I was shook watching that scene. Never seen it since. Won't even play the season where she died. Will just skip that season and go to the Julia Styles season
Her death may have sucked but she should feel amazing knowing it was one of the most shocking and unforgettable deaths/moments, not only for Dexter but in TV history. I will always remember it.
Absolutely! Just watched this scene with my bestie tonight whose watching for the first time and her jaw literally dropped to the floor and her hands went up over her mouth so fast she couldn't believe it.
I’m sure it sucks losing a job, but her death really cemented her character as a pivotal point in the main characters development. She was great in that role.
@navyseal1689 Season 5-8 simply didn't feel nearly as engaging as Season 1-4. A part of that is the absence of Rita and the kids, Doakes also added a really interesting dynamic to the show.
@@memeymajesty9237 true. Shes like the comfort/relief character. All the pressure and tension go away when Dex and Rita are together. The magic gone when she died
Yeah it was great storytelling. Also it just really shows that Dexter's lifestyle is incredibly dangerous and it was inevitable that there would eventually be more casualties in the mix.
It was the best story arc and the writers for season 5 had huge shoes to fill and that’s why season 5 gets so much hate but I think season 5 was the epilogue for dexter and the aftermath of Trinity……..dexter should have ended at season 5 or they should have scrapped the ideas for season 6 and make the season 7 story arc where in the first episode she finds out he’s a serial killer by finding the blood slides……..and the series finale should have been when leaguers is murdered and then he dex and deb cover it up and then go into work like it’s a normal day
Agreed - when you think about how S4 ran, Rita’s death was necessary. Really sucked to lose her character but man was that a shocking and incredible ending.
After that the show kind of started sucking. The moment needed to happen but it was a moment that was supposed to ruin dexter and be the end of him. It happened way too soon. All it did was kill the show. She grounded Dexter and she was a great story point.
I just got done binge watching it and I was heartbroken when she was killed too. I kept saying "I can't believe they killed Rita! I don't even want to watch anymore" to my husband over and over. He wasn't watching so he had no idea what I was even talking about. I did finish watching though. Still pissed they killed her off.
@@nhg9649 me too!! I was thankful I was watching it on Amazon. Couldn't have imagined having to wait until the next season to see if it was real or not.
there are just too few things that she’s in. and i think on dexter her character could’ve lasted another season before it was ‘time’ for her to be killed off.
Julie should take pleasure in knowing that her final scene in Season 4 was the cherry on top of the masterpiece of the greatest Dexter season. Literally one of the best seasons of television ever.
I think season 1, 2 (if you ignore lila sometimes), 4 and 5 (meh villains) are about equal in terms of over all quality. The story writing in season 1 is perfect and unpredictable and season 2 and 5 have some really intriguing supporting characters (doakes and lumen), but season 4 probably has the strongest villain acting-wise and is the most psychologically thrilling/upsetting of all the seasons.
Yeah thats the part that sucked most, she dying without finding out about Dexter. Trinity most likely told her but still, they could've made it like.....she found out then whatever her reaction, she went home n got killed. becuz her personality, she could've never accepted Dexter as a serial killer, so if she finding out, u know shes gonna die. That would've been better but to kill her n never knew who he is just feels incomplete something its missing. Especially the ending. They should've let everyone know
She is a phenomenal actress so we can’t hold anything against how her character was written, however she was not the epitome of great wife and mom. She cheated, constantly was rude to Dexter after the marriage began, etc. again Dexter ain’t great either he literally kills people but it doesn’t mean Rita was perfect either
@@Reavezz wasn't she rude to Dexter because he was an absent father? And I guess she should have reacted sooner, but she was surprise kissed, and soon rejected the guy, does it really constitute cheating?
After they killed her off, they got rid of her kids too. It was so sad because I got use to seeing the kids too, and knowing they lost both parents is heartbreaking. Rita’s brought light into Dexter darkness, and he wasn’t the same after she was killed off. I cried for her character. Not just that, but she didn’t deserve to die,
It's easy to say 'They shouldn't have killed off Rita!' if she was your favourite character or if you think the show became shit after season 4, but there's no question that the decision to kill off such an important character, and in that way (bathtub, killed by Trinity) was creatively genius, and it really put the finishing touches on what was arguably the best season of the show. For the first time, Dexter actually lost. Yes, he killed Trinity, but he still lost.
Yes,I agree.It really sucks that she was killed off but it did have a powerful impact.It obviously added a lot for Dexter's character development.But I kind of wished she at least reappeared every now and then as a ghost for Harrison or to reassure Dexter.Seeing this interview made me realize that it would have been hard for her to return to the sets.
it wasnt creativity that was driving that choice, so much is clear. They didnt even care to film the scene and show it in hindsight at least. It's just "so this happened". The obvious choice would have been to integrate Rita and the kids leaving the show into the storyline of Dexter being exposed. But they probably wanted to save that for another season but not pay the supporting actors for another year.
The problem is Rita died because Dexter was being an absolute moron. He pointlessly threw away so many chances to kill Trinity and handed him his personal information on a silver platter.
I started atrociously sobbing when Dexter heard Rita’s phone ringing, I couldn’t breathe and continued to sob for a good hour after the ending of the episode.
Julie Benz is probably my favorite actress, I named my dog after her character from Buffy. When I first saw Dexter I was so happy to see her again. She is great & beautiful!
I think they may have changed show runners around that time, because the quality of the show dipped considerably the next season, and it eventually morphed into garbage.
