Dexter: Resurrection Recap: Copycat Killer

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Some people might find it blasphemous if they prefer watching TV shows in binges, but personally, I sometimes get annoyed when shows debut with multiple episodes instead of one. Firstly, there are simply too many shows to keep up with these days! Secondly, it often seems like a tactic to prolong the setup process. For instance, “Camera Shy” felt unusually slow following its fast-paced premiere. Granted, we’re only at the beginning of Dexter: Resurrection, and there will be plenty of conflicts down the line. However, if you continue to show tantalizing hints of Uma Thurman’s character, Charley, the serial-killer recruiter, I might start asking when we can finally move on to the action at the fireworks factory.

The imminent and noticeable unspoken conflict unfolds between Harrison and Dexter, as Dexter persistently hangs around Empire Hotel without reaching out, disregarding Harry’s attempts to engage. However, due to the recurring vision of Ryan’s injured face that Harrison experiences, it’s simple enough for him to ignore this encounter as another guilt-induced illusion. As promised, Dexter is present to shield his son from any blunders made by an inexperienced killer. While examining Ryan’s hotel room, Dexter appears unusually delighted. “If Harrison committed a kill here, he cleaned up thoroughly,” Dexter remarks, showing off his protective instincts. Although this may be accurate, Wallace and Oliva are also present, and they prove to be far more competent than the usual Dexter police force. Wallace swiftly determines that Ryan’s room is excessively clean – oxygen bleach was likely used, indicating someone with forensic knowledge. The new toilet-tank lid and porcelain dust in the victim’s hair help identify the murder weapon, and the Rohypnol found in Ryan’s suitcase suggests a botched date rape. Oliva notes that sexual assault victims typically don’t dismember their attackers and store them in garbage bags, but Wallace recognizes she’s onto something. In a later scene of the episode, she discovers footage of Ryan carrying a drugged Shauna out of the hotel bar, so she brings the stranger back to New York for interrogation.

The incompetence of the police is clearly troubling for Harrison, despite his father’s attempts to secretly intervene in the investigation. On the other hand, Dexter seems pleased, musing about his son possibly emulating him. Killing a serial rapist might suggest that Harrison is creating his own set of principles. However, Harry argues that repeatedly brutally killing someone after they’ve already died goes against any moral code. (Now we’re discussing morality?) Dexter admits he too made mistakes at Harrison’s age, which serves as another reminder for Dexter to intervene and guide his son, just as Harry did with him. Excluding the murder investigation, it appears that Harrison could benefit from some guidance. Despite being mature enough to pass his GED and look after Elsa’s asthmatic child, he’s also seen partaking in late-night drug use with valet Lance and experiencing flashbacks of shooting Dexter. Maybe it would help him feel better knowing he didn’t really kill his father! (This is a promo for Dexter: Original Sin.)

Currently, I find myself intrigued by the diligent actions of our protagonist, Dexter. He’s not yet ready for confrontation, but rather, he’s meticulously tracking down clues. He suspects that Harrison dismembered Ryan’s body in the hotel’s kitchen, a theory supported by the circumstances at hand. To gather evidence, he must wait until the kitchen is closed, so he spends his time at the hotel bar, enjoying a couple of cheeseburgers – one aspect of Dexter that never fails to impress me is his unquenchable appetite!

Once the kitchen staff has departed for the night, Dexter seizes the opportunity. Remarkably clean as always, Harrison’s handiwork in Ryan’s hotel room is almost flawless, save for a single overlooked spot. I had thought that a tiny stain on the ceiling would prove crucial to the police investigation, but Dexter swiftly removes it.

I can’t help but feel that he could use a more challenging case to solve, and perhaps Batista will provide just that. While these events unfold in the city, Miami Metro’s Chief Batista is conversing with Teddy Reed back in Iron Lake. The trail of Harrison’s actions – including the sale of Dexter’s car – will ultimately lead Batista to New York.

At the moment, Dexter has some urgent matters to attend to, one of which involves his car being towed because he overlooked street signs. He hails a ride from UrCar, with Blessing Kamara (Ntare Mwine) as the driver. Despite being chatty, Blessing shares his past and explains his caution due to a rideshare serial killer known as the Dark Passenger, who is targeting drivers and using a barbed chain for decapitations. This murderer, motivated by anti-immigrant sentiments, is an unsettling contrast to typical Dexter villains, though sadly relevant in today’s world. Dexter can’t help but worry about the unauthorized use of the Dark Passenger name. His voiceover mentions that he hadn’t considered trademarking his alter ego when Blessing discloses that a friend narrowly escaped the same rideshare driver killer, prompting Dexter to investigate further. Harry (particularly critical in this episode) reminds Dexter of his priority being Harrison, but Dexter insists he can handle both tasks simultaneously.

