TV Recap: Dexter, Season 8 Episode 11, Monkey in a Box

Violet provides the recap of the penultimate episode of Dexter, entitled Monkey in a Box, where Dexter decides to stick to his plan of going after Saxon, and also tries to get his affairs in order before the big move to Argentina! Following the recap, Violet and Josh will provide their thoughts on the episode, which is the last one before the series finale!

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To see Josh’s thoughts on this week’s Dexter episode, Monkey in a Box, click here to get directly there!

 

Dexter Episode Recap: Monkey in a Box, the Details

The Aftermath of Vogel’s Murder

Following Vogel’s death, Dexter is busily cleaning the blood off of himself, cleaning up the place, and quickly getting rid of any physical files that Vogel had on him, as well as any files she had on her laptop. Dexter has realized that he has to call in her murder, and Miami Metro soon shows up. His story is that Vogel had asked him to stop by, though he didn’t know why. Batista is aware of the fact that she and Dexter were friends, and that he knew her through his father. Dexter claims that the door was kicked in when he arrived, and that he had moved the body in an attempt to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. Apparently, one of the neighbors saw a man take off from the scene in a white or gray pickup. Dexter volunteers to stay and help, but Batista orders him to leave, due to conflict of interest issues. He tells Batista he’ll see him tomorrow — his last day on the job.

Dexter Stops by to Give Deb and Hannah an Update

The next day, Dexter goes over to Deb’s house and tells Deb about Saxon killing Vogel. Deb asks if Dexter’s alright, and they both realize if not for Vogel, they might not have found their way back to each other. With Saxon on the loose, Dexter thinks Harrison will be safer staying with Jamie, who is back at Batista’s. Deb asks Dexter if he’s going after Saxon, and he says yes. Deb immediately says that she will too — by starting back at work today. Deb says that Vogel was important to her too, but that if she gets Saxon her way, she’s not handing him over to Dexter.

Hannah finishes helping Harrison get ready, and informs Dexter that she booked their itinerary. He then gives her the news about Vogel. He says it doesn’t change anything for them, but he needs to be sure it’s “taken care of” before they leave. He has 2 days, but he’s confident he can get it done by then.

Dexter Tries to Get His Affairs in Order

Back at Dexter’s place, he’s busy packing up, while his realtor lets him know that he already has 5 interested buyers coming by to look at the place. Interestingly, the realtor is Sylvia Prado, wife of Miguel Prado from Season 3. She asks him why the sudden move, and he looks at the air conditioner and answers, “Too many memories.” She says she understands, and that after what happened to Miguel, she downsized and focused on the kids.

Harrison comes out of his room with Jamie and accuses Dexter of putting his stuffed animal, Monkey, in a box. Dexter apologizes. Jamie comments that seeing everything all boxed up is making it feel real. Dexter tells Jamie that Harrison is really going to miss her, and asks her to take Harrison for the night.

Dexter takes an interested buyer out to see his boat. The guy comments that he would like to get the boat inland before Tropical Storm Laura hits in a few days. Dexter proudly gives the guy the details about the boat, but the guy only seems interested in the fact that the beer cooler isn’t bigger.

Dexter Uncovers More Information on Saxon, and Saxon Shows Up at Miami Metro

Over at Miami Metro, Dexter is looking up records on Saxon, and sees that although Saxon has moved around a lot, his job never changes: he inspects buildings. Just then, Masuka comes in and complains to Dexter about scouring Vogel’s place all night and coming up with nothing. Masuka leaves, and Dexter gets back to his search on Saxon. He finds a demolition permit that Saxon issued for a hospital which has been closed for years but still standing. Dexter figures that’s where Saxon does his kills. Niki then interrupts Dexter to tell him that Quinn is looking for him for “the swab thing” in the interrogation room.

When Dexter arrives in the interrogation room, he finds Quinn sitting with none other than Oliver Saxon, who has apparently come in to clear his name on the Cassie case. He claims he had no idea he was a suspect when he moved from his apartment, from which he moved because it reminded him too much of Cassie. He says he was thinking about leaving Miami for awhile, but changed his mind because his job, friends, and family are there. Then he heard there was an alert out for him and wanted to come in to clear his name. At first he seems reluctant, but cooperates with Dexter taking a cotton swab DNA sample of his mouth. Quinn doesn’t seem to buy Saxon’s story, but tells him they’re done here, and to inform Miami Metro if he plans anymore moves.

Meanwhile, Deb has arrived for her first day of work. Dexter sees her and informs her about Saxon showing up. He also tells her that Saxon agreed to a DNA sample, which will show that he is related to Vogel. Deb comments, “Let him try to explain that away with my boot up his ass.” Deb asks Dexter why he’s helping them get Saxon, doesn’t he want him for himself? But Dexter says that he just wants him taken care of.

