Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Touched by an Ángel

Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 9, “Touched by an Ángel,” marks the end of the road for Batista and possibly Dexter Morgan as well. 

While my theory that Leon Prater knew about Dexter this whole time hasn’t held up, it is becoming more and more apparent just how deranged the man is. After all, he can’t be fully sane if he finds joy in encouraging the work of noted serial killers.

Not for nothing, seeing Charley come into her own these past few weeks has been a slow burn worth revisiting. Sure, from the start Thurman’s character didn’t add much to the plot, but now she is at the center of it all and it’s quite delicious.

Charley’s Suspicions Are Confirmed

If there is one thing we could guess going into this season of Dexter: Resurrection it’s that they wouldn’t have hired a juggernaut such as Uma Thurman for a small bit part. The past few weeks we’ve gotten to see a bit behind the curtain of Charley, making her a much more fascinating character.

The revelation about her mother gives her a bit of sympathy when her general persona is cold and unlovable. However, what has really caught my attention is her growing suspicion of Dexter Morgan, or Red Schmidt as she knows him.

It reminds us of Dexter Season 1 with Doakes. There is always going to be at least one person who meets Dexter and no matter how much charm he slathers on, they won’t trust him.

For Dexter: Resurrection that person is Charley.

While we know Prater pulls her strings, I do believe that part of her actions with Harrison at the Empire Hotel were her own brand of intimidation. She doesn’t trust anything Red or Harrison is telling her and she needs to find out why.

As we learn when she’s speaking to Dexter in the car, Prater is the benefactor keeping her beloved mother alive. Therefore, she needs to ensure Prater’s safety above all else. Thus, making her actions during “Touched by an Ángel” logical.

You Mess With Harrison You Get the Bay Harbor Butcher

One thing Dexter won’t ever play with is his son. While he might still be trying to figure out the perfect balance of being a loving father and a serial killer, Dexter will go to the ends of the earth if it means protecting Harrison.

So, naturally, when Prater and Charley threaten that all bets are off. Dexter is willing to throw away the code if it means protecting his pride and joy. And, honestly, James Remar as Harry encouraging him is just the icing on the cake.

Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 9, “Touched by an Ángel,” is a perfect character study in how Harrison can be both the best and worst thing going on in Dexter’s life at the present time. Dexter is a more well-rounded person because of Harrison, but he also is more likely to slip up due to impulsive urges.

Which is how he ends up with his guard down around Prater in his vault of serial killers. If Harrison was taken out of the equation, Dexter would’ve planned his confrontation with Prater a bit more thoughtfully, less rushed.

Therefore, he’s not paying attention to his surroundings and has seemed to have forgotten that Batista is still a factor. How Dexter thought Batista wouldn’t be a problem anymore after his close call the previous episode is astounding.

It’s actually one element of this episode, and this whole season if I’m being honest, that hasn’t quite hit the mark. Everything feels a bit rushed when it comes to folding Batista’s vendetta into the fray.

Batista’s Inevitable End

Batista being on Dexter’s case at the start of the season was interesting and worth paying attention to. However, by the time Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 9, “Touched by an Ángel” rolls around we are completely over Batista and feel he’s overstayed his welcome.

Therefore, his death isn’t shocking or even that interesting if we are being completely honest. David Zayas deserved a much better end to his iconic character. 

When Dexter frees him from the table it would’ve felt more natural or even interesting if Batista had taken pause and considered that maybe there is more to Dexter than just serial killer. And, if he was going to die it definitely would’ve been better to happen at the hands of Dexter not a deranged billionaire.

Much like the pacing of his impact on the story overall, this death feels cheap and exhausting. I personally would’ve been more interested in seeing Batista and Dexter come to an understanding and possibly bury the hatchet. 

While there is an argument to be made about how tracking the Bay Harbor Butcher has sent Batista down a road that isn’t in character for him, I would disagree. He’s always been a diligent cop with a strong sense of justice. 

I just think the writing for him in this particular series wasn’t as strong as it could’ve been. With how long he and Dexter were friends a more satisfying end would’ve been for them to have a conversation and then perhaps Dexter kill him as a mercy (since Batista has lost everyone he loved).

That said, I do think this particular death hits Dexter hard, especially when Batista’s last words are cursing his name.

Stray Thoughts:

• Dexter is in for a world of hurt in the finale for sure.
• Prater’s obsession with Serial Killers has always been strange, but now it’s taken a whole new direction.
• Something BIG is going to go down at Prater’s Gala I can just feel it. Especially with the mention of Detective Claudette looking into the murder weapon type that Dexter told her about.
• I feel in the finale we will find out the identity of the New York Ripper in the final moments to set up Season 2.
• I’m not sure what to make of Harrison’s “friend” Gigi. Something feels a bit off about her.

 

 

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Dexter: Resurrection streams Fridays on Paramount+ Premium and airs Sundays at 8/7c on Showtime.

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