01x04 - Call Me Red

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Dexter...

Ryan, this f*ck quit on me.

Don't suppose you know
a spot that can fix this.

Shauna, are you okay?

Get the b*tch out of here if you want.

There's always more.

- No, no, no, no!
- [SHOUTING]

Wow, it's like seeing a ghost.

I know what you mean.

[BLESSING] We have a serial k*ller

who's taking out ride share drivers.

They call him the Dark Passenger.

The what?

You want to go after that serial k*ller.

He stole my name.

You met the Dark Passenger.

Can I show you the video?

[JOY] It's a camera-shy hoodie.

The hood has infrared lights,

washes everything out.

- Are you him?
- Who?

[RED] The guy who
broke into my apartment

and left the invitation
with all my trophies.

I'm here because of all
the innocent people you k*lled.

"You are cordially
invited to a dinner party

"for like-minded individuals who share

"similar passions."

There's only room in this world

for one Dark Passenger.

No!

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

What do you think?

I don't think you should go.

I meant about the outfit.

It could be a trap.

We used to bait suspects
like that all the time.

Red said this was with
his bloody driver's licenses.

The police would have arrested him,

not left him a secret admirer note.

Come on. "Trophies," "similar passions,"

"like-minded individuals."

It's a dinner party for serial K*llers.

An all-you-can-eat buffet
for the Dark Passenger.

What if they don't believe you're Red?

Red didn't leave much to believe in.

There's no pictures here,

no online presence.

Every time he went outside,
he wore all of this.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

It says "thumbprint required for entry"

but it didn't say it has to be mine.

[GRUNTS]

Oh, who's got a fake print
and passes for Red?

This guy.

I just need one of Red's trophies.

I can't stop you from going, son,

but I can urge you to be careful.

I'm tired of being careful.

[HARRY] There's only been one other

known serial k*ller meet-up.

The Pig Farmer.

Supposedly had other serial K*llers

out to his farm in
the Pacific Northwest.

For a grotesque orgy of sex and carnage.

What if it's like that?

What if they want to k*ll together?
What if they want...

Okay, your 20 questions are over.

I promise, if this is
too good to be true...

... I'll be prepared.

[SIGHS]

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

I-I... Is-is that the face

you plan to wear out in public today?

What?

This is a tip k*ller.

You got to work on your
customer service face.

Okay.

Eyes wide open.

Big, closed-mouth smile.

Slight head tilt so they know
you're really listening.

- You know...
- Mm.

... the opposite of whatever this is.

Is this what they're teaching
you at hospitality classes?

Oh, hell no.

Learned this in the mean corridors

of our very luxury hotel.

[PHONE VIBRATES]

Sorry. Um, I-I got to get this.

Mm.

Hello?

[WOMAN] Hello, this is
Quentin's Jewelry Repair.

Your watch is ready.

This f*ck quit on me.
Don't suppose you know

a spot that can fix this?

- Hello?
- Uh...

uh, yeah. I'm, um...

I'm actually, I'm tied up at work.

Oh, no problem.

I'll have someone drop it off.

What's the guest's name?

Uh, uh, no, uh, you know,
I-I can come get it.

Um, I'll come get it.

[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING]

[TICKING]

- [RED SHOUTS]
- [POLICE SIREN WHOOPS]

_

[CLASSICAL CELLO MUSIC PLAYING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[DEXTER] Red worked so hard
to stay in the shadows.

Unrecognized, unseen.

Did he ever regret our lonely path?

Ronald Schmidt?

Call me Red.

FIRST TEST: passed.

[SHORT CHUCKLE]
Not on your life. Up front.

This isn't a UrCar, Mr. Dark Passenger.

[DEXTER] Looks like
someone came prepared.

So...

Are you the friend?

[CLEARS THROAT] No.

I just left the invitation.

What'd you think when you found it

in your Sorcery card binder?

I was spooked at first.
Almost left town.

But the money was nice.

Money always changes everything.

So, how'd you figure out it was me?

You were a tricky one.

Not a single photo online.

But I have my ways.

Only took me three weeks.

[DEXTER] Only took me three days.

Impressive.

Hmm.

So, can you give me any
heads-up about this meeting?

Nope.

♪ I'm unbreakable,
my mind is made of Teflon ♪

♪ I'm unshakeable ♪

♪ I'll spare you, man, you're welcome ♪

♪ If you press me, you gonna
learn about these hands, son ♪

♪ Fighting battles in
the night till the storm comes ♪

♪ Yeah, you know I
chase you hot in your face ♪

♪ With all this power,
you better embrace it ♪

♪ I got the power ♪

♪ Got the power, got the power ♪

♪ I got the power ♪

♪ Got the power, got the power ♪

♪ I got the power ♪

♪ Got the power, got the power ♪

♪ I got the power,
got the power, got the ♪

- ♪ Who want the smoke? ♪
- [KEYPAD BEEPING]

- ♪ You got it, hands down ♪
- [DOOR OPENS]

♪ We leave the piece,
you leaving light's out, yeah ♪

[KEYPAD BEEPS]

[FOREBODING MUSIC]

[DEXTER] Time to put my
DIY thumbprint to the test.

