Does any one else see Harry differently this season? Is he changing the code or pushing Dexter to do things Dex does not want to do??

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"I thought it was established that Harry & Laura were indeed having an affair. We know that Joe was Dexter's bio dad. We also know that Harry knew this. If you go back, it shows Dex in the hospital when he was younger and needed blood. Harry knew who to contact at that time for the transfusion. Remember Dexter writing the thank you card? Then he found it at Joe's house when he was going through his belongings. "

Yes I remember it well,, Dream sequensce... Laura and Harry - Laura was wearing harrys Hat over her breasts and they were doing the Hibbidy Gibbidy, Dexter was already born and in the other room playing with his fire truck... Those were the days....

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"I'm probably repeating what's already been said, but here goes anyway.

One thing that jumps at me is not so much Harry's decision to install a code in Dexter at the point he realised Dexter had socipathic tendencies, but what he was doing before then.

Dexter was three years old when his mother was killed. He doesn't start killing animals until he's about eight, from what we can tell. What happened in those five years? Did he have no treatment at all in the time shortly after he was adopted?

Yes, I know that treatment for childhood trauma has probably come a long way since 1973, but still, it kind of defies belief that any foster parents would just assume the child would "get over it".

On the other hand, it's likely that Brian DID get some kind of treatment, but it made no difference to him at all. But then again, Brian didn't have the same loving family environment, moving from foster family to institutionalised care. He never got to experience love and support - things which, despite Harry's unconventional upbringing of him, Dexter had plenty of.

My take on the situation is that their mother's murder psychologically damaged both Brian and Dexter, perhaps even causing damage to the part of the brain that controls empathy. This is why neither of them have any remorse for their killings.

With a loving family life AND proper psychological treatment, I think that both of them would have had a good chance of being able to overcome that trauma and be normal adults. But neither of them got both those things - Dexter got the loving family and Brian got the treatment. They needed both. "

Of course we will never know about that part you are referring to in re: ( ..With a loving family life AND proper psychological treatment, I think that both of them would have had a good chance of being able to overcome that trauma and be normal adults.. ) I am not a person that thrives on being contrary, But I do not think it would have happened. I really think that the bent part of the brain that controlls their problem, is just that bent to the point that nothing will help them.
Now remember that Brian was institutionalized until he was an adult. I think he went in very early like grade school age and I believe that is what he was when this happened. Brian became even more bitter and enraged at the process and all he wanted to do was get out and find his brother and start killing with his brother.
Those missing years so to speak, I think Harry was watching Dexter like a Hawk to see just what he did and did not do. I think this is how he caught Dex as early as he did, and started the training for the code, it may have been the time Harry spent devising the code. At any rate, Harry was watching Dexter and when he saw the tell tail signs that Dex was doing bad things Harry was able to jump in and start his training.
I am one that really feels Harry was not given the credit he deserves. I do understand all of you who think Harry missed the boat and should have taken him to see a Mental; Health Professional. Harry did what he felt was the best for his child.
Harry so loved his son that he would do anythinghe could to make him safe.
Harry so loved his profession that he saw the holes in it and wanted to protect the people that come under his protection.
Harry could have done better I can agree. But he thought he was doing the right thing.
Harry forgot about Deb. I think Shame on Harry. Harry maybe should not have taught vigilantism But Dexter was helping Miami and Dexter will never get an award.
Shame on Miami

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"I somewhat agree. I liked Doakes and he added a nice element to the show. He was a constant reminder that Dexter has to be careful, and it added tension in the first season that kept the idea that someday, Dexter could be caught, that he couldnt just glide through the world as a ghost.

That said, about part way through the Season, I started to sort of get used to the idea that Doakes had to be dealt with, and I am glad the show had the cajones to do it. Lets face it, to have the guts to kill off a character like that is something the average tv show wouldnt have done and in doing so, they have given Dexter life. I mean, it would have quickly become old hat to have Doakes constantly shadowing Dexter, hounding him for 4, 5, or even 6 seasons. My biggest complaint was that the show was beginning to lose it's way, and thus it's potential longevity with the path they were on. Dexter is a serial killer who tracks down bad people, with elite detective skills. In the first season, almost every episode had him tap-dancing through life, his emotions, Doakes, tracking another killer, a new victim every episode, all while trying to avoid being caught. In this season, we lost that, and spent much of our time watching Dexter wrestle with his internal demons but the threat of being caught was so prevalent that it took over and overshadowed any other aspect of the show. They had a point when they could have saved doakes character, when he thinks Dexter is an addict. But then they took it too far.
I'm glad they didnt leave it at a cliff hangar either or have Doakes or Lila just 'disappear' to haunt Dexter again in subsequent seasons. at least now we have other things we can see. lets not forget, the old man Dexter killed may have killed his mother, but he didnt give the order. There's more to that story. Lundy, i believe, will return. There's harry's tale. The series has new wings with which to fly, and the sky, is the absolute limit."

I think Lundy will return, too. I agree that Doakes was a necesary element for a time, and then, suddenly wasn't....necessary! I did enjoy Doake's humanity displayed when he was trapped and in danger. It is not his fault that he couldd not escape his survival training and cunning. But he was a human man, with a family, with past relationships. He knew his own failings, and alluded to them (the breakup with his wife, the broken past with LaGuerta, etc.). He had a soft spot for Deb even though he couldn't stand Dexter and thought things were hinky. But I really still am not happy with the whole quick disposal of Lila thing....

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