Dexter Morgan quotes from Dexter

Debra

Did Dad kill himself?

Dexter

Yeah. A few years back, Matthews told me the truth. Harry OD'd on his heart medication.

Debra

Was it because of you?

Dexter

He thought he'd created a monster.

Debra

I think I know how he felt. Why he killed himself. But he only got it half right!

Well, we're never gonna get anywhere unless one of you starts talking.

Okay...Debra, it seems that you tried to kill Dexter as well as yourself.

Debra

Yes, but then I saved him.

Dexter

You saved me? You only had to save me because you tried to kill me!

Debra

I know, but-

Dexter

You almost left my son an orphan. Harrison. Who's gonna take care of him!? Who!?

Debra

...I don't know.

Dexter

All I've done my whole life is try to take care of you, to protect you.

Debra

Protect!? Jesus Christ, Dexter! If this is your way of protecting me-

Dexter

Okay, so I'm not perfect! You think it's easy being your brother!?

Debra

You're not even listening to me. You don't understand. I've been trapped in a fucking fog-

Dexter

No, I don't understand! Haven't you heard anything she said?! I'm stupid that way. My brain is limited. So when my sister tries to kill me, for some reason, it doesn't make sense!

It's true, Dexter, what she said. While in the throes of PTSD, one's thinking becomes cloudy. The weight of what she has been through has been too much for her to bear. Debra has been in such a turmoil that she sought out the first solution that presented itself.

Debra

I had just found out that Dad killed himself because of you. Because of what you are. I was fucking traumatized by all this shit!

Dexter

[sarcastically] Yeah, so try to kill us both. That solves everything.

You are overlooking an important part of what happened, Dexter. Yes, she tried to kill you, the both of you. And that was Debra hitting rock bottom. But ultimately, as she said, she saved you. And that was Debra's first step toward recovery. You should see that as a promising sign for your sister.

Dexter

Great. [to Debra] I'm so fucking happy for you.

For what it's worth, you're wasting your time looking into my dad. He's an asshole, but he's not a killer.

Dexter

That's quite an endorsement.

In my family, that's about as good as it gets.

Debra

You can hate me for the rest of your life but for right now, can we just set that aside until we know she's okay?

Dexter

I don't hate you...Why'd you save me? Why didn't you let me drown?

Debra

...I saw the car going underwater...I knew you were gonna die...I couldn't imagine my life without you in it.

It's beautiful out here Dexter.

Dexter

I like it. It's peaceful, alone on the water.

Debra

Tonight you brought us.

Yes, why?

Dexter

I wanted to be with family.

I mean, you think Miller's clean? Come on... You dig deep enough on anyone in this department, and you know what you find?

Dexter

What?

The shit. It's there. I mean, we all got it. I know you know what I'm talking about.

Dexter

Yeah, I can't argue with that. We've all got the shit.

Yeah. Big difference is, some people get away with theirs, and some people don't.

Dexter

Well, you're a good detective. It'll work out.

I have a proposal. I figured the safest way to deliver it was to bring a referee.

Dexter

I'm listening.

We walk away.

Dexter

Walk away?

From each other. We take our separate paths, lead our separate lives. I forget about you, you forget about me.

Dexter

You went out of your way to kill your mother in front of me, and you expect me to forget?

[chuckles] That may have been a little over the top, but I was trying to make a point.

Dexter

I missed the point.

It was a test, to see if, this time, she would finally choose me. Well, we both know how that turned out.

Dexter

So, naturally you had to cut her throat.

You know what it's like to kill. It can be cathartic... and it was. That's why I'm giving you a choice: Go on with your life, or come after me.

Debra

The next time we do this it's gonna be fucking tacos and tequila, or whatever the fuck they eat in Argentina.

Dexter

Yeah, it'll probably be steaks. It's Argentina, not Mexico.

Debra

God, this is such a mind fuck! After tomorrow, you're not gonna be here. What the fuck does that look like?

Dexter

We both start over.

Debra

Is that even possible?

Dexter

Yeah, I think so. Don't you?

Debra

It's just every fucked up-- Every time I've been a complete mess, you've been there for me. Even when it was your fault that I was fucked up you've never given up on me. So if I can't make this work, going back to being a cop again, then who the fuck is gonna help me pick up the pieces of that?

Dexter

You're not that person anymore. You're stronger than that. You're stronger than I'll ever be.

Debra

I'm not.

Dexter

Deb, Dad and Vogel gave me the code so I'd know the right thing to do, but you've always just known. It's the compass I always wished I had. And as long as you listen to that you won't need me. You'll be fine.

Debra

Maybe. But don't ever think that it was the code that made you a good brother. There's a human being in there. There always has been. Even if you can't see it.

Dexter

This used to be my favorite moment, but now... I don't want to be here. [awestruck] I don't need to kill you.

Does that mean you're letting me live?

Dexter

No, you're still going to die — but now it'll be in the electric chair.

Harry

Dexter, are you sure about this?

Dexter

Yes.

Harry

I never thought this day would come. You don't need me anymore.

Dexter

[holding a newborn Harrison] I don't know how to do this.

Debra

Just keep his head up.

Dexter

No, I mean everything. How to be a father, how to take care of him.

Debra

You'll be great.

Dexter

How do you know?

Debra

Because you've always taken care of me.

Dexter

I have?

Debra

Ever since we were little. Don't you remember the monsters?

Dexter

Uh, no.

Debra

Every time Mom turned off the lights, they'd be running all over the walls. I couldn't fucking go to sleep. I thought they were gonna eat me or something.

Dexter

I don't remember.

Debra

They were the shadows. You came in and explained it in your dorky little voice. "Oh, it's just the absence of light, Deb."

Dexter

Heh.

Debra

I don't even know why I remember that, but I do. And even then, you stayed in my room and slept on the floor by my bed. You made me feel so fucking safe. You were always taking care of me. You're gonna be a great father, because you've always been a great big brother.

Dexter

You really believe that?

Debra

With all my heart.

Dexter

I wish I could blame you for everything. For what you did to my sister. But I know it's all my fault. Should have walked away. You know, what you've actually done is opened my eyes. Forced me to look at myself. You made me see myself.

And what did you see?

Dexter

A trail of blood and body parts.

[smiles] What a pretty picture.

Dexter

In one sharp moment, you took away this foolish dream that I could have a happy life.

Is that why you're here? To tell me all this?

Dexter

No. I'm here to kill you with that pen.

Rita

Dexter, I need you to go to an all-night pharmacy right away.

Dexter

Kinda right in the middle of something, hon.

Rita

Whatever you're doing, it can wait.

Dexter

[to Benny] Kids, huh? It's all about sacrifice. [raises his knife to kill him]