Not so fast.

Spread 'em.

There's a box cutter in my sock.

I didn't know what I was walking into.

Still don't, actually.

I would have brought a bottle of wine,

but the invitation said "trophy."

[PAD TRILLS]

[PAD TRILLS]

It's sweaty.

[BEEPS]

["BADOOM" BY SCROUNGE PLAYING]

"Red" is in.

But what has he gotten himself in to?

♪ To the beat of the drums ♪

♪ It goes badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

♪ Badoom, badoom, badoom ♪

[ELEVATOR DINGS]

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

[DEXTER] Definitely not a pig farm.

Time to meet the man of the manor.

Ronald Schmidt.

Welcome.

Not exactly the
"man of the manor" I expected.

He prefers "Red."

Red. Oh.

I cannot express
how excited I am to meet you.

Leon Prater. Mm.

And I see you've met Charley.

- Yeah, I have.
- Yeah.

- She's very...
- Direct, I know.

I couldn't survive without her.

I am

so thrilled you accepted my invitation.

I didn't know what to expect,

given your elusive identity.

It is so wonderful to finally

match the name with the face.

Here it is.

My face.

It certainly is.

I've been hosting this
gathering for years.

I know how unnerving it
can be for someone like you

to be found, but your
secrets are safe with me.

This is a safe space
for people like you.

[DEXTER] "Like you?"

Are you not...

Like me?

Me? Oh. [LAUGHS]

Goodness, no. I am just a huge fan.

I couldn't presume to have the skill set

or imagination to do what
you and the others do.

So, there are others?

On their way.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Come. I... I like a
little one-on-one time

with my new friends,
before the night escapes us.

Let me show you around.

So, what is it you do?

Wow.

You really are that off the grid.

Computer repair leaves
little time for news.

I wear many hats.

Most days, I'm a venture capitalist,

focused on incubating
and curating start-ups.

Fancy.

Mm, at the end of the
day, all I really do is

bring the best,
most passionate people together.

I'll take my leave of you gentlemen.

Charley

does not...

Appreciate what I'm about to show you.

Press that button.

[LATCH CLICKS]

[EERIE MUSIC]

[KEYPAD BEEPING]

[GEARS CLICKING]

[PRATER EXHALES]

I want to show you

one of my dearest passions.

Clowns?

Pogo the clown.

- [METAL SCRAPING]
- [ROARS]

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

Oh.

John Wayne Gacy.

Holy sh*t.

You really like serial K*llers.

I pride myself on finding
the best of the best

in every field, so why not death?

Death is such a natural,
necessary part of life.

Every second, millions of cells die,

shedding diseased parts of ourselves

to make room for new cells.

Rebirth. Growth.

Life.

A million little deaths
that keep us healthy.

This was the New York Ripper's.

A man who terrorized

the streets I once played on as a child.

Highly prolific.

Never caught.

Must be nice.

This memorabilia,

these trophies.

Harry would have found it disgusting.

But here, they're celebrated.

[PRATER] Arthur Mitchell.

The infamous Trinity k*ller.

♪ Oh, Venus ♪

Which was actually a misnomer.

- Did you know that he k*lled in fours?
- [DEXTER] k*lled in fours.

You don't say?

Bought those from an FBI agent
with a gambling problem.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

I've missed you, friends.

- Please don't touch.
- Sorry.

[LAUGHS]

It's quite a collection.

An ever-expanding collection.

That is the table where
the Ice Truck k*ller took his own life.

Tragic, I know.

Maybe if Brian Moser
had someone to talk to,

someone like himself,
he would still be with us today.

[CRYING]

Doubtful.

A gift from one of my guests. Rapunzel.

You'll meet him tonight.

[DEXTER] Great, I get
to meet ponytail guy.

And over here is someone
else you'll meet tonight.

Is that...

Severed tattoo sleeve
from the Tattoo Collector.

I've set aside a spot for you.

That is, if you're willing
to part with a trophy.

Right.

The trophy.

[PRATER] Tyler Day.

Your first.

I am honored.

I'm surprised you keep
all this evidence around.

Are all your other guests okay with it?

They trust me.

And five inches of solid steel
behind this limestone.

And if anyone were to

put in the wrong code,

- just once...
- [KEYPAD BEEPING]

[ALARM BLARING]

[g*n c*ck]

[PRATER] Charley will
take care of the problem.

[ALARM STOPS]

Just a demonstration.

Tell security to stand down.

Understood.

Like I said,

- your secrets are safe with me.
- Stand down.

[DEXTER] I know it
takes one to know one,

but this guy's f*cking nuts.

Oh.

Mia's here.

[PRATER] Thank you, Charley.

You're going to love Mia.

[DEXTER] Time to see
what's on the buffet.

