8.11 Monkey in a Box When I watched Monkey in a Box I kept being drawn to something that I was taught at film school about narrative. The journey that all characters must travel must change them in some way, or they’re purely part of the scenery. That change was the focus of the opening scenes where Dexter is cleaning the Vogel death scene of any evidence relating to him. This wasn’t very well thought through, because not only did Dexter not wear gloves at any point, but he didn’t consider the possibility that Vogel didn’t mention him in Zach’s notes. You’d also think that Dexter’s ability to turn up at Vogel’s death scene would concern someone, but Batista has never been the smartest cop has he? And then, something totally unexpected! The final season has almost been entirely devoid of links to story lines the distant past. But I almost cheered when Valerie Cruz walked through the door as the Mrs Sylvia Prado, the widow of Miguel Prado from season three. They could have made anyone the character brought in to sell Dexter’s apartment, but having someone recognisable made more sense. Selling a boat with such a small beer cooler at short notice isn’t easy, so we can safely conclude that the Slice of Life still has a part to play in the final story. After business is not concluded, we get down to the meat of this story, the dance of death between Daniel and Dexter, who seems determined to get in our heroes face. Daniel’s also gloriously unaware that, with the possible exception of Harrison, every family member in immediate range is also a murderer. But every Dexter episode comes with a WTF moment, and the one that slapped me hard in this one came next when the whole homicide department turned out for a Vogel wake. That’s showing great respect, but the very next day after she was murdered seems extraordinary. Really, they would do that? The drinks after the service did however throw up a few interesting things, not least that Dexter seemed mildly confused that he might miss some of his co-workers. But the bit that really grabbed me was the conversation with Tom Matthews, the retired-then-not Deputy Chief. He was a friend of Harry’s, and his line about ‘family’ was revealing. I think Harry told him about Dexter, and he’s known all along, but kept it secret for old allegiances. Sylvia rings to draw Dexter away and back to Daniel who wants to crack a deal with Dexter, because he’s obviously not up to actually killing him. Meanwhile, the fly in the ointment is Hannah, whose entire purpose is to give Dexter and Debs something else to worry about. As if they hadn’t already got enough. The arrival of Elway, who is about as subtle as a swinging piece of 2-by-4, signals the end for her beach holiday, and also the final exchange between her and Debs. With peace made with both Dexter and Hannah, the exit light is on and flashing for Debs. But before that, Elway and Cooper turn up at Debs’ apartment and ransack it without a warrant. Good luck when that one goes to court, guys. In so many ways this was the reworking of the season 4 ending that the writers so desperately wanted to repeat from the outset, where the real danger is that Dexter doesn’t kill, and has to face the consequences of his lack of action. Why Daniel didn’t dispatch the mortally wounded Debs I’ve no idea, as his injury was just a flesh wound. She’s obviously not going to make it, and given that Joey is now back on the scene, that doesn’t bode well for the final episode. Despite my personal frustration with the direction this all took ultimately, I couldn’t help but be touched by the final bow for James Remar as Harry. He’s been a great foil for Dexter over the seasons, and his early exit reinforces the idea that there isn’t any going back for Dex now. I’m not even going to guess. But just a week from now we’ll all know, and Dexter will be utterly done. Read Billy’s review of the previous episode, Goodbye Miami, here.
