Dexter: Original Sin Recap: What Evil Lurks

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As I delve deeper into the initial phase of “Dexter: Original Sin“, I’m finding my appreciation for this series might have its limits. Despite the allure of the prequel format, there are recurring problems with tone, script, and certain storylines that seem to fall flat (I’m sorry, Sofia). However, it’s important to acknowledge that “Business and Pleasure” stands out as the most compelling episode thus far, skillfully blending action sequences with poignant character development. It seems I may need to adjust my expectations, taking into account that this series shares more similarities with the problematic later seasons of “Dexter” than its initial four – and rate it accordingly.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself immersed in an intricate episode this time around. Let’s delve into the details. At the Morgan residence, a thought crossed Harry’s mind – he had forgotten about another child. The worry began to brew as Deb didn’t return home the previous night. Inquiring about things for the first time, Harry learned some startling facts about Gio. Specifically, that his 17-year-old daughter’s boyfriend was well into his mid-20s. With a sigh, he muttered, “Oh, Deb,” a father’s disappointment echoing in those words. Instead of focusing on finding Deb, Harry decided to travel to Tampa with LaGuerta to pursue the NHI serial killer case. Dexter was assigned Deb’s care but dropped a bombshell about his suspicions regarding Captain Spencer and the Jimmy Powell murder, as well as Nicky’s kidnapping. Harry swiftly dismissed these accusations, delivering a harsh response: “I know you harbor darkness within; I just didn’t realize you’d cast it upon everyone around you.” (To set the record straight, the show revealed the kidnapper’s identity in the opening moments of this episode, despite us learning about it last week.)

During their journey to Tampa, Harry and LaGuerta share a heartfelt moment as Harry expresses his difficulties in raising Deb. Frankly, one might wonder if he’s making any effort at all, Harry. Being a troubled teen herself, Maria comfortingly tells Harry, “I always found my way home. Deb will too.” However, this seems uncertain considering that Deb is currently accompanying her questionable boyfriend on a supposed ‘work trip’ to Bimini, a fact unknown to others. Dexter then goes to the high school to inquire about Deb’s whereabouts from Sofia, but she remains uncommunicative as she believes Deb doesn’t want to be found. This allows Dexter to pause his search for Deb and instead focus on tracking Spencer instead. He correctly does so, as rather than returning home, Spencer hands a bag and money to an unsavory-looking stranger. With this new lead, Dexter begins tailing the man, suspecting that he might have information about Nicky’s whereabouts. However, before he can delve deeper into the mystery, Dexter receives an urgent 911 message from Harry, seeking updates on Debra.

Ah, Deb, it seems Harry isn’t too pleased to discover that Dexter has been tracking Spencer instead of searching for his sister. Given his location in Tampa, there’s not much he can do to change the situation. On a different note, Harry and LaGuerta are dealing with an issue of their own: The man whose car is the only lead in the NHI murders, Paul Petrie, was brutally murdered at home prior to the deaths of the Miami victims. They’ve connected with Detectives Raymond and Bean from Tampa, who seem like they’d fit right into a comedic adaptation of this series. Interestingly, Petrie worked as a psychiatrist at Harbor Light Mental Hospital, treating adolescents. The missing pages from his appointment book suggest that the killer could have been one of those patients, so Harry and LaGuerta will be reviewing 22 years’ worth of patient files at the Tampa police station. And just to lighten the mood a bit, there’s even a joke about Detective Raymond’s questionable toupee!

Currently, Deb is enjoying herself immensely with Gio, as she struggles to read the situation and is easily sidetracked by cocktails and spirits. They are partying on the beach in Bimini, where Gerardo’s famous “Rico Suave” song is blasting (the music cues on this show are often bold). When Deb inquires about the large crate being loaded onto Gio’s yacht, his temper ignites briefly before he diverts her attention again, this time with a diamond bracelet. She expresses her love for him, reassuring him that it’s alright if he doesn’t reciprocate. In the words of Harry Morgan: Oh, Deb.

It’s astonishing, despite his questionable business activities, that Gio isn’t trustworthy. Back in Miami, Dexter tracks down Gio’s address and visits his lavish penthouse, only to encounter Ariana, Gio’s fiancée. She appears unfazed by the revelation of Deb, and it’s clear they share a similar way with words; Ariana calls Gio’s mistress the “New Girl in Town.” Interestingly, she also provides Dexter with information about where Gio would have taken Deb. Bimini is farther than anticipated, but Dexter eventually agrees to Camilla’s offer to borrow her boat. On his journey to rescue his sister, Dexter reflects in his narration that his father’s view of good and bad people may not be entirely accurate – there’s a shadowy side to everyone. In other words, it’s common sense, but kudos to Dexter for recognizing the nuances that give depth to every character on this show.

