Dexter: Original Sin has finally arrived, but does it live up to the darkly dreaming juggernaut of the Showtime original? Few television shows have captivated viewers quite like Dexter did during its heyday on Showtime. Despite its lacklustre ending and middling miniseries sequel, the prospect of new projects based on Jeff Lindsay’s macabre novels remains enticing. Thankfully, Original Sin proves the property is anything but dead.
Set in 1991, 15 years before the start of Dexter (2006), Dexter: Original Sin explores a young Dexter Morgan coming to grips with his still-volatile Dark Passenger. What stands out immediately in Dexter: Original Sin is its stellar casting, which not only captures the superficial likeness of series favourites but also delivers fantastic performances that feel like stepping back into the shoes of familiar characters.
From Patrick Gibson’s portrayal of a 20-year-old Dexter to Molly Brown as his sister, the cast of Dexter: Original Sin masterfully captures the nuance and essence of their older counterparts. It evokes the tone of the first couple of seasons of Dexter—the good ones.
The premiere episode of Dexter: Original Sin focuses on Dexter and Harry’s relationship and their shared burden of keeping Dexter’s secret under control. Fans of the 2006 series will find much to enjoy, particularly in Dexter’s first encounter with death, which is handled skillfully in the premiere.
Without venturing into spoiler territory, the pilot lays a solid foundation for the series while introducing new characters, such as CSI Chief Tanya Martin, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy fame. Martin appears poised to become another strong female character in the vein of LaGuerta.
Other standout performances include Alex Shimizu as Vince Masuka, who does a great job of portraying an even younger and raunchier Masuka who acts as a solid foil to Dexter and his awkwardness. Speaking of the man himself, Michael C. Hall also returns, this time playing his younger self’s inner monologue, similar to Harry, who in Dexter: Original Sin helps cement the idea of an older Dexter, post the events of New Blood, looking back at his tumultuous life after a near-death experience.
“Fans of the 2006 series will find a lot to like, particularly in regards to Dexter’s first encounter with death, which the premiere handles well.”
Similarly, Christian Slater returns as Harry Morgan, this time in Flesh and Blood, which opens up numerous opportunities for Original Sin to delve into the fractured dynamics of the Morgan family.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Harry’s character is explored in the premiere, specifically his life before his second marriage to Laura Moser. The episode examines the trauma and guilt he feels over the loss of his first son, shaping him into an overprotective parent—something inevitably challenged as he and Dexter confront Dexter’s Dark Passenger.
Eagle-eyed viewers will recall Season 1, Episode 3 of Dexter, “Popping Cherry,” where Harry gives Dexter the go-ahead to embrace his Dark Passenger. This scene is faithfully recreated in Dexter: Original Sin’s pilot, perfectly capturing the pivotal moment when the young, macabre college student steps into the world of killers.
“Dexter Original Sin seemingly captures the early days of the 2006 show in a way that feels fresh again.”
Additionally, the pilot explores Dexter’s first kill. Without venturing into spoiler territory, it’s a fun yet familiar scene that captures the awkwardness of a first time—even if it happens to involve murder. Lastly, among standout performances, Molly Brown’s portrayal of a young Deborah Morgan steals the show. She captures the foul-mouthed, spirited sister in a way that feels organic, while playing off Patrick Gibson’s portrayal of everyone’s favourite serial killer.
Despite a lacklustre final season and an even worse spinoff series, Dexter: Original Sin manages to recapture the essence of the early days of the 2006 show in a way that feels fresh again. However, it is still early to tell how the series will evolve over its 10-episode run. The pilot makes an earnest effort to continue Dexter’s legacy. With only about an hour of runtime, there is still much left to explore in Dexter: Original Sin. However, as far as first episodes go, fans eager to return to the blood-soaked neon of Miami are in for a treat.