As Dexter leaves to get started on Saxon’s DNA sample, Deb goes to Quinn’s desk to find some pens. He catches her digging through his desk drawers, and as she continues looking, she finds a ring box, and inside is the engagement ring he had proposed to her with. He had kept it in his desk the whole time. She walks away teary eyed.

Dexter Investigates Saxon’s Kill Room

That night, Dexter shows up at the old hospital where he suspects Saxon does his kills. He looks around with his flashlight for a bit, and finally finds Saxon’s kill room. It does not appear that Saxon has been living there, but Harry knows he’ll be back. However, Dexter doesn’t want to wait, he doesn’t have time. He says he wants Saxon dead, by anyone’s hand, to which Harry comments, “That doesn’t sound like the old Dexter.” Dexter replies, “Maybe I’m not the old Dexter.” Dexter searches the medicine cabinet and finds Saxon’s laptop hidden behind a metal panel. On it, he finds videos of all Saxon’s kills. Dexter thinks he can use the videos to bring Saxon to him.

The Marshal Questions Deb

Back at Miami Metro, Deb’s working late, trying to get up to speed. Quinn asks her if she’s going to Dr. Vogel’s memorial the next day, and she says she’ll be there. He says if she needs a ride to let him know, and he winks at her as he leaves. Just then, the U.S. Marshal shows up to ask Deb to explain why a blond woman matching Hannah McKay’s description brought Harrison Morgan to urgent care and signed Deb’s name. Deb explains it away by saying she’s the one that brought Harrison in, and that the woman at the desk needs to get her eyes checked.

Vogel’s Memorial/Dexter’s Going Away Party

The next day, Miami Metro employees are leaving the church after Dr. Vogel’s memorial, and Matthews suggests they go get a drink, so they all go over to Batista’s restaurant. Dexter’s sitting all by himself, so Deb goes over to talk to him and tell him that they’re really going to miss him, and that he should go in and pretend he’s going to miss them too, since it’s his last day. Dexter thinks to himself how real it’s all getting. Matthews walks over and tells Dexter and Deb that Harry would have been proud of them, and that they’ve been like family to him. He adds that if Dexter ever decides to come back, this will always be his home. Matthews wants to buy him another drink, and Dexter tries to leave, but Matthews insists, saying that he’s still working for him for the next 6 hours, and isn’t going anywhere. Meanwhile, Masuka and Niki order drinks, and Masuka comments that her ordering a Diet Coke is “a little tame.” Niki is confused, considering his recent reaction to her smoking pot. He says he’s still trying to get used to “this whole father-daughter thing.” Back to Dexter, he and Quinn are talking about Deb, and Dexter pretty much gives his blessing for her and Quinn getting back together. Dexter says he wants her to be with someone who makes her happy, and Quinn says that’s all he ever wanted to do.

Just then, Dexter gets a phone call from Sylvia, his realtor, about someone who wants to see Dexter’s place, meet the seller, and make a cash offer. Dexter says he’ll be there in half an hour. Batista then walks up to Dexter, and they reminisce about the first case the two of them worked together. Batista makes an announcement to everyone that he’s making this into Dexter’s going away party, says that Dexter will always be in their hearts, and wishes Dexter and Harrison luck. Dexter awkwardly tries to think of something to say, and says, “I’ll miss you guys too.”

Dexter Meets with an Interested Buyer — Saxon

Dexter arrives at his apartment to meet with Sylvia and the interested buyer – who turns out to be Oliver Saxon. Sylvia starts to tell Saxon about the place, but her interrupts her saying that he prefers to hear directly from the seller. She excuses herself and goes outside to make some phone calls. When Saxon and Dexter are alone, Saxon says he has a proposal: they walk away, go their separate ways, and forget about each other. Saxon admits that killing his mother in front of Dexter “may have been a little over the top,” but he was trying to make a point: it was a test to see if she would choose him. He then goes on to say that killing his mother was cathartic, so he’s giving Dexter a choice: to go on with his life, or come after Saxon. He points out that Dexter has a lot to lose, and threatens Dexter’s family and Hannah. Dexter accepts Saxon’s proposal – or at least, pretends to. He thinks to himself how Saxon has just reminded himself why he can’t walk away.

Elway Follows Up on the Marshal’s Theory that Deb is Hiding Hannah

Over at Elway’s office, the marshal pays Elway a visit to let him know that he suspects Deb is hiding Hannah McKay at her house. Elway doesn’t think so, but the marshal convinces him to go talk to her and take a look around, if he’s still interested in the reward.

