'Dexter: Original Sin' Showcases Impressive Quality, Reminiscent of Dexter's Golden Era
'Dexter: Original Sin' Showcases Impressive Quality, Reminiscent of Dexter's Golden Era
I was a tad tense about Dexter: Original Sin when it was announced, and wasn't sure if I even wanted to watch the new prequel series when it landed on Paramount+ recently. I kept holding back, but plenty of my readers—all with fantastic TV taste—kept raving about the show. I couldn't resist any longer, so I put my apprehensions aside and cranked up the PlayStation 5.
I burned through the first three episodes in one go, staying up past my bedtime. I found the early episodes gripping enough to keep my attention, and it reminded me of how much enjoyment I got from the early seasons of Dexter before things started to sour. If it hadn't been so late, I would have rewatched the first episode of Dexter just for kicks.
I can't say the same for the last Dexter spinoff. I didn't hate Dexter: New Blood, but I wasn't overly fond of it, either. And while the ending of that show didn't bother me as much as the majority of the audience, it hasn't sat well with me since. Original Sin does a much better job at recreating the feel and style of the original series, with a younger, greener Dexter Morgan trying to find meaning in life, or rather in death. Spoilers incoming.
The series kicks off with an older Dexter being rushed to the hospital after the events of New Blood. Showtime had to make it clear right away that he was only mostly dead at the end of that series for two reasons: First, Michael C. Hall is the narrator of New Blood, which is brilliant. Second, Dexter: Resurrection is coming this summer, and you can't have a new show with the older Dexter if he's dead.
The premise here is "life flashing before your eyes" and Dexter, in the hospital, reflecting on his past. At the time, he's a pre-med student too young to buy beer and hasn't killed another human being yet. He's a long way from becoming the Bay Harbor Butcher.
He still lives with his adoptive father, Harry, played by Christian Slater, and his adoptive sister, Deb, portrayed by Molly Brown. I was surprised at how much involvement Harry had in Dexter's early kills. We knew he trained Dexter and instilled in him a moral code, to make sure he only targeted bad guys and didn't get caught. But Slater's Harry is more hands-on than I expected.
Interestingly, we get a lot of flashbacks from Harry's perspective, focusing on his tragic past and his relationship with Dexter's mother, Doris (Jasper Lewis). We know how she died, but now we know why Harry was so determined to raise Dexter as his own. The flashbacks are shot in a grainy, green and orange hue, which is another technique the series creators use to make us feel like we're watching Dexter again. Indeed, the way this entire show is filmed takes you right back to 2006.
Another technique is using Hall's narration for all the internal monologue bits, the little asides that Dexter never voices out loud. You're watching things unfold with a younger Dexter, but you still get the inner voice of the older Dexter. I'm convinced that this is the secret ingredient, the one choice in the show's direction that makes it work as well as it does. It certainly helps that Gibson nails Hall's mannerisms and vocal patterns. It's as close as you could hope for when it comes to casting a younger version of the character.
Brown does a great job as Deb as well, even though she's not quite as tall or skinny as the original Deb (played by Jennifer Carpenter, who is 5'9" to Brown's 5'3"). Playing a convincing teenage Deb means she has to be incredibly annoying and abrasive.
There are times, I admit, when the cast—talented as they are—feels a little like they're cosplaying these characters. This is especially true when you get to Miami Metro. James Martinez does a fantastic job as Angel Batista, but it's a bit strange seeing him wear the same hat and outfit as his older self from the original series. Martinez is also 44, while David Zayas, who played Batista previously, would have been 46 in the first season of Dexter. Batista should be in his early 30s in this show, not his mid 40s, so when Harry tells him to show Dexter the ropes and says "you're about the same age," I rolled my eyes. Nobody would think a young 20-year-old and a guy in his mid 40s are "about the same age," and Batista doesn't look like a guy in his early 30s in this show either.
Alex Shimizu skillfully embodies Vince Masuka's character, sporting a full head of hair and appearing to be the right age for a series set in 1991. He retains the same inappropriate and cringe-worthy demeanor as before. Christina Milian's introduction feels like a spot-on casting for a younger Maria LaGuerta, an ambitious police detective aiming to stir up change at Miami Metro, much to the displeasure of her boss, Captain Spencer, portrayed by mustachioed Patrick Dempsey.
The engaging Dexter feedback loop underpins the allure of Original Sin. We're treated to "monster of the week" episodes, where Dexter's investigative skills, guided by his "dark passenger", help identify serial killers. He then meticulously works to prove their guilt, ensuring he doesn't mistakenly kill an innocent—all in adherence to Harry's code—before carrying out the kill. His methods are yet to be refined, resulting in less polished execution compared to the original series (Dexter's precise actions often introduced tension in the original show).
There are larger mysteries at play, too. A home invasion killer leaving entire families dead across Miami, the kidnapped son of a judge, potential connections to the cartels; it's all eerily reminiscent of Dexter's early seasons, both structurally and cinematically. The nostalgia is palpable.
I am generally critical of prequels, often viewing them as money-grabbing or vain endeavors that either oversimplify events or lack tension due to our foreknowledge of characters' fates. However, every now and then, a series like Better Call Saul emerges, offering something novel and engaging enough to justify its existence. One strength of that show was the introduction of intriguing new characters and narratives unrevealed in Breaking Bad.
For Dexter: Original Sin to thrive, it will need the same level of innovation. So far, it seems to be heading in the right direction. Over the course of 7 more episodes, it could potentially veer off track, but my growing optimism has morphed into a fervent eagerness for the next episode's release this coming Friday on Paramount+.
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Have you checked out Dexter: Original Sin yet? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter to receive more reviews and analysis on entertainment and culture.
I was intrigued by the praise from my TV-savvy readers about Dexter: Original Sin on Paramount+. Despite my initial hesitation, I was drawn in by the series' early episodes, reminding me of the enjoyment I had from the early seasons of the original Dexter. The prequel series does an impressive job recreating the original show's feel with a younger Dexter Morgan, trying to navigate life and death.
If you're a fan of the original Dexter, you might enjoy the newly released prequel, Dexter: Original Sin. It boasts an impressive cast, including Christian Slater as Dexter's adoptive father, and Molly Brown as his adoptive sister, Deb. The series has a nostalgic feel, with Michael C. Hall's narration and internal monologues continuing to be a significant strength.
As a television critic, I often have mixed feelings about prequels. However, Dexter: Original Sin seems to be one of the exceptions, promising an engaging narrative and fresh perspectives on familiar characters. Let me know if you've watched it and share your thoughts on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, or my YouTube channel.
I've added Dexter: Original Sin to my list of best new TV shows this season, and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next episode on Paramount+. Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more entertainment and culture reviews and analysis.
Dexter: Original Sin is now available to stream on Paramount+, joining the list of best new TV shows this season. Make sure not to miss out on this gem of a prequel and catch up today!