Exploring Harry’s Possible Son Before Dexter: Who Was Junior in Original Sin?

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 1! The highly anticipated premiere of Dexter: Original Sin introduces a poignant twist regarding the Morgan family, revealing that Dexter was not the firstborn son of Harry Morgan. While the original Dexter series primarily focused on Harry and Doris Morgan, alongside their children Debra and Dexter, the prequel expands on the family’s enigmatic past. Prior to this revelation, the existence of any additional Morgan siblings remained absent from the narrative.

Set in 1991, Dexter: Original Sin re-examines the lives of the Morgans during turbulent times. Dexter is depicted as a 20-year-old college graduate, while Deb is still navigating high school, and Harry is still actively serving at Miami Metro Police Department. This prequel not only explores Dexter’s formative years related to his early killings and adherence to the Code of Harry, but it also uncovers darker secrets overshadowing the Morgan lineage. A significant flashback in the first episode unveils a sibling that both Dexter and Deb were likely unaware of.

A Shocking Flashback: Harry’s Son Drowned

The Tragedy of Harry’s Son Junior

Patrick Gibson as Dexter and Christian Slater as Harry talking in the kitchen in Dexter Original Sin

In the first episode of Dexter: Original Sin, the relationship between Dexter and Harry takes a darker turn as Dexter grapples with his destructive urges. Following an altercation where Dexter defends Debra from a potential assailant at a college party, he confesses to Harry that he nearly resorted to violence. Disturbed by Dexter’s admission, Harry experiences unsettling flashbacks to a tragic event from his past.

Christian Slater portrays Harry in the prequel series, succeeding James Remar, who originally brought the character to life. The flashback shows a younger Harry engrossed in a Miami Dolphins game when he calls for his son, Junior, to join him. Panic ensues when Harry realizes Junior has drowned in their backyard pool. In a desperate attempt to save him, he performs CPR, but tragically, Junior is pronounced dead. Harry’s wife, Doris, returns home and is devastated, crying out for her lost child.

This revelation implies that Harry and Doris Morgan had a son, Harry Morgan Jr., prior to Dexter and Deb, who died prematurely from drowning. Despite the implications of this traumatic incident, the original series never once mentioned Junior, leaving the audience unaware of this significant familial history. The timelines suggest that both Dexter and Deb may never have known about their deceased brother.

Exploring the Timeline: When Did Junior Pass Away?

Junior’s Death Occurred Before Dexter’s Adoption

Christian Slater as Harry Confronting Patrick Gibson as Dexter Next to a Building in Dexter Original Sin

While Dexter: Original Sin does not specify a clear date for Harry’s flashback, it likely falls around late 1972 or early 1973. The absence of young Dexter and Deb in this memory implies it predates Dexter’s adoption, which occurred following his mother’s death in late 1973. Considering Dexter was born in 1971, and Deb was born shortly after, this timeline suggests Junior’s death occurred shortly before Dexter entered the Morgan family.

Further detail is offered during the football commentary, which references a Dolphins’ defeat to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl about two years prior, anchoring the timeline around the early 1970s. This context gives depth to the grim history that Harry grapples with in his relationship with Dexter and the impact on his parenting journey.

Why Was Harry’s First Son Unmentioned in the Original Show?

Were Dexter and Deb Aware of Junior’s Existence?

The emergence of Junior as a character brings forth many questions, particularly why he was never referenced in the original series. A likely explanation is that Harry may have chosen not to disclose this painful aspect of their family’s history to Dexter and Deb. His unresolved guilt regarding the drowning incident suggests that he refrained from discussing it, choosing instead to focus on raising Dexter and Deb without the shadow of that tragedy looming over them.

Major Returning Original Characters In Dexter: Original Sin
Character	Actor In Dexter	Actor In Original Sin
Dexter Morgan	Michael C. Hall	Patrick Gibson
Debra Morgan	Jennifer Carpenter	Molly Brown
Harry Morgan	James Remar	Christian Slater
Angel Baptist	David Zayas	James Martinez
Vince Masuka	C. S. Lee	Alex Shimizu
Maria Laguerta	Lauren Velez	Christina Milian

As Dexter: Original Sin unfolds, the ghosts of the past resurface for Harry, heightening his sense of failure both in his role as a father to Junior and now as he witnesses Dexter’s descent. This tragic backdrop adds complexity to Harry’s motivations; adopting Dexter serves as an attempt to redeem his unfulfilled responsibility towards his firstborn. He raises Dexter amidst the shadows of his previous loss, providing insight into the emotional turmoil driving his character.

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

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