Dexter:' Season 4, Episode 5

This week’s episode has the title “Dirty Harry,” which probably does not mean that baby Harrison is overdue for a diaper change. Series regular (and Lance Henricksen look-alike) James Remar gives a particularly angry, wrathful performance this week as Dexter’s imaginary/ghostly stepfather Harry in the wake of Deb and Agent Lundy’s shooting.

“Dexter” has grown increasingly skeptical about Harry over the seasons. At first, he came across, in flashbacks, as a positive influence on his young adopted son. Perceiving at an early age that his adopted son has sociopathic tendencies and a fascination with death, he channeled Dexter’s homicidal instincts in a “positive” direction, “The Code of Harry,” so he only preys on murderers and takes enormous precautions to cover his tracks. Early on, Dexter’s flashbacks and imaginary conversations have portrayed Harry as a combination of guardian angel and nurturing parent, albeit one who offers advice on the best places to dispose of chopped-up bodies.