Dexter Series Finale Recap: Did Dexter Survive? Plus, a Fan Favorite Dies

Weigh in on the series finale of Showtime's long-running hit starring Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter

By Tierney Bricker Sep 23, 2013 4:21 AMTags
Jennifer Carpenter, Michael C. Hall, DexterJim Fiscus/SHOWTIME

Spoiler Alert: Do not read the following article unless you've watched Dexter's series finale. Seriously, no complaining about spoilers in the comments. House rules!

Dexter executive producer Sara Colleton wasn't kidding when she said "a storm was coming!" The Showtime hit series came to an end on Sunday, Sept. 22, bringing Dexter's (Michael C. Hall) eight-season killing spree to a sure-to-be polarizing finish.

After countless victims and endless bloodshed, did Dexter make it out alive or did one of TV's greatest antiheroes ultimately pay for his sins? And how did Debra's (Jennifer Carpenter) journey come to an end? We told you how original showrunner Clyde Phillips envisioned the series ending, but here's how it all really went down...

Though she survived last episode's shooting, Deb ended up dying in Dexter's swan song, becoming Dexter's ultimate victim. Deb suffered a stroke and was put on life support, and Dexter decided to pull the plug ("I can't leave you like this. I'm your big brother," he said). And like he's done so many times before, he then dumped his beloved sister's body at sea.

Devastated by Deb's death, Dexter decided not to join Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Harrison in Argentina. "I destroy everyone I love. I can't let that happen to Hannah, to Harrison," he reasoned. "I have to protect them—from me." He also broke our hearts into a million pieces when he called Harrison and said, "I just want to tell you one last time that I love you." He then rode his boat, Slice of Life, into the hurricane.

Cut to Hannah reading a story about the boat's crash and the death of the person driving it. But twist! Dexter didn't die, as the last scene focused on a lumberjack leaving work and heading to his secluded home, where he sat at a table and then just stared into the camera. Yes, this man is Dexter Morgan and yes, he faked his own death. But is he still killing? We guess we'll never know. Gah!

Tearjerker Moment

The flashback to the Morgan siblings sharing a moment right after Harrison was born absolutely gutted us, with Deb telling Dexter, "Ever since we were little. Don't you remember the monsters? Every time mom would turn off the lights, they'd be running all over the walls and I couldn't go to sleep 'cause I thought they were going to eat me or something. They were the shadows. You came in and explained in your dorky little voice. 'It's just the absence of light, Deb.' I don't even know why I remember that, but I do. And even then, you stayed in my room. You slept on my floor. You made me feel so f--kin' safe. You've always taken care of me. I know you're going to be a great father 'cause you've always been a great big brother." All the tears!

Deb telling Dexter to "go f--king be happy" in the hospital room was pretty gut-wrenching, too, especially after learning her fate.

What did you think of Dexter's series finale? Sound off in the comments!

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