The best moments of this episode are the scenes in which Dexter and Harrison express happiness and understanding towards each other, as well as towards Angela and Audrey when they exchange presents during Christmas morning. As Audrey points out in one scene, Harrison seems more content compared to his previous outbursts of anger, and this is due to the fact that he is more confident after learning more about Dexter’s code involving the dark passenger.
RELATED: Doctor Who: Eve Of The Daleks Review
Throughout this season, Dexter has struggled to bond and get through to his son because he was unable to be open and honest with Harrison about his deepest, darkest secrets. However, in this episode, Dexter is much more revealing about himself (something he’s rarely done because those closest to him usually die when his secrets are exposed), but he understands that Harrison has always wanted answers (including why he feels angry all the time, and the dark tendencies and thoughts he’s had on his mind when it comes to hurting people). Harrison is also open and understanding because he feels happy about being able to share and connect with Dex about his feelings and impulses.
The bond between Dex and Harrison pays off in this episode because their connection is based on learning how to control their dark tendencies while also believing that bad people like Kurt Caldwell deserve to be punished (especially if the law is incapable of serving true justice). The beginning of the episode is expertly crafted because it shows how Dexter is able to slowly explain the truth about his dark passenger code while not revealing too much at once so Harrison can process the information in an easier manner. As Dex talks to Harrison about his code, there are intertwined moments that show Dex taking down a killer clown named Mr. Wiggles (whose make-up looks eerily similar to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker). This is effective in laying out Dex’s explanation of the code to Harrison, showing the methods he’s always used to take down killers (encounter evidence, put the killer to sleep, lay killer on a table with plastic, show killer images or trophies of his victims, fatally stab killer and chop him up, etc.).
Another intriguing element in Dex and Harrison’s open bond is Dex’s iteration of his sister Debra (who constantly tells her brother to be careful when revealing his secrets to Harrison). Jennifer Carpenter’s portrayal of Deb here (as in every episode thus far) is complex when serving as an accompaniment to Dexter’s emotional and mental state. Deb’s perspective causes Dexter to contemplate whether or not he should reveal the whole truth to Harrison (particularly the part that he is a killer himself). There is also some dark comedy when Dexter’s dark passenger code is constantly referred to as the work of a vigilante like Batman, which is funny and scary because it proves that Dex has always been considered a combination of a hero and a monster.
Harrison has proven that he is willing to follow his father’s code because he too wants to take down evil murderers who get away with their crimes in order to save many innocent lives. Like Dexter, he expresses interest in investigative work, such as spying on Kurt with the drone he got from him as a gift or encountering Kurt’s trophies in his secret hideout. Harrison also displays his shooting skills with the hunting rifle he got from Dex as a Christmas present, showing that he can defend himself with guns and knives if he’s ever placed in a dangerous situation again.
Even when Harrison figures out that Dex kills murderers, he is motivated by the belief that Kurt deserves to die for his evil misdeeds. He also shows admiration towards Dexter when he learns that he has killed hundreds of other murderers, acknowledging that innocent people were saved as a result of the code. While Harrison is slowly accepting his father’s methods, he is still traumatized by his mother’s death, especially when it comes to looking at blood and cut-up body parts. This makes sense because Harrison is only beginning to understand the nature of killing people and covering up evidence, and will need more time to digest what he has learned from his dad.
Angela continues to be puzzled over the fact that she may believe Dexter is the real Bay Harbor Butcher, especially after analyzing Dexter’s actions towards the opioid dealers and researching the history behind Miami’s most notorious killer (including looking at crime photos and listening to Molly Park’s suspensefully popular and over-the-top podcast detailing the Butcher’s methods and questioning his real identity). Despite her suspicions, Angela hasn’t spoken to Dexter about her findings (of course likely due to lack of proof or evidence that directly identifies Dex as the Butcher).
This raises questions, such as whether or not Angela will confront Dexter about his identity, or if she intends to take him into custody or break up with him? The finale appears to be set up based on Angela’s actions, and how Dexter and Harrison will come out on top (or if they even have a chance at living their lives together under the code of the dark passenger).
New episodes of Dexter: New Blood air Sundays on Showtime.
MORE: Peacemaker Meets His Coworkers In Clip From HBO Max Series