'82 Château Lafite.

'90 Romanée-Conti.

Mm. Someone has really
stepped up their wine game.

A certain renowned sommelier
gave me some pointers.

I'm glad I'm earning my keep.

[PRATER] You haven't seen the best yet.

[MIA GASPS]

Shut up.

Whispering Oaks.



It's been breathing for half an hour.

Ooh la la.

You sure know how to
show a girl a good time.

And who is the new guy?

Mm. This is Red,

best known as the Dark Passenger.

Ah, yes.

A star in the headlines lately.

Don't believe everything you read.

[PRATER] Red,

I assume you're
familiar with Mia's work.

Widely known as Lady Vengeance,

as she's notorious for
taking out sexual predators.

[DEXTER] Predators?

Does she have a Code?

Nice to meet you.

I have work to do here.

I will leave you two to chat.

Care for a glass,

Mr. Passenger?

Call me Red.

I'm still getting used to
the "Dark Passenger" thing.

Yes.

The press's fixation
with nicknames is absurd.

"Lady Vengeance"?

If I were a guy, I wouldn't
be "Sir Vengeance."

Grab a couple.

[DEXTER] This is
getting better and better.

[GENTLE CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

The man loves liberty, huh?

Prater somehow got his hands on

Frédéric Auguste
Bartholdi's original model.

Showy as f*ck, yeah?

But it's not about freedom or liberty.

Prater likes to own things.

And people.

To rich people

and the wine they collect.

[EXHALES]

[SIGHS]

You're drinking it wrong.

Didn't know there was
a right way to drink something.

Well, first of all, did you like it?

It was fine.

The key to enjoying wine

is understanding it.

The glass you're drinking

was bottled while Mark Twain was alive.

Its very existence is a miracle.

- Huh.
- Now,

try again,

but take your time.

Well, what do you think?

It's pretty tasty.

Better be. Bottle cost 4,000 bucks.

[SWALLOWS]

So, master sommelier by day,

Lady Vengeance by night?

I'm a real Renaissance woman.

[CHUCKLES]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Oh, you scored a goal?

Oh, that's great, sweetie.

Okay, listen, I got to go,

so to love you and Mom, okay? All right.

Bye.

Mama Mia!

♪ Here we go again ♪

- Oh, look at you.
- Hi, honey.

Oh, my gosh.

[DEXTER] This feels
more like a class reunion

than a dinner with K*llers.

Al, meet Red.

[AL] Hey.

Get in here, big guy.

[GRUNTS] Oh, yeah.

Ah. Look at you.

- So, you have a kid?
- Oh, yeah.

I got a whole litter of 'em.

Actually, the last time
I saw you, I think

- Bonnie was still pregnant.
- Mm.

Yep. Our sweet angel Mabel

was born last July.

Every day has been a gift.

[DEXTER] This guy has a thriving family?

My son doesn't even know I'm alive.

Aw. Babies that cute
make me wish I had one.

But then I remember that
they sh*t their pants, so...

Yeah. They do sh*t a lot, yeah.

So, how do you have space
for both family and... this?

I got to admit, I feel guilty when

I leave, but these little business trips

are good for me, and the family.

Gives me a chance to take
care of my needs so I can better

show up for my family.

It's not selfish. It's self-care.

[DEXTER] Like the flight attendant says,

affix your own mask first.

Plus, my wife enjoys
the hefty Prater bonus.

But the best thing is the time
I get to spend with this group.

You know, it's not-it's not natural
for people like us to gather.

You saw the vault.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm the, uh...

[SOFT CHUCKLE]

I'm the ponytail guy.

You know, I just never
knew there'd be a place

where we could belong, believe...

Become. Right?

Me neither.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

What up, Rapunzel, you big tub of sh*t?

[AL LAUGHS]

- How are you? Oh.
- Uh, good.

Okay. Hey, Mia,

you know you want to.

Fist bump. Okay. Hey.

Heard there may be a new guy.

Welcome to the freak show.

No place I'd rather be.

♪ I don't got a reason to lie ♪

♪ They gave me the key to the sky ♪

♪ But I'd rather open my eyes ♪

♪ 'Cause that's what'll
keep me alive... ♪

Yo, yo. Postmates?

♪ Please do not f*ck up my day ♪

[COUGHS] sh*t.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Yeah, I need to speak with Jim Lindsay.

Who?

Jim Lindsay, the owner of the blue
and white truck across the street.

Nah, that's mine. I just bought it.

From Jim?

No. My buddy Harrison.

[PENSIVE MUSIC]

Harrison Morgan?

[LOWELL] Do you send them away
or do you sharpen them yourself?

[AL] No, no, I got a stone,

I've got a disc, I've got a belt grinder

in my shop that I can
just kind of whip it around.

- Oh, you can do it yourself?
- Oh, yeah, it's very easy.

Apologies.

I had trouble attaining a ride share.

You have anything to do with that, Red?

- [CHUCKLES]
- [AL] Gareth!

