Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.77 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Immediately after discovering his wife Rita (Julie Benz) murdered in their bathtub, a victim of the Trinity Killer, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) sits on his front lawn in a state of shock, while holding his infant son Harrison in his arms.
As the murder is the work of the Trinity Killer, LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) announces that Miami Metro must hand over the case to the FBI, much to the resentment of most of the department, who feel that Rita's death has hit them close to home.
Meanwhile, Dexter manages to regain his senses enough to notice that the spirit of Harry (James Remar) has failed to appear and give him advice.
At the same time Quinn (Desmond Harrington) catches a glimpse of the neighbor, Elliot (Rick Peters), in tears over the murder, and finds it puzzling compared to Dexter's relative lack of response.
He realizes that he genuinely loved Rita, and returns to Miami to appear at her funeral, giving her a heartfelt eulogy before she is laid to rest.
Instead, Executive Producer, Sara Colleton, and new showrunner, Chip Johannessen, felt the need to honor Rita's character by giving the audience a chance to grieve and say their own farewells.
"[6] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "a great start to the season, and I like the idea that this year won't have one Big Bad – because who could top Lithgow?
"[8] Billy Grifter of Den of Geek wrote, "Dexter, I've decided, is like one of those people you don’t mind turning up unannounced at your door.
"[10] Claire Zulkey of Los Angeles Times wrote, "As always, the drama at Miami Metro is a distant second to that in Dexter's life, but thus far it doesn't seem to compete with our favorite serial killer, who has to pick up the pieces and move on, or at least appear that way.