Deb comes home to find Hannah preparing dinner. There’s a knock on the door, and Deb sees that it’s Elway, so Hannah goes and hides in the bedroom. Deb answers the door, and Elway claims that he came over to return some things she left at the office, and that he wants to talk to her. He barges in and starts to apologize about the way they left things. Meanwhile he is looking around her place for clues. He sees a nice table setting, and spies some high heel shoes and a purse, and comments that the police department must be paying her better than he remembers. Deb kicks him out before he can find anything else. She immediately tells Hannah that Elway’s on to her, so the marshal won’t be far behind. Hannah calls Dexter to tell him what happened, and Dexter tells her to stay there.

Dexter Wants to Finish the Job

Dexter rushes over to Deb’s house, and Hannah reports she tried to get an earlier flight, but flights are booked solid because of the storm. Deb tells Dexter that Hannah will stay at an airport near the hotel until their flight. Dexter then tells them what happened with Saxon. Deb says she can handle herself, and that Dexter should go with Hannah. Dexter is paranoid that Saxon might follow them, so he has to finish the job, but promises Hannah he will be there for their flight.

Deb drives Hannah to the hotel, and she and Hannah have a little heart to heart, where it seems that Deb has accepted Hannah as part of Dexter’s life. Deb also tells her that she thinks Dexter’s making a huge mistake going after Saxon, and that he should be with her at the hotel instead. But they both realize that Dexter’s not one to walk away from something once he’s started it. Deb asks Hannah to take care of Dexter and Harrison, and she says she will.

At Dexter’s apartment, he uses his laptop to submit a video of Saxon as the Brain Surgeon to a local news station. Harry points out that Saxon’s not just going to walk away from that, and Dexter agrees, saying that he’s drawing Saxon to him. Dexter doesn’t believe Saxon would live up to his end of the bargain to “disengage,” considering how he came into his apartment and threatened his family. Harry comments, “Now you’re sounding like the old Dexter again.” But Dexter protests, saying this is a different kind of kill. It didn’t used to matter who was on his table, as long as someone was, but now it’s personal, and that it’s been personal for a long time. Dexter says that “that need” is still there, somewhere, but that since Hannah came into his life, it has lessened. Dexter realizes that what he needs is Hannah. Harry asks what happens when he gets to Argentina, and Dexter says he doesn’t know, but can’t wait to find out.

Quinn Receives Saxon’s DNA Results

Back at Miami Metro, Niki interrupts Quinn and Deb to give Quinn a copy of Saxon’s DNA results. Quinn comments how weird it is that Masuka’s her father, but she thinks it’s “weird awesome.” Quinn takes a look at the results and sees that Saxon is Vogel’s son. Deb acts surprised. Quinn thinks that maybe Saxon killed his mother along with Cassie.

Dexter and Deb Have One Last Brother/Sister Dinner, while Elway and the U.S. Marshal Search Deb’s House

There’s a knock on the door at Dexter’s apartment, and it’s Deb. She reports that Saxon’s DNA came back, so there’s a warrant out for his arrest, and gloats that Elway and the marshal have no idea where Hannah is. She insists on having dinner with Dexter since it’s his last night in Miami. Dexter is reluctant and tries to tell her she shouldn’t be there, because he’s “expecting company” — Saxon. But she just locks the door and says that nothing is going to stand in the way of her having one more night with her brother.

Over at Deb’s house, Elway, the marshal, and the marshal’s guys are searching the house, but it’s been wiped clean — except for the computer, which shows that the last site visited was for Aero Sudamerica. Elway can’t see what flight was booked, but he can access the manifests for flights for the next few days and cross check names with passport photos. The marshal says he will tail the Morgans to see if they lead him to Hannah.

At Dexter’s apartment, Dexter is busy cooking dinner, as Deb asks how Astor and Cody feel about the move. Dexter says better, now that he told them they can come down for Christmas and that Astor can have his SUV, which he asks Deb to drive to her. The TV is on mute, and Deb comments that the storm may turn into a hurricane. Deb starts freaking out about the fact that after tomorrow, Dexter will be gone, and wonders what that will be like. Dexter says they start over, but Deb questions whether that’s even possible. They have a little heart to heart, where Deb tells him that he’s always been there for her to help her through whatever she was going through. Dexter confides that she’s stronger than he’ll ever be, and that she has the moral compass he’s always wished he had, without someone having to teach it to her. Deb tells him not to think it was the Code that made him a good brother, and that there’s always been a human being inside of him.

