As an esteemed woman once eloquently articulated, "Tears flow incessantly, yet we've triumphed, my dear children." After seasons mired in mediocrity, a notoriously catastrophic series finale, an extended hiatus from television screens, a disappointing revival, and a lackluster prequel, "Dexter" has finally regained its former glory, delivering an exceptional hour of television. Is "Call Me Red" a flawless episode? Perhaps not in absolute terms. Yet, "Dexter: Resurrection" has finally ushered us into the tantalizing world of a serial killer clandestine club, a promise that has been subtly hinted at throughout the previous three episodes, and the execution is well worth the prolonged anticipation. This is "Dexter" at its finest—darkly humorous, superbly cast, and mesmerizing. My grading with leniency stems from the fact that I never imagined we would witness such brilliance once more. (And as I inevitably descend back to reality next week, it will be a delightful respite to reminisce about this zenith.)
The narrative unfolds with Dexter preparing for a dinner party, adorned in a camera-shy hoodie and donning a fake thumbprint borrowed from the severed hand of Red. Harry, ever the killjoy, cautions, "We once baited suspects in similar fashions," leaving me to ponder the number of faux serial killer dinner parties Miami Metro has inadvertently hosted over the years. Dexter asserts he is prepared for any contingency—be it a joint murder spree or an orgiastic frenzy—but he confides in Harry, "The vigilance is wearing me down." His fatigue is evident as he orchestrates his deception, introducing himself as Red to Charley before she chauffeurs him to her boss's opulent high-rise. Uma Thurman relishes her role as Charley, a steely and perpetually unimpressed figure, and I eagerly anticipate her inevitable confrontation with Dexter. However, in the interim, Dexter must confront her boss, the affable and effusive Leon Prater, portrayed with charisma by Peter Dinklage. "My excitement to meet you knows no bounds," he effuses, exuding a level of geniality that Dexter may not have anticipated.
Prater is not a serial killer; he is merely an admirer who yearns to create a "safe haven" for Dexter's ilk. "I lack the skill set or imagination to emulate you and your peers," he confides in Dexter. Although his sincerity is palpable, recall that Prater is a venture capitalist specializing in startups, a master of persuasion. He is also a trophy collector, his prized possessions enshrined in a vault adjacent to his wine cellar. Prater possesses John Wayne Gacy's Pogo the Clown costume (a nostalgic flashback to Pogo's cameo in "Original Sin"), Jeffrey Dahmer's infamous bloody fridge, and, indeed, the Bay Harbor Butcher's blood slides. Dexter is overwhelmed with a wave of nostalgia, only to be met with an unsettling revelation when Prater unveils the kill table where the Ice Truck Killer met his demise (or was it murder by his brother? Who can recall the intricacies of season one with precision?). "Perhaps if Brian Moser had a confidant, someone akin to himself, he might still be among us," Prater speculates. This is partly the impetus behind his gathering of serial killers—so, let us meet them, shall we?
Krysten Ritter shines as Mia, alias Lady Vengeance, a sommelier by day and a vigilante executioner of sexual predators by night. Their immediate flirtatious chemistry with Dexter is something I didn't realize I craved until it unfolded. Following closely is Al, portrayed by Eric Stonestreet, nicknamed Rapunzel due to his peculiar habit of snipping off his victims' ponytails. Al's dual identity as a family man intriguingly contrasts with Dexter's estrangement from Harrison, stirring deep emotions within Dexter. Neil Patrick Harris embodies the character of Lowell, the Tattoo Collector, in full Barney Stinson glory – his occupation barely needs an introduction. Lastly, we encounter David Dastmalchian's Gareth, famously known as the Gemini Killer, a blatant Zodiac-inspired figure who earns jests from his fellow attendees for his stereotypical serial killer demeanor. Despite this quirky assembly, the ambiance remains cheerful and welcoming! Dexter may convince himself (and Harry) that he's merely there to uncover the Bay Harbor Butcher's next victims, but he's clearly reveling in the camaraderie among his fellow psychopaths. Donning the guise of Red, he freely opens up about his lifelong sense of otherness and homicidal instincts, finding solace in an environment where everyone understands him. "I've said things tonight that I've never been able to utter aloud," he confides in Prater upon departing, and his sincerity is palpable. Moreover, with Prater's slate of upcoming events, Dexter has ample opportunities to eliminate these individuals, especially since Lowell reveals his next target, necessitating swift action.
