Wait, Is Dexter Good Again?

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for the first four episodes of Dexter: Resurrection, up to “Call Me Red,” which aired on Paramount+ on July 25.

Dexter continues to live on, even beyond the storylines within the series. This persistence is evident not only within the show’s continuity but also in real life, as new installments of this franchise keep getting produced. Last year saw the premiere of the prequel Original Sin, and another prequel, Trinity Killer, is on the horizon. Now, t New Blood. Did you believe that Michael C. Hall’s serial killer character was truly killed and left for dead by his son? Well, think again!

Essentially, Dexter regains consciousness following a lengthy coma in Resurrection, and finds himself pursued by his old friend and colleague Angel Batista, who has now realized that Dexter was indeed the Bay Harbor Butcher. As Angel hotly chases him, Dexter journeys to New York City to reconnect with his son, Harrison, who had attempted to take his life earlier but may require help now since he’s killed a serial rapist, adhered to Dexter’s code, and is now being scrutinized by the NYPD. Simultaneously, Dexter continues his mission of eliminating other killers, which leads him into the circle of Leon Prater, a wealthy venture capitalist with interests in various industries, including murderers, spree killers, and other criminal elements that Dexter has long targeted. For the first time, Dexter finds himself surrounded by individuals with similar inclinations as his own. However, can he take their lives when they could potentially be his first true friends? (Dexter being Dexter!)

In a candid statement, I’d admit that I thought I had finished with the show “Dexter” many years ago, particularly when the writers made Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) fall in love with her brother, and again after “New Blood”, which tried too hard to make Harrison the new Dexter. My feelings were reinforced during “Original Sin”, which rewrote Dexter’s childhood and turned his adoptive father, Harry (first portrayed by James Remar and later Christian Slater), into a self-centered monster. Even the brilliant Mr. Robot couldn’t salvage that one. But surprisingly, watching “Resurrection” feels like I’ve been transported back to the early days of “Dexter”, when it was subtly humorous and had a strong narrative grip. The fourth episode, titled “Call Me Red”, hints at an intriguing direction for the rest of the season. An affluent villain who sponsors killers for his twisted obsession? I never imagined “Dexter” would take on the rich, and I’m delighted by this twist. Here are three reasons that make me hopeful about where “Resurrection” is headed next.

1.
The winking self-awareness

As a die-hard film buff, I’ve always appreciated the unique narrative style of Dexter, with his inner thoughts providing a comedic twist since day one. He’d make sarcastic comments about his colleagues, express confusion over social norms, and even let out a sigh of relief upon sinking his teeth into a Cubano sandwich. This voiceover often offered the most genuine insight into Dexter’s complex mind, hidden behind his somewhat robotic exterior.

However, as Dexter progressed through its seasons, particularly Dexter and New Blood, that inner voice became increasingly somber, with Dexter constantly fretting over the harm he was causing to those around him. But in Resurrection, things are different. Now that so many people know his true identity – Harrison, Angel, even the serial killers he encounters are aware of it – Dexter doesn’t have to hide as much anymore. This freedom allows his narration to adopt a more self-aware, almost tongue-in-cheek tone.

In the series “Resurrection,” Dexter is more central than he was in “New Blood,” which proves beneficial given Michael C. Hall’s skill at delivering just the right tones and pauses to express Dexter’s frustrations and boasts. Interactions with the spectral version of Harry, who appears to Dexter, show a contentious relationship reminiscent of a petulant son and father; when Dexter befriends rideshare driver Blessing Kamara (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine), he’s taken aback by Blessing’s empathy and kindness towards strangers. This dynamic allows “Resurrection” to transition into a buddy-cop narrative, softening Dexter’s character overall. The Trinity Killer’s hallucination of Dexter in the premiere episode, “A Beating Heart …” suggests that Dexter is like Jesus because “like our savior, sometimes you have to endure hell to achieve resurrection,” hinting at the comedic elements that will follow. Mocking Dexter’s ego has always been effective, and “Resurrection” fully embraces this approach.

