Dexter's Argentina Escape: The Final Episode?

So, you're wondering when exactly Dexter packs his bags and heads south to Argentina, huh? Well, let's dive into the details of the series finale and pinpoint that moment. The burning question on everyone's mind: what episode does Dexter move to Argentina? The answer lies in the very last episode of the original Dexter series, Season 8, Episode 12, titled "Remember the Monsters?"

"Remember the Monsters?" - Dexter's Farewell

In "Remember the Monsters?", everything comes to a head. Dexter's world is crumbling. Debra is in critical condition after being shot by Oliver Saxon (aka the Brain Surgeon), and Dexter is out for revenge. This episode is an emotional rollercoaster, guys. We see Dexter grappling with his choices, his relationships, and the consequences of his dark passenger. It's a nail-biting conclusion to eight seasons of blood slides and moral ambiguity.

As the episode unfolds, Dexter manages to capture Saxon. Instead of turning him over to the authorities, Dexter takes matters into his own hands, ending Saxon's life in a way that mirrors his own code. This act seals his fate, convincing him that he is a danger to everyone around him, especially Hannah and Harrison. The guilt and the realization that his presence brings nothing but chaos push him to make a drastic decision.

After a poignant farewell to Harrison and Hannah, who are safely on their way to Argentina, Dexter makes his final preparations. He decides to disappear, to remove himself from their lives, believing it's the only way to ensure their safety and happiness. The episode culminates with Dexter steering his boat, the Slice of Life, into the eye of a hurricane. It's a symbolic act, a final attempt to rid himself of the darkness that consumes him.

However, in a twist that left many fans divided, Dexter survives the storm. The final scene shows him living as a lumberjack in Oregon, far from Miami and his old life. While Hannah and Harrison make it to Argentina, Dexter does not. He chooses self-imposed exile, haunted by his past and the lives he's affected. So, to be crystal clear, Dexter sends his family to Argentina in the final episode, but he does not go with them.

Why Argentina?

Now, you might be asking, why Argentina? Well, Hannah McKay, Dexter's girlfriend, had already fled to Argentina with Harrison to escape the authorities back in the United States. Argentina provided a safe haven, a place where they could start over without the constant threat of Dexter's past catching up to them. It was a fresh start, a chance for Hannah to raise Harrison away from the darkness that defined Dexter's world. Plus, Argentina has some beautiful scenery, making it a picturesque location for a new beginning.

The Divisive Ending

The ending of Dexter was, to put it mildly, controversial. Many fans felt that Dexter deserved a better send-off, whether that meant finding redemption or facing the consequences of his actions. The lumberjack ending felt anticlimactic to some, a far cry from the complex and compelling character they had come to know over eight seasons. The decision to separate Dexter from Hannah and Harrison, sending them to Argentina while he remained in isolation, was particularly disheartening for those who had hoped for a semblance of happiness for the tormented serial killer.

Dexter: New Blood - A Second Chance?

Fast forward several years, and Dexter Morgan is back! In Dexter: New Blood, we find Dexter living under an assumed name in a small town in upstate New York. He's managed to suppress his dark passenger for nearly a decade, living a quiet and peaceful life. However, as always, fate has other plans. A series of events awakens the darkness within him, forcing him to confront his past and his true nature once again.

Dexter: New Blood offered a chance to rectify the perceived shortcomings of the original series finale. It allowed viewers to see Dexter grappling with the consequences of his choices and to explore the impact of his actions on his son, Harrison, who eventually finds his way to Dexter. While the ending of New Blood was also divisive, it provided a more definitive conclusion to Dexter's story, one that many felt was more fitting than the ambiguous ending of the original series.

In Dexter: New Blood, Dexter does not move to Argentina. The series unfolds in the US. However, the shadow of Argentina still lingers in some ways, as it represents a life that Dexter could have had, a life with his son, free from the darkness that ultimately consumed him.

Wrapping Up

So, to recap: Dexter doesn't actually move to Argentina in the series finale. Hannah and Harrison head there for a fresh start, while Dexter ends up as a lumberjack after faking his death. It's a bittersweet conclusion to a series that kept us hooked for years.

And while the ending might not have been what everyone wanted, it certainly sparked a lot of conversation and debate. Whether you loved it or hated it, there's no denying the impact that Dexter had on television. So, next time you're pondering the whereabouts of Dexter Morgan, remember: he sent his family to Argentina but found his own isolated fate elsewhere.