Dexter: Original Sin Finale Recap: Born This Way

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Is it innate in people to be evil, or is evilness imposed upon them? The Dexter origin story seems to borrow this question from the musical Wicked, and it appears to be a central theme throughout the finale, though I’m not entirely convinced we receive a fully satisfying answer. It should be noted that this issue is present in how all the storylines are wrapped up in this episode. To avoid being labeled overly critical – I’ve read the comments on these recaps, and I acknowledge my perspective may be more negative than many of you – it seems evident to me that the show attempted to tackle more than it could handle. On a positive note, Original Sin has strived to push the boundaries of what a prequel can achieve, but as “Code Blues” underscores, this ambition often comes at the cost of clear plot development and logical consistency.

In the narrative, we delve deeper as Brian recounts his backstory to Dr. Paul Petrie, who will later become his first victim. Following his departure from the Morgans, Brian’s aggressive tendencies surface at every new residence he is assigned. His life takes a turn at Harbor Light Mental Hospital, where he is diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder and some professionals even label him as a psychopath. It’s challenging to conceive of an alternative fate for Brian, given his history of animal mutilation that predates the traumatic experiences he attributes to his transformation into a serial killer. As an adult and after being discharged from the hospital, Brian seems to have found tranquility. Petrie is taken aback by this, but Brian’s relentless pursuit of reconnecting with Dexter raises concerns. If Brian continues to press, Petrie warns, he will be forced back to Harbor Light. This threat, though ambiguous, provides enough motivation for Brian to act aggressively, ultimately leading to the brutal assault and murder of Petrie using a fire poker. The series Original Sin dedicates significant screen time to Brian’s origin story, which may feel like a misleading tactic in some eyes, but personal opinions on this matter may differ.

In the current scenario, Harry and LaGuerta are summoned to the location where the latest Brian victim, Barb Plimpton, has been brutally dismembered by a chainsaw. Harry identifies her as the one who arranged for Dexter and Brian to be adopted by the Morgans, only to later take Brian away when he attempted to smother baby Debra. I must admit, there are parts of this narrative that seem unclear to me. For instance, LaGuerta’s query about Barb potentially being another victim of their serial killer leaves me puzzled. This is because the common factor linking previous victims was their solitary nature and social exclusion. Given that LaGuerta doesn’t know about Brian’s ties to these individuals, it seems illogical for her to assume that a chainsaw massacre could be part of a larger pattern. However, Harry’s behavior is shady enough to raise suspicions. Intriguingly, he departs before Tanya can inquire about the appropriate forensic procedures for handling the body.

In the meantime, Dexter tracked Spencer towards Nicky’s location, which surprisingly was a shipyard with a cargo vessel just about half a mile from the police station (how convenient!). Dexter encounters Spencer, who proved to be quite formidable in combat given his status as a decorated police captain and recent blood donor. With little left to lose, Spencer’s actions revealed this when he flooded Nicky’s cell in an attempt to drown him. “That’s your son!” an angry Dexter exclaims. “Is he?” Spencer retorts. It seems that last week’s commenter was correct; Spencer could be driven by discovering (or at least suspecting) that Nicky is the result of Becca’s affair with Nelson. Dexter acknowledges Spencer’s fury but suggests more constructive methods to channel it. Just as it appears Dexter might teach him a lesson, Spencer presents him with an option – save Nicky or pursue Spencer. Naturally, Dexter won’t stand by and let a child drown, even though Nicky comes close to it. Dex resuscitates him with mouth-to-mouth and then leaves him on the cargo ship. Rest assured, he fires flares into the air before departing, and we do see police making their way towards the scene.

Previously at the crime scene, Brian was observing the police officers from a vantage point above, hoping to spot his brother. His actions could be described as intense or obsessive. Suddenly, Harry appears, pointing a gun at Brian and demanding an end to his “warped quest for revenge.” The dialogue between these two is quite intriguing, something we hadn’t anticipated given that Harry was already deceased by the time Brian entered the scene on Dexter. Brian discloses that he managed to contact his brother, but Dexter didn’t recognize him. Brian, unsurprisingly, accuses Harry of this oversight. He finds Harry’s explanation that Dexter repressed all the terrible memories from his childhood, including his older brother, hard to accept. This theory also allows Harry to avoid taking responsibility; he doesn’t have to tell Dexter about the traumatic events like how he slept with their mother, forced her to betray him, and sent her to be brutally murdered by a cartel in front of him. Brian’s point is certainly valid!

Harry’s argument is equally valid. He warns Brian that returning to Dexter’s life will resurface all the agony and torment Dex has managed to suppress. “You can despise me for valid reasons, yet acknowledge that I am what’s best for Dexter,” he states, and in a way, I concur with this perspective, given Harry’s less-than-ideal parenting portrayed throughout the season (remember Deb? He certainly isn’t!). Harry threatens to take Brian into custody but begs him not to reveal any secrets about his past that could reach Dexter. Good luck with that! However, it seems irrelevant as Brian eventually knocks Harry unconscious and leaves him on the roof — not before writing “YOU’RE RIGHT” in blood. Honestly? This ruthless killer was so swayed by what Harry said that he abandoned his efforts to reconnect with Dexter and will vanish back into the shadows for the next 15 years, only to resurface again as the Ice Truck Killer? I find this a convenient resolution to the storyline, but given the introduction of Brian in Original Sin, it was always going to be challenging to reconcile that with the first season of Dexter.