He's the Gemini k*ller.

Hey, buddy, catch us up on your year.

I'd rather not.

Oh, Gare-bear, my guy,
try not to be such a stereotype.

Meet the guy voted
"most likely to become

"a serial k*ller" in his
high school yearbook.

[AL] Well, truth be told, I was a bit

peculiar back then, too, so...

- [LOWELL] Guilty.
- Oh, for sure.

I felt like an alien.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Because I wanted to k*ll people.

[AL CHUCKLES]

- Yep, yep.
- Yeah, yeah.

I like you.

- Right off the bat.
- [MIA] I kind of do too.

[LOWELL] Nice to see you, buddy.

- [AL] It is...
- Excuse me.

- [AL] Yeah.
- Please.

[AL] Really cuts to the chase.

It's nice to be able to talk freely,
you know what I mean?

Well, it felt good to hear it out loud.

[CONVERSATION CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

[HARRY] If I didn't
know any better, I'd think

I was watching some
kind of boogeyman club.

You're still gonna k*ll
these guys, right?

I don't even have concrete proof.

Remember that whole
Code thing you taught me?

I also taught you
not to play with your food.

Dinner is served.

- [LOWELL] Let's roll.
- [MIA] Wonderful.

[AL] Hey, sit by me, sit by me.

- Do we know what's on the menu?
- Yes.

[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC]

- This'll do.
- Nice, look at this.

[WHOOPS]

Is, uh, Keith coming?

He won't be joining us.

[GRUNTS]

[PRATER] We have one rule here.

Never turn on the group.

Unfortunately, Keith
chose not to abide by it.

My rules are made for your safety,

not your punishment.

The Canton Clubber's
bat will join my collection.

As he no longer has any use for it.

[DEXTER] Huh. So,
this buffet can bite back.

[PRATER] But on the bright side,

we still have

so much to be thankful for.

Welcome, Red.

We're so grateful to have you here.

To new friends.

- [ALL ASSENTING]
- To new friends.

To new friends.

Thank you for letting me in.

[AL] All right, let's eat
before these get... get cold.

I guess we, uh, each just take one?

- Stern, or...
- [MIA] Okay.

[LOWELL] Would you like some salad?

[PRATER CLEARS THROAT]

- [AL] Oh, rosemary.
- [LOWELL] Mmm, mmm, mmm.

[PRATER] Pan-seared cauliflower.

With Japanese turnip medallions

in a sweet potato puree.

Charley found the vegan products

and cookbooks in your apartment.

- Oh.
- Good news.

There's more where that came from.

[LOWELL] I'm glad I didn't have lunch.

These are prime for sure, no doubt.

["THE FOUR SEASONS: WINTER" BY
VIVALDI PLAYING ON SPEAKERS]

What's happening?

Time for the highlight of the evening.

Take it away, Lowell.

Let's show and tell, baby.

So I wanted to try something new

this go-around, something fun.

So I've put together a little
multimedia presentation for y'all.

[DEXTER] Oh, no, are we about to watch

a vacation slideshow?

If he plays a vacation slideshow,

permission to light myself on fire.

[LOWELL] So tonight
I'm letting you all in

on my process.

As most of you know, I've always had

a deep connection to tattoos.

Yeah, he does. [CHUCKLES]

[LOWELL] And lately,

this artist has been

doing some real interesting work.

See, it's about the right piece

on the right person.

[MENACING MUSIC]

This is Jules.

I've been following her
journey, for weeks now.

If this m*therf*cker
ever tried his sh*t on me,

I would make him eat his own eyeballs.

[LOWELL] Her...



- recently passed.
- Aw, poor pooch.

And so Jules...

Decided to get some new ink

in his memory.

[GASPS] Wow.

[DEXTER] Internet stalking?

Back in my day you had
to actually leave the house.

[LOWELL] I knew this was my next piece

the moment I laid eyes on it.

And what happens next...

... is inevitable.

"Inevitable"?

Because I can't stop it.

I feel the pressure rise,

becomes so intense...

... it's dizzying...

... unstoppable.

[DEXTER] I know the feeling.

I call it "the Itch."

"The Need."

"The Great Yearning."

"The Urge."

So where's the tattoo?

[LOWELL] It's coming.

Jules still has a few sessions to go.

Great art takes time.

But I promise...

... before I leave this town...

... she will be mine.

[DEXTER] Congrats, Lowell.

You just made the top of my list.

[PRATER] You've never
had a trophy so fresh.

Great work, Lowell.

[SIGHS]

[GRUNTS]

Thank you for letting
us into your process.

Red?

Didn't want to call you out
your first night, but, uh,

the money with your invitation

was an advance for a show and tell.

I hope you'll feel
comfortable sharing next time.

There'll be more of these?

[CHUCKLES] Of course.

So many events coming
in the next two weeks.

I have so much planned.

[DEXTER] So do I.

[ANGEL] Ea, diablo.

Harrison?