So sorry to hear how broken up she was over her character being killed off and losing a job she loved. It must be all the more difficult knowing that the show wasn't ending, just your time on it. While I haven't seen everything she's ever been in, her role as Rita on Dexter is perhaps my favorite of all her characters and her best work. More so than Darla on Buffy and Angel, better than her work on Desperate Housewives, No Ordinary Family, Defiance and Rambo. I know she was in Jawbreaker as well, but it's been a while since I've seen that. I bet she has some other good performances I've never seen or may have forgotten.
@@cheri7054 If they insisted on killing her off I would have turned her into Dexter's conscience. Similar to the role that James Remar aka Harry Morgan played as Dexter's father. Like a little angel on his should. Rita and Harry Morgan could even have been competing view points struggling to guide Dexter down the right path. Rita's angel would be more kind, loving and forgiving, whereas Harry's character would continue to play the same role giving Dexter the advice he needs to hide his true nature and cover his tracks. I think Debra Morgan will take on a similar role in the new season of Dexter.
@@maximusaurelius9906 She might not be the best conscious for him cuz she died cuz it was Dexter's fault. He took Rita's kids Mom away. I hated that part.
@@cheri7054 True, but Rita's character was the forgiving and accepting type as noted by hey choice in men. Plus she ignorant of who Dexter was in life, would she not also be so in death? And she would be a figment of Dexter's imagination.
She’s commanding... she delivered a line in the TV show ‘Angel’ that was so intense, when she told Angel that “...God doesn’t want you...” an amazing scene! ł
I agree her death was shocking, and I'm sorry for her personally given the impact it had, but that's the kind of thing that made the show shocking, unpredictable, and awesome. You knew it was a different game at that point. Interestingly, Game of Thrones seemed to take that to the next level, killing off popular characters.
Rita truly made Dexter better (Both the character and the show) He felt more humane and made the show real. I was very sad they killed rita off, I literally just watched the S4 finale.
This was the #1 hardest character death on television. It hit hard. She represented such life and hope. It was so Shakespearean, fooled to think she was spared. And leaving the son there….
For real, at first i thought she was killed off because she probably has other project, but knowing it wasn't even her choice just made me extremely mad. I wish they keep her longer
Thanks for this. I never really thought about how an actor felt knowing their show will go on, just without them... If it is any consolation, her characters death is easily going down in history as one of the most surprising and game changing scenes in all of television. Best of luck to her.
I went to high school with her, Franklin Regional High School.....she was super sweet and curious, even when she had acting jobs in school, never had an ego....she was great in dexter
I loved her character arc, how she went from this damaged damsel to strong and not taking any crap. Really cool for her to be vulnerable here and talk about this. It's basically being let go from a job you love because your position was eliminated, but even worse that position was a character you brought to life and they are eliminated in a gruesome and tragic way. People give actors and actresses a lot of crap and sometimes it is fair, but I could see where this would be really traumatic. Especially knowing the show would go on without you.
Rita's death was so impactful... and one of the reasons it was awesome for the show... but realistically her character had run its course and a new direction and the fall out of her death for the story line was needed.
I like her performance in Angel as Darla. They gave her a good part, and she pulled it off phenomenally in my opinion. It's amazing she was only in Buffy for like the first 7 episodes and not even in all of those, but still ends up being one of the most significant characters in the whole story of both shows. Angel is my fav show, even over Dexter, but i would consider the acting as "serviceable" not exactly the best, but Julie as Darla is an exception there, I always believed her acting like it was a real person, and her character was twisted and had one of the darkest story lines of the show, which is more impressive how she nailed it. Big fan of her, and both shows.
*Rita’s death made the season so much better, and helped set the scene for S5.* I knew it would happen. At first I thought Dexter would save Rita and in doing so reveal himself as a killer by killing trinity while saving her and then she would keep his secret. I had bad feelings but as soon as I heard Trinity say “it’s already over” I knew 100% he had gotten her.
I'm always horrified and intrigued at the thought of that scene w/her and Trinity, which can have more effect not seeing it but what was said and him doing it, her reactions and Harrison there. The fear for her life and her son's life, not knowing he won't kill him for she knows. We got a glimpse even more in recent new episode. Wonder if we see more.
I remember being very upset watching that last scene. I was relieved when she was sent away by Dexter, thinking 'oh Rita and kids are safe, I can watch the rest of the season in peace now' Then the phone ringing confused me a bit and when Dexter heard the crying Harrison, I felt physically ill. Like nauseous. I had to splash my face and walk around a bit before proceeding to the next season😢
If she reacted like this when her role of Dexter ended, I wonder how she felt about Defiance ending after three seasons. I love her performance as Amanda Rosewater.
I wonder if she takes any solace in the fact that for a lot of people her character dying was the end of the show. Probably not because it doesn't really change her situation, but I have to imagine that the showrunners probably regret killing her off at some point. All so he could have a new girlfriend each season. Have to believe they could have done better with the family dynamic. Owell
Her death ROCKED ME TO MY CORE like someone in my family died. I didn’t know if I could watch the show after. I was upset for days. I’m glad it wasn’t just me.
I didnt realize how much they foreshadowed it, when Dexter totalled his car Rita was upset about the "hours" he was working and said "she didn't sign up to be a widow." Also I think they killed her off to show that Dexter can't have it all, he chose his life as a killer over his life with Rita.
The fact that we all adored her is the best reason to say why they killed her off. Dexter is a monster, and his actions end up getting people destroyed. He was the one who wanted to get to know Trinity and with that caused him to retaliate. Rita is a collateral damage for his actions, just like his father was, just like Debra was, just like Doakes was, just like La Guerta was... The reason we feel so bad is because Rita was our surrogate, though which we could love Dexter, and because Dexter knew it was all his fault. He finally got a glimmer of light that might change him, when it all comes crashing down.
