Showtime's David Nevins Defends Dexter Plot Twist, Talks About An End Game

Showtime had its day in front of the critics during the TCA press tour today. Among the topics of discussion were certain relevant plot twists brought to light toward the end of the sixth season of Dexter. Showtime Entertainment President David Nevins made a few comments, one of which could hint at what’s to come for Deb and Dexter.

This is the point where you want to stop reading if you aren’t caught up with the series. Otherwise, consider yourselves spoiler warned!

Showtime entertainment president David Nevins answered some Dexter related questions at the TCA today, as reported by TV Line, among which were inquiries about the possibly budding romantic relationship between Deb and Dexter. Deb discovering she’s in love with her brother is a development that unraveled toward the end of last season, however she’d only just discovered her feelings. Regardless of fact that Deb and Dexter aren’t biological siblings, they have grown up as brother and sister and until recently, there didn’t seem to be so much as a hint of romance between them. However, from how Nevins puts it, this shift in their relationship has been a long time coming...

“I’m aware that there’s a certain taboo despite fact that they’re not genetically related, but [this is] something that has been building over a number of years,” Nevins noted, claiming that this is “an idea that’s informed how they’ve done this show for a long time.”

If what he’s saying is true, the writers did a fine job of keeping viewers in the dark about the supposed built-up romance and/or sexual tension between the two characters over the years. At the very least, I never saw it coming. In fact, Dexter’s close but platonic relationship with Deb has always been one of my favorite aspects of the show. Regardless, love is in the air. Whether Dexter reciprocates Deb's feelings, we'll have to wait and see.

The other big twist at the end of Season 6 was Deb witnessing her brother as he ceremoniously killed the season’s villain, played by Colin Hanks. We were left to spend the off-season wondering how Deb will react to learning that Dexter is a serial killer. On that subject, Nevins says something very interesting and possibly revealing:

Nevins said the turning point sets in motion “a very clear trajectory [for] the next two seasons and it’s going to help to write with that endgame in mind. There should be fundamentally different dynamics now that Deb [knows about Dex] and it’s going to ricochet.

“I’ve been pushing to shakeup [Dexter's] formula a bit… so he’s not such a lone wolf,” he added.

I don’t know how to interpret what he says about it ricocheting, however his additional comment suggests that Dexter may now have a confidant. Assuming Nevins is directly referencing what Deb witnessed at the end of Season 6, it sounds like what he’s saying is that he wanted Dexter to have someone to work with in some capacity. If that’s the case, Deb would certainly be the right wolf for the job, given her position in the police precinct, not to mention her loyalty (and now romantic affection) to Dexter.

Nevins also made comments that hint that Season 8 could be the end-point for the series, but went on to say, “but I’m allowing for the possibility that the plan can change.”

As it’s such a rare thing for a series’ last season to be its best, I sort of hope Season 8 is where the series wraps up. As much as I love the show, I’d rather it end while it’s still enjoyable. Meanwhile, there’s always the chance the end of the series could lead to a Dexter movie...