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 and Debra must work together to locate Vogel after Yates kidnaps her, while Quinn tries to get a wealthy family investigated for Norma Rivera's murder.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.55 million household viewers and gained a 1.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
During a new session with Vogel (Charlotte Rampling), Dexter (Michael C. Hall) scolds Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) for almost having them killed, claiming he could have left Harrison as an orphan.
Miami Metro continues investigating the murder of Norma Rivera, concluding that she willingly had sex with another person before her death.
Dexter is approached by Ed's son, Zach (Sam Underwood), who repeatedly asks questions over Norma's murder.
A vendor tells Quinn (Desmond Harrington) that he saw Zach near the crime scene where Norma was murdered at the time of her death, but he later changes his story.
Matthews (Geoff Pierson) decides not to bring Zach for questioning, despite Quinn suggesting his family blackmailed the vendor, as they are friends with the police department.
Jamie (Aimee Garcia) sets up a double date with Quinn, hoping to pair Dexter with Cassie (Bethany Joy Lenz).
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.5 out of 10, and wrote, "There was a bit of a mini-finale feeling to "This Little Piggy," as it (for now) seemed to close off the Vogel/Brain Surgeon story.
The fun of speculating about what will happen in a show about an anti-hero is considering the wide range of fates that could befall a character deserving of his or her comeuppance.
"[6] Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush wrote, "Overall "This Little Piggy" brings plenty of catharsis in seeing Dexter united with both Deb and Vogel as a family, and even a humanizing moment for Masuka along the way, though few of the storylines going forward seem as strong as those wrapped up here tonight.
But I wish the final season was increasing stakes and tension every week and felt more like a cohesive story instead of a compartmentalized series of new killers for Dex to dispatch.
"[11] Billy Grifter of Den of Geek wrote, "Last week, I was majorly disappointed in the shabby crash sequence and a perceived lack of proper connections between events.