Code of Harry

Ever since Dexter was small, he showed some unusual behavior unlike any other kids his age. This is due to a trauma he experienced when he witnessed how his mother died. Even though young Dexter remembers little about the incident, it changed him. His persona is different, the once innocent child is no more.

In flashbacks we saw Harry, Dexter’s adoptive father, constantly ask him if he remembered anything about it and he always says he did not. Eventually, in later flashbacks, the psychotic behavior and serial killing tendencies, which Dexter later calls the “Dark Passenger” that Harry feared the most has surfaced. Dexter started killing animals without any remorse, and when Harry found out, Harry acted quickly. He was sure that Dexter would move from animals to people in no time.

To help Dexter, Harry created the a set of rules that has to be followed to the letter, aptly named, the “Code of Harry”. The code channels Dexter’s dark skill to a constructive use, in which Dexter would only kill people who deserve to die.

Code of Harry states that Dexter would carefully prepare for the kill and have everything ready and in place. He must make sure that the “trash” he is about to take out was indeed guilty. He would have to research and gather concrete evidence against the victim. And most important of rule of all, Dexter would not get caught.

Harry Morgan did not only teach Dexter how to do detective work and not to get caught.

Since Dexter feels empty inside, he doesn’t show any feelings and emotions at all. Dexter felt nothing and did not understand or care about emotions. Harry also taught him how to fake emotions or feelings. How to be “normal” person so he can blend with the crowd like everyone else.

These are the teachings of the “Code of Harry”. Harry convinced Dexter that he could control the “Dark Passenger” and that it did not control him. Controlling the urges meant that he could bypass innocent lives to stalk and cut down the guilty people when the time comes.

Did Harry do the right thing by influencing Dexter to channel his murderous urges to be used for the “greater good”?