"Monkey in a Box" was a step up from last week, but not by much. While I considered last week's installment to be one of the worst "Dexter" episodes to date, this week's would be decent if it wasn't the penultimate episode of the series. "I've never imagined the last homicide I'd work would be one I'd be a part of," Dexter thinks, as he cleans up Vogel's body. Really? Did he really think this? After all Dexter has done, he really didn't think he'd be a part of his supposedly final homicide case? He's been a part of a majority of the cases on this show.

One of the main issues I have with the final season of Dexter is that the writers/directors/show runners are forcing the idea that Dexter is changing from an emotionless serial killer to an actual human being, and that Dexter is conscious of this change. They shove it down our throats, with Dexter constantly repeating that maybe he isn't the old Dexter anymore. None of this feels genuine though, as it seems the idea is only being put into play because it's the eighth and final season, on a show which probably should have ended three seasons ago. We get it. Dexter finally realizes that he doesn't have to lead the life of a serial killer, especially when he turns Saxon over to Deb. The question is, do we really care anymore?

In the most predictable story line the show has ever pulled off, Dexter sent all of Saxon's videos to the news so he could out him as the monster that he is. Then, Saxon showed up at Dexter's apartment (that he was trying to buy) only to be subdued by Dexter and Deb who knew he was coming. None of this was exciting, and even Deb getting shot at the end wasn't, because this has all happened before. Even Dex and Deb's heartfelt goodbye felt like something the show simply had to do because there's only one episode left.

I could honestly care less whether Hannah gets caught by Elway or not. I also don't care what happens to Saxon. The only thing that could save the finale from being a total fail is if everyone finds out everything that Dexter has done for the past eight seasons, which most likely won't happen. While yes, Dexter has for the most part only killed really terrible people, his actions need to end up having some kind of consequences apart from a messed up Deb. 

Blood spatters

- "Evelyn's dead." How many times has Dexter told Deb that so and so is dead?

- Syl shows up to sell Dexter's apartment since he's moving to Argentina. Remember Syl? The show has been on for so long I'm surprised that it wasn't spelled out for us who she was (Miguel's wife).

- Quinn kept the wedding ring he proposed to Deb with. Enough already.

- Dexter's farewell dinner was nice.

- "Tacos and tequila. Or whatever the f--k they eat in Argentina."

- "This is just for right now. It's not forever." "I know that f--kface."

- "You don't need me anymore," ghost Harry tells Dexter. Is he gone forever?! One can only hope.