“Logo text [This story contains spoilers from the Dexter: Original Sin premiere.] Tonight’s the first night. Three years after concluding with Dexter: New Blood, Showtime’s favorite serial killer is back in action with Dexter: Original Sin. The prequel series stars Patrick Gibson as a younger version of Dexter, with Michael C. Hall providing narration (and a surprising”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
[This story contains spoilers from the Dexter: Original Sin premiere.]
Tonight’s the first night.
Three years after concluding with Dexter: New Blood, Showtime’s favorite serial killer is back in action with Dexter: Original Sin. The prequel series stars Patrick Gibson as a younger version of Dexter, with Michael C. Hall providing narration (and a surprising on-camera return as well). Set during Dexter’s earliest days working alongside Miami Metro, Original Sin comes packed with returning characters, tropes and Easter eggs aplenty for fans of the original show.
“We had this canon of lore from nine seasons of the show from which to draw,” Dexter franchise veteran and Original Sin showrunner Clyde Phillips told The Hollywood Reporter about the prequel series, which launched its 10-episode season this weekend. “If people like Easter eggs, this show is going to be an Easter egg hunt. We would write the shows an start shooting them. Someone would come in and say, ‘Oh gosh, I have this great story about an Easter egg,’ and we would go running down to set and put a picture on somebody’s desk or whatever it is that the fans are just going to love.”
Throughout the season, THR will chronicle all the Dexter easter eggs littered across Original Sin, updating as the episodes roll along.
Spoilers ahead through season one, episode one, “And in the Beginning…”
Dexter… lives? Let’s start here. It’s not exactly an Easter egg, but we definitely need to get one thing straight right at the top. If you only watched the original Dexter run and somehow didn’t watch Dexter: New Blood, then it’s possible you thought Dexter was still a lumberjack somewhere. Nope! Not even close. The serial killer returned for a sequel a couple years back, and in the finale of New Blood, Dexter — wait for it — dies. Dies! Shot to death by his own teen son Harrison. So, if you were wondering why Dex was sitting in the back of a car, bleeding out, but still alive? So was every single person who watched Dexter: New Blood. Expect… no, demand! more answers when Dexter: Resurrection premieres this summer, starring the resurrected Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan. (Phillips explained the decision to THR.)
Dexter Rides Okay, the wildest part out of the way, let’s dig in. The very first scene of both Dexter and Original Sin share one thing in common: Miami Metro’s deadliest blood spatter analyst is riding along in a car. Big differences, of course, include the original Dexter’s self-confidence as he drove through the night stalking prey, while the Original Sin Dexter’s just been shot dead in the chest and is somehow still alive. Sorry, still not quite over it!
Introducing Dexter Morgan Whatever shock still exists from Dexter’s miraculous survival is quickly replaced by a big hit of nostalgia. The Original Sin opening credits are not exactly a shot-for-shot recreation of the original series’ iconic version, but it’s pretty darn close — from bloodied breakfast to that knowing smile at the end. Applying Dexter’s familiar morning routine to Dexter successor Gibson gives the whole thing a well-worn feeling while making it clear we’re in for something new.
A Shaggy Hair Story Shocked by young Dexter’s long-haired looks in his first scene of the series? It’s straight from the original show, which often featured flashbacks starring an aged down Hall. And by “aged down,” I mean wearing a ridiculous long-haired wig to make him look like a teenager. It works better on Gibson for sure, but we’re thankfully out of this era before too long.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Speaking of hair, let’s talk about one of the show’s returning characters. Forensic expert and confirmed pervert Vince Masuka returns in Original Sin, this time played by Alex Shimizu, and this time, boasting a whole head of hair. Please tell me we’re going to get a Masuka hair loss Origin Story episode.
City of Angel Continuing in returning characters territory, Angel Batista is back, and so is his hat! James Martinez plays a young version of the original show’s iconic detective, complete with his signature look: immaculate hat and tropical shirts aplenty. Could be worth paying particularly close attention to Angel’s story this season, as in the modern timeline, David Zayas’ version of the character just learned Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher, with sparks sure to fly when Resurrection revs up.
Evil Urges We get to see the full Morgan family enjoying dinner together in the first episode, including Molly Brown doing a very good Jennifer Carpenter as Deb, and Christian Slater doing a very good Christian Slater as Detective Harry Morgan. The scene does a great job making you forget Deb was in love with Dex for a season or two, while also dutifully reminding the audience that when this show begins, Harry already knows all about Dexter’s dark passenger.
Goodnight, Nurse The Original Sin premiere follows Dexter as he makes his first kill, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen these events dramatized. We originally saw Dexter’s first kill back in the first season of the original show, in an episode called “Popping Cherry.” Obviously, Nurse Mary’s death is elaborated upon here in Original Sin, and appears to serve something of a launch point into the rest of the season.
Rough Start After killing the nurse, Dexter makes a couple of sloppy moves. For one, he deposits her body in a swamp, leaving her to be devoured by alligators. For another, he took the nurse’s earrings as trophies. Expect the rest of the season to delve deeper into why both of those choices were very bad, and why they’ll ultimately lead to Dexter’s use of the Bay Harbor as a burial ground, not to mention collecting blood samples as trophies.
You Spin Me Right Round Original Sin‘s very first episode ends with Dexter Morgan, newly appointed Miami Metro forensics intern, spinning around and around in a lab chair — exactly as he does throughout the first Dexter series.
This story originally posted on Dec. 15 and will be updated after each episode.
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Dexter: Original Sin streams new episodes Fridays on Paramount+, with linear releases Sunday nights at 10 p.m. Read THR‘s in-depth feature on the return of Dexter with Original Sin.