Dexter – “The Getaway” (Season 4 Finale) – review

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Dexter Season 4 Finale “The Getaway” (episode w.12) – as the noose tightens, Arthur warns Dexter to back off. But Dexter will do anything to stop Trinity from eluding him, even if that means putting himself on the wrong side of the law. Rita acknowledges the rocky relationship she and Dexter share, but reaffirms her support. Batista and LaGuerta face the consequences of their actions. Debra unearths a deeply hidden truth, but not one she expected to find. And ultimately, Dexter and Arthur find themselves on a collision course, leading them to a confrontation that will change their lives forever.

All season long the tension between Arthur (The Trinity Killer) and Dexter has been simmering to a ferocious boil. Dexter has been allowing Arthur to live so he could learn from Trinity how to appear “normal.” Yet Dexter learns too late that a monster is still a monster even when his disguise seems flawless. Dexter has become the hunted as he rushes to get to Trinity before his “idol” gets to his family. Anyone who has seen this finale will tell you it is a real nail-biter, from the moment Trinity leaves Dexter’s place of employment till he is lying ritualistically bound awaiting Dexter’s killing blow. As Dexter dumps Trinity’s body in the ocean like all his other vigilante slayings, the viewers may have felt a lull begin to rise, and just might think it was a rather dull ending for a great season. This is Dexter; happy endings are for other characters!

Our last images of Dexter’s Season 4 brings his life full circle as he discovers Trinity has killed his beloved Rita. But worst of all, Dexter discovers his son, Harrison, crying on the bathroom floor sitting in his dead mother’s blood. We see Dexter carry away his child much like his own father Harry carried a young Dexter away from a brutal murder many years earlier. Throw in Debra finding out about Dexter’s past and that he is related to the “Ice Truck Killer” from Season 1, and you witness Season 4 going “nuclear” at its end. The jaw-dropping event left me numb and oddly fascinated. Dexter was becoming soft in a way this season, but now, with an ending like this, what does it all mean?

This has been the best season of Dexter yet, and now the writers have their work cut out for Season 5. John Lithgow’s performance was absolutely fantastic, and I don’t think we will see acting like that again on Dexter anytime soon. I am awed and totally impressed at the way everyone on this show has made it the best thing on television. The only downside to this episode was that Season 4 is now over, and any hints for Season 5 elude us faithful viewers due to the secrecy of the production team. A killer ending to and already killer show…WOW!

13 Comments

1. 

   Patti Abbott

   December 14, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   I agree that it was the best season so far although each of them has topped the season before. I think the ending was a wise one because they had gone as far with that storyline as they could and needed to clear some decks. My fear was that Trinity would kill his stepson. That would have been too tough to watch.

   Reply
2. 

   PLMII

   December 14, 2009 at 3:44 pm

   I would agree on the plot factor you mentioned, but what a reset.

   Reply
3. 

   Jenn

   December 14, 2009 at 6:40 pm

   Until the last 5 minutes of the finale, I agreed that this was the best season. I’m a bit depressed though, to tell you the truth, as silly as that may seem. Without warning, everything I loved about the show has been killed so dead that I don’t see it ever being the same. I liked the dark, but even more so, I loved the combination or dark and funny. It was fascinating to see a character evolving — such fabulous character development and now it’s been crushed in it’s path. I’m assuming of course, but I find it hard to imagine Dexter becoming more human and having more feelings and closeness after what just happened to Rita and Harrison. It seems there’s no where to go but back into the black hole. Mourning my favorite show over here.

   Reply
4. 

   Laurel

   December 14, 2009 at 9:11 pm

   OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGG

   Reply
5. 

   kike aguilera

   December 15, 2009 at 1:04 am

   what an amazing ending of the season, i never expect that finish, im still cold in shock, the thing is that i saw the episode last night and im still shock!

   wow, i cant wait for season 5!

   Reply
6. 

   Peter

   December 21, 2009 at 12:35 am

   Ahh – wow – so many levels to “the Getaway”.
   Dexter caused the death of his wife.
   I will miss that part of the show – Rita was a lighter side to the show and she was hot – haha

   But wow – I was not expecting that – it melted my brain

   Reply
7. 

   Nick De Silsky

   December 30, 2009 at 2:01 am

   Absolutely shocked by the end of the season.

   And yes, the best season so far.

   I do not think Rita was so hot, sorry.

   I know she was delicious, she was the light into the dark life of Dexter.

   But Dexter played with Trinity. And we all know what happens when you play with fire. It’s a logical (although terrible and unexpected) ending.

   The worse for me (for all of us) is now to wait SO MANY MONTHS to see season 5.

   I can’t wait, can you????

   Reply
8. 

   Aaron

   January 1, 2010 at 3:12 pm

   This is amazing, my favourite show on TV by far!
   The ending is sort of strange to me, definately did not expect it.
   Rita was the calmer side to Dexter, so I think we will see more of his dark side now.
   But maybe not because he’s got to look after the kids by himself, so not much time to do what he does???
   Idon’t know but there’s one thing I do know…
   I CANNOT WAIT FOR SEASON 5!!!

   Reply
9. 

   Hadi

   January 2, 2010 at 10:46 am

   It was a very unexpected ending — but are we sure it was real? The ending could have been a dream sequence…it certainly had that quality, although such a move by the writers would be risky. If it’s not a dream, it certainly is a bold season ending and resolves with shocking brutality the dichotomy of Dexter’s two lives.

   Dexter is certainly my favorite series.

   Reply
10. 

    billton

    January 12, 2010 at 11:36 am

    wow. just wow.

    I feel bad for Dexter’s son. Born in blood. then i force myself to remember it’s a TV show.

    Great writing i must say. Best TV show out there ATM

    Reply
11. 

    dili

    April 25, 2010 at 8:43 am

    in season 5 maybe he will go crazy and kill the kids and himself. this is the worst possible ending i can think of.

    Reply
12. 

    Susan

    July 12, 2010 at 10:16 am

    I, too, was shocked by the ending and will miss the relationship Dexter and Rita shared, but it fits in nicely with the season’s plot. and characters. Of course Trinity wanted to destroy Dexter!

    Reply
13. 

    davey

    July 24, 2010 at 1:46 am

    It took me a long time to like Rita, and now she’s dead! I felt like crying when he found her in the tub like that. He didn’t get to kill the Trinity Killer after knowing, so he didn’t get closer or release after her murder. OOOOMMMMGGGG. Those poor kids! I can’t believe how sad and horrible, yet magnificent, this ending was. I really don’t want him to have any other love interests. And I really wish Rita wasn’t really dead, but I’ve read enough spoilers to know better. I agree with Jen though, I don’t think Dexter can ever be the same, and I don’t see how it could be better than it was before!!!! Ugh I hope its not ruined. I loved the complexity of Dexter’s life, and enjoyed the relief that there was love and light in his life. Now what????

    Reply