I never really thought I’d be interested in how Dexter Morgan became the Bay Harbor Butcher, but I did miss his dark twisted charm, and Dexter: Original Sin delivers that in a razor-sharp precision. Set in 1991 Miami, the series dives into young Dexter’s first steps as a serial killer, the application of the Code, making mistakes, and navigating his forensics internship at Miami Metro, all while trying to keep his Dark Passenger in check. And let me tell you, this show GETS.IT.RIGHT!

From the very first episode, the atmosphere felt right, like classic Dexter. Michael C. Hall’s voice over helps but the dark humor is back. The tension is palpable. And the cast? Excellent. Patrick Gibson as young Dexter is a revelation, he’s got the mannerisms, the unsettling charm down perfectly, he captures Michael C. Hall’s signature blend of cold detachment and dark humor so well while still making the role his own. And Molly Brown as teenage Deb? Flawless, she’s so good it’s eerie, like Jennifer Carpenter’s younger self was playing the role. Whoever cast her deserves a raise. The supporting cast shines too, especially Christian Slater as Harry Morgan, Dexter’s morally conflicted father. You can see the hope in Harry’s eyes that Dexter might outgrow his dark urges, even as he teaches him the Code.

The show is packed with Easter eggs and callbacks, some so subtle that they flew over my head until someone pointed them out – yes, I missed the Brian reference at first but caught the Patrick Bateman nod. But it’s more than just fan service. It’s watching Dexter become Dexter, learning where his rituals come from, seeing the hesitation, the missteps, and how he sharpens his instincts. It’s also fascinating to see how different Deb was as a teenager and what ultimately led her down the path to law enforcement.

What’s really impressive, though, is how Dexter: Original Sin keeps the suspense alive even when we know Dexter isn’t going to get caught. Instead of “will he be found out?” it’s “how the hell is he getting out of this one?” which adds a new layer of anxiety to every episode. I loved watching Dexter’s rituals evolve, finding out the origin of his use of the smelling salts, and the show does a brilliant job of showing how sloppy and risk-taking he was in his early days. It’s a stark reminder that even the most meticulous killers had to start somewhere. The soundtrack is good, the writing is tight, and it nails the psychological depth that made the original series great. It’s nostalgic but also stands strong on its own, offering a fresh take on Dexter’s origin story.

Bottom line? This prequel is way better than I expected. It’s not just a nostalgia trip, it’s a gripping, well-crafted story that actually adds to Dexter’s legacy. And after watching Gibson kill it in this role, I need more of him as Dexter. Now bring on Dexter: Resurrection – even if I’m a little nervous about it!

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