In Tampa, Harry and LaGuerta are carefully sifting through medical records. A name catches Harry’s eye when Maria steps out: B. Moser. It turns out that Dexter’s older brother, who was a patient of Petrie’s, is a potential suspect now that Harry has linked Brian to the parking-lot victim. The problem is, Harry can’t share this information with LaGuerta because the file contains details that could incriminate him. It reveals that much of Brian’s misconduct can be attributed to his awareness of his mother’s affair with Harry, Dexter referring to Harry as “dad,” and the fact that the Morgans only wanted to adopt Dexter, not Brian (the shipping-container killings are another story). Given these circumstances, it’s understandable that Harry would take the file before LaGuerta can see it.

In the meantime, it’s fortunate that Dexter is en route to Bimini as Gio and Deb are experiencing problems in their paradise. Upon Gio’s departure to make a call, Deb decides to go to the yacht to get her jacket and do some exploring. Caught in the act, Gio becomes angry once more. “I brought you here thinking you’d be a good girl and stay out of trouble,” he scolds, then pushes her off the yacht. “Your yacht can go to hell, Gio!” she retorts, now stranded in Bimini. When Dexter arrives, Deb is sitting on the beach in the dark, unsure of her next steps. They embrace, and as they journey back to Miami, Deb admits feeling foolish for not realizing Gio was nothing like the person she thought he was (though she’s unaware of Dexter’s true nature). In a moment of impulsiveness, she tosses her valuable bracelet into the water. As it drifts away, Heart of the Ocean-style, Dexter has an epiphany. “Once it’s in the ocean, it’s gone forever,” he remarks, and we can sense his thoughts about something else entirely.

At their home, the siblings share a quick emotional connection before Dexter is summoned to work, leaving Debra to weep in solitude under the night’s cover. Poor Deb. To defend Dex, there’s been a significant breakthrough in the Nicky Spencer case – an anonymous tip claims Nicky is hidden at a cartel hideout, and a SWAT team is being deployed. I’m unclear on why Dexter and the rest of the forensics team are included, but it’s beneficial that he’s present as he identifies the house as the one he saw earlier in the day. Inside, Captain Spencer provokes the cartel members at gunpoint, insisting to know his son’s whereabouts. It seems he’s intentionally trying to escalate the situation! True enough, someone draws a weapon, and a firefight erupts. All cartel members are killed, but Bobby is shot in the neck – the wound appears fatal, though I hold onto hope. Nicky, predictably, cannot be located, yet they find his jersey, which Dexter recognizes was from the bag Spencer passed earlier in the day. This was all part of the captain’s strategy, and as Dex examines the chaos, he understands that he could have prevented it. I believe this absolves Harry for his repeated dismissals, but it’s a haunting revelation.

In “Business and Pleasure,” we witness more flashbacks involving Laura Moser as her story nears its close. Estrada’s men notice Harry pushing Dexter on a swing rather inconspicuously, leading Estrada to suspect that Laura is working with the police. As a result, they kidnap Laura, Brian, and Dexter and take them to the shipping container, which has been central to Dexter’s origins. The Moser family encounters more enemies of Estrada, and as his men start using chainsaws to execute them, Laura tries to shield her children’s eyes. In the present, Dexter recognizes that he knew Aaron Spencer had kidnapped and mutilated his own son because Dexter can sense the darkness in people. This realization is linked back to a pivotal moment in the past when he witnessed brutal murders in the shipping container. I’m not a fan of how Original Sin has altered the original series, turning Dexter from a blood-baptized infant to an aware toddler. However, the ending of this episode carries significant impact—Laura imploring, “Close your eyes, Dexter,” as young Dex is unable to look away from the horrors unfolding before him.

Blood Spatter Analysis

Ever since the early episodes, I’ve been speculating that Gio is a significant player in the drug trade, and now it seems my suspicions might be correct. Could it be possible that he’s somehow intertwined with the broader narrative of this season? Is there a connection between Gio and Spencer using his son as a pretext to dismantle the Los Tigres cartel? This theory is starting to feel more plausible with each passing scene.

In the storyline, LaGuerta stumbles upon a file that Harry had taken, which appears to potentially create complications for Detective Morgan. This discovery seems to contradict some aspects of the first season of Dexter, leading me to speculate if we might be witnessing another instance of narrative alteration in the future.

This episode contains a few hidden references, such as LaGuerta dating Miguel Prado and Jimmy Smits portraying the main antagonist in Dexter’s third season. The show has shown an excessive use of prequel elements for the first time with Maria telling Harry that the boy “believes he’ll become DA some day,” which is quite frustrating.

In a more subtle nod to the original series, Camilla’s boat is called “A Piece of Pie,” while Dexter’s boat was previously named “A Slice of Life” and originally “A Slice of Heaven.” Important as pie might seem in Camilla’s eventual demise.

In the scene, although I appreciated the ’90s-era details, it felt anachronistic when Deb inquired if Dexter would “rent a Blockbuster.” Phrases like that weren’t commonly used in the ’90s! Saying “go to Blockbuster” or “rent a movie from Blockbuster,” I can accept. But “rent a Blockbuster”? That definitely wasn’t part of our vernacular back then.

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2025-02-01 01:54