Dexter Season 3 Finale: Predictions

Not everything that hits the tube can cause people to hunt down a co-worker just to gab about the latest episode. Dexter is just one of those shows. Every week the Morgan groupies here at UGO discuss what they loved or hated about the latest offering and go on long diatribes about why this or that happened, or is going to happen. Thankfully we have a website we can put that kind of stuff up and have it actually mean something. So, what better time to think about the next episode than at the end of the season? Yes, this Sunday the 12th and final episode of Dexter season 3 will be airing, giving us nothing to watch on Sunday nights for the rest of the year, but we have some ideas where it might be going. Peer into the minds of 3 passionate Dexaholics below, and let us know what you think!

Rene (Evil Adam) Rosa

Dexter gave us two seasons of back-to-back what-the-f*ckery, and I couldn't have been happier with it. In the tradition of Season 2, this season has dipped in and out of plot twists, which at this point often make you question the quality of the show. I believe, and hopefully am proven right next Sunday, that they've just been toying with the viewers, playing a sick game of TV chicken. As they have us traveling down one lane of the Dexter highway they shift gears on us, making us feel an abrupt stop or turn off the road completely.

With Miguel Prado dead, Dexter Morgan now only has to worry about his brother and the Skinner. Thankfully those are problems that can not only help solve each other, but the utilization of them can help cover up tons of Dexter's other Prado problems.

So my thoughts are this: Dexter really is the only guy who can clean up his own messes. However, he will be masking the Skinner's MO at every step he can - for both Prados. The Skinner will go "missing" and be a cold case on the most wanted list. Honestly, it's tough to predict the finale in exacting measures, but I also don't think this season is going to end as neatly as the last two. Why? We have a guarantee of two more seasons! They can have a cliffhanger if they want, and I kind of feel like they will. I'm sure they will tie up the major plot points of this season, of course, but I think we will be teased with what to expect in Season 4. At some point Rita or Deb will get wind of something.

With the wedding, baby and everything else going on, it will be harder and harder for Dex to keep his secrets from those closest to him. Thanks to Miguel, however, he'll never trust anyone so complacently again. Still, his need to keep secrets is starting to be out seated by the wanting for his own humanity. He is experiencing a neo-adolescence at this point and I think part of that is evident in the very REAL emotions he has been displaying. Dexter is becoming a real person, and nothing is more terrifying or gut-wrenching than that. The next real emotion Dexter needs to experience is nothing other than fear. Maybe we'll get that this finale too! How? Well, Rita may very well be in serious danger. She's the one thing that has kept Dexter closest to humanity, and nothing says "F*ck You, Dexter!" than someone making a play for his wife-to-be who is with child. His genuine feelings for her and his unborn baby may be the scariest thing he could experience. If brother Prado or the Skinner go for those jugulars, well, we may be seeing a whole new side of Dexter. If not, fear can come in the shape of Dexter's feelings towards his own new family. As we already know, he is not keen on the idea of his child coming out just like him. Most expectant fathers are already terrified enough as it is, imagine adding that one to your list of worries. All in all, I do hope we get Dexter back into killing. Is that wrong?

Parker (parker) Ward

It took me a long time to get into this season of Dexter. It was a slow-burn first few episodes, and after the long premium cable hiatus, I suppose I was itching for some more straight up murder and intrigue. But the more I thought about it, Dexter is all about the subtlety of its writing, and stands squarely on the performance of Michael C. Hall. And as last week's episode, "I Had A Dream," showed us, we are in bloody good hands.

If you could boil down the show into broad themes, each season would have an overriding goal or catch phrase. Season One, with The Ice Truck Killer, was all about "Family." Season Two, with Rita becoming a major character, could be "Romantic Love." Season Three, with the introduction of the surprisingly fitting Jimmy Smits as Miguel Prado, was geared towards the concept of "Friendship."

Yes, Dexter made a friend this year. No, not the doughnut-sharing beer-drinking type of fake friendship he has with fellow cops like Lt. LaGuerta or Sgt. Batista. A true friendship, where one exposes themselves and let's someone else see them for who they truly are.