2.
Angel Batista on the case!

In Miami, several of Dexter’s coworkers were aware or suspected of his secret activities. James Doakes (Erik King) confronted Dexter about being the Bay Harbor Butcher but was ultimately killed by Dexter’s pyromaniac girlfriend at the end of season two, and then was deceitfully framed by Dexter as the killer himself. (King’s return in the premiere episode of Resurrection to exclaim his famous catchphrase “Surprise, motherfucker!” was a joyful surprise.) Jimmy Smits’ character, Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado, manipulated Dexter into involving him in murders, but later deviated and started killing on his own. Lauren Vélez’s character, Maria LaGuerta, harbored suspicions about Dexter for years and even attempted to arrest him, only to be murdered by Dexter’s sister Deb. In the new series New Blood, Dexter’s girlfriend, police chief Angela Bishop (Julia Jones), suspects that he is the Bay Harbor Butcher but lets it go when it appears that Harrison may have killed him instead. To summarize, Dexter is a master of evading capture, and his seemingly invincible nature adds an amusing touch to his escapes.

It’s refreshing to see that Angel Batista is now actively involved in the case. For years on Dexter, our beloved fedora-wearing character was somehow both a competent detective and yet oblivious to the fact that his longtime friend was a murderer, despite numerous hints from others. Even in Resurrection, he’s only pursuing Dexter because Angela called him during New Blood to discuss her theory about her new boyfriend (a theory she later retracted before leaving town, as Angel informs Dexter). However, give our man some credit! Let us witness the investigative skills that were otherwise overshadowed by Dexter’s presence right under his nose!

In a different take, what makes the show Resurrection intriguing isn’t my desire for Dexter to be caught; instead, it lies in how unfazed Dexter appears as Angel pursues him. Although Zayas exudes such weight and charming screen presence, seeing him gather clues – particularly when he meets Harrison in New York City and aligns with the detectives examining a murder reminiscent of the Bay Harbor Butcher’s work – offers a unique sense of satisfaction. I worry that this may lead to Dexter killing Angel as well, but until then, let’s enjoy Zayas’ captivating performance!

3.
Episode four — all of it

In essence, Dexter often featured a main antagonist per season, each one brimming with character, as seen when Lithgow, Smits, and King returned as hallucinations to provoke Dexter in “My Beating Heart”. The latest episode, “Call Me Red”, has rekindled my interest in Dexter more than ever before by introducing a variety of potential allies and adversaries centered around Leon Prater. While in New York City, Dexter becomes emotionally invested when a serial killer known as “Dark Passenger” emerges, which is the secret name he uses for his inner murderous self. This sets him on a path to eliminate the man and adopt his identity to infiltrate a clandestine group of killers backed by Prater. It’s quite entertaining watching the mischievous side of Dexter!

Translating serial killing into a symbol for consumer culture mirrors how FX’s Fargo critiqued organized crime as an enterprise in its outstanding second season, leaving me eager to see how Resurrection will tackle this concept. Dinklage is an ideal choice for portraying a self-satisfied investor with hidden cruelty, and he shares great chemistry with Hall. Prater leading Dexter through his secret collection of memorabilia while being oblivious to his connections with several of these individuals – such as the Ice Truck Killer, Dexter’s own brother – brings a touch of humor that this franchise hasn’t seen in a while, and that’s a positive development.

In essence, Resurrection is a narrative that explores two contrasting aspects of Dexter – his desire to be a good father and his need to follow his code which includes killing those who deserve it. The character “Call Me Red” provides tasks for each version of Dexter, like eliminating Neil Patrick Harris’s Lowell, whose targeting method based on tattoos was less convincing due to the southern accent.

Intriguingly, I find myself drawn more towards the storyline where Dexter gets involved with Prater and subsequently kills one of his associates before fully comprehending Prater’s expectations. This raises questions about whether Prater employs these individuals to eliminate business rivals or lends them out for others’ murderous purposes.

The addition of actors like Dinklage and Thurman, who play Prater’s allies, adds an air of excitement as their characters promise unpredictable antics. I am eagerly waiting to see where Resurrection takes this subplot, the tension between Dexter and Prater, and the potential formation of a clique involving Dexter. My anticipation is so high that it almost softens my feelings towards the still somewhat annoying Harrison, although not quite.

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2025-07-25 21:55