Harrison Morgan?

Angel Batista.

I used to work with your
pops in Miami Metro.

Y... Uh, yeah, I'm-I'm sorry,
it-it d-doesn't ring a bell.

My sister Jamie babysat you.

Wh... Jamie?

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Wh... Sh...

She used to read
the hell out of a bedtime story.

How is she?

Well, she finally finished her PhD.

She's a middle school principal now.

Good for her.

Come sit, have a drink with me.

I-I should probably clock in.

Isn't part of your job
tending to customers?

- Yeah, that's a good point.
- Come on.

The last time I saw you
was your fourth birthday.

I got you a red train set.

[SOFT CHUCKLE] I loved that train set.

So you-you were close with my dad?

Worked with him 20 years.

Went through a lot together.

Like what?

He was the witness at my wedding.

My ex, María, also
worked at the station,

so we had to do it on the QT

to protect our jobs.

Pulled your dad in the last minute.

Guy barely even knew what was happening.

[LAUGHS, SNIFFLES]

Yeah, that-that sounds like him.

Your dad is actually the reason

I was in Iron Lake a few weeks ago.

S-So you heard the news?

That he was shot and k*lled.

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

Sorry for your loss.

I heard you were in Iron Lake, too.

- Left in a hurry.
- Yeah.

I went up there to find my dad.

Hadn't seen him in years.

Turns out he wasn't the dad I needed.

And when everything blew up, I split.

Sorry Dexter wasn't the guy
you thought he was.

I actually had a similar experience.

- With your dad?
- With yours.

I'm not running into
you by chance, am I?

Did Dexter ever share
anything about his past with you?

About why he left Miami?

I should probably get back to work.

My ex-wife had this theory.

One that's haunted me for years.

That your dad...

... was the infamous serial k*ller,

the Bay Harbor Butcher.

What?

I get this must be overwhelming.

But if you know anything,

you can tell me.

Your dad's gone.

Nothing you say can hurt him.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Please.

I need the closure.

I wish I could help.

Good luck.

I'm in the city a few more days

if you want to talk.

[LAUGHS]

Still got to work on that
customer service face.

Excuse me, but if you think Harrison had

anything to do with that m*rder...

What m*rder?

Ryan Foster.

He stayed here.

The-the guy who was found
chopped up in garbage bags

by the trash docks.

[AL] Ah, if I could
get this thing to work.

And it's sideways,
there we go, there she is.

Mm.

Yep, yep, we had our sweet

angel Mabel,

sweet angel, last July.

Yeah, it's been a gift each day.

Caught you.

Sorry, I was just, um...

Internet-stalking me?

It's cool.

I tried looking you up as well.

You did?

Didn't find anything.

So mysterious.

It's annoying, right?

Very.

Top me off,

Ms. Sum-ah-lee-air?

[CHUCKLES]

Perfect.

[POURS WINE]

Ooh, someone got new ink.

[GASPING]

I'm not one of your pervy art pieces.

Okay, okay. Okay, okay.

Careful with this one, Red.

[AL] I... That's why I take
my anger out for a drive...

Lowell needs to learn about boundaries.

You're an effective teacher.

So...

... what is your origin story?

- [SIGHS]
- Let me guess.

Terrible mother?

I actually had a great mom.

Interesting.

I assumed mommy issues
were a given in this crew.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Take one guess how
Al's mother wore her hair.

[AL] How many is that for you?

- [LOWELL] Glasses?
- Yeah.

- [LOWELL] Four.
- [AL] I count six.

I'm not immune to mommy issues.

Mine just come from how I lost her.

[SIGHS DEEPLY]

[WHISPERS] What is all this?

You mean, besides the money
and the bougie wine?

What is Prater getting out of it?

How about we talk tomorrow?

Just the two of us?

I could do that.

Phones so you can

communicate with the group
over the next two weeks.

- Hat.
- Thank you.

[PRATER] Thank you, everyone,

for joining me this evening.

It's been lovely catching up.

Charley will be in touch
regarding our next gathering.

And in the meantime,

go and enjoy the city.

It has so much to offer.

Hey, you know what, I'm gonna
start a group chat so we can,

uh, stay in touch,
maybe, maybe get a tour

of Ellis Island or something, huh? Yeah.

Sound good?

Thank you.

See you.

It was nice meeting you.

Text me.

By next meeting, a trophy.

[CHUCKLES]

Bye.

Uh... thank you.

For everything.

I...

Said things tonight
that I've never been able

to express out loud before.

Well, that's what
these gatherings are for.

So people like you
know you're not alone.

I didn't realize it was
something I needed.

There's a lot of power
in sharing your story.

Just wait for your show-and-tell.

Yeah, about that.

Do I need to make a whole presentation?

Oh, no, nothing so elaborate.

We just want to know
the real Dark Passenger.

That raw animal aggression it takes

to saw another man's head off.

Right.

I'm sure you'll come up
with something great.

Looking forward to it.

That went exceptionally
well, don't you think?

