"I would like to know when Harry did this. Like was it early on when he first found out Dexter had this fondness for killing, or was it after the Code of Harry was well instituted."

"So, basically, the visit to the execution was to cement the idea of this is what happens if you get caught...?"

"That's what Harry was trying to do, but is that what it would have done? It did impress on him that he'd best not get caught, but the kid would have had a positive reaction to seeing that man die. We know Harry's intention - I'm asking whether Harry was right. "

"In the very first episode, while on the boat, Harry said to Dexter that what happened to him got "planted in you too early" and was going to go stronger ... he then said something to the effect, "maybe we can channel it; use it for good," followed by the first mention of all the evil people who "deserve it" ... So the execution is way to late to be used to "lock in" Dexter's need to kill; it's pretty straightforward as a lesson of what happens to you when you're not careful ..."

"Good point - the damage was done. I just wonder if he was more scared for himself than turned on by the kill. "