‘Dexter’ series finale reaction: Did original showrunner have the better ending?

Warning right now: Controversy ahead. We stand by our belief that the “Dexter” series finale had some soft, powerful moments, but it also had some that are driving us completely and utterly mad still at this very moment. It was a disappointing conclusion in the end to a show that we loved for the better part of five seasons, but for some, you could argue that it was never the same following the exit of Clyde Phillips as showrunner at the end of season 4.

So would you like to read his desired ending for the series? We’re sure that some are going to consider this a low blow on his part to release it and to create an alternate version of what was actually created. But, since he did say it, it is certainly something worth discussing from a

In an interview with E! News, Phillips (who is steering the ship on “Nurse Jackie,” which did win more Emmys than “Dexter” tonight) explained that his version of the ending would have been something more firmly rooted in Dexter’s own mind:

“In the very last scene of the series, Dexter wakes up. And everybody is going to think, ‘Oh, it was a dream.’ And then the camera pulls back and back and back and then we realize, ‘No, it’s not a dream.’ Dexter’s opening his eyes and he’s on the execution table at the Florida Penitentiary. They’re just starting to administer the drugs and he looks out through the window to the observation gallery.

“And in the gallery are all the people that Dexter killed—including the Trinity Killer and the Ice Truck Killer (his brother Rudy), LaGuerta who he was responsible killing, Doakes who he’s arguably responsible for, Rita, who he’s arguably responsible for, Lila. All the big deaths, and also whoever the weekly episodic kills were. They are all there.

“That’s what I envisioned for the ending of Dexter. That everything we’ve seen over the past eight seasons has happened in the several seconds from the time they start Dexter’s execution to the time they finish the execution and he dies.  Literally, his life flashed before his eyes as he was about to die. I think it would have been a great, epic, very satisfying conclusion.”

In the end, we agree. Having Dexter suddenly give up everything because he hurts those he loves does not necessarily fit right as the ending based on the evidence the show presented. If he no longer had the urge to kill, why would he hurt Hannah at all? The simple answer there is that he wouldn’t, and that is what makes the ending into somewhat of an eye-roll. We suppose you could still imagine that he changes his mind someday and goes to Argentina, but still we prefer the ending that really gives you a better sense of journey. We still don’t understand how overlooked some parts of his life were, especially the entire story of season 5.  What was a wonderful show simply became a mediocre one as we saw it’s edge slip away.

If you want to read our full review of the series finale, be sure to click here.

Photo: Showtime