Although feeling quite nervous, Blessing extends an invitation to Dexter for a gathering at his house the following day. Unfamiliar with the city, Dexter isn’t deterred by the journey to Queens. He’s eager to meet Blessing’s friend, Chike, and gather information about his encounter with the Dark Passenger. At the party, Blessing introduces his family, and they seem unbothered by the presence of a stranger. Even after Chike describes his attacker as sharing similar physical traits with Dexter, no one seems alarmed. “So I’m searching for a man who resembles me,” Dexter narrates. Chike also has footage of their encounter with the serial killer, but the attacker’s face is concealed. He was wearing a hoodie designed to avoid camera detection and had infrared lights that made his face unrecordable. (It’s impressive that Blessing’s daughter, Joy, recognized this phenomenon. I didn’t know about it myself, but it does exist.) The most valuable detail from the video is the killer’s bag, which bears the emblem of cybersecurity company Bridge Data Network.

Let’s revisit the issue of police inefficiency — it seems astonishing that a serial killer responsible for seven rideshare driver murders has not been identified despite evidence from the killer’s workplace being overlooked in security videos? (Chike didn’t hand over his footage or report the crime due to an expired visa, adding to the grimness of the situation.) Fortunately, Dexter is taking on the case and employs his exceptional intuitive abilities, along with some creative storytelling, to pinpoint Ronald Schmidt as the Bridge Data Network employee without a photo or online presence. Dexter chooses to stake out the company’s premises to verify that Ronald matches his suspect profile, despite Harry’s caution, “Your physical condition is not up for confrontation.” However, Dexter’s plan to observe the situation unravels when he spots Ronald wearing a camera-shy hoodie. Recognizing that Ronald is in “kill mode,” Dexter impulsively intervenes as he witnesses Ronald attempting to enter an UrCar. Unfortunately, his hasty actions are cut short after someone accidentally collides with his recently sustained gunshot wound at a subway station, causing him intense pain and preventing him from pursuing Ronald who manages to board a train.

Instead of gloating with “I told you so” towards Dexter, Harry makes a striking observation. In previous instances, Dexter would jeopardize everything for a kill; now, he’s put it all on the line to save a rideshare driver. Harry questions, “Since when do you care about other people?” Although Dexter answers “Since now,” I believe the transformation of his character has been in progress for several seasons. Can we recall a time when he acted like a true sociopath? The storyline, Resurrection, seeks to highlight that this is a changed Dexter. A reborn Dexter, if you will. He has moved into Blessing’s vacant basement apartment and obtained a New York license with his real name on it (I can stretch my disbelief for many things, but not the ease of acquiring a NYC driver’s license). And he has a new objective: capturing the serial killer who assumed the Dark Passenger moniker. Protecting Harrison, however, is starting to seem like an afterthought.

Blood-Spatter Analysis

In this episode, we encounter another solitary scene featuring Charley. She’s journeyed to Michigan with a mission: to inform Keith, infamously known as the Canton Clubber, that his account has been terminated. The conditions were unequivocal, set by her superior: “No special requests, no demands, or you’re dismissed.” When Keith attempts to touch Charley’s shoulder, she retaliates with a baseball bat coated in nails – one of his favorite weapons. These quick glimpses into Charley’s actions are significantly more gripping than Dexter’s recurrent surveillance of his son. Here’s hoping we get another dose of Uma Thurman next week.

It’s a bit repetitive that Dex remarks, “This city is quite vast, yet there’s only space for one Dark Passenger,” and then concludes the episode with, “Even though New York is large, it’s not spacious enough for two Dark Passengers.” Maybe consider freshening up your lines, friend.

In a humorous twist, I’ll acknowledge another hilarious voice-over moment. When he encounters an intricately complex New York street sign, he quips, “Even from the tiniest drop of blood, I can figure out how a person met their end. But this sign leaves me baffled.

Including “UrCar” to the collection of questionable, fictional ride-share firm names appearing in television series, which intentionally avoid any resemblance to real companies like Uber or Lyft to avoid legal issues.

It strikes me that while Dexter takes up the role of a UrCar driver to pursue the Dark Passenger, I find myself pondering about his financial situation once more. Given his recent acquisition of a new car and an apartment, it leaves me questioning how he manages his finances. Additionally, I’m curious about who covered his medical bills during his extended stay at the Iron Lake clinic.

Although it appears that the series may be developing a romantic relationship between Harrison and Elsa, his late-night texts to Lance seem to suggest something more than friendship. For instance, he writes “Wanna hang?” at 2 AM, to which Lance responds with “Meet in garage” and a purple devil emoji, which is often used to convey a flirtatious or sexual intent. I refuse to be led astray from the obvious implications of these messages.

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2025-07-11 19:54