Amidst this surreal camaraderie, Dexter's true mission in New York is overshadowed by a looming threat. Harrison now faces scrutiny not just from the NYPD but also from Batista, who tracks Jim Lindsay's truck back to Dexter's son. Reunited after nearly two decades, their conversation is laden with nostalgia, yet Batista harbors a singular purpose: to validate LaGuerta's theory about the Bay Harbor Butcher. When Harrison mentions Dexter's demise, Batista tactfully offers condolences, hoping silence will foster an open dialogue. Harrison, however, evades Batista's increasingly overt accusations, even as the retired captain persists, "Your dad's gone. Nothing you say can harm him now." Unfortunately, Elsa's misinterpretation of their exchange complicates matters further. As Harrison departs, she confronts Batista, insisting Harrison's innocence in Ryan Foster's murder. In an ill-conceived attempt to clarify, she reveals graphic details about Ryan's dismemberment, eerily reminiscent of the Butcher's modus operandi, thus unwittingly providing Batista with a fresh lead. Elsa's ill-advised disclosure underscores the peril of volunteering information to law enforcement!
Dexter, in his quest for intel, cunningly arranges a rendezvous with Mia to delve deeper into the enigma of Leon Prater and his clandestine serial killer club. His attempt to convince Harry otherwise, claiming, "It's not a date, it's a... fact-finding expedition," falls flat, eliciting a chuckle. They converge for a jog in Central Park, where Mia confirms Prater's voyeuristic tendencies, absolving him of direct murderous deeds. There's no hidden agenda in his invitations, unless one dares to defy the rules, like the infamous Canton Clubber. Moreover, the fate of the last guest who found himself behind bars – reportedly committing suicide on his first night – hints at Prater's handiwork, a plausible conjecture Mia entertains.
The narrative also unravels Lady Vengeance's harrowing backstory. Her inaugural act of justice was against her stepfather, discovered raping her sister Hazel, explaining her relentless pursuit of predators. It stretches credulity that none of Prater's serial killer cronies share this depravity. Does Mia, akin to Dexter, exploit these gatherings as hunting grounds for her next prey?
She extends an invitation to Dexter, inviting him back to her Airbnb for pastries, a euphemism as transparent as glass. As Mia prepares for a shower, Dexter watches her disrobe, his resolve wavering until Harry's interjection, "Showering with a serial killer?" ruins the mood. Harry, ever the killjoy. Dexter abruptly departs, however, duty calling him to a happy hour with Lowell, another stratagem to ascertain the Tattoo Collector's next move and the urgency of his interception.
It transpires that both queries demand immediate attention. Lowell honorably keeps their appointment but informs Dexter of his pressed schedule. Across the street lies the tattoo parlor where Jules, Lowell's impending victim, is finalizing her ink. Tonight marks the addition to his grim collection. Dexter, thwarted by NYC's transit woes, improvises amidst the delays. As Lowell stalks Jules, Dexter strikes from behind, using Lowell's own anesthetic to incapacitate him.
Upon waking, Lowell finds himself trussed to a table within the tattoo parlor, fortuitously equipped with all Dexter needs for his grim task. He even cobbles together a makeshift blood slide from a shattered glass frame. Lowell, a serial killer through and through, foregoes pleading, acknowledging the futility. "Sorry to deflate your enthusiasm," he quips, a line seemingly lifted from the likes of 'How I Met Your Mother' or 'Harold & Kumar'.
Before plunging his blade into Lowell's heart, Dexter unburdens himself, revealing his true identity: not Ronald "Red" Schmidt, the Dark Passenger, but Dexter Morgan, the Bay Harbor Butcher. This confession expires with Lowell, yet the Tattoo Collector's mysterious disappearance poses another conundrum, especially as Dexter, the new face in Prater's circle, becomes the prime suspect.
When it comes to the prime suspects in Ryan's murder, Detectives Wallace and Oliva remain steadfastly focused on Harrison, with Wallace astutely observing that his residence at the hotel where the crime occurred hardly constitutes a credible alibi. Matters worsen when Batista storms into the precinct, keen to highlight the uncanny similarities between the Foster case and the infamous Bay Harbor Butcher incidents. Upon revisiting the hotel, Batista exploits this connection to intensify the pressure on Harrison, resorting to coercion: He threatens to expose Harrison's identity as the son of the Bay Harbor Butcher to the authorities unless Harrison betrays his father. Much of what Batista reveals holds truth – Dexter, in his quest to portray himself as a dark avenger who only targets the wicked, inadvertently led to the demise of countless innocents, including Maria, Deb, and Harrison's own mother. These revelations gnaw at Harrison, compounded by Batista's grim prophecy about the dark path he risks treading. "I sincerely hope you don't follow in your father's footsteps," Batista warns, words that resonate deeply within Harrison as he trudges towards the police station, intent on surrendering himself.
However, Dexter emerges from the shadows, awaiting his son outside, determined to prevent Harrison from confessing. It is in this moment that father and son are finally reunited, marking the true inception of this season's dramatic arc – now, the narrative is set ablaze with intensity.
