James Doakes (Erik King) imprisoned in an Everglades cabin and learns from him that her object of affection, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), is the serial killer known as the "Bay Harbor Butcher".
Meanwhile, Dexter's sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) questions whether her career is more important than her relationship with FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine).
Doakes's death, according to Dexter's writers, was premeditated from the show's pilot episode because the character was "too good to not kill".
LaGuerta, grieving the loss of her former partner, is in denial over Doakes' incrimination and tries to collect donations for his memorial service.
Dexter manages to free Astor and Cody through a small window and eventually rams down a thin wall to escape.
Dexter staff writers Daniel Cerone and Melissa Rosenberg were initially planning to write the script of the finale together.
[2] The character was killed to prevent recycling of used ideas, so that the writers would "stay aggressive and on top of it rather than repeat ourselves", according to Phillips.
[5] "The British Invasion" drew 1.4 million viewers on its first broadcast, a 14 percent improvement from the first season finale, "Born Free".
He found Doakes's death dramatically unsatisfying since Dexter was absent, and was disappointed with Debra's portrayal as "relentlessly needy".
He felt cheated, however, that Dexter was not forced to decide whether to kill Doakes, and was disappointed that Lila's character primarily served as a plot device.
[12] TV Squad's Keith McDuffee thought that "The British Invasion" was unsurprising and predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.
[13] Zap2it reviewer Daniel Fienberg felt that the episode was disappointing in comparison to the first-season finale, "Born Free".
He was displeased with the unheroic circumstances of Doakes's death, the lack of direction in LaGuerta's character arc and the abrupt end to Debra and Lundy's relationship.