Dexter Episode 19: That Night, a Forest Grew

Dexter sends a manifesto to a newspaper under the Bay Harbor Butcher’s name, intending to throw the police investigation into confusion and keep Frank Lundy off his trail. The task force treats the document as a major break in the case, while Dexter’s fabricated theories and planted details create competing explanations for the killer’s motives.

Sergeant Doakes pushes to look into the Shipping Yard case, but Camilla refuses to give him the files. Dexter then deliberately sabotages Doakes by steering him toward an innocent suspect and making him look aggressive and reckless. When Doakes realizes he has been set up, he confronts Dexter, who taunts him and head-buts him. Doakes later attacks Dexter in front of other people, which badly damages Doakes’s own standing at the station. LaGuerta responds by suspending Doakes and opening an investigation into his conduct.

Debra ends her relationship with Gabriel, telling him it is not his fault. While having lunch with Lundy, she unexpectedly kisses him, showing that her feelings for him are growing. During the Bay Harbor Butcher briefing, Lundy concludes that the killer is trying to confuse the investigators and may be connected to the police.

Dexter continues seeing Lila, though Debra strongly dislikes her. Cody calls Dexter and asks him to help with a school project presentation the next day. Rita’s mother refuses to let Dexter be involved again, and Rita clashes with her over the punishment of the children; after becoming fed up with her controlling behavior, Rita kicks her out of the house.

The next day, Dexter attends Cody’s presentation, but he is forced to leave shortly after it ends when Lila calls him for help because her apartment has burned down. The episode reveals that Lila set the fire herself.