There is always a haunting loveliness to any character she plays. I love her in Angel and Dexter -- such a cruel ending to her character, but it fit in with the dark narrative of the series.
I got to talk to Julie about this very subject because I was upset and refused to watch anymore Dexter after she left. Very sweet person and decent actress.
What a great moment though. Very moving. Esp. since she had a huge impact on the show. It's one of the top 5/10 WTF moments in TV history. That's legend status.
One of the few shows where you felt each important death was actually for the storyline and not just because there were behind the scenes issues with the actors, or they were just trying to revive the show. They were extremely purposeful, and so I never had an issue accepting them. As sad as I was to see important characters go, because the show and writing was so good, I was even MORE excited to see what came next. For me, that completely overshadowed the loss.
I'm sorry it was so tough for her but that ending with the bathtub and the trinity killer getting one last laugh...it was dexter's highest moment. Unfortunately it was also all downhill for dexter after.
It would've been cool if they had kept her on as one of Dexter's visions to balance out Harry. Like Harry was the devil over one shoulder telling Dexter that he needed to be alone and he needed to kill in his ritualistic way, and then Rita was the angel over his other shoulder telling him that he is a good person and that he can be better.
With hindsight, what she knows now, is that the show peaked on her last episode. That was Dexter at its peak, regardless of whichever season is your favourite (and I loved all of them), the general consensus is that the 4th was the best. (I know she came back for another good-bye prequel episode I think in the 5th, but season 1-4 were the Rita years, and arguably the best)
She was great on that show. And to be fair... to no fault of her own, they killed her off at the perfect time. We experienced every possible dynamic of the Dexter Rita storyline without it being repetitive up until that point. There was no where else to go with the character.... any further would have been repetitive and they they took it to the furthest possible extent before it would have.
Benz was always one of my favorite actors. I was mad when her character was killed, but not surprised given the nature of the show. I couldn’t watch it for a while after that.
Julie Benz is legit incredible. She is awesome in everything she does and she seems to be such a nice person too. Really hope she gets more good roles.
I know it sounds crazy, but I could totally see Elizabeth Mitchell saying, "Just be honest". Elizabeth has such a sincerity about her and I think that helped Julie get through that tough patch.
Well, I guess one upside is that Rita's death has pretty much laid most of the groundwork and plot for the new Dexter season, bc without Rita dying, we wouldn't now have this entire story of Harrison's emerging dark passenger from being born in blood.
I love Julie so much! I was gasp 😦 when they killed her off of Dexter, it was one of the most shocking deaths on a show I love. I screamed NOOOO when I watched it, my hubby was in another room and came running thinking something terrible had happened in our real lives 🙃 such great writing, but so sad to lose Rita.
I liked Rita at first - her initial awkwardness, sweetness and naivete - but I don't like what they did with her character - keeping her rather two-dimensional - and her constantly speaking with that baby girl voice was super irritating. They had to get rid of the family to open up more story lines for Dexter. Plans to kill her off were probably in the works for a while. Remember their wedding and the drops of blood on her wedding dress. It was a portend. However it was shocking when and how it happened - and maddening to know Dex had so many opportunities to kill Trinity and he didn't -- he caused her death.
The way John Lithgow told the story during the finale special taping I thought she wanted to leave so they decided to give her exit the ultimate meaning. Yes her death certainly did help cement the first 4 seasons of the show, but it also never recovered until Deb found out about Dexter and then again ended that season on a highnote when Deb chooses Dexter, before sadly going off the rails. Since she wanted to stay then it would have been more interesting to give Lumens arc to Rita, having Trinity break her but not kill her. Making it plausible given her prior history that she would go down a dark path, with Dexter. Eventually leading to her clawing her way out of the darkness and do the one thing Dexter would never suspect, be the one that catches him. The natural conclusion of the story was the ending of the entire series being Dexter reliving every moment of his life as he is being executed. The idea that it wasn't some super cop or another big bad killer being the one who stops him but instead the woman who started the series being afraid of even touching him, being so close that she could fool his own hyper survival instinct when it came to his own freedoms always felt right to me.
@@NicodemusT Not sure what you mean? I don't know about you but I think it would be very rude of me if someone told me about their life and I started adding suggestions to how their own life's narrative should have played out
In my opinion, they killed Rita off a bit too quickly, however, that scene I don’t think will ever leave my mind for how shocking it was, if done correctly season five of Dexter could’ve been one of the greatest follow ups ever if they had explored Dexter psyche over losing his wife, which they did… In the first episode and then never again really until like kind of the end.
@@joshrandall5297 I’m a fan of Yvonne going all the way back to Chuck. But even she couldn’t make the writing in the last couple seasons into something palatable.
She was a wonderful character in Dexter I felt like crying when she died but I was so mad she was good for Dexter she gave him that routine of stability within a normal life she showed him light even if he can’t feel it she influenced him in ways that were good especially Rita’s kids strengthening that protection . I’m excited to see how the show progresses I’m on season 5 so far
Nice going. Didn't appreciate the spoiler alert about Debra. Some people are only here about Rita's death in season 4 which has nothing to do with Debra so thanks a lot.
@@summerdowlig That's okay. I love Debra's character but they way overdid it with her "colorful" language which I'm so sick of. I'm in season eight and kind of waiting for her death!!
I just watched Dexter for the first time and I just finished season 4… that was the most devastating season of any show Ive seen in awhile. Years, even. Hard to believe I never watched this until now.
