Honestly, nobody saw the dinner party coming. When Dexter: Resurrection was first announced, we all wondered how the writers would fix that messy ending to New Blood. Bringing Michael C. Hall back from a "fatal" gunshot wound was a massive swing, but by the time we hit Dexter: Resurrection Episode 4, titled "Call Me Red," the show officially stopped apologizing for its existence and started having some serious fun.
This isn't just another hour of television. It's the moment the franchise finally embraced the absurdity of Dexter Morgan living in New York City.
The Secret Society of Killers
The core of "Call Me Red" revolves around an invitation that felt like something out of a twisted version of The Avengers. Dexter, still healing and masquerading as the rideshare killer "Red" (Ronald Schmidt), gets whisked away to a secluded mansion. This isn't just any house. It belongs to Leon Prater, played by the incomparable Peter Dinklage.
Prater is a billionaire venture capitalist, but his real hobby is much darker. He’s essentially a "serial killer fanboy." He doesn’t kill people himself—he’s far too rich for the manual labor—but he loves to collect the people who do. He’s created a safe haven, a literal "Killer’s Club" where the elite monsters of the world can trade stories over expensive wine.
The production design here is chilling. Prater has a private museum of "murderabilia." We’re talking John Wayne Gacy’s clown suit, Jeffrey Dahmer’s fridge, and even the Trinity Killer’s hammer. Seeing Michael C. Hall’s face as he looks at his own history—and even touches his old blood slide box—was a masterclass in nostalgic tension. He has to play it cool while standing in a room that celebrates his life’s work, all while pretending to be a low-level thug.
Meeting the New Monsters
What makes this episode stand out is the introduction of the other guests. We’ve seen Dexter interact with single "Big Bads" before, but this was a buffet of psychopathy.
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- Mia (Krysten Ritter): Known as "Lady Vengeance," she’s a world-class sommelier who hunts sexual predators. She and Dexter hit it off immediately, mostly because they share a similar moral compass.
- Al (Eric Stonestreet): This was a wild casting choice. Stonestreet plays "Rapunzel," a family man who looks like your friendly neighbor but has a terrifying hidden life.
- Lowell (Neil Patrick Harris): "The Tattoo Collector." He’s arrogant, flashy, and—in Dexter’s eyes—completely obnoxious.
The dynamic between these characters is electric. It’s "human-quality" drama at its best because it avoids the usual tropes. They aren't just snarling villains; they are people who think they are the heroes of their own stories. When Lowell starts bragging about his next victim—a woman with specific tattoos he wants to "collect"—you can see the "Dark Passenger" in Dexter’s eyes wake up. It’s the first time in the new series where Dexter feels like the apex predator again.
The Bay Harbor Butcher vs. The Tattoo Collector
Lowell didn't stand a chance. After a brief flirtation with Mia in Central Park (where we learn she also had a traumatic childhood that fueled her "code"), Dexter decides he’s had enough of the Tattoo Collector’s ego.
The kill scene in this episode is a return to form. It’s messy, intimate, and carries that classic Dexter sardonic wit. But there’s a massive reveal here. Usually, Dexter stays anonymous. This time, as Lowell taunts him for breaking Prater’s rules, Dexter leans in and whispers the truth. He isn't Ronald Schmidt. He is the Bay Harbor Butcher.
It’s a chilling moment that signifies Dexter is done hiding in the shadows of other men's identities. He’s reclaiming his crown.
Harrison and the Ticking Watch
While Dexter is playing "High Society" with serial killers, Harrison is falling apart. The kid is a mess. He’s working as a bellhop at the Empire Hotel, haunted by the murder of Ryan Foster.
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The "tell-tale heart" trope is used literally here. Harrison has Foster’s watch, and the ticking is driving him toward a mental breakdown. It’s loud. It’s constant. It represents the guilt he can’t shake, unlike his father who seems to have "put down" his burden after surviving the woods of Iron Lake.
The tension spikes when Angel Batista shows up. Seeing David Zayas back in action is always a treat, but he’s not the friendly Angel we remember. He’s a man on a mission. He confronts Harrison at the hotel, and the psychological warfare is brutal. He doesn't tell Harrison his dad is alive; instead, he digs into the similarities between Foster’s death and the Bay Harbor Butcher’s signature style. He knows. Or at least, he’s 90% sure.
That Ending: The Reunion We Waited For
The final minutes of "Call Me Red" are some of the best in the entire franchise. Harrison, pushed to the brink by the ticking watch and Batista’s interrogation, actually walks toward the police station. He’s ready to confess. He’s done.
Then, out of the Manhattan shadows, a voice stops him.
"Harrison."
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The look on Jack Alcott’s face when he sees his father—the man he shot, the man he thought he left for dead in the snow—is haunting. No words are really needed. The episode cuts to black right as the two face each other. It’s a perfect cliffhanger that sets up the rest of the season.
How to Prepare for the Rest of the Season
If you're catching up on Dexter: Resurrection, there are a few things you should keep in mind moving forward.
First, pay attention to Mia. Her connection with Dexter is deeper than a simple "guest star" role. Many fans are already theorizing she might be the "Lila" of this series, but with more tactical skill. Second, don't sleep on Leon Prater. Peter Dinklage isn't just playing a fanboy; he's the one who holds the leash on all these killers. If Dexter starts killing off the "members" of his club, Prater’s reaction will be legendary.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch for the "Little Bads": The showrunner, Clyde Phillips, has confirmed that Season 1 and the upcoming Season 2 (filming in April 2026) will return to the "monster of the week" format alongside the main plot.
- Track the Memorabilia: Some of the items in Prater’s museum are clues for future "phantoms" (like Brian Moser or Miguel Prado) who might appear in Dexter’s subconscious.
- Monitor the Batista/Quinn Connection: Keep an eye out for more Miami Metro cameos. Joey Quinn and Masuka have already been mentioned, and their arrival in NYC feels inevitable.
The show has successfully moved past the "how is he alive?" phase and into a high-stakes chess match. Dexter is no longer just a survivor; he's a mentor, a rival, and still, the most dangerous man in the room.