’Course Correction’, is a strong episode but one that I admittedly find to be a bit of a mixed bag. It continues to take bold narrative swings while also undercutting an incredible twist before it had a chance to really evolve into anything interesting.
As the endgame of season one approaches, the writers are continuing to weave the various plot lines together gracefully; setting the stage for what feels destined to be an unforgettable, emotional, and relentlessly tense conclusion. Read on for my full review and analysis.
EPISODE RECAP
Before we jump into the analysis, let’s take a look at the most important story developments in the episode:
- Dexter arrives at a secluded castle with Prater and company for a “retreat” where the group learns of Mia’s demise. Prater is clearly on edge.
- Harrison decides to pursue a career in law enforcement and decides to check out a local school of criminology at Elsa’s suggestion.
- Unable to fully convince Detective Wallace of Dexter’s guilt, Batista tracks down his apartment and pays a visit to Blessing. The two have a nice conversation but Batista keeps his true intentions hidden.
- After Prater asks Dexter to share with the group, Dexter wrestles with finding the best approach. In the end, he opts for a veiled version of the truth where he discusses his relationship with the dark passenger rather than delving into the specifics of his methods.
- Moved by the intimate presentation, Prater takes Dexter aside and reveals the origin of his fascination with serial killers. He talks about the bond he formed with the man responsible for killing his parents after visiting him in prison and reveals how he has been chasing that same connection since he died.
- Dexter baits Gareth into a fatal confrontation and then uses the public kill to frame him for the deaths of Lowell and Mia in the eyes of Prater.
- While attending a campus tour and auditing a criminology lecture, Harrison is surprised by Detective Wallace who has shown up to speak to the class about the ‘New York Ripper.’ When Dexter arrives, he navigates the awkward moment with ease and then encourages Harrison to continue his pursuits in law enforcement.
- Dexter returns to his apartment to find Batista hanging out in Blessing’s apartment with his family. He offers to give Angel a ride home and then proceeds to have an intense verbal confrontation where it becomes clear that he isn’t going to back down. As Dexter kicks him out of the car, Batista drops a tracking device in the passenger door panel of his car.
"I’m a monster too, remember?"
Picking up immediately after the shocking final moments of episode six, Dexter finds himself whisked away to a luxurious castle with his new “posse” of serial killers (and one serial killer groupie). As grandiose as this backdrop is, the festivities planned by Prater are tainted slightly by the ominous incidents that have befallen Lowell and Mia. Needless to say, tensions are running high and Dexter knows he will eventually become the prime suspect if he doesn’t act fast. In spite of the existing pressures, Dexter is also expected to present to the group and the challenge of maintaining his cover becomes even more complicated.
As Dexter wrestles with preparing for show-and-tell, the episode straddles the line between humor and dark self-reflection in classic Dexter fashion. Michael C. Hall’s over-the-top impersonation of Red in front of a mirror is hilarious and intentionally forced; a calculated risk that might end up backfiring if Prater sees through the facade. It’s Harry who steps in to point out the inauthenticity and encourages Dexter not to sully himself by trying to fit in with the monsters in the group.
What ensues is an internal struggle between who Dexter is and what his father wanted him to be; a clash that opens old wounds and harkens back to the earliest years of the show when Dexter first discovered the grim truth about Harry’s death. This interaction once again underscores how brilliant it was to bring Harry back into the fold for Resurrection. The conflict and guidance that he represents in Dexter’s mind is more thematically appropriate than ever and it ultimately plays right into one of the strongest themes of the season: the power of being true to one’s self.
"The truth is never boring"
In the aftermath of Dexter: New Blood, it’s no surprise that the character of Dexter would have to grapple with the ramifications of his actions in Iron Lake and the influence he had on Harrison. As we delve deeper into Resurrection, I would argue that those lessons have been brilliantly translated into a broader theme for the entire season (or maybe even the series): The simple fact that the truth holds immeasurable power. For a character whose survival has always depended upon lies and deception, we have seen him take a decidedly different approach to the truth repeatedly this season and the results have been surprisingly positive.
Whether it’s embracing his true nature or telling Harrison the whole truth about his culpability in Rita’s death, there’s no denying that Dexter is starting to understand the benefits of being truthful (in certain situations). In episode seven, the effects of that lesson are felt multiple times but in vastly different ways. After acknowledging his struggles getting into the mind of a ruthless killer, Dexter considers the possibility that veiled honesty might be the best policy once again.
Rather than stepping into Red’s shoes fully, he talks about his internalized relationship with the dark passenger; About how it feels to relinquish control to his darkness, what it’s like to constantly hide his true nature, and the intense sadness that he feels once the kill is over and he has to put the mask back on. While the other killers in the room find it to be unconventional and somewhat underwhelming, Prater himself has the opposite reaction. He’s touched by Dexter’s vulnerability and authenticity and as a result, feels compelled to open up to him on a deeply personal level.
