Change is in the air, Stumptown Fanatics! 

Dex has been on a downward spiral since the moment we met her, but more importantly, since she returned from her time in the war. Finally though, after the events of Stumptown Season 1 Episode 9, Dex is seeing things clearly. 

Is it too late, though? Read on as we discuss the events of the midseason finale! 

For weeks, myself and my fellow Stumptown Fanatics have been voicing our mistrust of Liz, and "Dex Education" validated our feelings. 

It was obvious there was more to Liz than meets the eye, but the fact that her big secret we were all sensing was just that she was an insecure girl willing to go to extremes? That was surprising. 

It seemed like there was going to be something much more nefarious going on with her, so I'd be lying if said that the reveal wasn't a tad bit disappointing. 

Given the timing of when she showed up, it seemed like she was sure to be tied to Grey's criminal side. 

By having her have nothing to do with it, it almost feels like his criminal background only existed to drive a temporary wedge between him and Dex.

Regardless, though, Grey is lucky to be rid of her. 

They have been dating for five minutes, and she is already trying to get rid of his best friend. Even worse, she was willing to go to such extreme lengths as trying to make Dex think they slept together to make it happen.

Not sure what the thought process was behind that one. 

Liz must think pretty highly of herself to think that Grey would only be mad enough to cut things off with Dex in this situation while staying with her.

It takes two to tango and Grey would have had a tough time getting past her cheating. 

Grey's anger towards Dex was completely valid given the situation. Dex is his best friend and to think that she would cross that line with Liz, who she doesn't even like, and hurt him like that is something anyone would be upset about.

However, the things you say out of anger are the same concept as what you say when you are drunk. A drunk mind speaks a sober heart, just like an angry mouth screams a calm mind's truths. 

Grey may have said what he did because he was mad at her, but that was years of pent up frustration and bitter truths he was spewing.

Dex, you're a timebomb. You haven't processed your past at all. From your parents to Benny, to the war, and so you just seek chaos in your life.

Grey

• Permalink: Dex, you're a timebomb. You haven't processed your past at all. From your parents to Benny,...

It's hard to imagine that their friendship can recover easily from that one, but unfortunately it is a moment that needed to happen.

Dex has been in dire need of a wake-up call, and Grey telling her how it is and cutting her off, was the first step. 

She may not have been guilty of sleeping with Liz, but that doesn't negate everything else she has done in the past. 

Dex is in serious pain, and she needs to get help to learn positive coping mechanisms because her current ones are toxic for herself and her relationships with everyone close to her.

When your enemy has to tell you it is time to get your s#!t together, it probably is time. 

Who knew that Sue Lynn would be the voice of reason that would finally get through to Dex? 

Dex making her bed was such a great moment.

Watching her complete such a simple, familiar task, you could see what a sense of calm it brought to her. 

Her time in the military may have filled with pain, but it was also filled with structure, and when she left that structure, she was thrown back into the chaos of her life without any sense of direction. 

Making her bed just like she would have during her time in the military, seemed to bring her back from the chaos. 

It's a shame that whatever sense of relief making the bed brought her had to be so short-lived.

Ansel telling Dex he wanted to move out was a sucker punch, but it probably shouldn't have been.

Ansel has been on a path throughout the first half of the season to gain independence and grow. We've seen it as he looked for more responsibility at the bar. 

While he has been yearning for independence, there has also been tension building with Dex, and it may be just as responsible for his decision. 

It's no secret that Dex has not been the most responsible older sister. She is constantly leaving Ansel with Grey to go work on a case or to blow off steam. 

Grey has pretty much been his caretaker all season with Dex being the one filling in. 

Add in that Ansel has been worried that Dex's issues with Grey would ruin his relationship with him and it is easy to see why he might want to distance himself from her.

Can Dex handle that rejection from him, though? 

In all the darkness of Dex's life, Ansel is the one ray of light that keeps her going. Without him her downward spiral could quickly drop her at rock bottom. 

Dex just took her first baby step in the right direction, and it would be awful to see her hurled back in the other direction. 

While so many things are changing on Stumptown, it is safe to say one thing remains the same: The love triangle.

It would have been great if there could have been some resolution on this front, or even just some movement one way or the other going out of the first half of the season. 

Instead, we were left exactly where we were all season long. 

It almost felt like the writers were tossing out the love triangle in favor of Dex focusing on herself, and I was cheering internally. 

When both men went to Dex's house, it was impossible not to groan. Especially when Dex let Hoffman in when she was right in the middle of such a huge moment with Ansel.

Why didn't she tell him that it wasn't a good time and to come back later, or I don't know, maybe tell him to pick up the phone and call instead of just coming over uninvited. 

Side note: Am I the only one who gets extremely perplexed by people just showing up at people's houses on TV shows? Do people even answer the door anymore if they didn't order food? 

If Dex doesn't want to lose Ansel, she needs to get her priorities straight.

Other thoughts:

• Hoffman's partner is great and them ending up together over him and Dex wouldn't be the worst thing ever. 

• Dex is a total bad ass but she was no match for those teenagers. 

• The second half the season needs more Tookie! He is way too underutilized right now. 

• Can we get a round of applause for Stumptown doing a car chase involving a hatchback? That scene was hilarious, but kudos to Coach thinking she stood a chance. 

What were your thoughts on the midseason finale? 

Were you happy with the resolution to the Liz drama? 

Are you ready for the love triangle to be over?

What are your wishes for the second half of the season?

Comment your thoughts below and watch Stumptown online over the winter break to hold yourself over until it returns!

Meaghan Frey was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in September 2020.