If you say so.

[DEXTER] I've always
considered myself a lone wolf.

Howling into the void.

But after tonight...

I can hear others howling back to me.

- One chili dog, please.
- You got it.

- Actually, make it two.
- Mm-hmm.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

- There you go.
- Enjoy.

Thanks.

[CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC]

[DEXTER] How does the charity gala guy

still do what he does with all of us?

Busy man.

[TICKING]

[TICKING STOPS]

[TICKING RESUMES]

[TICKING STOPS]

- [TICKING RESUMES]
- [HAUNTING MUSIC]

[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Everything okay?

I think I just need
to be around a friend.

Uh, yeah.

[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY]

[LIVELY CHATTER AND LAUGHTER]

[BLESSING] Hopscotch.

- Oh, uh...
- Butterscotch.

[DEXTER] These are good people.

But they're not my people.

[CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC]

_

[WOMAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

[ALL CHEERING]

[TEXT ALERT WHOOSHES]

_

[DEXTER] I've run to
and from serial K*llers.

Never with one.

It is crazy how one hair flip will,

will make up for a bad lip sync.

Mm, that was a tame one.

Just wait till somebody
pulls out the splits.

[LAUGHS] Mm-mm.

[LAUGHS]

Mm, I should...

I should probably head out. Um...

I don't want to fall
asleep on the train again.

The trains are so janky this late.

Do you want to just crash on the couch?

You sure?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, thanks.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

You always make me
feel really at home here.

You're always welcome.

I mean it.

Harrison,

- I, no, um...
- f*ck. Oh, my God.

- I'm so sorry, um...
- No, no, don't be.

- f*ck.
- We're friends, and you are

a really great guy, but I know
you're going through something.

- I'm an idiot, and, um...
- And I'm really sorry, and I...

- And I-I got to go.
- No, I... f*ck.

- [SIGHS]
- [DOOR OPENS, SLAMS]

f*ck.

["SHE'S LEAVING YOU" BY
MJ LENDERMAN PLAYING FAINTLY]

♪ It falls apart ♪

♪ We all got work to do ♪

I f*ck everything up.

- ♪ She's leaving ♪
- ♪ It falls apart ♪

- ♪ We all got work to do ♪
- ♪ You ♪

- Hi. How are you?
- I'm good. Thank you very much.

♪ She's leaving ♪

Thank you.

Have a good day.

♪ You ♪

[HARRY] He looks tired.

He's smiling.

He was probably out late
with his friends last night.

How would you know?

You were too busy being out with yours.

[DEXTER] Give me a break.

The last time I was at
a dinner party was at my wedding.

I can't take care of my son
if I don't take care of myself.

So now you're getting life advice
from ponytail trophy guy?

Dex, if you want real connection,

that's where you should be looking.

Yeah, I tried.

He shot me.

Never thought I'd get another chance

to be open with someone like that.

Until last night.

Those aren't your friends.

They're supposed to be your victims.

I'm gonna do it, Dad,
I'm just being smart about it.

Smart or stalling

because you like these people?

If they start disappearing one by one,

how's that gonna look for the new guy?

Best to wait until
the meetings are over.

That works fine
for most of your new pals.

But explain that to
the woman who's gonna get

her arm de-sleeved

before Lowell leaves town.

- That is a complication.
- Yeah.

And so is your date with Lady Vengeance.

It's not a date, it's a...

Fact-finding mission.

I haven't forgotten why I'm here.

[LINE RINGING]

[LOWELL] The f*ck?

It's not even 11.

Uh, sorry, I forgot you're on vacation.

Would you maybe want
to meet up sometime?

Would love to hear more about your...

Skins.

Yeah, sure.

I'm not much of a day guy,

- so can we say happy hour?
- Perfect.

- Just text me where to...
- [LINE CLICKS]

See?

And I still have time to fit in a jog.

So, you run every day?

Got to stay in shape.

Not all of us get to do our thing

by sitting in the backseat of a car.

So, when's a good time
to talk about Prater?

Fire away.

I'll answer any questions

- for as long as you can keep up.
- [CHUCKLES]

How many of Prater's
gatherings have you been to?

This is my fourth year.

But they started a
few years before that.

Four years? You must enjoy it.

I enjoy the money.

Is Prater really just a fan?

I mean, the guy's a voyeur.

He's a vampire.

He wants all the dirty details.

But, no, I don't think he's
actually a k*ller himself.

Do you want a water?

I want a water.

Two waters.

Six dollars.

Thanks.

Thank you.

And there's really no catch?

As long as you don't
break any of his rules.

Mm.

So, breaking rules.

Is that what happened
with that Keith guy

- Prater was talking about?
- Yep.

It appears the Canton
Clubber is no more.

That happen often,
people breaking rules?

Well, not everybody gets invited back,

if that's what you're asking.

One guy got uninvited.

Another got arrested.

And then his first night in jail,

he committed suicide.

[WHISPERS] Allegedly.

