Dexter: Original Sin recap, episode 1: Dexter revisits his Angel of Death
As a long-time Dexter fan, I must say that diving into the prequel, Dexter: Original Sin, has been quite an exhilarating journey so far. It’s like revisiting old friends while uncovering the untold stories behind their creation. The way they are weaving together the familiar plotlines with new twists and turns is nothing short of masterful.
It’s quite challenging to support the creation of a prequel series, and this is particularly apparent with the extended universe of Showtime’s long-running series, Dexter, featuring the title character, a vengeful serial killer portrayed by Michael C. Hall. The new series, Dexter: Original Sin, faces the challenging task of revisiting events depicted in the main series since the drama often delved into flashbacks depicting Dexter’s youth and his mentorship by his stepfather (doesn’t it feel nostalgic seeing Hall in that awkward wig as a young Dexter?). However, Dexter: Original Sin starts off reasonably well.
The initial episode of the show centers around Dexter’s first murder of a human victim. I thought the series would gradually develop, perhaps concluding the premier with the well-known “Kill Room,” but instead, we plunge right in from the start. This decision is daring because it references lessons that Harry taught Dexter, which seems out of sync with the character portrayed by Christian Slater as he’s still exploring a conventional way for Dexter to channel his urges – such as attending medical school and becoming a surgeon.
A small part of me ponders over why there weren’t any “teaching” scenes between Harry and Dexter in this new series, but then it struck me that we’ve already seen plenty of those in the original series. So I can see why the writers decided to explore fresh material for both new and returning viewers. Maybe later on, they’ll revisit some of those earlier moments, such as when Harry teaches Dexter about the various uses of saran wrap.
One advantage of the prequel series is the excellent casting. It may seem strange to see different actors portraying characters we became fond of in the initial Showtime series, but I must say, I am impressed with the choices made so far. Molly Brown and Patrick Gibson, specifically, are remarkably fitting as Debra and Dexter Morgan. Alex Shimizu captures Masuka’s laugh perfectly, and James Martinez embodies Batista’s distinctive appearance well.
The first episode commences with a glimpse of the contemporary Dexter character, portrayed by Hall, who miraculously survived his intense conclusion in the last episode of Dexter: New Blood. Following a frantic hospital admission, the medical professionals discover a heartbeat, and as Dexter teeters on the edge of life and death, he expresses that he’s actually witnessing his past play out before him. This establishes the foundation for the prequel series, and we now have an idea about where Dexter: Resurrection, which Showtime plans to release next summer, might continue from this point.
Revisiting the past, we delve into the origins of Dexter’s impulses during his young adulthood years. At this time, Harry, who is already cognizant of these urges, seeks a “safe” outlet for Dexter to channel them. However, dissecting deceased bodies doesn’t suffice as an outlet for him.
Debra Morgan is also known as Dexter’s troubled, vulgar sister. She represents the more down-to-earth and recognizable side of the series. Deb is constantly striving to be an ordinary teenage girl amidst her not-so-ordinary brother Dexter and a police officer father.
One evening, Harry persuades Deb to bring Dexter along to a lively gathering at a house. The night rapidly deteriorates as events unfold. Deb becomes excessively intoxicated, nearly losing consciousness, and a man attempts to exploit her vulnerability. In response, Dexter steps up as her protector, shoving the potential aggressor down a set of stairs and severely injuring him. Spotting a knife nearby, Dexter contemplates taking things a step further before Deb intervenes, knocking him off the man. She is more forgiving towards Dexter once she understands his intentions, but spends the remainder of the night vomiting.
The following day, Dexter finds himself needing to disclose the near-disaster at the party to Harry, and unfortunately for him, this revelation triggers a heart attack. Matters then take an intriguing turn. In the hospital, Harry is placed under the care of Nurse Mary, a nurse reminiscent of Nurse Ratched, who has an unsettling habit of administering potassium nitrate to her patients over time, resulting in their euthanasia. This collection serves as her twisted trophy room, and Dexter finds himself drawn to it. She has marked Harry as her next target, and his health deteriorates under her care.
Fans familiar with the series “Dexter” might remember a similar occurrence. In the very first season of the show, we witnessed an instance where Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall, killed a nurse after causing harm to his mentor, Harry.
As a devoted fan, let me rephrase it in my own words: When Dexter shares with Harry details about this woman’s actions, instead of using tainted syringes to apprehend her lawfully, Harry unknowingly gives Dexter the go-ahead by setting his serial killer son loose on her. This paves the way for Dexter to transform into the character we all recognize – a transformation that wouldn’t have been possible if they had simply followed the conventional route of arresting her instead.
In the chilling tale, I, as a devoted fan, find myself recounting Dexter’s initial, somewhat awkward setup of his kill room within the nurse’s residence. Regrettably, she transforms into his first authentic victim, a turn of events that strangely feels fitting given her menace towards Harry. Her motive? She detested individuals who self-destruct through alcohol and cigarettes, viewing murder as a means to rescue them from their most destructive impulses. Dexter, in his cold calculus, disposes of her remains on the side of the hauntingly named interstate, “Alligator Alley.
Dexter feels motivated enough to keep souvenirs from his victims, specifically their earrings, which the narrator, who is Dexter himself, cautions could lead to trouble for him in the future.
After the thrill of his first murder involving a human victim, Dexter is taken aback when he finds the entire police force waiting at his doorstep upon returning home. This encounter introduces us to the Miamo Metro PD, which plays a significant role in Dexter’s subsequent life. Characters like Masuka, Batista, and newcomers such as Tanya Martin (portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar) – a forensic analyst – and Captain Aaron Spencer (played by Patrick Dempsey), join the scene to offer food for Debra and Dexter while their father recovers. Notably, since taking care of that nurse, Harry has shown noticeable improvement in his health.
At some point earlier in the show, during a job fair, Dexter walks past Masuka’s booth and cleverly links two murderers. This quick realization catches Tanya’s attention, leading her to propose a paid internship for him at the forensics lab. As the episode concludes, we see Dexter starting his first day in the office, accompanied by a revitalized Harry – the rest of the season unfolds from there. (In essence, the rest of the story.)
In this episode, there’s a significant moment that suggests intriguing paths for the prequel series. We find Slater, portraying Harry, sobbing in private at the end, clearly understanding his son’s transformation. Unlike the original series where we delved mostly into Dexter’s world, the prequel could set itself apart by exploring more aspects of side characters like Harry and revealing different sides to them. Given what lies ahead for Harry, that brief scene carries a lot of weight.
Fresh installments of “Dexter: Original Sin” become available for streaming every Friday on Paramount+, while they also air linearly every Sunday night on Showtime.
Read More
- MANA PREDICTION. MANA cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- VET PREDICTION. VET cryptocurrency
- Wicked: Part Two release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know
- Silver Rate Forecast
- CHR PREDICTION. CHR cryptocurrency
- USD MXN PREDICTION
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- REQ PREDICTION. REQ cryptocurrency
- Everyone hates Spider-Man 3 for the wrong reason
2024-12-17 04:26