Dexter: Original Sin review – Fresh blood can’t save this tired, uninspired prequel

Dexter: Original Sin review – Fresh blood can’t save this tired, uninspired prequel
2.0 out of 5 star rating

As a long-time fan of the original Dexter series, I must admit that my initial excitement for Dexter: Original Sin was somewhat dampened by the news of yet another resurrection of the character. However, being an optimist at heart, I decided to give it a chance, hoping that it would live up to the legacy left behind by Michael C. Hall’s iconic portrayal.

In a fascinating twist, Dexter from Showtime’s series is a character full of paradoxes. At the core of the narrative lies a man who rationalized murder by targeting fellow killers, following his father’s “Code.” The audience is left questioning whether they should support Dexter or condemn him instead.

The series ran for eight seasons due to its popularity among many viewers, but the final episode received widespread criticism as it concluded Dexter’s tale in an uninspired and lackluster manner.

In contrast to what many believed, my journey didn’t truly conclude eight years ago. Then, Michael C Hall once again stepped into my shoes for a sequel series titled “Dexter: New Blood.” Set a decade after the supposed finale, this new chapter saw showrunner Clyde Phillips and his team attempt to bring closure to the story. Fortunately, their second attempt yielded much more satisfying results.

Beyond being simply a money-making scheme or a publicity ploy, Dexter’s demise at the hands of his son provided a satisfying conclusion to his tale. This was the kind of ending that truly suited Dexter.

To eliminate any confusion, Philips himself clarified at the time that “Dexter is indeed deceased”. He explained to Deadline that it would be misleading to undo his death and bring him back to life. “I wouldn’t do something like that to the audience,” Phillips continued. “It is unequivocal that this is the end of Dexter.

Skip ahead a few years, and Dexter is poised for a comeback in not just one, but two new productions, both overseen by Phillips again. One of these shows, titled “Dexter: Resurrection,” will see Hall reprise his role once more in another sequel series that reverses the second “final” ending.

Prior to this, however, a prequel series named “Dexter: Original Sin” will delve into the past, uncovering the origins of Dexter that were merely suggested through flashbacks earlier.

Dexter: Original Sin review – Fresh blood can’t save this tired, uninspired prequel

Between the two series, it seems that Original Sin might be better received since it carries less potential to spoil or negatively impact events that have transpired in the past.

Regrettably, you’d be mistaken, as the prequel doesn’t simply reintroduce Hall as a narrator recounting past happenings. Instead, it continues immediately from where New Blood ended, unveiling an unexpected twist: Dexter has inexplicably returned to life for the upcoming Resurrection series, despite having been shot through the heart with a bullet.

The action was both economical and shabby, appearing just as unattractive, as an injured Dexter observed the last scenes of New Blood replay on a car window with subpar visuals, all while he was being transported to the hospital in the back seat.

The storyline revolves around Dexter’s past being replayed like a series of memories, which he himself narrates. Consequently, we go backwards through time, starting with his birth — “At the start, there was blood!” — and then moving forward to the early ’90s where our beloved Avenging Angel is still a premed student in his youthful years.

In a short while, the young Dexter will be chosen for an internship at the Miami Metro Police Department, where he’ll work alongside his father, who has previously introduced him to his notorious “Code”.

In the story, there’s no surprising moment when Harry grapples with his adopted son’s thirst for blood. Instead, the circumstances surrounding this aspect of Dexter have been previously set up. However, Dexter himself has not yet taken a life.

In the initial episode, there’s quite a bit going on, as it swiftly alternates among various elements, giving an impression of being encased in clear wrap, much like a package.

Beyond the thematic link between Original Sin and Resurrection, there’s another significant element in the storyline set in the early ’90s: a balance that makes things seem recognizable but also fresh, which is crucial for the reason we have this series in the first place.

Additionally, we delve into Harry’s past through flashbacks to a previous period, revealing not only his encounter with Dexter’s mother but also how he came to be Dexter’s father initially.

