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.
In the episode, Dexter struggles to remember the location of Benito Gomez's body, while the Trinity Killer stalks his next victim.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.37 million household viewers and gained a 0.6/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
While inspecting the man's house, Quinn (Desmond Harrington) opens his safe and takes some of the money, but sees that Dexter witnessed him.
Debra believes Lundy (Keith Carradine) only returned to pursue her, but he finally reveals his investigation into the Trinity Killer.
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.5 out of 10, and wrote, "Just when you thought Dexter might get some much needed shut-eye, he's thrown into a frantic mystery where his identity as a killer is in serious danger of being exposed.
"Remains To Be Seen" definitely harkens back to the feel of Season 2 and the search for the Bay Harbor Butcher, with Dexter working in nervous haste to try and cover his tracks.
Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "Trinity's a bit disconnected from the storyline in a way that should irritate but somehow doesn't.
"[6] Alan Sepinwall wrote, "I don't think the show functions very well as a straight mystery, and that "Remains to Be Seen" was therefore the weakest of the four episodes I got to see before the season began.
"[7] Gina DiNunno of TV Guide wrote, "Dexter brushes off the warning and goes to bed in dire need of sleep.