Fans have been puzzled by the final scene of episode 10 — and understandably so.
One of the best things about the Dexter franchise has always been the clever Easter eggs the writers leave behind for fans to discover. From subtle callbacks to entire sequences mirroring past seasons, Dexter has always rewarded sharp-eyed viewers.
And now that the saga is alive again through New Blood, Original Sin, and of course Dexter: Resurrection, there was no way the creative team would resist filling each new installment with nods to the show’s rich history.
But in Dexter: Resurrection, one callback in particular stood out above the rest—the yacht scene in the finale. For many fans, this was one of the most symbolic Easter eggs in the show’s history.
The Callback to Season 4’s “The Getaway”
In our earlier article, we explained how Clyde Phillips, along with co-writers Marc Muszynski and Alexandra Franklin, used this finale moment to pay tribute to the legendary Season 4 finale, “The Getaway.” For longtime fans, seeing Dexter dump a body at sea again instantly brought back memories of the Slice of Life and one of the show’s most iconic endings.
But as impactful as the scene was, it also left viewers scratching their heads. How exactly did Dexter manage to track down Leon Prater’s luxury yacht, The Getaway, after killing him? And wouldn’t Chelsea Piers—one of the busiest docking areas in New York City—be crawling with security cameras?
The Explanation Hidden in Episode 10
The answer lies in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment about 12 minutes into Episode 10, “And Justice for All…”
During the 10th Annual Gala, held in the same building as Prater’s residence, the Mayor of New York City casually mentions that the silent auction includes a charter on Prater’s yacht. Prater then brags about having brought it up from St. Bart’s and docking it at Chelsea Piers.
Unbeknownst to them, Dexter overhears this conversation through a video call with Harrison, who was trying to help his father escape from the vault. Later, after killing Prater and preparing to leave the penthouse, Dexter notices a photo of Prater standing proudly beside the yacht. At that point, everything clicks—Dexter knows where the yacht is docked, and he decides to use it as his method of disposal.
For the first time in over a decade, Dexter disposes of a victim at sea. The last time he did this was during Hurricane Laura, when he dumped Debra’s body in a heartbreaking farewell.
But What About the Security Cameras?
This detail sparked plenty of debate among fans. Realistically, stealing a yacht from Chelsea Piers without being caught on camera is nearly impossible. But the show gives us a subtle explanation.
During the same conversation Dexter overhears, the Mayor implies that security at that particular dock is surprisingly lax. It’s this loophole that convinces Dexter he can pull it off without getting caught—returning to his old methods instead of using the incinerator, as he had for the season’s earlier victims.
Does Dexter Keep Prater’s Yacht?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. There’s no way Dexter could realistically hold on to Prater’s boat, and here’s why:
- Prater’s notoriety – As a wealthy and famous figure, Leon Prater’s exposure of his dark secrets will draw immediate media attention. His assets, including his yacht, would inevitably come under investigation.
- The missing person factor – Like all of Dexter’s victims, Prater is considered missing. The police and the public assume he’s in hiding, which only increases the scrutiny on his personal property.
Why the Writers Made This Choice
So why did Clyde Phillips and his team have Dexter steal Prater’s yacht in the first place? Simple: symbolism.
Yes, it’s unrealistic. Yes, in today’s world of constant surveillance, the idea of Dexter casually sailing out of Chelsea Piers is a stretch. But the scene wasn’t about realism, but legacy. Prater’s yacht, The Getaway, isn’t just a luxury vessel. It’s a direct nod to the Season 4 finale, also titled “The Getaway,” and it symbolically replaces Dexter’s original boat, the Slice of Life, which was destroyed in the Season 8 finale.
In other words, the writers weren’t trying to convince us that Dexter could realistically steal a billionaire’s yacht in Manhattan, they were sending a message. This was a rebirth, a reminder that even after all these years, Dexter Morgan is still tied to the rituals that made him who he is.
Final Thoughts
The finale yacht scene may divide fans—some love it as a nostalgic callback, others see it as a contrived stretch of logic. But either way, it worked. It gave us a moment of pure Dexter symbolism, connecting the past to the present in a way that only Clyde Phillips and his team could pull off.
What about you? Did you enjoy the yacht scene in Dexter: Resurrection, or did it pull you out of the story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!