The premiere of Dexter: Original Sin opens with a surprising twist—a preview of Dexter Resurrection, set to air next summer. Michael C. Hall returns briefly before switching over to narrator full-time as Dexter is taken to the hospital. As they stabilize him, his life flashes before his eyes, setting the stage for 'Original Sin'Dexter. We are taken back to his origin story. “And in the beginning, there was blood,” Dexter begins, and with this line, we're plunged into the darkness of his formative years, beginning with his birth. The intro is familiar yet ominous, the same as the original series, this time with a younger Dexter.
The story kicks off with Dexter in his college years, struggling with the same unsettling urges he’s always had. As a student performing an autopsy in lab class, he’s bullied by his peers and called a freak—something that feels out of place in a college setting. Dexter, still awkward and strange, is clearly already fighting his inner darkness, much like the character we know. Christian Slater portrays Harry Morgan, Dexter's father, a figure who is both a mentor and an enabler. Harry believes Dexter’s urges can be tempered by a career in medicine, where Dexter is expected to settle his cravings by working with cadavers. But, as Dexter admits during a dinner scene, it doesn’t ease the need to kill—it only intensifies it.
Dexter’s meeting with Masuka at a career fair offers some comic relief, but it also reinforces Masuka’s ingrained, crass personality—still a far cry from the moral compass Dexter struggles with. As Dexter tries to engage with Masuka over the blood splatter display, Masuka brushes him off to flirt with college students, highlighting how little Dexter fits into the world around him.
Meanwhile, Miami Metro is hunting for a serial killer, and Dexter’s world collides with crime once again when he joins Deb at a college party. Dexter’s discomfort at the unsanitary party scene is palpable, but things take a darker turn when Deb is drugged. Dexter’s violent reaction to saving her—beating the attacker to a bloody pulp—reveals just how close he is to fully succumbing to his darker nature. The scene is chilling, but it also forces Dexter to confront the brutal urges he tries so hard to suppress. Had it not been for intervention, he may have succumbed to those urges.
Harry’s waiting at home for the duo, once they arrive, with Deb clearly under the influence, he tells them that he cannot rest with them outside of the house. They are past curfew. Harry has his demons. We flashback to a painful memory of the night he failed to save his son from drowning as a child. This flashback creates a powerful moment of guilt and reflection for Harry, especially as he later struggles with his health issues.
As the episode unfolds, Dexter and Harry go hunting on a trip that is far more than just bonding time. This trip is part of Harry's way of attempting to help Dexter control his violent urges instead of seeking help for them. One has to question why Harry enabled him instead and fed the monster within as opposed to getting him the help he truly needed. Dexter confesses that his violent cravings only grew stronger after the attack on Deb’s would-be rapist.
Stress, maybe, or the lifestyle Harry lives leads to a pivotal moment, he suffers a heart attack, yet survives long enough for Dexter to uncover a new threat: a nurse at the hospital who is slowly poisoning him. In a chilling yet satisfying turn, Dexter takes matters into his own hands, stopping the killer nurse, with Harry’s reluctant permission.
The episode concludes with a series of poignant moments: Dexter receives an internship offer from Tanya Martin at Miami Metro. Harry recovering and being released from the hospital. Later, he questions Dexter about what he did with the body and how it made him feel to kill someone. Dexter answers his questions honestly. This leaves Harry with a sense of guilt, wondering about the monster he helped to create. Despite Harry's disapproval, Dexter decides to join Miami Metro, which sets the stage for Dexter's dark journey ahead. With access to the criminal database, Dexter is on the path to finding new victims, adhering to the code his father taught him.
For those who are new to the Dexter universe, this premiere serves as a great way to be introduced to the story. It offers a fresh take on the original story, however, you can watch it without watching the others. The episode features a stellar cast, with Michael C. Hall’s return as Dexter adding the perfect blend of darkness and vulnerability. Alex Shimizu’s portrayal of Masuka, including the iconic laugh, is spot-on.
Overall, Dexter: Original Sin sets the stage for what promises to be thrilling and disturbing with deep introspection on how viewers can seemingly root for a killer. The premiere is both nostalgic and exciting, establishing a solid foundation for the story to build upon. With solid performances and a gripping plot to start with, I would give the episode a solid 9/10.
Dexter: Original Sin airs Fridays on Paramount Plus, and it’s a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike.
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