3. Hannah McKay: The Means To An End
The character of Hannah McKay was initially just another typecast love interest for Dexter. But over time, she became so much more to him than just another person for his kill table: she became someone who understood the real Dexter Morgan. And for Dexter, this was certainly a huge relief, finding someone he could confide in, someone who understood him, and someone who knew who he truly was. And because of this connection, Dexter was able to care for someone again, something he had not had been able to do, outside of Harrison, since his wife Rita. Many fans question the "convenient" return of the Hannah McKay character mid-way through the final season. What purpose could she possibly serve? Deb hates her, she tried to kill Dex and Deb, and she's obviously a killer who can't be trusted. But Hannah McKay became Dexter's touchstone in the final season, his place of solace and grounding. She became someone he could trust, and someone Harrison could also love; another female besides Deb for Harrison to have in his life. All along Hannah McKay was the one person in Dexter's life who "got him;" she knew the real Dexter, and finally Dexter didn't have to hide his true self, not even from her. Certainly, from a storytelling standpoint, Hannah McKay was a means to an end for the writers and the overall story, but she was also as essential to Dexter as his own sister, Deb. Hannah's role can not be understated: she loved Dexter, and she loved Harrison. And with that, Dexter was able to finally embrace his true self by the finale's end; knowing full well his son was safe with someone who would love him and care for him and raise him, and that the someone Harrison had was the one true person who understood who his father really was, so that someday Harrison could learn the honest truth about his father. But what of Deb, the one who loved Dexter unconditionally...