It's sad that she didn't really know thay she was getting killed off until like 3 days before, and I liked Rita as a character, but I think her death was a perfect way for Arthur Mitchell to go out. Arthur Mitchell would be less important if she wasn't killed off and I loved Arthur. Probably the best villain on the show. Also S5 E1 after her death is one of my favorite episodes of the show. Fucking Hannah or whatever Dexters girlfriend was in S7 and 8 was awful. Makes you miss Rita or (unpopular opinion) wish they kept Lumen on the show. Rather you agree with "Lumen should have stayed on the show" or not, I think almost everyone would rather not have Hannah there. I personally liked season 7 a lot, and season 8 was okay but underwhelming (I actually liked the ending though,) but I really didn't like Hannah. Hannah almost felt like a plot device for Dexter's character growth, and the actual character was not good.
It was aweful for julie but great for story telling. It was it is the biggest moments in television history. It would be great if she came back for season 9 in some capacity. Like a voice in Dexter's head.
![Dexter & Trinity Interview - After Final Episode [Season 5 Discussion] SHOWTIME](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gsNiCF1v_2k/mqdefault.jpg)
![Dexter & Trinity Interview - After Final Episode [Season 5 Discussion] SHOWTIME](/img/tr.png)
That scene where we saw her dead was one of the most devastating moments for me on TV.
Physically upset me!
I know, it was heartbreaking. It was so creepy thinking what the trinity killer did to Rita in that bath tub.
Same for me and my husband. He was really shook
same, I remember that I cried :(
I was shook watching that scene. Never seen it since. Won't even play the season where she died. Will just skip that season and go to the Julia Styles season
I agree. I watch this scene for the first time just 2 days ago and it really got to me. Just fell anxiety, can't explain...
She was so good for the show, she brought light to balance the darkness. She was amazing.
I don't know why I read your comment in Dexter's voice 🤣🤣🤣
yea the show wasn’t as good after her, felt hopeless
Show never the same after left. 😞
Funny enough that’s why they killed her off, at the time they thought she was too bright for a dark character like Dexter
Her killing was perhaps the most sad thing I ever seen in a TV series….
Her death may have sucked but she should feel amazing knowing it was one of the most shocking and unforgettable deaths/moments, not only for Dexter but in TV history. I will always remember it.
Update your pfp, its supposed to be 2 stars now
Absolutely! Just watched this scene with my bestie tonight whose watching for the first time and her jaw literally dropped to the floor and her hands went up over her mouth so fast she couldn't believe it.
that feeling is nice but it doesn't pay the bills though.
Fr her getting fridged was the show’s peak plot twist.
I can’t imagine sweet ole Rita being in her final moment with Arthur, so violated makes me angry
I’m sure it sucks losing a job, but her death really cemented her character as a pivotal point in the main characters development.
She was great in that role.
Not actually, so many ppl recommended you only watch first 4 season. So safe to say, alot of ppl dislike killing her off
@navyseal1689 Season 5-8 simply didn't feel nearly as engaging as Season 1-4. A part of that is the absence of Rita and the kids, Doakes also added a really interesting dynamic to the show.
@@memeymajesty9237 true. Shes like the comfort/relief character. All the pressure and tension go away when Dex and Rita are together. The magic gone when she died
The Trinity Killer story arc was one of the best for Dexter and her character death was tragic, shocking, unexpected and necessary.
I agree. Could’ve probably come a little later, but that season ending was so good.
Yeah it was great storytelling. Also it just really shows that Dexter's lifestyle is incredibly dangerous and it was inevitable that there would eventually be more casualties in the mix.
It was the best story arc and the writers for season 5 had huge shoes to fill and that’s why season 5 gets so much hate but I think season 5 was the epilogue for dexter and the aftermath of Trinity……..dexter should have ended at season 5 or they should have scrapped the ideas for season 6 and make the season 7 story arc where in the first episode she finds out he’s a serial killer by finding the blood slides……..and the series finale should have been when leaguers is murdered and then he dex and deb cover it up and then go into work like it’s a normal day
Agreed - when you think about how S4 ran, Rita’s death was necessary. Really sucked to lose her character but man was that a shocking and incredible ending.
After that the show kind of started sucking. The moment needed to happen but it was a moment that was supposed to ruin dexter and be the end of him. It happened way too soon. All it did was kill the show. She grounded Dexter and she was a great story point.
That shit was heartbreaking. I loved that character
Nah her character was mad annoying.
@@LeChina tf are u on no she wasnt
@@g99_b8 she was bitchy and complaining the whole time. I wish she was replaced with Lila that would have been funner
I love her so much, I almost quit watching dexter when she was killed off. It was so upsetting
I just got done binge watching it and I was heartbroken when she was killed too. I kept saying "I can't believe they killed Rita! I don't even want to watch anymore" to my husband over and over. He wasn't watching so he had no idea what I was even talking about. I did finish watching though. Still pissed they killed her off.
Staci N I kept saying to myself, “please be one of dexters dreams”
@@nhg9649 me too!! I was thankful I was watching it on Amazon. Couldn't have imagined having to wait until the next season to see if it was real or not.
BRUUUUHHHHHH YOU SPOILLED DELETE THE COMMENT U SPOILLED THE SHOW
@@error-error-qm8xj lol you can't be reading youtube comments if you're watching a show 😂 the entirety of TH-cam is a spoiler.
She is a very underrated actress.
there are just too few things that she’s in. and i think on dexter her character could’ve lasted another season before it was ‘time’ for her to be killed off.