For a serial killer who began the series as something far less than a human bundle of emotions, it was a big risk to take. But that's been the beautifully strong undercurrent to the show itself for me. Dexter is, with each blood slide, wandering closer and closer to becoming a real human. It's a fascinating concept, and I think the true reason why people like him, and want him to succeed in the first place. However, this show just got picked up for a 4th and 5th season, and the writers knew that Dex could not complete his transformation overnight. Thus, Prado betrayed Dexter, and the killer was hurt by his trust and exposure to Miguel. Thankfully the Dark Passenger still dwells in our protagonist, and his righteous anger made for, in my opinion, the best episode since he killed his brother, Brian Moser, in season one.

Of course, the season is not over yet, and the climax of Prado's execution is left with a coda fraught with peril (and a third frikkin' Prado brother).

So what will happen? For one, Ramon Prado and George "The Skinner" King must be reckoned with, and their own paths will probably intertwine here. King is still in the wind, and set on a course to take Dexter down, and with Miguel dead, Ramon will obviously come looking for him as well. Dex has a knack of putting the blame on others for his own timely kills, and I think one or more deaths of his two threats will be pinned on each other.

Debra, LaGuerta and Quinn still need to wrap up their arcs as well. What's up with Deb and Quinn's long smoldering flirtation? Will LaGuerta suspect Dex in the disappearance of Miguel? Why the hell did they introduce the Batista girlfriend character? So many questions, so many bodies. And seething beneath all of this is the fact that a mass-murderer is about to get married and father a child! Whew. But whatever happens for Dex, life and death goes on for two more seaons.

Hilary (LilHil) Rothing

As much as I found last week's episode to be a bit of a letdown, (the whole bachelor party fake-out) I can't say it's diminished my excitement for the finale's inevitable showdowns between Dexter and Ramon, Dexter and "The Skinner" and Dexter and marriage. While this season has had its ups and down, the show is poised for a killer finish (sorry!). Thinking about what I expect and want out of this season's ultimate episode, in terms of the key players...

Dexter - This whole season has been about Dexter and his capacity to trust another person. Now he's looking at binding his life to someone else and at the same time, bringing a new one into the world. It can't happen, or at least not the way it's set-up to. While last season's finale was over-the-top and splashy, season 3's conclusion presents a different kind of puzzle for the killer of killers. Navigating a wedding with a pregnant bride and a short-list of scumbags still awaiting an evening of saran wrap, cutlery and candles will not prove easy, but that's when Dexter is at his best, back against the wall, syringe in hand, creating the perfect opening to someone else's end.

Deb - Possibly one of my favorite characters on any show, ever, I've always been a bit disappointed with Deb's storylines, perpetually focused on her haphazard love life. Incredibly complex, strong-willed and feisty to no end, I'd like to see her deal with meatier issues and it looks like that may happen, as Dexter has shown her the tarnish on Harry's shield as she makes the play for her own. The tension between Quinn and Deb is also building, but what about Yuki Amado? She seemed to go away a little too easily... However things play out with Quinn, I'm hoping Deb doesn't get hoodwinked again into another disastrous relationship. After all, she's trying to be "freakin" detective!

Rita - It's amazed me that Dexter has managed to keep his "hobby" from Rita for three seasons now, but as he's opened up to her more and more she's expecting more. And with a baby coming into the picture, how can Dexter continue to make his regular trash runs? If there's one thing I know from watching innumerable season finales where a wedding is involved, it's that they don't happen. And women on the verge of giving birth?! A season finale is not a good place for you to be.

LaGuerta - She's gotta be all kinds of confused as was I, with her storyline towards the latter part of this season. Was it just me or did her relationship with Ellen Wolf seem to be heading down a certain Sapphic path? Maybe it's just that the same actress appeared on the L word a few season's back but I was pretty surprised when she threw herself at the bartender that fateful night. As for LaGuerta, I suspect her investment in finding justice for Ellen may create an obstacle for Dexter's plans for that other Prado.