscience - all so they could do this ridiculous finale. Son kills father.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 2 years ago

Tiny nitpick, Harrison's not "impoverished." We're shown Kurt's escape money on the seat of the truck.

That'd supposedly be enough cash for Kurt to get away and stay hidden, so it should do just fine for Harrison.

[–] letess (1093) 2 years ago

Yes, Harrison is good to go. Great future.