Once again, honesty ends up holding the key to furthering his mission within Prater’s group. More importantly, it finally gives us our first taste of the real Leon Prater; a mystery we have been patiently waiting to unfurl since episode four. He tells an intriguing tale that, like some of the best villains, makes me question his sincerity and true motivations. He reveals that a serial killer was ultimately responsible for his parents death and despite all odds, he formed a tight bond with that killer when visiting him in prison. As strange as that sounds, the question now becomes whether or not that obsession twisted him into someone worthy of Dexter’s kill table. While the jury is still out on that one, the prying effect of the truth is definitely not lost on Dexter as he turns his attention to focus on his other problem: Gareth #2.
"I’ll never get used to killing in front of an audience"
I had admittedly put a lot of stock in the theory that Gareth would evolve into a major villain beyond season one. In fact, the bombshell twist that Dexter had killed his twin brother at the end of episode six felt like the perfect setup for such a story. To see that potential future snuffed out before the twist had a chance to evolve into anything truly meaningful felt to me like the first major misstep of the season. Despite that, the ruse was cleverly constructed and served as a convenient way to throw Prater and the rest of the group off of his scent. In that way, it felt like a classic Dexter manipulation so it was difficult for me to hold onto that disappointment for long.
Despite the tinge of disappointment that I felt in this moment, I couldn’t help but smile at Dexter’s newfound appreciation for using truth as a tool. In this episode alone, it helped him out of two tight spots and over the course of the season, it has helped him rekindle his efficiency as a killer and repair his shattered relationship with Harrison. It’s a fascinating but unexpected concept that has never been explored in this show before but I can’t help but wonder if that luck is destined to backfire as the endgame approaches.
"Welcome to the life of a serial killer dad"
While Harrison’s new life in New York City has not yet collided with the dangerous game that Dexter is playing with Prater, the two parallel stories feel destined for entanglement. Feeling good about his future and the renewed relationship with his dad, Harrison decides to pursue a career in law enforcement which eventually leads him to attend a campus tour at a local school of criminology. Despite being late for the tour, Dexter arrives just in time to watch as a hilarious but unfortunate string of events starts to unfold.
When Harrison steps into a lecture hall to audit a criminology class, he finds himself face-to-face with Detective Wallace who has shown up to deliver a presentation about the New York Ripper. On the surface, watching them both realize the horribly awkward scenario that they have found themselves in is simultaneously hilarious and incredibly tense. On a deeper level, the scene is also carefully constructed to present grisly clues to the audience about the growing importance of the Ripper as a character while also setting father and son up for another important dialogue.
As Wallace describes the meaning of psychopathy and the way it presents in serial killers, there is a physical discomfort visible on Harrison’s face. It’s a cue that doesn’t go unnoticed by Dexter who quickly seizes the opportunity to reassure his son. He explains that he may not experience love like most people but he has zero doubt that his feelings for Harrison are strong and unshakable. This touching sentiment is somehow only made stronger by what we know to be true about Dexter’s psychology.
On the way out of the auditorium, Dexter finally meets Detective Wallace and Harrison has the opportunity to watch as his father deftly navigates a tense confrontation with grace. There’s a noticeable sense of admiration as he recognizes the confidence and skill that his dad exudes under pressure; A major component of what makes him so likeable to the audience as well. He even takes the opportunity to show off some of his forensic background while teasing some of the hidden knowledge he has about the weapon wielded by the Ripper. It’s a beautifully constructed sequence that manages to deepen the relationship between father and son while wetting our appetite for more intense confrontations that are just around the bend.
"I thought I’d try to catch you"
Speaking of tense confrontations, episode seven ends with an intense showdown that feels like it has been in the making for over a decade. After being unable to prove his theory to the other Detectives, Batista manages to insert himself into Dexter’s new life by way of a controlled meeting with Blessing. When he arrives home later that night and hears salsa music blasting from Blessing’s apartment, Dexter immediately knows that Batista is making his move. Awkward interactions and veiled threats ensue as Dexter offers to give Batista a ride home.
While the truth has set him free in many ways this season, it isn’t without its pitfalls. As the two take an awkward drive together, the gloves come off and all pretenses are ceased. Any doubt that Batista once had about Dexter’s guilt has been snuffed out and Dexter is left with no choice but to push his fondness for Batista to the background and let his dark passenger take the wheel. After not sharing any screen time since episode one, finally getting to see these two act as adversaries is immensely satisfying.
In the end, final warnings are issued and heels are dug in. Dexter boots him from the car but not before Batista has a chance to plant a tracking device in the panel of his passenger door. With only three episodes left, the stage is set for an epic showdown between these two former comrades; A fact that feels even more solemn coming off of Original Sin where we just recently got to see the beginnings of their unlikely friendship.
In all honesty, “Course Correction” is the first episode in the season that teetered on the edge of disappointment for me. Prater’s retreat ultimately lacked the gravitas and impressive ambition of the dinner party in episode four and the writers squandered a thrilling twist almost as quickly as it was revealed. Despite that, any disappointment I may have felt was eventually overshadowed by a collection of fun scenarios, strong performances all around, and a simmering conflict that finally reached its boiling point as Batista made his move.
Score: 8 out of 10