Harry Morgan
From Dexter Wiki
| CHARACTER | ||
| Harry Morgan | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| First appearance | 1x01 "Pilot" (in flashbacks) | |
| Last appearance | Recurring | |
| Reason | ||
| Age | 60s (deceased) | |
| Profession | Miami Metro PD Detective | |
| Status | Deceased | |
| Portrayed by | James Remar | |
Harry taught Dexter to avoid detection as a sociopath, using the Code of Harry.
[edit] Early Life
Harry first found Dexter at a crime scene when Dexter was just 2 or 3 and took him in as his own son. From an early age, Dexter showed signs of serial killer tendencies, i.e. torturing and killing small animals, which Harry identified right away. Instead of suppressing the urges, Harry taught Dexter how to curb his appetite for killing by unleashing it on criminals that escaped the system. The "Code of Harry", which Dexter constantly refers to, was instituted by Harry to prevent Dexter from being caught for his vigilantism. Every rule that stems from the code is to protect Dexter and the ones closest to him, namely his sister Debra and his wife Rita and her children.
[edit] Season One
Throughout Season 1, Harry is seen much as a genius or an idealist, someone who made a bold decision that could have devastating repercussions in creating his own little serial killer of a son.
[edit] Season Two
In Season 2, more of Harry's history comes to light, especially of his affair with Dexter's biological mother, Laura Moser. She was a confidential informant for the case Harry was working on and his actions indirectly lead to her murder. This leads to a tumultuous emotional phase for Dexter, who can't decide whether Harry created a code for him out of love or guilt. Harry has a unique place in Dexter's life as it is he who created this "Dark Defender". But he couldn't deal with the consequences of what he created as he committed suicide out of guilt. Dexter traces his life very closely to Harry's, throughout Season 1 he could do no wrong, but through Season 2 and Season 3, the moral implications of being a vigilante and taking the law into one's own hands become readily apparent.
