'Dexter' Season 5 Episode One Recap: 'My Bad'

The "Dexter" season 5 episode one premier on Showtime was phenomenol as viewers watch as Dexter struggles to cope with what has happened to his wife. If this episode is any indication, this should be one amazing season as we watch Dexter deal with his wife's death and get on with the business of being a serial killer.

Significance of the Episode Title, 'My Bad':

The significance of the title of this episode, "My Bad," according to Showtime's Dexter Wiki is that Dexter really has no one to blame but himself, "since he had many opportunities to kill Trinity but waited till it was too late to do it. Dexter feels Rita's death was certainly his mistake, or his 'bad'."

'Dexter' season 5 episode one began where last season left off - Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) coming home, finding his wife dead in the bathtub and his son sitting in her blood on the bathroom floor. Her death occurred before Dexter killed the man believed to be responsible, Trinity.

Sitting in the front yard with his son when the police and ambulance arrive, both covered in blood, Dexter is obviously in a state of shock.

When his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) arrives, he hands his son over to her and says, "It's me." What did Dexter mean by that? Just as viewers asked what he meant by that statement, his sister and Detective Quinn want to know what he meant as well.

Dexter Feels Guilty:

Is Dexter just guilt-ridden for having brought Trinity (John Lithgow) into their lives? After all, last season, Trinity (aka Arthur) told him to back off after his cover was blown, so Dexter blames himself for not killing the man right away. To get back at Dexter, Trinity killed Rita before Dexter murdered him and fed him to the fish.

Quinn isn't satisfied Trinity committed this gruesome act, though, because it didn't fit the way he usually did away with his victims. He suggests to LaGuerta (Lauren Valez) that they take a look at Dexter, which means our lovable serial killer is on the radar for at least one murder whether he did it or not, and it doesn't help he's skipped out on an interview with the FBI.

Eventually Dexter will be asked for an alibi. He will have to lie - something that has become second nature for our serial killer - or tell everyone he was busy with plans to kill Trinity. I don't see the latter happening.

Dexter Breaks the News of their Mother's Death to Her Children:

One of the saddest moments of this episode came when Dexter received a phone call from Rita's mother. He talked to his stepchildren and told them all to stay at Disney World. He wanted them to have one last day of happiness before their entire world was shattered.

When the kids returned home, he broke the news of their mother's death to them and Rita's parents. Astor was upset and left the house. Dexter followed her and she not only unloaded on him, she told him he should have been there to protect her mother, they would have been better off if they had never met him, and wishes him dead.

Dexter Thinks About Rita:

Dexter and his sister go to the funeral home. He can't bring himself to sitting through the planning of Rita's funeral so he gets up and leaves the room. He walks into a funeral in progress and starts thinking back to the day he and Rita met, which included his leaving the restaurant to kill a man. He has a few of these flashbacks during this episode.

Dexter finally leaves the funeral home and heads to his storage trailer. He gathers some things he needs before torching the place. Next we see him headed away from Miami on a boat with the intention to disappear, ignoring his sisters phone calls.

Dexter Finally Breaks Down:

We see Dexter at an old gas station. A guy mouths off at him and Dexter follows him to the bathroom to kill him by bashing his skull repeatedly with some kind of heavy object.

When he is done, he sees his father who tells him its okay to show what he's feeling and we finally see Dexter release all the pent up emotions he has kept in check. His father then told him he has to go back.

Dexter shows up at the cemetery. His mother-in-law handed him his son and they all return to Rita's grave. Dexter gives a touching eulogy. He says she was an innocent who died a brutal death and he can't fix it, but knows he has to try.

What's Next (SPOILER ALERT)?

The next episode is titled 'Hello Bandit.' Dexter will attempt to get his routine back on track and will begin moving on in the wake of Rita's death. His focus will be on the children but those murderous urges are there. While working on a case, Dexter makes a horrific discovery that has him going after his next victim. In the meantime, his sister needs a place to stay since there's no room at her place - Dexter and the children are staying there - and she finds herself at Quinn's place.

Dexter can be seen Sunday's at 9 p.m. Eastern on Showtime.

Source:
Dexter Fan and Viewer
My Bad - Dexter, Showtime's Dexter Wiki