Just then, Oliver Saxon’s face shows up on the news, and Deb unmutes it to hear that he is now wanted in connection with videos that were sent to the news station. Deb guesses that Dexter helped them obtain those videos. Dexter explained that he needed Saxon to be a wanted man in order to force his hand and make him take a last stab at him tonight. Dexter emphasizes that this is why Deb needs to leave.

Saxon Finds Out He’s a Wanted Man and Attacks Dexter

Saxon is pumping gas at a gas station, when a news report comes on the video monitor above the pump, showing Saxon’s picture and saying that he is wanted in connection to several murders. Saxon curses Dexter, and drives off.

Back at Dexter’s apartment, we see Dexter asleep in his bed. Saxon quietly comes through the front door, and we see that he has a knife in his hand. He enters Dexter’s bedroom and prepares to stab Dexter, but at the last second, Dexter reaches up and stops him, while Deb comes up behind Saxon with a gun to his head, as she injects him with Dexter’s sleeping solution, making him pass out immediately. Dexter says he’ll take it from there, and Deb leaves.

Dexter’s Confrontation with Saxon

Dexter slaps Saxon awake as Saxon is strapped to the chair in Saxon’s kill room. Saxon correctly assumes that Dexter has decided against the truce. Dexter says Saxon he should have left Miami while he had the chance. They go on to talk about relationships, which Saxon says he was never good at, and blames his mother for. Saxon comments that he hopes Dexter doesn’t stab his girlfriend in the heart while she sleeps, but Dexter explains that he loves her and thinks about her all the time, and that right now he’s thinking about how he’d rather be with her than here with Saxon. Suddenly, Dexter seems to have had some sort of realization. He looks at his knives, laid out on the table next to Saxon, and says how this is usually his favorite moment: the moment before the kill, the kill itself, and the moment right after. However, he doesn’t even want to be there. Instead, he’s feeling a much stronger pull, and thinks that maybe he doesn’t need to kill Saxon. Saxon replies, “Then don’t. Walk away.” Dexter says he will. Saxon comments that he guesses he lives to see another day, but Dexter assures him he’s still going to die, it’ll just be in the electric chair. Then he stuffs a cloth in Saxon’s mouth. Dexter steps off to the side and calls Deb to tell her there’s been a change of plans. Meanwhile, we see Saxon in the background, struggling to get to Dexter’s knives on the table beside him.

Dexter and Deb Say Goodbye

Deb arrives at the abandoned hospital, and we see that Marshal Clayton has followed her there. Deb meets Dexter outside of the kill room, as Dexter tells her that Saxon is in the room, and to arrest him. He instructs her to say that she was looking into the buildings he was inspecting, and she subdued him — she’ll be the hero of Miami Metro. Deb asks Dexter about his knives, but he says he’s got a plane to catch, and to leave them as evidence to make people think they’re Saxon’s. Dexter is busily discussing his plans to leave, but Deb stops him and says he could at least hug her, so he does. He clarifies that it’s just for right now, it’s not forever. She tearily tells him to go catch his plane. As Dexter opens the door to get in his car, Harry appears and asks Dexter if he’s sure about this. He says he is. Harry replies, “I never thought this day would come. You don’t need me anymore.” And then he’s gone. Then Dexter drives away.

Deb’s Confrontation with Saxon

Deb, still standing outside the hospital, calls for backup. After she begins to walk back into the building, we see that the marshal is no longer in his vehicle. Cut to Saxon struggling against his restraints, the marshal enters the room Saxon is in, with his weapon drawn. He demands to know what is going on, and takes the cloth out of Saxon’s mouth. Saxon asks for help, claiming he was abducted by “the man who was just here” but the marshal says he didn’t see anyone. Saxon acts like he scared of the man coming back, as the marshal undoes the restraints.
As soon as Saxon’s right arm is free, he picks up one of Dexter’s knives and stabs the marshal in the chest. Just then, Deb bursts in with her gun drawn, but Saxon has grabbed the marshal’s gun, and shoots Deb in the hip. Deb fires off a few shots at him at she falls to the ground, and he escapes. She manages to hit him in the arm as he leaves. Deb pulls out her phone and calls for help.

Dexter Leaves His Apartment with High Hopes for the Future

Dexter goes home and finishes packing, as Jamie says goodbye to Harrison. We see that Hannah has already arrived at the airport, and Elway is also there, not far behind, although it doesn’t seem as if he’s spotted her yet. As Dexter and Harrison leave the apartment, Dexter’s voiceover sounds optimistic about his future.

Thoughts on Season 8 Episode 11 Monkey in a Box

Scenes from the Series Finale of Dexter: Remember the Monsters?

Here are scenes from Dexter, Season 8 Episode 12, titled Remember the Monsters?: