Did Dexter: Resurrection Just Bring Back What Fans Missed Most?

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As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the first two episodes of Dexter: Resurrection. Caution: Minor spoilers lie ahead if you haven’t caught up with the series on Showtime or Paramount+ yet.

The Dexter universe stands out uniquely within TV series franchises. In its newest spinoff, Dexter: Resurrection, we find a setup that was introduced right in the premiere of the prequel Original Sin. This follows the protagonist, Dexter, who appeared to meet his end at the conclusion of the second sequel series New Blood. Interestingly, Michael C. Hall reprises his role as the rule-abiding killer in this latest project, and it even revives characters not seen since early seasons of the original thriller. From a storytelling standpoint, it’s significant that “Harry Morgan” returns to the narrative.

It was particularly enjoyable during my viewing of the first two episodes (and beyond) of “Dexter: Resurrection”, as the scenes featuring James Remar’s character Harry and Hall’s complex father figure often stood out. I must confess, I hadn’t fully grasped how much I had missed this dynamic while following Harrison’s adventures in Iron Lake.

James Remar’s Harry Was Understandably Absent From Dexter: New Blood

For eight seasons, James Remar played two roles: first, as the authentic Harry Morgan in flashbacks and second, as a manifestation of Dexter’s moral compass, which we could call Dexter’s conscience phantom. He was instrumental in most of Dexter’s actions during this period. To escape Miami and its sun-kissed populace, he chose the drastic steps of faking his death and adopting a new identity as Jim Lindsay. Unlike his previous role as Miami Metro’s blood spatter expert, Jim Lindsay didn’t depend on Harry Morgan’s counsel.

In the captivating series “New Blood”, I was hoping to witness James Remar’s character, Harry, adapt from his usual blue attire to something warmer amidst New York’s chilly snow. However, it seemed that we missed out on this transformation, as he didn’t make an appearance in the show. When we delved into the Morgan family history through “Dexter: Original Sin”, it was Christian Slater who introduced the Harry Code to Patrick Gibson’s Dex. Although James Remar did grace us with his insights during the after-show “Dexter: Final Cut”, he didn’t reprise his role as Harry in those discussions.

Harry’s Return In Dexter: Resurrection Reminded Me How Hard I Actually Missed His Excellent Pop-Ins

After spending countless hours revisiting the original seasons of “Dexter,” I had grown accustomed to James Remar’s presence, failing to notice his absence in “New Blood.” However, the arrival of Harry Morgan in “Dexter: Resurrection” has undeniably enriched the narrative. The clever integration of Harry into the new episodes was a delightful throwback to the show’s golden era. His unexpected appearances not only added humor but also served as a heartwarming trip down memory lane.

In the second episode titled “Camera Shy,” an initial scene unfolds where Dexter secretly enters the hotel room where he thwarted a potential rapist, using a toilet tank lid. However, his unofficial investigation gets disrupted by real police officers and an over-the-top hotel manager. In response, Dexter employs the classic tactic of hiding in the closet. This moment is not only fitting but also provides a fantastic opportunity for Harry to offer his advice, as the unexpected appearance of Remar alongside Hall in such a confined space will undoubtedly be among the top highlights of the season.

More On Dexter: Resurrection

Actors Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family and Krysten Ritter of Jessica Jones shared their surprise with me about being part of the cast for Dexter: Resurrection, despite being accustomed to large fan bases.

In this rephrased version, I’ve tried to maintain the essence of the original sentence while making it more natural and easier to read by using active voice, simplifying some phrases, and avoiding jargon like ‘told me’. The result is a more engaging and conversational tone that makes it easier for readers to understand.

In simpler terms, let’s keep Dexter’s conversations with Harry from being too comedic. While I acknowledge that some of those scenes can be overly dramatic, I do enjoy when they are lightened up a bit. However, I prefer these moments to retain their emotional depth as Dexter deals with his personal issues. In fact, it adds an extra layer of brilliance when Harry suddenly appears in the most unexpected situations and isn’t used for comedic effect, because it’s the contrast between the serious and absurd elements that makes this peculiar show so appealing to me.

Dexter: Resurrection Also Earns My Love For Bringing David Magidoff’s Teddy Back

In the series Dexter, James Remar’s character Harry was present, but absent in New Blood. Conversely, David Magidoff’s Teddy Reed was initially a novice officer in Iron Lake’s police department, and he was absent in Dexter but returned for Resurrection. It’s always great to have characters like Teddy in a show, even though I wasn’t certain he’d reappear in the storyline given the change of setting in Resurrection.

I’d like to extend a heartfelt round of applause to showrunner Clyde Phillips and the team for skillfully reintroducing a character that was greatly missed in New Blood, and for bringing back my most cherished aspect from that limited series. I wonder who I could discuss with about developing a spinoff featuring Teddy working on cases with the real ghost of Harry Morgan? It seems only fitting that this idea should be considered for the 2025 TV schedule. Does anyone know someone who can help me make this happen?

As I eagerly anticipate the unfolding mysteries, I highly recommend tuning into the latest episodes of “Dexter: Resurrection” every Friday on Paramount+, or catch them live on Showtime every Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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2025-07-14 04:38