Resistance Is Futile

Lore & Background

Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities. In this episode, Dexter discovers that the FBI is following him, while Doakes takes Dexter's blood slides with him. The episode was written by co-executive producer Melissa Rosenberg and directed by Marcos Siega. This was Rosenberg's fifth writing credit, and Siega's second directing credit.

In Their Own Story

While staying guard outside her house, Dexter apologizes to Rita for his affair with Lila. He drives off to dispose of Jimenez's body at the cabin but finds that a car is following him. The car belongs to the FBI, and some agents check his office to check the blood work database. In Port-au-Prince, Doakes meets with a friend, Leones (Peter Macon), asking him to analyze Dexter's blood slides, but he does not have them with him. During this, Dexter discovers that the slides are missing but believes Lundy has them. FBI Agents arrive and ask him to accompany them to the department, where Lundy and Matthews await him with the blood slides. Dexter believes he has been caught until Lundy and Matthews state that they suspect Doakes is the Bay Harbor Butcher. Given Doakes' erratic behavior and his investigation into the victims, they raided his car and found the slides. To cover himself, Dexter goes along with their theory, so the FBI makes a detail to protect him while appointing him to analyze the blood slides. Dexter uses this opportunity to cover his fingerprints. Despite Dexter's warning, Lila flirts with Angel and goes out with him and some others from the station for drinks. Dexter is forced to go with them, as he fears she will expose his connection to Jimenez. Doakes contacts LaGuerta to claim his innocence, which LaGuerta believes. Doakes refuses to surrender himself and sets out to find evidence to support himself, destroying his cell phone in the process. When Lundy plans to reveal Doakes as the prime suspect to the press, LaGuerta tries to get Debra to do something. They get into an argument, in which Debra finally yells that she is in a relationship with Lundy. That night, Dexter escapes from his apartment and uses his boat to return to the cabin, where he chops Jimenez's body. As he leaves with the bags, he is held at gunpoint by Doakes, who tracks him with a GPS in the boat. Having discovered the trash bags, he has finally discovered he is the Butcher. Doakes forces Dexter to handcuff himself and walk toward him, but Dexter attacks him. Amidst the fight, Dexter gets shot in the leg, and they fall into the water, where Dexter uses the handcuffs to knock Doakes unconscious. Doakes later wakes up inside a cage inside the cabin, and Dexter locks the door behind him.

Reader's Guide

The episode opens with Dexter apologizing to Rita for his affair with Lila while staying guard outside her house. He then drives off to dispose of Jimenez's body at the cabin but finds that a car is following him — the car belongs to the FBI, and some agents check his office to check the blood work database. Meanwhile, in Port-au-Prince, Doakes meets with a friend, Leones (Peter Macon), asking him to analyze Dexter's blood slides, but he does not have them with him. Dexter discovers that the slides are missing but believes Lundy has them. FBI Agents arrive and ask him to accompany them to the department, where Lundy and Matthews await him with the blood slides. Dexter believes he has been caught until Lundy and Matthews state that they suspect Doakes is the Bay Harbor Butcher. Given Doakes' erratic behavior and his investigation into the victims, they raided his car and found the slides. To cover himself, Dexter goes along with their theory, so the FBI makes a detail to protect him while appointing him to analyze the blood slides. Dexter uses this opportunity to cover his fingerprints. Despite Dexter's warning, Lila flirts with Angel and goes out with him and some others from the station for drinks. Dexter is forced to go with them, as he fears she will expose his connection to Jimenez. Doakes contacts LaGuerta to claim his innocence, which LaGuerta believes. Doakes refuses to surrender himself and sets out to find evidence to support himself, destroying his cell phone in the process. When Lundy plans to reveal Doakes as the prime suspect to the press, LaGuerta tries to get Debra to do something. They get into an argument, in which Debra finally yells that she is in a relationship with Lundy. That night, Dexter escapes from his apartment and uses his boat to return to the cabin, where he chops Jimenez's body. As he leaves with the bags, he is held at gunpoint by Doakes, who tracks him with a GPS in the boat. Having discovered the trash bags, he has finally discovered he is the Butcher. Doakes forces Dexter to handcuff himself and walk toward him, but Dexter attacks him. Amidst the fight, Dexter gets shot in the leg, and they fall into the water, where Dexter uses the handcuffs to knock Doakes unconscious. Doakes later wakes up inside a cage inside the cabin, and Dexter locks the door behind him.

Did You Know?

• The episode was written by co-executive producer Melissa Rosenberg and directed by Marcos Siega, marking Rosenberg's fifth writing credit and Siega's second directing credit.
• According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.03 million household viewers and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
• Lauren Vélez submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.
• Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode an 'amazing' 9.5 out of 10, writing it 'felt like the penultimate episode of the season.'
• The episode features Doakes tracking Dexter with a GPS in the boat, leading to a fight where Dexter gets shot in the leg and uses handcuffs to knock Doakes unconscious.