So...

Where'd you grow up?

All over.

Mom was always
looking for something new.

Someone new.

The longest stay was in Tulsa.

Mm.

I drove through there once.

Then you know there's sh*t-all to do.

Not that I gave it a chance.

I was a loner.

Other than my younger sister Hazel.

She was an angel.

I...

Was...

Not.

When did you know you were...

... different?

Always.

In the first grade there
was this bowl-cut kid

who annoyed me,

so I hit him in the head
with my library book

and I stuck thumbtacks into his face.

If I had normal parents
who believed in therapy,

maybe I would have been diagnosed

with some fancy personality disorder.

Instead, they told me to
"stop being so angry all the time."

I almost stabbed a kid
on a basketball court once.

My dad stopped me.

He tried to help.

Best he could.

When I was 15, I found ballet.

It is a punishing practice.

Gave me a release
for all that pent-up rage.

And I was good enough

that I got into a dance
academy out of town.

Away from my mother's new boyfriend.

The way that creep looked at me.

But you got out of there.

I did.

Hazel didn't.

I thought she was too young.

And when I came back for the summer,

I found out.

And I k*lled the guy.

And I got to tell you.

Much better release than the ballet.

I'll never forget
how my first time felt.

Like a path had finally
opened up for me.

Are you hungry?

- Always.
- My Airbnb is a few blocks away.

Do you want to come over?

[SIGHS]

I'd love to, but...

Come on.

I have incredible pastries.

And I love a good reward
after the end of a run.

Oh, this is the vegan one.

It's kale.

Thanks for remembering.

Did this come with the place?

See for yourself.

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

[EXHALES]

- Is this...
- My collection.

I can still remember all of their faces.

The look in their eyes
right before I k*lled them.

[EXHALES]

It's nice.

Being able to remember.

I...

I'm gonna take a quick shower.

Okay.

There's an Italian espresso
maker in the kitchen.

Help yourself.

Okay.

[SIGHS]

[DOOR OPENS]

[EXHALES]

Showering with a serial k*ller?

[WATER RUNNING]

Not exactly part of the Code.

Remember happy hour with Lowell.

[SIGHS]

Uh, something just came up.

[MIA] What?

Thanks for the run.

[MELLOW ROCK MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO]

Hey.

Sorry I'm late.

Next round's on me.

- What are you drinking?
- Yo, can I take a rain check?

I kinda got to...

Get ready.

For what?

[LOWELL] I thought it'd take more

sessions, but her
pain tolerance is crazy.

You mean...

Yep.

Tonight's the night, baby.

Good thing I came prepared.

Check it out.

My day job's anesthesiology.

But it helps in my nightlife, too.

My next piece will be ready
in about two hours.

And then she'll be
walking back to her place

a few blocks away.

In the dark.

So, if you'll excuse me,

I kinda have to get in the zone.

I love talking shop, but...

This next piece is more of
a "me" thing than a "we" thing.

You get it.

Uh, yeah. I couldn't imagine
doing this with someone else.

[LOWELL SIGHS]

[DEXTER] sh*t. Lowell
is ready, and I'm not.

I didn't bring my tools.

[THRILLING MUSIC]

Great, it'll only take me
two hours to get to Queens.

f*cking New York City.

["STAYIN' ALIVE" BY
THE BEE GEES PLAYING]

♪ Life goin' nowhere ♪

♪ Somebody help me ♪

- [KNOCKING]
- ♪ Somebody help me, yeah ♪

♪

♪ Life goin' nowhere... ♪

Still stuck on Harrison Morgan?

Sleeping at the hotel
where the crime took place.

Hardly an alibi.

You really think a kid
that young is capable

of a crime that sophisticated?

I will admit it is unlikely.

We must be missing something.

I just need to take a
step back, recalibrate.

Start from the top and
look at everything anew.

[SIGHS]

I've seen you fixate like this before.

It almost cost you your job.

Claude, please

don't make this another New York Ripper.

I have no plans to obsess.

Balance is important.

In fact, I have taken on
an extracurricular endeavor.

A series of speaking engagements.

Oh, yeah? What about?

The New York Ripper.

[ANGEL] Detective Wallace?

How can we help you?

Angel Batista, Miami Homicide.

I heard about the body you found

cut into nine pieces.

I once worked a case in Miami

that was eerily similar.

Was never sure we caught the right guy.

You mind if I pick your brain a minute?

[INTRIGUING MUSIC]

How much time do you have?

As much as you're willing to give.

["THEY WANT BLOOD" BY DOGMUSCLE PLAYING]

♪ Your cover's a grave ♪

♪ Defending only cemeteries ♪

♪ w*r, blood, gore, dear God... ♪

[SONG CONTINUES FAINTLY OVER HEADPHONES]

[GAS HISSING]

[GRUNTS]

Count backward from one.

[MENACING MUSIC]

[DEXTER] Tattoo parlors
really do have everything I need.

And lucky for me,

Lowell brought everything else.

