Dexter is well-known to many for the two controversial episodes featured in the series finale.
However, it could be argued that the significant death of Rita Morgan in Season 4, from which Dexter never fully recovered, is the root cause of the problematic aspects of both of Dexter’s endings.
This article was updated to discuss more details about Rita’s death and to meet CBR’s current formatting standards.
What happened to Rita on Dexter?
In Dexter Season 4, Rita Was Murdered by the Trinity Killer
Rita’s unexpected death at the end of season 4 remains a shocking moment in television history, not just for its brutality but for its impact on the narrative and characters.
It was a turning point in the plot of Dexter, altering both the direction of the program and the protagonist’s emotional development.
The scene was shocking, revealing Rita dead in a bathtub filled with her blood, mirroring the Trinity Killer’s pattern of killing women. This was a terrifying full circle for Dexter, to stop Trinity, he had unintentionally put Rita in danger.
The murder was not shown on screen; instead, the moment Dexter found Rita’s body was heartbreaking and poignant, leaving viewers stunned. Michael C.
Hall applauded the audacious choice, pointing out how it advanced the narrative and created fresh opportunities for character growth and storyline exploration. Hall noted:
“I knew what was going to happen probably three or four weeks before it happened. As far as the how, that was much closer to the day of. I thought it was brilliant. I was proud of the writers, and the network, for not backing away from such a bold step.
It propels us forward in a way that we wouldn’t have enjoyed otherwise. And what it could mean for the character is wide open.”
Who played Rita Morgan?
Julie Benz is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles as Rita Bennett on Dexter (2006–2010), where she won the 2009 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress and the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress, and as Darla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (1997–2004).
Why Did Dexter’s Showrunners Kill Off Rita’s Character?
Rita appeared more often to be a plot device than a fully realized character. During her four seasons, she went through needless suffering, beginning with abuse at the hands of her abusive ex-husband Paul.
She then experienced the emotional turmoil that came with dating a serial killer who lived a double life, only to be murdered.
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