She really is!! She's an awesome actress!!
@@_birdie I agree!! She also played on ANGEL as Darla!!
She was great in Angel.
What's her rating?
Julie should take pleasure in knowing that her final scene in Season 4 was the cherry on top of the masterpiece of the greatest Dexter season. Literally one of the best seasons of television ever.
I think season 1, 2 (if you ignore lila sometimes), 4 and 5 (meh villains) are about equal in terms of over all quality. The story writing in season 1 is perfect and unpredictable and season 2 and 5 have some really intriguing supporting characters (doakes and lumen), but season 4 probably has the strongest villain acting-wise and is the most psychologically thrilling/upsetting of all the seasons.
@@axelode45Season 4 turned Dexter into a total bumbling idiot though.
Would have loved to seen Rita's reaction about dexter being a serial killer 🤣🤣
Yeah thats the part that sucked most, she dying without finding out about Dexter. Trinity most likely told her but still, they could've made it like.....she found out then whatever her reaction, she went home n got killed. becuz her personality, she could've never accepted Dexter as a serial killer, so if she finding out, u know shes gonna die. That would've been better but to kill her n never knew who he is just feels incomplete something its missing. Especially the ending. They should've let everyone know
That's what I wanted to see.
@@TripleTreuViet trinity didn’t know he was a serial Killer. He just thought he was a guy exploiting him for money.
it's for the best, she would have freaked the fuck out
If you really care about the character of Rita you never want her to find that out
She was so beautiful on the show. The epitome of a great wife and mother. I was sad to see her go.
Um lmao Rita was suck as a mother and very too demanding as a wife
I don't think she was a bad mother necessarily. I agree with what Danny said but she was also troubled and flawed like anyone else.
genuinely she was kind of distractingly beautiful, but she was an amazing actor and added so much to the show.
She is a phenomenal actress so we can’t hold anything against how her character was written, however she was not the epitome of great wife and mom. She cheated, constantly was rude to Dexter after the marriage began, etc. again Dexter ain’t great either he literally kills people but it doesn’t mean Rita was perfect either
@@Reavezz wasn't she rude to Dexter because he was an absent father? And I guess she should have reacted sooner, but she was surprise kissed, and soon rejected the guy, does it really constitute cheating?
After they killed her off, they got rid of her kids too. It was so sad because I got use to seeing the kids too, and knowing they lost both parents is heartbreaking. Rita’s brought light into Dexter darkness, and he wasn’t the same after she was killed off. I cried for her character. Not just that, but she didn’t deserve to die,
It's easy to say 'They shouldn't have killed off Rita!' if she was your favourite character or if you think the show became shit after season 4, but there's no question that the decision to kill off such an important character, and in that way (bathtub, killed by Trinity) was creatively genius, and it really put the finishing touches on what was arguably the best season of the show. For the first time, Dexter actually lost. Yes, he killed Trinity, but he still lost.
Yes,I agree.It really sucks that she was killed off but it did have a powerful impact.It obviously added a lot for Dexter's character development.But I kind of wished she at least reappeared every now and then as a ghost for Harrison or to reassure Dexter.Seeing this interview made me realize that it would have been hard for her to return to the sets.
Perfectly said
I didn't even think it sucked after season 4. 5 was pretty solid. 6 went downhill. 7 is actually one of my favorites. 8.....well 8 just sucked
it wasnt creativity that was driving that choice, so much is clear. They didnt even care to film the scene and show it in hindsight at least. It's just "so this happened". The obvious choice would have been to integrate Rita and the kids leaving the show into the storyline of Dexter being exposed. But they probably wanted to save that for another season but not pay the supporting actors for another year.
The problem is Rita died because Dexter was being an absolute moron. He pointlessly threw away so many chances to kill Trinity and handed him his personal information on a silver platter.
I started atrociously sobbing when Dexter heard Rita’s phone ringing, I couldn’t breathe and continued to sob for a good hour after the ending of the episode.
Julie Benz is probably my favorite actress, I named my dog after her character from Buffy. When I first saw Dexter I was so happy to see her again. She is great & beautiful!
I’m still mad that they killed Rita! She was so good in the show. Took me of guard when i saw the last episode season 4
That episode devastated me.
I felt bad once Rita died and the effect it had on the children. Very sad.
Yea, same 😔
Dexter was never the same after killing off Rita, it lost it's heart and humanity.
Agreed! I stopped watching Dexter after Rita was gone.
I think they may have changed show runners around that time, because the quality of the show dipped considerably the next season, and it eventually morphed into garbage.
Still thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the seasons, such a blast!!
She was Dexter's only hope.
Agree completely, following seasons just get worse and worse. It just killed the show.
So sorry to hear how broken up she was over her character being killed off and losing a job she loved. It must be all the more difficult knowing that the show wasn't ending, just your time on it. While I haven't seen everything she's ever been in, her role as Rita on Dexter is perhaps my favorite of all her characters and her best work. More so than Darla on Buffy and Angel, better than her work on Desperate Housewives, No Ordinary Family, Defiance and Rambo. I know she was in Jawbreaker as well, but it's been a while since I've seen that. I bet she has some other good performances I've never seen or may have forgotten.
@Hello ThereYes. Defiance. So far so good. I am still in the beginning of season 2. Solid work by Julie.
They should have given her one more season.