As a film enthusiast, I’m reflecting on the intense turn of events in the storyline. At home, I was anxiously awaiting news about Nicky when suddenly, Spencer lashes out at Becca, threatening her life due to the lie about Nicky being his son. Fortunately, Dex intervenes, knocking Spencer unconscious. Later, Spencer finds himself back on a kill table, this time on Camilla’s boat. There’s some back-and-forth dialogue, hinting at secrets hidden between Harry and Dexter, but when the captain says, “Enough, just get it over with,” I couldn’t help but feel that tension. Yes, Dexter ultimately ends Spencer’s life, leaving me feeling rather foolish for thinking there was more to this tale.

While I can understand how discovering about Nicky’s parentage could have led Spencer to seek revenge on his ex-wife, I’m struggling to comprehend why he resorted to kidnapping and murdering Jimmy Powell or framing the cartel. The shootout seemed unnecessary as well. I question whether I’m just not getting it or if these actions don’t add up coherently in the storyline (feel free to enlighten me in the comments).

I understand that Spencer might have wanted to mislead people about his activities, but resorting to the murder of an innocent child seems extreme. There must have been a less drastic way for him to maintain his cover.

It appears I might be overanalyzing this situation, encompassing both Spencer’s intentions and the overall narrative of the show. Significantly, Dexter takes a step further in his transformation by disposing of body parts wrapped in trash bags from a boat for the first time. Upon returning home, he updates Harry on the events, with Harry expressing remorse for not supporting his son’s judgments earlier. However, I can’t help but think they could have gathered evidence to arrest Spencer. But then again, what do I know? Harry finds it hard to accept that his long-time friend turned out to be a child murderer, yet Dex reassures him that the captain was once a good person. “Spencer wasn’t inherently monstrous; he became one,” Dex explains. “But me, I was born this way.” To me, anyone capable of murdering and mutilating children has always been a monster, just as it was evident from the start that Brian was a serial killer. Regardless, the show seems to be addressing the question posed in Wicked with an ambiguous response: “Some people are born wicked, and some other people have wickedness forced upon them.” Ultimately, what truly matters is that Dexter – having chosen to save a child instead of pursuing Spencer – has undergone a permanent change.

At Miami Metro Station, Batista and Harry discuss and conclude that Spencer was overwhelmed by anger, causing him to act irrationally instead of logically. Meanwhile, Harry expresses doubts about the existence of an NHI serial killer, a suspicion which further strains LaGuerta’s trust in him. More notably, Tanya offers Dexter a permanent role at work! The Morgan family celebrates this news, and during their gathering Deb announces her own decision – she will be joining the police academy instead of going to FSU next year. This conversation with Tanya seems to have left a lasting impression on Deb. Later, as Dexter and Harry share thoughts about Dexter’s progress, it’s clear that he has learned to channel his instincts toward good deeds. The story concludes on a positive note for the Morgan family, but Brian stands outside, looking melancholic, knowing that due to plot constraints, he won’t be able to reconnect with Dexter for over a decade. Lastly, Showtime’s dedication to this series ensures that we will continue to see more of Dexter in the future.

Blood Spatter Analysis

As a dedicated cinephile, I found myself with quite a bit of territory to traverse, leaving less room for me to delve into Bobby’s story. Despite my affection for him, the series Original Sin seemed to lean more towards narration than portrayal when it came to showcasing his significance within the Morgan family and their love for him. Here’s hoping that future episodes will offer a deeper exploration of Bobby as a character, allowing us to truly appreciate his role within the narrative.

Hello there! It appears Spencer is the suspect here, correct? Everyone seems to believe he’s on the run now, yet no significant efforts are being made to locate him? One would think an extensive search would be conducted given the circumstances. Furthermore, Dexter choosing not to hand him over to authorities means Becca and Nicky must live in constant dread of a potential return, which seems rather inconsiderate from our protagonist.

Once again, logic police, I must apologize: I’m unsure about LaGuerta’s suspicion of Harry, but it seems we’re not done untangling this mystery. I doubt she’ll let go of the hunt for the fiend who brutally murdered Barb, and rightly so. It’s challenging to accept that inexperienced serial killer Brian Moser might have left no trace behind his crimes.

It’s not about logic, but I was expecting some clarity regarding Gio. Maybe they are holding it back for a potential second season; in which case, I’m willing to trust their judgment.

When Deb shares about the hardships in her life (her mother passing away, father suffering a heart attack, Dexter’s absence, losing both a boyfriend and a best friend), it was hard not to empathize, despite finding her character somewhat irritating. It’s great to see her reconcile with Sofia!

I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to read these recaps and for your insightful comments. If you found this season more enjoyable than me, I couldn’t be happier for you. My intention was never to dislike something, and if they produce more of Original Sin, I’ll keep an open and positive mind as I continue to watch it.

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2025-02-15 05:54