Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Resurrection season 1, episode 9.Angel Batista (David Zayas) met his untimely end in Dexter: Resurrection episode 9, marking the end of the original Dexter character after 19 years. Angel is by far the most prominent original Dexter character to return for Resurrection, and a huge portion of the season has focused on him. He’s very nearly succeeded in exposing Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher, but he didn’t see his mission through.
In Dexter: Resurrection episode 9, Angel actually got confirmation that all his theories were right, and that Dexter really is the Bay Harbor Butcher. Unfortunately, that vindication came too late, and Batista ended up walking into his own death to get it. Angel’s death is a big moment for Dexter, and it could use with a bit of explanation.
Angel Batista’s Death In Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 9 Explained
Angel, in his quest to expose Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher and get justice for Doakes and Maria, followed him to the restaurant at the start of the episode. He then saw Dexter meet with Leon Prater. Later, the NYPD took Batista’s badge and basically kicked him out of New York. All this is to say that by the end of the episode, Angel was desperate.
In his desperation, Angel made a mistake: he approached Leon Prater, ostensibly about a threat on his life, but more likely to get information about Dexter. Prater, after hearing the truth that “Red” was actually the Bay Harbor Butcher, wanted to give Dexter a peace offering and put Angel on the kill table in his vault.
Once Dexter arrived, he tried to save Angel’s life by cutting his restraints. Angel, however, was still furious with Dexter and finally had confirmation that he was the Bay Harbor Butcher, so he tried to kill Dexter himself. In the commotion, Prater shot and killed Angel, then tried to kill Dexter as well for setting Angel free. Prater and Charley left, and Angel died in Dexter’s arms.
Why Batista Had To Die In Dexter: Resurrection
Unfortunately, there was really no way to avoid Angel’s death in Resurrection episode 9. His character, including Angel’s dedication to justice and his loyalty to both Doakes and Maria, never would have let him forgive Dexter. Angel was always going to pursue Dexter, and that meant he had to die. Dexter couldn’t be free with Angel breathing down his back, and Angel was never going to stop.
More broadly, however, Batista’s death fit too perfectly for Resurrection to pass it up. Firstly, Angel’s death raised the stakes going into the season finale. Leon Prater killed one of Dexter’s oldest friends, and – even though it helped Dexter – now his revenge against Prater will be all the sweeter.
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Dexter: Resurrection Release Schedule |
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Episode Title |
Release Date |
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A Beating Heart |
July 11 |
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Camera Shy |
July 11 |
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Backseat Driver |
July 18 |
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Call Me Red |
July 25 |
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Murder Horny |
August 1 |
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Cats and Mouse |
August 8 |
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Course Correction |
August 15 |
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The Kill Room Where it Happens |
August 22 |
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Touched by an Angel |
August 29 |
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And Justice for All |
September 5 |
Angel’s death also fits with Resurrection‘s larger themes. Throughout the season, Dexter has been reminded of all the people who indirectly got killed because of his dark passenger. Doakes, Maria, and Deb all died because of him, and Angel’s death only adds to Dexter’s guilty conscience. It’s a stark reminder that Dexter’s double life comes with a huge price: it endangers everyone he loves, no matter how hard he tries to avoid it.
Dexter & Masuka Are The Only Major Dexter Season 1 Characters Left
Angel Batista’s death was tragic in its own right, but it was also tragic because it marks the end of an era. Now that Angel is dead, Dexter himself and Vince Masuka are the only characters from Dexter season 1 that are still alive. Joey Quinn joined the show’s cast in season 3, and Harrison wasn’t born until season 4, so neither are founding characters.
Astor and Cody Bennett are presumably still alive by the time of Dexter: Resurrection, but given their lack of appearances since and relatively small role in the original season of Dexter, they aren’t considered major characters.
All the other main characters from Dexter season 1 met untimely ends. Harry has obviously been dead since the beginning. James Doakes died in Dexter season 2, Rita Bennett died in season 4, Maria LaGuerta died in season 7, and Deb infamously died at the end of the original Dexter. Now, just Dexter and Masuka are still breathing heading into the finale of Dexter: Resurrection season 1.
