(SPOILER ALERT!)
Dexter isn’t just a show in our house—it’s practically a family tradition. We’re all fully hooked on Showtime’s dark and twisted anti-hero. Our philosophy? “Any Dexter is good, Dexter.” But hey, we’re not blind to the flaws. The original series finale? A mixed bag for us. Dexter: New Blood gave us a solid comeback, but let’s be real—the ending of that one stirred up its own round of debates. Now comes Dexter: Original Sin, a prequel that takes us back to the beginning. And honestly? It’s a killer start.
The premiere episode, aptly titled “And in the Beginning…,” is already streaming on Paramount+ before its Showtime debut. It kicks off with a fascinating twist: Contrary to New Blood’s grim conclusion, adult Dexter is alive—albeit clinging to life. As doctors race to save him, his iconic inner monologue, voiced once again by Michael C. Hall, informs us that in near-death moments, your life flashes before your eyes. Cue the flashback: a journey to Dexter’s messy birth, his formative years, and a vivid dive into 1991, where Patrick Gibson steps into the shoes of a young Dexter Morgan.
Gibson is a revelation. He nails Dexter’s polite, controlled exterior, hinting at the simmering rage beneath. As a pre-med college student on the verge of graduation, Dexter’s dark urges are already making themselves known. When an autopsy doesn’t quite scratch the itch, his struggle to reconcile his killer instincts begins. By the episode’s end, the seeds of Dexter’s infamous “code” are firmly planted.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is its meticulous attention to detail. It introduces younger versions of key characters, including Molly Brown as the wonderfully foul-mouthed Debra, Christian Slater as Harry Morgan, and Alex Shimizu as a pitch-perfect young Vince Masuka. The early ’90s setting is brought to life with era-appropriate music (Vanilla Ice, anyone?) and fashion without feeling heavy-handed. Even the opening credits pay homage to the original, adding vintage touches like cassette tapes and rotary phones while retaining the series’ macabre charm.
Fans of the Dexterverse will appreciate how Original Sin leans into nostalgia. Hall’s voiceover, the use of Daniel Licht‘s original score, and callbacks to the flagship series all feel like a warm (if bloody) embrace. At times, the premiere does seem bogged down by its dedication to set up, packing in details for hardcore fans who might need a refresher after years away from Dexter’s world. Still, it’s a minor gripe for a show that captures so much of what made the original compelling.
Unlike some reboots, prequels, and IP revivals, Dexter: Original Sin manages to reinvigorate the franchise by offering fresh insights into Dexter’s origins while delivering the dark humor and tension fans crave. Sure, we know where some characters are destined to end, but the journey there promises plenty of surprises and serial-killer thrills.
Dexter: Original Sin may not rewrite television rules, but it doesn’t have to. It knows what fans want: the visceral satisfaction of watching a vigilante killer take out the worst society offers. And in today’s chaotic world, that catharsis feels as timely as ever.
It’s the same reason so many people find themselves conflicted over real-world events like Luigi Mangione taking the life of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Most sane people agree that Thompson didn’t deserve such an extreme fate, no matter the frustrations tied to his company and the for-profit healthcare industry he represented. But the Dexter universe gives us a safe space to toy with those darker instincts, to root for the vigilante who dishes out justice in a way the real world never could. In fiction, it’s thrilling to imagine someone like Dexter handling the people we feel have “gotten away with it”—no moral quandaries required.
The first episode of Dexter: Original Sin is streaming now on Paramount+ and airs this Sunday on Showtime. Don’t miss it. Dexter’s story is far from over, and we’re happy to keep following the trail of blood.
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