Dexter Episode 85: A Beautiful Day

Six months after LaGuerta’s death, Dexter is outwardly doing well: he spends more time with Harrison, socializes with the squad, and continues his nighttime killings. But his relationship with Debra has collapsed; she has left Miami Metro and is now working as a private investigator while drifting into drug use and emotional self-destruction.

Miami Metro investigates a new murder scene in a park where a man has been shot and the back of his head removed, with portions of his brain scooped out. The team brings in Dr. Evelyn Vogel, a neuropsychiatrist who studies psychopaths, to help with the case, and she immediately takes a noticeable interest in Dexter.

Debra is working undercover for Jacob Elway’s private investigation firm, following Andrew Briggs, a man involved in stolen jewels and criminal contacts. Dexter goes to Elway’s office after Debra disappears for a while and learns that she has been pursuing Briggs, then tracks her down in Fort Lauderdale. He confronts her in a store about why she has been avoiding him, but the reunion goes badly and she wants little to do with him.

As Dexter learns more, he realizes Debra is in serious danger because Briggs is dealing with a criminal named El Sapo, who is actually a hitman. Dexter follows Debra to the hotel where she is staying and tries to warn her, but she refuses to leave with him. Harrison is with Dexter during this trip, since Jamie is unavailable because of her relationship with Quinn.

Briggs arrives and misreads the situation, attacking Dexter. A fight breaks out, and Dexter stabs Briggs to death. Debra is horrified and furious, orders Dexter to leave, and calls the police, claiming she found Briggs already dead. El Sapo watches from outside as Debra leaves, setting up the danger still surrounding her.

The episode ends with Dexter sitting alone on a memorial bench for LaGuerta when Vogel approaches him and gives him an envelope containing disturbing childhood drawings of Dexter. Dexter confronts her, but Vogel tells him he cannot kill her because she does not fit Harry’s code, leaving him confused about who she is and what she wants.