Do You Take Dexter Morgan?

Season three of "Dexter" was the last one I watched as it aired, before house moves meant that I lost the channel that it was on. I think season three was perhaps a little stronger than season two, if the show is starting to ignore some of its own conceits already (nobody talks about Dexter being a drug user in this season at all).

Whilst hunting his latest victim, a drug dealer named Freebo (Mike Erwin), Dexter (Michael C Hall) gets into a fight and accidentally kills Oscar Prado (Nick Hermz) the brother of the Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits). As Miguel puts pressure on the Miami PD to find his brothers killer, he bonds with Dexter - a bond that will eventually go to some dark places. Meanwhile people with ties to Freebo are being tortured, skinned and murdered so Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) goes to an informant, Anton (David Ramsey) to see what he knows.

Admittedly, it's a stretch that Dexter would manage to find someone else in this city that see things his way - particularly someone in a position to make his life that much easier - but it's testament to the writhers and to Jimmy Smits that they manage to layer in enough to the character to make it feel plausible. The most implausible aspect about the season is actually that Batista manages to turn the vice detective into his girlfriend, despite her knowing that he's previously been consorting with prostitutes.

It's still an easy watch at this stage, the writing is a little funnier, with the voice over conceit starting to be more playful. Performances are good, none of the characters are particularly annoying - though I could perhaps have gone with a sharper introduction for Desmond Harrington's new detective. They all seem to act like he's always been there. Minor quibble though on what is pretty good stuff again.

The season finale Do You Take Dexter Morgan? Is an exhilarating ride, filled with unexpected twists and emotional payoffs that keep you on the edge of your seat. As the culmination of Season 3, the episode brings all of the storylines to a head, delivering a conclusion that is both shocking and satisfying. The episode is packed with intense moments that test Dexter's relationships, his moral compass, and his sense of self. The tension is palpable as Dexter faces the consequences of his actions, both in terms of his personal life and his dark alter ego. The writing is sharp and full of tension, and the characters are pushed to their limits in ways that feel earned and meaningful. What's truly remarkable about Do You Take Dexter Morgan? Is how it balances high-stakes drama with poignant emotional beats, providing a rollercoaster of a finale that keeps you guessing until the very last moment. It's an unforgettable conclusion to a season full of intrigue, character development, and explosive revelations. The perfect finale that will leave you eager for what comes next.

This is the twelfth and final episode of the third season of Dexter and it is a really fitting episode. There are some action-packed moments as well as several emotional moments. However slow the first half of the season here makes up for it here. The episode focuses on the aftermath of Miguel's disappearance as there is still lurking danger to be had.

In this episode, "Do You Take Dexter Morgan?," with Miguel now gone from his life, Dexter believes all he has to worry about is his wedding. But the Skinner thinks elsewise. The Skinner kidnaps Dexter trying to get information out of him about Freebo.

Overall, this episode is a very good conclusion to a rather strong, if not a little slow season. There is really nothing strange here, but for me it was a satisfactory ending. I rate this episode 10/10.

Rewatching the series after a long while I felt like this season was mediocre.

Dexter is in the killing business for way over a decade now, he is a cautious guy, still why did he take Miguel's word when he was handed the bloodied shirt? Why did he fall for the obvious bait Miguel created when he wanted to make sure Dexter was a vigilante? Why was Dexter so rebellious towards Harry now? I mean we started of the season with Astor's drama on not being able to take her mum's wedding and the new baby, a pre teen crisis, that was completely ignored right after and the focus turned towards Dexter, now him being the rebellious one.

Also, there were too many hallucinations of Harry, maybe Dexter inner monologues on the previous 2 seasons were something people didn't like and that's why we got Harry's hallucination more often, but it got annoying too quickly.

So, my problem with this season are: how easily Dexter was tricked by Miguel and how often we get to see Harry making pointless dialogues, and that was easily 75% of the show.

There is also the whole Quinn thing being introduced out of nowhere that felt forced, but he only plays a minor role.

Season three of Dexter marks a noticeable departure from the psychological intensity that defined the first two seasons. It opens with a moment of unintended violence: Dexter accidentally kills a man who wasn't on his "kill list." This impulsive act triggers an entirely new story arc involving the victim's influential family and introduces fresh characters who feel more like plot devices than integral parts of Dexter's world.

The shift appears to be an attempt to broaden the show's universe but instead of enriching the story, it diffuses the tension. The stakes are no longer personal or urgent; they feel conveniently manufactured. This becomes especially evident within the police department subplot. Two newly introduced characters, meant to add dimension, end up doing the opposite. If their lines were removed, they'd be indistinguishable from background extras. If their entire arcs disappeared, the season wouldn't lose anything.

Liza Lapira's character, for example, comes across as an eager high schooler who somehow landed in a high-stakes forensic lab. Her energy feels off for the tone of the series, and she adds little beyond fast-talking filler. Desmond Harrington tries to embody the role of a hardened "witness-whisperer," but the performance doesn't quite land; more posturing than presence.

That said, there are small, underused moments of authenticity. A standout is the black actress working in the archives, who assists in uncovering information about Debra's father. Her acting feels grounded and sincere, a quiet breath of realism in an otherwise overstaged season. Unfortunately, her role is limited to brief appearances, a missed opportunity in an arc that could have used more depth.

Overall, season three feels like a narrative holding pattern, a detour more than a destination. It seems primarily designed to shift Dexter toward domesticity, clearing Rita's past and paving the way for her pregnancy. While there are moments of intrigue, the overall impact is much softer than previous seasons. Dexter is at its best when the pressure is high, the moral stakes are murky, and the threat is deeply personal. Here, much of that edge is missing.