Dexter Brings Back One Of The Best Elements From The Original Series That Was Overlooked In New Blood

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 4! The latest installment, Dexter: Original Sin, marks a significant return to the foundational elements of the franchise as young Dexter begins to embrace the Code of Harry. Despite the original series concluding in 2013, interest has surged into the 2020s, leading to the limited series New Blood in 2021, a new prequel set for 2024, and an anticipated sequel in 2025, with additional developments around Dexter’s Trinity Killer. While the newer adaptations have their unique interpretations, Original Sin works diligently to rekindle the successful elements of the beloved series.

Although both New Blood and Original Sin share thematic elements—Dexter, in both narratives, grapples with his identity as a killer—their storytelling approaches differ significantly. In New Blood, Dexter struggles to maintain a façade of normalcy, aiming to suppress his Dark Passenger while hiding his dark past. In contrast, Dexter: Original Sin explores Dexter’s early days as he formulates his methods to become the Bay Harbor Butcher, providing a narrative that aligns closely with the tone of the original series.

Dexter: Original Sin Revives Episodic Killers & Hunts from the Franchise

Dexter Pursues a Series of Killers in Original Sin Season 1

Throughout Dexter: Original Sin, the narrative showcases a sequence of episodic killings that sharply contrasts with the storytelling in New Blood. The latter featured Dexter primarily in a state of suppression, living in the small community of Iron Lake, New York, where such bloodshed was infrequent. Characters and scenarios felt more limited—Dexter’s confrontations were often standalone incidents rather than part of a broader hunt. For instance, his murders of Matt Caldwell and Jasper Hodge, while impactful, lacked the reinforcement of a serial killer narrative typical of the original series.

As Original Sin progresses, the prequel frequently revisits this essential aspect of Dexter’s legacy. By episode 4, Dexter has confronted several possible victims, reinforcing his transformation into a seasoned killer: Nurse Mary and Tony Ferrer both fall victim to his vigilantism, while Mad-Dog’s fate remains uncertain after a tense encounter.

Dexter’s Targets	Episode #	Outcome of Hunt
Nurse Mary	1	Killed by Dexter
Tony Ferrer	2, 3	Killed by Dexter
Food Dog	4	Hit by vehicle when fleeing; status unknown

Dexter: New Blood’s Absence of Episodic Killers is Justified

The Community Size Limits Killer Discovery

The revival of episodic killers in Original Sin energizes the narrative, yet the absence of similar elements in New Blood is understandable given the context. Iron Lake, a quaint town, inherently restricts the number of serial killers that could reasonably operate within its limits. The shock of Kurt Caldwell’s decades-long reign of terror emphasizes this point—asking audiences to accept multiple active killers in such a small population would be implausible.

Miami, where Dexter primarily operated in the original series, presented a much different scenario—with its higher population density, a flourishing criminal environment provided endless opportunities for Dexter to encounter multiple killers. Therefore, Dexter’s journey to find justice as a vigilante was far more believable against the bustling backdrop of Miami rather than the quiet confines of Iron Lake.

Future Installments Like Dexter: Resurrection Should Preserve Episodic Elements

Will Dexter Reclaim His Role as a Vigilante Killer?

With the franchise gaining momentum, Dexter: Resurrection is set to debut in the summer of 2025, once again featuring Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan. The *Original Sin* premiere revealed that Dexter survived the shocking conclusion of New Blood, where he was shot by his son, Harrison. As the narrative unfolds in Resurrection, viewers are eager to discover how Dexter, now exposed as the infamous Bay Harbor Butcher, navigates his new reality—whether on the run from justice or strategizing a means to clear his name.

Currently, Michael C. Hall remains the only confirmed reprising actor for the upcoming series. Despite potential scenarios where Dexter goes underground, he is likely to continue his mission against those who fit the Code of Harry he came to know and respect in Original Sin. The essence of Dexter lies in his identity as a vigilante, and it is crucial for future narratives to position him in environments that allow for his methods to flourish, possibly within urban contexts where anonymity is achievable.

New episodes of Dexter: Original Sin are available Fridays on Paramount+ with Showtime.

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