As a fan who has followed Dexter Morgan’s twisted journey since the early days, I must say that revisiting his beginnings in Dexter: Original Sin is an exhilarating trip down memory lane. The show masterfully recreates the raw, unpolished essence of Dexter’s early killings while maintaining the dark humor and suspense that made the original series a hit.
The prequel series of Dexter, titled “Dexter: Original Sin,” has made a compelling debut with its first episode. It skillfully blends this fresh narrative with both the original series and the initial limited series spin-off, “Dexter: New Blood.” The plot commences by virtually verifying what fans had long suspected – Dexter (Michael C. Hall) miraculously survived being shot by his son in “Dexter: New Blood.” The storyline in “Dexter: Original Sin” unfolds as if Dexter’s life is playing out in slow motion before him. He reflects on the past, a time when his father Harry (portrayed by Christian Slater in the new series) was already aware of who he was and was attempting to guide his dark impulses.
In the eight seasons of Dexter, we often saw glimpses into Dexter’s past through flashbacks, with James Remar portraying his younger self and Harry, his father, played by Michael C. Hall. For this new series, Patrick Gibson steps into the lead role. Fans of the original show will appreciate the continuity, as various actors have been cast to play younger versions of significant supporting characters. Even casual viewers might catch some intriguing Easter Eggs in the debut episode, with more surprises planned for future installments.
A Throwback to ‘Dexter: New Blood’
In a nod to the final season of “Dexter: New Blood,” the initial Easter Egg scene shows Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall, seemingly dying from a gunshot wound inflicted by his son Harrison (Jack Alcott), only to be rescued and revived by medical professionals. This event serves as a prelude for the upcoming spin-off series, “Dexter: Resurrection,” making it clear to viewers that Dexter’s apparent demise was merely a setup, keeping alive the possibility of his return in future episodes.
The Opening Sequence
The revamped opening sequence pays tribute to its predecessor in essence, featuring a remarkably similar theme. In the new show, we see Dexter going about his daily routine – activities such as brushing his teeth, preparing breakfast and coffee, and getting dressed – but with a sinister twist at every turn. What makes this sequence unique is that it also includes scenes of his parents, interwoven throughout. The iconic “Dexter Main Title” track by Rolfe Kent is still used as the soundtrack.
In the latest installment, some novel visual aspects are introduced: Laura (Brittany Allen) casually paints her toenails red while talking on the phone with a curled landline cord draped around her neck, and Dexter watches his parents depart in the morning with an unsettling grin. The episode concludes with the same nostalgic musical theme we’ve come to recognize.
The Shaggy Hair and Striped Shirt
Fans of the show Dexter might remember that as Dexter grew older in flashbacks, Hall was given a funny, shaggy wig to make him look younger. This allowed the same actor to play the role and made those scenes more believable by creating a distinct appearance for his youthful self. Similarly, in Dexter: Original Sin, Gibson sports a long wig similar to Hall’s, as he is younger than Hall. Despite their limited resemblance, Gibson manages to convincingly pull off the look.
In the series “Dexter: Original Sin,” his wardrobe remains consistent with past depictions as he frequently wears a striped polo shirt reminiscent of his younger self’s style in flashback scenes.
Mention of a Nickname
In one scene, Dexter is sitting on his bed looking through newspaper clippings of serial killers that he has collected, including Ted Bundy and The Night Stalker. He has then hidden in a “girlie magazine” and when Deb (Molly Brown) walks in, she thinks she has caught him looking at that. Dexter’s inner monologue, however, voiced by Hall, reveals that Dexter is fascinated with these individuals and their accomplishments. He wonders if he is like them and if he might end up with a nickname as well one day.
Being a devoted follower of “Dexter,” it’s no secret that he reached his ultimate goal. A string of murders traced back from under the water, once uncovered, earned him the chilling moniker, The Bay Harbor Butcher, coined by the police.
Vince Masuka’s Laugh And Womanizing
In the show Dexter, Vince Masuka, portrayed by C.S. Lee or Alex Shimizu in different versions, developed a fondness for his colleague Dexter despite Dexter’s lack of interest in typical friendships or casual conversations. A charming aspect from the initial episode harkened back to some of Masuka’s distinctive characteristics, such as his signature laugh that eventually became well-known.
In this scenario, Masuka’s character perfectly matches the description, as he teases women passing by during a college job fair, where he represents the Miami Metro Police Department, promoting careers in law enforcement. It’s no surprise that it’s Masuka and his forensic science booth that sparked Dexter’s interest in this field rather than medicine. Upon encountering the booth, Dexter is immediately captivated by the idea of working in forensics, with its allure of access to blood samples and possible victims in such a profession.
Nurse Mary as the First Victim
In the captivating series ‘Dexter’, I found myself drawn to the moment when the protagonist remembered his initial human victim – a nurse named Mary. Portrayed by Denise Crosby as Tanya Clarke, this cold-hearted woman was exploiting patients, even Dexter’s father Harry, following a heart attack. Just like Dexter, she harbored a ‘dark passenger’. Her murder marked the first instance when Dexter and his father realized that this inner darkness might serve a purpose – for good. Prior to this, Harry had attempted various methods, from hunting animals to nudging Dexter towards a medical career, in an attempt to control his urges. However, when Dexter ended up taking her life, not only did he save my father’s life but the act brought upon me a sensation, an exhilaration, that I had never felt before.
However, this moment is significant because it marks when fans witness Harry’s moral dilemma, feeling guilty that he had sanctioned his son to act against her. Dexter: Original Sin skillfully employs this death as a pivotal point to ignite Dexter’s killing spree and set the initial foundation for Harry’s Code.
The Kill Room and Ritual
A distinguishing feature of Dexter’s murders in the series ‘Dexter’ is their meticulous, ritualistic nature. Every time, he thoroughly covers a room with plastic sheets. He arranges a table, incapacitates the victim in some manner, removes their clothes, and lays them on the table, securing them at the forehead, torso, and ankles with more plastic wrap. He often mocks their misdeeds using photographs as a means of taunting them. To obtain blood for his blood slides, he makes a shallow cut on their cheek. After that, he stabs them in the heart, observing as their life ebbs away. Subsequently, he dismembers the body, places the pieces in garbage bags, and transports them out to sea. Over time, Dexter has honed his methodology.
In the series “Dexter: Original Sin,” fans witness a less polished version of Dexter as he embarks on his journey. Instead of injecting Nurse Mary to put her to sleep, he physically knocks her out. Upon waking, she finds him flipping through her book of victims’ obituaries and taunts him about it. He hasn’t yet prepared blood slides, but he does take her earrings as a keepsake. Unlike his usual method, he doesn’t dismember her body, but wraps it up and transports it to a notorious alligator-infested swamp, where she is devoured by one of the predators. This scene offers a glimpse into Dexter’s humble beginnings before his methods became more refined, serving as an Easter Egg that honors his earlier remembrances about his sloppy start.
The Chair Spinning
Towards the end of the episode, Dexter is about to begin his internship at Miami Metro PD, eager to jump into the role, despite his father’s reservations. As he walks in with Masuka, his new superior indicates the smaller desk and chair for him, a spot that would later serve as Dexter’s workspace for years. He settles into the chair, relaxes, and begins to twirl around. This is a nostalgic nod to the original series, where older Dexter often spun in his seat to appear playful while concealing his enthusiasm about analyzing blood. It’s a clever reference for fans who remember how he tried to present a normal façade while secretly looking forward to spending his days examining blood.
Stream Dexter: Original Sin on Paramount+.
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2024-12-18 07:02