The concept of Original Sin spreads out in various aspects, similar to the corpse Dexter dissects initially, resulting in a series that seems overly ambitious and attempts to handle too many elements simultaneously. Despite maintaining a reasonable pace, the narrative itself is rather thin and lacks the richness or subtlety that even New Blood exhibited at times.

While Original Sin doesn’t need to be as intellectually complex as Hannibal, it should still delve into the moral complexities surrounding Dexter’s predicament in a fresh and unique manner. That’s the primary objective of this prequel, isn’t it? To offer additional understanding about what shaped Dexter into who he is.

In theory, the series delivers what it promises, but in reality, it follows a predictable pattern, striking familiar chords such as Dexter’s initial murder without exploring what makes this event intriguing for both new and seasoned viewers.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m relieved that the original wig worn by Hall during the flashbacks of Nurse Mary’s murder has been discarded. However, the new hairstyle sported by his younger counterpart, Patrick Gibson, isn’t significantly improved either.

The narrative of Original Sin is supposed to be set in the ’90s, which explains the clothing styles and song choices like “Ice Ice Baby.” However, the dialogue seems stuck in that time period as well. Phrases such as “Hello darkness, my old friend” and “I’m tiny but mighty – Don’t forget it!” feel more outdated than the dialogue from the original Dexter series, which began in the mid-2000s.

In different measures, the performers bring their best to the script. Not surprisingly, Christian Slater shines brightly, embodying the spirit of James Remar’s original character, Harry, and giving it a unique twist that distinguishes him in both time periods.

In an interesting twist, Reno Wilson shines in his role opposite Slater, portraying a friend and coworker. A fresh character named Bobby Watt is introduced, while longtime fans will enjoy seeing Christina Milian bring to life a younger version of the legendary Maria LaGuerta.

The remainder of the police team doesn’t thrive quite as much, and a few seem to blend in less distinctly. Interestingly, Patrick Dempsey’s character also faces challenges with a mustache that plays a significant role, given his otherwise ordinary detective persona, who happens to be one of the new characters introduced in the series.

Sarah Michelle Gellar stands out as she’s unexpectedly listed as a guest star, even though she appears frequently throughout the first three episodes, playing a significant role as Dexter’s mentor during his internship. It’s a shame we don’t get to see her in a show that truly utilizes her talent more extensively.

In the Morgan household, it’s Debra, my beloved sister, who usually leads the way during scenes at home, and it adds a captivating layer to the storyline that she’s unaware of Dexter’s hidden truth, while our father seems to be privy to this secret. However, some moments between them still seem contrived, despite their intrigue.

This brings us to Patrick Gibson, known for his role in The Tudors, taking on a highly renowned role in recent TV history. While his portrayal isn’t groundbreaking, it’s also not a flop. His performance shows traces of Dexter’s unique characteristics, and he effectively embodies the character’s sociopathic traits.

There’s a noticeable difference in the charisma between Gibson and Hall’s portrayal of Dexter in the original series. This gap makes it challenging at times to sympathize with a character who appears to have little emotion beyond his fixation on blood.

It’s surprising how uninteresting it feels to have the younger version of Dexter return on our screens. This is arguably the show’s most significant flaw and an irony too, as this format has previously demonstrated success – spanning an impressive eight seasons.

However, if you’re yearning for more of the Dexter vibe, there are aspects to appreciate in this series, especially if you’re fond of television that transports you to a more straightforward (albeit somewhat cumbersome) era.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that if you can find it within yourself to pardon Phillips for breaking his promise by reviving the character of Dexter in “Dexter: Resurrection”, then…

On Friday, 13th December, Dexter: Original Sin kicks off its run exclusively on Paramount Plus. New episodes will follow suit, airing every Friday thereafter. Don’t miss out – grab a week-long free trial of Paramount Plus available through Amazon Prime Video right now!

2024-12-13 12:34

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