Harry thought my
trophies were disgusting.

He couldn't understand.

He wasn't like me.

Like us.

[SNIFFLING]

[LOWELL PANTING]

[SIGHS]

f*ck me.

You were right about one thing.

Tonight's the night, baby.

You're gonna f*ck with
Prater's rules after day one.

[LAUGHS] Whoa, ballsy.

I'll take my chances.

[SIGHS]

This is usually the part
where people start screaming

and begging for their lives.

Yeah, well, I've been on the other side

of this long enough to
know when it's inevitable.

Sorry to droop your chub.

[CHUCKLES]

Could you at least do me a
solid and knock me out first?

No.

Why do you keep the skins?

I like looking at 'em

when that pressure starts building.

They...

Calm me.

If I didn't have my skins,

I'd have k*lled a lot more often.

Got sloppy, got caught.

Damn.

I'm gonna miss 'em.

I know how you feel.

[HAUNTING MUSIC]

That's why I'm going back to basics.

That's your trophy?

[SCOFFS] Pretty lame

for someone who saws off heads.

[SIGHS]

There's one thing I couldn't be
honest about last night.

Is that right?

I'm not Ronald Schmidt.

I'm Dexter Morgan.

Who's that?

The Bay Harbor Butcher.

Fu... ! [GASPS]

[STRAINING]

You... you...

♪

[HARRY] You know, when
I first brought you home,

I never imagined we'd be driving around

with a chopped-up body in your trunk.

Yeah, I'm sorry we didn't have
the father-son relationship

you dreamed of.

How could we have?

You weren't like me.

So I had to stop worrying
about what I wanted

and focus on what you needed.

Looking back,

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I see what you're doing here,
and you're right.

I'd rather have a relationship
with Harrison than...

- The people at Prater's.
- Then why don't you?

Because it's not just my decision.

What if Harrison would
rather I stay dead?

I don't get scared, but that...

That scares the sh*t out of me.

Then do something about it.

[GRUNTING]

Lowell, meet Red.

[HARRY] And let's talk about Lowell.

It'll be suspicious when
he doesn't show up at Prater's.

Being the new guy makes
you the natural suspect.

Uh, weren't you the one
who told me to k*ll Lowell?

I'll figure something out.

This is what I'm best at.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Yo, Lance.

What's good?

Did you sell me a stolen truck?

What? N-No.

It was my dad's.

Then why'd some fedora-a*s cop show up

at my place the other night?

I, uh...

I-I don't know.

Better figure it the f*ck out.

He's right over there.

[SLOW, OMINOUS MUSIC]

How about a cup of coffee?

I'm guessing you didn't come back

with more cute Miami stories.

I just heard about
a guest at your hotel.

You ever meet Ryan Foster?

Meet a lot of people at a hotel.

You might remember this one.

Came in one piece, left in nine.

Yeah, I saw that guy on the news.

Funny thing is...

That's exactly the way
the Bay Harbor Butcher did it.

I really hope they catch that guy.

I spoke to the lead on the case,
Detective Wallace.

She said the cleanup of the suspected

m*rder site was impeccable.

Almost as if the culprit was an expert.

Or learned from one.

That sounds crazy.

Less crazy if you know the son

of a notorious serial k*ller

was at the same hotel that night.

I didn't mention anything about you yet.

And I don't have to.

I'm just looking for confirmation.

About Dexter.

I already told you.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Honestly, that guy Ryan

sounded like a real as*h*le.

Good riddance.

Did your dad make it seem

like that's all he was doing?

Taking out the worst criminals?

Making the world a better place?

Like he was some sort of Dark Avenger?

A lot of innocent people
died because of your dad.

People that I loved.

My ex-wife María LaGuerta,
your Aunt Deb,

your mother.

Sounds like you've gone down
a real conspiratorial rabbit hole.

Good luck getting out of it.

We're done here.

This is a dark path you're going down.

I truly hope you don't
become like your dad.

[PENSIVE MUSIC]

[WATCH TICKING]

[ANGEL] Did your dad make it seem

like that's all he was doing?

Like he was some sort of Dark Avenger?

A lot of innocent people
died because of your dad.

My ex-wife María LaGuerta,
your Aunt Deb,

your mother.

[HAUNTING MUSIC]

[WATCH TICKING SLOWS]

This is a dark path you're going down.

[LINE RINGING]

[CLAUDETTE] You have
reached Detective Wallace,

Homicide Division.

[ANGEL] I truly hope you don't
become like your dad.

First rule of the Code.

Don't get caught.

You have to turn yourself in.
There's no other way.

[DEXTER] If I do,
I get the death penalty.

[HARRISON] Maybe you deserve it.

[g*nsh*t]

- [RYAN] No, no, no, no!
- [YELLING]

[UP-TEMPO, TENSE MUSIC]

[WATCH TICKING SPEEDS UP]

[SIREN WAILING]

[DEXTER] Harrison, don't.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Dad?