Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | August 22, 2025
The latest episode of Dexter: Resurrection, “The Kill Room Where It Happens,” is a rarity this season: Dexter doesn’t get a kill, though not for lack of trying. It’s also one of those late-season classics where the noose starts to tighten. This season’s been a blast, but now we’re into the tense part.
To wit: Angel Batista still won’t leave Dexter alone. He’s GPS-tracking him through the earbuds he planted in Dexter’s car last week, watching for breaks in the pattern. (Batista sure knows a lot about Dexter’s routine for someone who only just found him again — also, how long is the battery life on those AirPods, anyway?) The first opening Batista should’ve had was Dexter’s intended kill of Al (Eric Stonestreet), the last man standing in Prater’s serial killer collection.
But Al rebuffed Dexter’s invitation. After catching Hamilton on Broadway, he slipped away fast, refusing to share his home address in Wisconsin, insisting on keeping his two lives separate. My guess? Al’s onto Dexter, or at least suspicious. All of Prater’s “toys” are dead now, except for Dexter and Al, and Al knows he’s not the culprit. It’s not a huge leap to suspect the mysterious newcomer who arrived right before the bodies started piling up.
No matter: Dexter’s still got a clean kill room ready in a wig shop, and a new target lined up — the slumlord Harrison’s been railing against on Elsa’s behalf. The guy’s name is Vinny (played by The Sopranos alum Steve Schirripa). When Dexter first confronts him, Vinny dismisses him (note to self: Don’t dismiss serial killers). Later that night, Dexter tranquilizes him and takes him to the kill room, face disguised with hose. But instead of killing him, Dexter just wants to scare him into being a better landlord.
Midway through the scare session, though, Batista barges into the shop. Dexter escapes. Vinny bolts before Batista can even get his name. Frustrated, Batista calls Detectives Wallace and Oliva to declare that he has proof Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher.
The problem? The “proof” is nonexistent. Batista admits he never saw Dexter, didn’t get Vinny’s name, and now the earbuds have been destroyed. The detectives are skeptical, beginning to suspect Batista himself isn’t well. Wallace even calls Joey Quinn back in Miami, who tells her the case has been closed for years and that Batista abruptly retired. He’s not even an active cop anymore.
Poor Batista. He’s getting the full Dexter gaslight. If this keeps up, they’ll be fitting him for a straitjacket by season’s end.
But Dexter’s not safe either. Charley keeps warning Prater that Dexter can’t be trusted. Prater has waved her off, until the episode’s final scene. Walking into a restaurant, Prater spots Dexter having dinner with his son. “I didn’t know you had a son, Red,” Prater says. And that’s because Red doesn’t. The jig is up. And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that if Prater realizes Dexter’s true identity as the Bay Harbor Butcher, he might actually be impressed. Charley, though? Not so much.
A Couple of Notes
— Harrison’s romance with the college tour guide escalates here. Before they sleep together, she reveals that nerve damage in her arm will prevent her from becoming a detective. And because I’ve seen every episode of Dexter, I don’t buy it for a second. She’s not who she says she is. My bet? She’s related to Prater or Charley.
— Meanwhile, Dexter accidentally spills to Blessing’s daughter that her father was once a child soldier. Blessing explodes at him. Again, because I’ve watched every episode of Dexter, I’m convinced Blessing’s gentle, composed act won’t hold. There’s more darkness lurking there.
Two episodes left. A lot of ground still to cover.
