Will Dexter's Season 5 Jump Ahead in Time? 

My initial answer is: Probably. Unfortunately though, for the viewers, that would resolve several of Dexter's issues without us observing his character growth. 1- How will Miami Metro believe that Trinity killed Rita without any personal qualms with her or Dexter? Since her murder did not coincide with a new cycle, (unless they try to say that the kid Dexter saved counts as his first kill) it seems unexplainable. Will Miami Metro find from Trinity's family that Dexter befriended them under an alias? That would totally ruin his situation as we know it. How is he going to cover it up? As Harrison grows up, will he show signs of violence like Dexter did? What will happen with Astor and Cody? Dexter can't be a full-time dad.

After the episode ended, I had to ask if what happened to Rita was a dream, but I have since resolved that it was not. I was devastated at the season finale. They could spent the last five minutes making Trinity's capturing much more climactic and then they wouldn't have had to kill Rita. Unfortunately, I think Dexter has succumbed to prime time TV standards and that killing Trinity wouldn't have been dramatic enough to end the season. I would have been satisfied with that- I might need my own therapist to cope with Rita's death.

I had a feeling Dexter would be a suspect, but Deb would fight tooth and nail to prove his innocence... Deb would fight to prove Dexter's innocence if he was accused of being the Bay Harbor Butcher (which he was), so she'll stand by him. I think that will help him, in a weird Dexter way, to deal with everything that's happening.

I don't think they'll jump that far. Colleton said maybe six months, which is generally their usual season skip-ahead anyway.

Except for Season 5, it jumped ahead at least a year.