@@cheri7054 If they insisted on killing her off I would have turned her into Dexter's conscience. Similar to the role that James Remar aka Harry Morgan played as Dexter's father. Like a little angel on his should. Rita and Harry Morgan could even have been competing view points struggling to guide Dexter down the right path. Rita's angel would be more kind, loving and forgiving, whereas Harry's character would continue to play the same role giving Dexter the advice he needs to hide his true nature and cover his tracks. I think Debra Morgan will take on a similar role in the new season of Dexter.
@@maximusaurelius9906 She might not be the best conscious for him cuz she died cuz it was Dexter's fault. He took Rita's kids Mom away. I hated that part.
@@cheri7054 True, but Rita's character was the forgiving and accepting type as noted by hey choice in men. Plus she ignorant of who Dexter was in life, would she not also be so in death? And she would be a figment of Dexter's imagination.
Dude I literally cried. Broke my heart.
She’s commanding... she delivered a line in the TV show ‘Angel’ that was so intense, when she told Angel that “...God doesn’t want you...” an amazing scene! ł
Don’t remember this.
'But I still do.' Such a great actress.
I agree her death was shocking, and I'm sorry for her personally given the impact it had, but that's the kind of thing that made the show shocking, unpredictable, and awesome. You knew it was a different game at that point. Interestingly, Game of Thrones seemed to take that to the next level, killing off popular characters.
Your death made me cry a lot....i loved you actually.
I cried bro but for Dexter
Same, but for the kids.
Bro I just watched her death I havent cries this much is like 5 years
*havent cried this much
I don't even remember this girl.
She’s amazing my favorite show
Rita truly made Dexter better (Both the character and the show) He felt more humane and made the show real. I was very sad they killed rita off, I literally just watched the S4 finale.
This was the #1 hardest character death on television. It hit hard. She represented such life and hope. It was so Shakespearean, fooled to think she was spared. And leaving the son there….
Damn. Can’t even remember the last time I saw her in something, after she left Dexter. It’s a real shame...She’s fantastic. I adore her. 😕
For real, at first i thought she was killed off because she probably has other project, but knowing it wasn't even her choice just made me extremely mad. I wish they keep her longer
I'm in the middle of watching dexter.. Episode 5 of season 3 to be exact...
This woman caught me the whole time because of her character
Sorry for the spoiler.
I think we were all upset to see her go. Her death was totally unexpected
One of the most underrated actress in Hollywood. She’s very awesome!
Thanks for this. I never really thought about how an actor felt knowing their show will go on, just without them... If it is any consolation, her characters death is easily going down in history as one of the most surprising and game changing scenes in all of television. Best of luck to her.
I went to high school with her, Franklin Regional High School.....she was super sweet and curious, even when she had acting jobs in school, never had an ego....she was great in dexter
So happy to see some content back on TH-cam!
I loved her character arc, how she went from this damaged damsel to strong and not taking any crap. Really cool for her to be vulnerable here and talk about this. It's basically being let go from a job you love because your position was eliminated, but even worse that position was a character you brought to life and they are eliminated in a gruesome and tragic way. People give actors and actresses a lot of crap and sometimes it is fair, but I could see where this would be really traumatic. Especially knowing the show would go on without you.
Rita's death was so impactful... and one of the reasons it was awesome for the show... but realistically her character had run its course and a new direction and the fall out of her death for the story line was needed.
It's very disheartening that they killed the Light beyond Dexter's tunnel😭
Dexter was never going to be able to have a normal life. He was lying to himself.
I like her performance in Angel as Darla. They gave her a good part, and she pulled it off phenomenally in my opinion. It's amazing she was only in Buffy for like the first 7 episodes and not even in all of those, but still ends up being one of the most significant characters in the whole story of both shows. Angel is my fav show, even over Dexter, but i would consider the acting as "serviceable" not exactly the best, but Julie as Darla is an exception there, I always believed her acting like it was a real person, and her character was twisted and had one of the darkest story lines of the show, which is more impressive how she nailed it. Big fan of her, and both shows.
*Rita’s death made the season so much better, and helped set the scene for S5.* I knew it would happen. At first I thought Dexter would save Rita and in doing so reveal himself as a killer by killing trinity while saving her and then she would keep his secret. I had bad feelings but as soon as I heard Trinity say “it’s already over” I knew 100% he had gotten her.
I'm always horrified and intrigued at the thought of that scene w/her and Trinity, which can have more effect not seeing it but what was said and him doing it, her reactions and Harrison there. The fear for her life and her son's life, not knowing he won't kill him for she knows. We got a glimpse even more in recent new episode. Wonder if we see more.
I remember being very upset watching that last scene.
I was relieved when she was sent away by Dexter, thinking 'oh Rita and kids are safe, I can watch the rest of the season in peace now'
Then the phone ringing confused me a bit and when Dexter heard the crying Harrison, I felt physically ill. Like nauseous.
I had to splash my face and walk around a bit before proceeding to the next season😢
It was the single most powerful thing that happened it that series.
💯
If she reacted like this when her role of Dexter ended, I wonder how she felt about Defiance ending after three seasons. I love her performance as Amanda Rosewater.
The most sadest thing is not her death but the way she was killed...
She just is so beautiful! I literally stopped watching when she died!
So so so innocently beautiful! Love it!
So glad they brought Darla back on "Angel." She rocked!
I wonder if she takes any solace in the fact that for a lot of people her character dying was the end of the show. Probably not because it doesn't really change her situation, but I have to imagine that the showrunners probably regret killing her off at some point. All so he could have a new girlfriend each season. Have to believe they could have done better with the family dynamic. Owell
Her death ROCKED ME TO MY CORE like someone in my family died. I didn’t know if I could watch the show after. I was upset for days. I’m glad it wasn’t just me.
Them killing Rita was one of the dumbest things they could have done. I loved her! Absolutely adored her role.
Yeah I know. Most of us never saw that coming. Ever since, the show just got more worse.
I didnt realize how much they foreshadowed it, when Dexter totalled his car Rita was upset about the "hours" he was working and said "she didn't sign up to be a widow." Also I think they killed her off to show that Dexter can't have it all, he chose his life as a killer over his life with Rita.
The fact that we all adored her is the best reason to say why they killed her off. Dexter is a monster, and his actions end up getting people destroyed. He was the one who wanted to get to know Trinity and with that caused him to retaliate. Rita is a collateral damage for his actions, just like his father was, just like Debra was, just like Doakes was, just like La Guerta was... The reason we feel so bad is because Rita was our surrogate, though which we could love Dexter, and because Dexter knew it was all his fault. He finally got a glimmer of light that might change him, when it all comes crashing down.
I loved it. Couldn't stand her voice. But the actress is nice and so is her (deeper) voice.
it made the show legendary.
There is always a haunting loveliness to any character she plays. I love her in Angel and Dexter -- such a cruel ending to her character, but it fit in with the dark narrative of the series.
I loved her character, it was very sad.
Julie can take heart in knowing she was present for the show at its absolute best.
I got to talk to Julie about this very subject because I was upset and refused to watch anymore Dexter after she left. Very sweet person and decent actress.
Omg! What did she say? I'm devastated after watching that scene recently.
@@ashishstanley She basically said she was very upset about it too and loved her character.
I stopped watching Dexter after they took her out.
@@xenofett7008 Honestly good call. Dexter was awful after season 4. This new season should be good though since it has the original writer
She is so good I wish she would have had her own series.
when she died on the show i thought it was a dream, so i wasnt worried, then i realized it wasnt and started crying myself
I’ve honestly never really thought about when a character is killed off on a tv show, the actor is basically getting fired.
What a great moment though. Very moving. Esp. since she had a huge impact on the show. It's one of the top 5/10 WTF moments in TV history.
That's legend status.
One of the few shows where you felt each important death was actually for the storyline and not just because there were behind the scenes issues with the actors, or they were just trying to revive the show. They were extremely purposeful, and so I never had an issue accepting them. As sad as I was to see important characters go, because the show and writing was so good, I was even MORE excited to see what came next. For me, that completely overshadowed the loss.
For me, the single saddest moment of any show I’ve ever watched…
One of my all time favorite actors interviewing one of my other all time favs 😄
They made a mistake killing her off. Dexter needed Rita. She was the humanity he needed. The show got worse after this...
I cried when she was killed on Dexter😭😭
Killing off rita nearly ruined the show, it took away such an important part of the dynamic.
She made the show what it was in a lot of ways and that season (and that episode) was the last drop of greatness being squeezed out of the show.
I'm sorry it was so tough for her but that ending with the bathtub and the trinity killer getting one last laugh...it was dexter's highest moment. Unfortunately it was also all downhill for dexter after.
It would've been cool if they had kept her on as one of Dexter's visions to balance out Harry. Like Harry was the devil over one shoulder telling Dexter that he needed to be alone and he needed to kill in his ritualistic way, and then Rita was the angel over his other shoulder telling him that he is a good person and that he can be better.
I know the conditions of covid are unfortunate but I miss when Michael actually had guests over his house.
With hindsight, what she knows now, is that the show peaked on her last episode. That was Dexter at its peak, regardless of whichever season is your favourite (and I loved all of them), the general consensus is that the 4th was the best. (I know she came back for another good-bye prequel episode I think in the 5th, but season 1-4 were the Rita years, and arguably the best)
I'm not speechless very often watching a show but I was shocked when Rita got killed
She was great on that show. And to be fair... to no fault of her own, they killed her off at the perfect time. We experienced every possible dynamic of the Dexter Rita storyline without it being repetitive up until that point. There was no where else to go with the character.... any further would have been repetitive and they they took it to the furthest possible extent before it would have.
I wish the interviewer would not interupt her so often, just let her talk man.
Benz was always one of my favorite actors. I was mad when her character was killed, but not surprised given the nature of the show. I couldn’t watch it for a while after that.
To this day I hate John Lithgo for killing her!
Julie Benz is legit incredible. She is awesome in everything she does and she seems to be such a nice person too. Really hope she gets more good roles.
48 and she is probably even more beautiful now than when she was in her early 30s. Fine wine.
She is absolutely beautiful
Seeing her killed off Dexter really broke my heart. I can't even watch it when I rewatch the shows.
I know it sounds crazy, but I could totally see Elizabeth Mitchell saying, "Just be honest". Elizabeth has such a sincerity about her and I think that helped Julie get through that tough patch.
Who is Elizabeth Mitchell?
@@seangallagher9529 Juliet from Lost
She’s great in everything she’s in.
she’s literally an Angel on earth
Well, I guess one upside is that Rita's death has pretty much laid most of the groundwork and plot for the new Dexter season, bc without Rita dying, we wouldn't now have this entire story of Harrison's emerging dark passenger from being born in blood.
I love Julie so much! I was gasp 😦 when they killed her off of Dexter, it was one of the most shocking deaths on a show I love. I screamed NOOOO when I watched it, my hubby was in another room and came running thinking something terrible had happened in our real lives 🙃 such great writing, but so sad to lose Rita.
I screamed WTF. And my wife was like,what happen? I just could not wrap my mind around what happen. I really was upset about this.
I was sooo pissed when they killed her off! She played off of Dex so well!
I liked Rita at first - her initial awkwardness, sweetness and naivete - but I don't like what they did with her character - keeping her rather two-dimensional - and her constantly speaking with that baby girl voice was super irritating. They had to get rid of the family to open up more story lines for Dexter. Plans to kill her off were probably in the works for a while. Remember their wedding and the drops of blood on her wedding dress. It was a portend. However it was shocking when and how it happened - and maddening to know Dex had so many opportunities to kill Trinity and he didn't -- he caused her death.
I cried too
The way John Lithgow told the story during the finale special taping I thought she wanted to leave so they decided to give her exit the ultimate meaning. Yes her death certainly did help cement the first 4 seasons of the show, but it also never recovered until Deb found out about Dexter and then again ended that season on a highnote when Deb chooses Dexter, before sadly going off the rails.
Since she wanted to stay then it would have been more interesting to give Lumens arc to Rita, having Trinity break her but not kill her. Making it plausible given her prior history that she would go down a dark path, with Dexter. Eventually leading to her clawing her way out of the darkness and do the one thing Dexter would never suspect, be the one that catches him.
The natural conclusion of the story was the ending of the entire series being Dexter reliving every moment of his life as he is being executed. The idea that it wasn't some super cop or another big bad killer being the one who stops him but instead the woman who started the series being afraid of even touching him, being so close that she could fool his own hyper survival instinct when it came to his own freedoms always felt right to me.
@Hassan Rehman thank you :)
@@murtazashakir9048 thanks ;)
It’s a show. Please tell me you bother to be this descriptive about actual people you actually see.
@@NicodemusT Not sure what you mean? I don't know about you but I think it would be very rude of me if someone told me about their life and I started adding suggestions to how their own life's narrative should have played out
@@NicodemusT it's fun to analyze, that's all I'm gonna say
In my opinion, they killed Rita off a bit too quickly, however, that scene I don’t think will ever leave my mind for how shocking it was, if done correctly season five of Dexter could’ve been one of the greatest follow ups ever if they had explored Dexter psyche over losing his wife, which they did… In the first episode and then never again really until like kind of the end.
“All men? Oh thank god there were was a woman.” Wtf kind of question/statement are those?
Shut up bro
@@lanemeyer77 😮
@@lanemeyer77 found the incel
It’s usually easier for women to talk to another women and feel more comfortable and at ease
Yeah! That was really weird that he threw Identity Politics in there for no reason... So sad.
We miss you Rita,you where the best ,I have anxiety ad well it sucks
Killing Rita was the point where the show took a downturn. It only got worse with each season after that.
Thats when Clyde Phillips, the Showrunner left. Then the lead writer left the next season. That's more than likely why
@@QuackTape21 The lead writer left with Phillips. The new showrunner was a guy from 24. No wonder it became such predictable action nonsense.
5 was better than 4, but after the wake of Rita was gone so was anything interesting about the show.
I disagree. Yvonne Strahovski is easy to look at.
@@joshrandall5297 I’m a fan of Yvonne going all the way back to Chuck. But even she couldn’t make the writing in the last couple seasons into something palatable.
She was a wonderful character in Dexter I felt like crying when she died but I was so mad she was good for Dexter she gave him that routine of stability within a normal life she showed him light even if he can’t feel it she influenced him in ways that were good especially Rita’s kids strengthening that protection .
I’m excited to see how the show progresses I’m on season 5 so far
I liked her character at first but she became so bossy and controlling of Dexter, if I was him she would have ended up on my table.
Saddest episode ever.
Still makes me sad when I rewatch Dexter. I hope she/Rita in the S9 flash backs.
Rita & Debra death hated it.
Nice going. Didn't appreciate the spoiler alert about Debra. Some people are only here about Rita's death in season 4 which has nothing to do with Debra so thanks a lot.
@@debra2700 My bad should have put spoiler alert.
@@summerdowlig That's okay. I love Debra's character but they way overdid it with her "colorful" language which I'm so sick of. I'm in season eight and kind of waiting for her death!!
Oh wow, I thought she left Dexter to pursue the No Ordinary Family series. I'm sorry that she had to go through that, she's such an amazing actress!
She's absolutely beautiful.
I just watched Dexter for the first time and I just finished season 4… that was the most devastating season of any show Ive seen in awhile. Years, even. Hard to believe I never watched this until now.
It's sad that she didn't really know thay she was getting killed off until like 3 days before, and I liked Rita as a character, but I think her death was a perfect way for Arthur Mitchell to go out. Arthur Mitchell would be less important if she wasn't killed off and I loved Arthur. Probably the best villain on the show. Also S5 E1 after her death is one of my favorite episodes of the show.
Fucking Hannah or whatever Dexters girlfriend was in S7 and 8 was awful. Makes you miss Rita or (unpopular opinion) wish they kept Lumen on the show. Rather you agree with "Lumen should have stayed on the show" or not, I think almost everyone would rather not have Hannah there. I personally liked season 7 a lot, and season 8 was okay but underwhelming (I actually liked the ending though,) but I really didn't like Hannah. Hannah almost felt like a plot device for Dexter's character growth, and the actual character was not good.
Only just seen the exit, I was so shocked, cried for hours! I absolutely loved Rita, I wanted her in it forever. It's not the same without her.
I teared up when she was killed off the show. She embodied such an innocence as Rita.
Thank you for your great acting and performance ...that was amazing ❤ ...
It was aweful for julie but great for story telling. It was it is the biggest moments in television history. It would be great if she came back for season 9 in some capacity. Like a voice in Dexter's head.