Was Batista blind to Dexter’s code? David Zayas finally sets the record straight.
It’s been just over two months since Dexter: Resurrection wrapped up its first season, and as more fans binge through it, the one thing becomes clear even though this is a return to form is that this is also not the same old Dexter. Alongside a exciting story and strong performances, viewers have witnessed a very different side of Angel Batista.
The writers made it clear from the start that they were ready to take big risks. Having Batista, once Dexter Morgan’s close friend and colleague, finally discover the truth about the Bay Harbor Butcher and confront him was already a bold move. But killing off such a beloved character took real creative courage. The silver lining is that it was the kind of decision that could change the trajectory of the series entirely and open new doors for future seasons.
With Dexter: Resurrection set to return sometime in 2026, the ending of the first season left no room for doubt. Batista is gone, and Dexter’s story will move forward in again New York City alongside his son, Harrison. He’ll continue following Harry’s Code, doing what he believes he does best, but one question remains. Was Angel Batista ever aware that the people Dexter killed were all criminals (well, at least the 98% of them) and that perhaps, in his own way, Dexter wasn’t as monstrous as he seemed?
In a recent interview with Collider, David Zayas offered insight into how Batista might have viewed Dexter’s deeds. The actor explained that Batista had a sense of the kind of people the Bay Harbor Butcher was targeting, but without knowing the Code, he couldn’t fully grasp Dexter’s motives. Zayas desrcibed Batista as someone who, while aware of the nature of the Butcher’s victims, would never see that as justification for murder.
He said that for Batista, it was always about doing the right thing: following his conscience and sense of justice. To him, killing could never be excused, no matter the reason.
Zayas also took the opportunity to shut down some fan theories that emrged online during the summer, about a possible reconciliation between Dexter and Batista. Laughing, he said that while people might wish for that kind of forgiveness, it just doesn’t fit who Batista is. The character has always been honest and principled, even when it meant confronting hard truths. Batista, Zayas explained, is "flawed but genuine. His heart is on his sleeve, and his moral compass doesn’t bend" easily.
Reflecting on Batista’s final scene, Zayas described the moment as devastating. When Dexter tells him what he needs to say seconds before Batista dies, he responds with that unforgettable “Dexter Morgan, F you.” It’s a moment of truth and judgment rather than reconcilation. For Zayas, delivering that line carried the weight of years of history between the two characters, and he approached it as the emotional culmination of Batista’s long journey with Dexter.