‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Episode 10, Recap & Review: A Bloody and Satisfying Season Finale

This article contains spoilers for Dexter: Resurrection Episode 9

What initially looked like an all-star tour of memories and characters turned into something much more. However, could the show nail the landing and give fans an ending to match the vibe and consistency of the whole season? The short answer is yes. While Dexter: Resurrection Episode 9, “And Justice For All…” might not be perfect, it was perfectly Dexter. The finale gave us an interesting story and an end that felt somehow complete, even though in the world of Dexter, nothing is ever simple and neat.

The episode is littered with one-on-one moments between characters, giving us a last bit of depth to swim in before the end. Right from the beginning of the episode, with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) locked in the vault and Prater (Peter Dinklage) and Charley (Uma Thurman) outside, all of them are trying to come to grips with what just happened at the end of the last episode. Charley, who has become tired of both Prater’s fascination with serial killers and holding her hostage to the job because of her sick mom, pushes back, and Prater pushes back harder. Prater killing Batista (David Zayas) has changed the game in many different ways.

Inside the vault, Dexter paces like a trapped animal, not wanting to die there but desperate for a way out. It is here that he is visited by his dead brother Brian (Christian Camargo), who reminds Dexter that Batista’s death is yet another example of what happens when you try to be something you are not. It’s a fascinating look into another dark part of Dexter’s past, but he pushes on, using Batista’s phone to call Harrison (Jack Alcott) and bring him in to help and to protect him. There were some good laughs here as Harrison is engaged in extracurricular activities with his new girlfriend, Gigi (Emily Kimball), while Dexter is trying to reach him. 

It is here that a plan is put into motion, triggering a domino-like effect throughout the rest of the episode, bringing characters and storylines together or to a conclusion. Harrison uses his friend’s contact to get a waiting gig at the Gala, and Dexter slowly directs him to the penthouse to try to help him out of the vault. However, Harrison is caught by Charley, who escorts him up to the penthouse and decides to have a chat with Dexter. She wasn’t prepared for what he had to say, though, using the files he found on Charley to try to blackmail her into what he wanted. Seems Prater had files on everyone, including his employees, that he kept stashed in the vault as insurance if needed. 

Charley isn’t having it, though. She offers to stay away from Harrison, but Dexter remains in the vault. After she leaves, Dexter and Harrison have a back-and-forth discussion about the vault combination. After deciding between two choices based on clues from files in the vault, Harrison uses one, and the door opens. Before they can leave, Dexter takes some files and a weapon, then has to return, needing the thumbprint to use the elevator, so he sends Harrison ahead. It’s one of those perfect Dexter father/son bonding moments, involving a vault full of serial killer material, mysterious files, and a dead body. The bizarre is now simply the normal, and it works quite well.

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Charley, who is still pissed about the files Prater had on her, confronts him, telling him she quits and is moving on. She gives him a simple choice. She’ll disappear, he’ll continue paying her mother’s medical bills, or, as she so delicately put it, it can be scorched earth instead. Solid scene, with Dinklage showing the utter rage and confusion all over his face, stirring the pot of mental instability in Prater even more.

What’s more, Prater spots Harrison leaving and, after a quick pit stop with security for a peek at the cameras and to grab a gun, he catches Harrison and brings him back inside. A quick phone call brings Dexter back inside for a showdown, and his exit from the elevator back into the penthouse is greeted by Harry (James Remar) with some simple instructions: Get the fucker. 

This begins the first of two showdowns between Dexter and Prater. The first is with him holding Harrison at gunpoint, reveling in the newfound feeling killing has given him. Prater was always circling the drain mentally, and now, after killing Batista, he’s gone over the edge. He’s manic, excited, still thinking he has all the control when really he hasn’t a clue what killing will do to him. He rejects Dexter’s offer to kill him instead, but after some quick thinking, Dexter reminds Harrison in code that he still has the needle he gave him. Before you can say “surprise,” Harrison jabs Prater, and he goes down. Dexter again sends Harrison on his way so he can clean up the mess and follow later. 

Dexter now has Prater on his table, fitting that it’s in the vault of serial killer horrors. Prater and Dexter go back and forth, Prater trying to bribe him, while Dexter explains why it won’t work. Just when Prater thinks Dexter might let him go, he’s killed—the classic knife to the chest. The cool, calm killer is still here, but he’s changed.

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He explains to Prater how his mind works, what it’s really like being him, and why he won’t add him to his collection of blood slides. He wants to forget the man altogether. It’s an interesting moment, and the two scenes between Prater and Dexter offer the viewer different perspectives on killing and reveal the distinct differences between the two men. 

After dismembering the body, Dexter sets off the alarm as he leaves, garbage bags in tow, and the police come running from the gala downstairs. They discover Batista’s dead body, the serial killer collection, the gun with Prater’s prints on it, and the remaining files. One in particular catches the eye of Det. Wallace (Kadia Saraf). It belongs to the New York Ripper, the case that still haunts the detective to this day. (Shout out to Det. Wallace dancing to the Bee Gees at the gala, too.)

Dexter takes off in Prater’s boat, somehow fitting with his history of boats in the past, and reminisces about how he recognizes he’s evolving. Yes, he’s still a killer, and that’s what he’ll always be, but now he may have a genuine understanding of what it means to care, to love, and how to incorporate that into his life moving forward. Both he and Harrison will always have the urge, but while he will continue to do what he does, the two of them can help Harrison lead a more normal life, and while doing so, help each other in the process.

It really did feel like “And Justice For All…” was the ending that was meant to be. It provided a sense of both completion and new beginnings at the same time. A great deal of care was taken in constructing this show, and while it certainly has those classic Dexter moments where you have to nod your head and go with it, the writing and acting were solid all around.

I’m not sure if there are plans for another season, but this showed us that things can indeed be brought back to life if the right people are involved in the resurrection process.

Dexter: Resurrection Episode 10 is now available for streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan.