Summer Streamin' 25 - Dexter: Original Sin - Season One

Dexter: Original Sin is the third in the Dexter TV series created by Clyde Phillips. 

Continuing from Dexter: New Blood, the series' frame story sees vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan on his deathbed thinking back on his youth, starting in 1991, fifteen years before the first season of Dexter.

Landing on Paramount+ (or in the USA Paramount+ with Showtime, great name by the way!) mid-December. The first run concluded Friday (night) with a cliffhanger.

Sadly no news of season two as I write this.

Set in 1991 Miami, Dexter: Original Sin follows Dexter (Patrick Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Christian Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. 

This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department. Patrick Dempsey, Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian (yes the popstar!), Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson & Sarah Michelle Gellar also star in this new series, with Michael C. Hall returning to voice the iconic inner monologue in Dexter Morgan’s head. 

So how did Code Blues go down on Friday? SPOILERS BELOW!

Talking with his therapist, Brian (Roby Attal) relates how after the Morgans sent him away, he was put into different foster homes. When his new family tried to take advantage of him, he fought back aggressively. As such, he was placed on Harbor Light Mental Hospital, where he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. As he grows older, Brian confronts his nurse for hiding his medicine for the past months. The therapist, Paul Petrie, is content with Brian's progress, but warns him not to contact Dexter (Patrick Gibson). Upset, Brian brutally kills him and steals his car.

Dexter follows Spencer (Patrick Dempsey) to a ship in the docks, which is just half a mile off from the police station. Dexter intercepts Spencer and fight, but Spencer begins flooding Nicky's cell, suggesting to Dexter that Nicky might not be his son. Spencer flees, and Dexter is forced to let him go and jump into Nicky's cell to remove his chain. Nicky (London Thatcher) loses consciousness, but Dexter releases him from the chain and saves him. He takes him outside the ship, and uses a flare gun to alert authorities before fleeing the scene.

While visiting Bobby (Reno Wilson), LaGuerta (Christina Milian) tells Harry (Christian Slater) that Barbara has been murdered, and he realizes Brian is responsible. While checking the crime scene, Harry notices Brian in a nearby building, who is awaiting for Dexter's arrival. Harry confronts Brian at gunpoint, finally connecting him to the two other murders; they were bullies from his foster homes. 

Brian reveals he already met Dexter, and is upset to know that Dexter has forgotten he had a brother. Brian confronts Harry for not telling Dexter over his affair with Laura, and how forcing her to become an informant led to her death. Brian refuses to surrender and asks Harry to kill him instead. Harry hesitates, and Brian seizes this to knock him unconscious and escape.

Spencer breaks into Becca's house and attacks her boyfriend Nelson, confronting her over lying to her about Nicky's true father. Dexter subdues Spencer again and takes him out of the house, seeing a report of Barbara's murder on TV. Dexter places Spencer again on the killing table, but this time in Camilla's boat. As Dexter taunts Spencer for ruining his legacy, Spencer claims that Harry has failed him, but Dexter does not give it importance. He murders Spencer and dumps his body in the ocean, having found a place to dispose of his victims. 

When he returns home, Harry explains Nicky's case is his own fault; had he trusted Dexter, Nicky would have been rescued earlier. Dexter confesses killing Spencer, revealing he saved Nicky as well. Harry is shaken at realizing his lifelong friend was a monster, but Dexter reiterates he was not born like that, unlike Dexter himself. Despite knowing Dexter was affected by his mother's death, Harry comforts him.

The following morning, Debra (Molly Brown) and Sofia (Raquel Justice) reconcile. At Miami Metro, Harry and Angel (James Martinez) discuss Spencer's whereabouts, and Harry dismisses the serial killer case despite LaGuerta's report. Unbeknownst to them, LaGuerta overhears this, and walks away disappointed. Tanya (Sarah Michelle Gellar) informs Dexter that he has been approved to join forensics full-time, officially becoming part of Miami Metro. 

After Bobby recovers, Debra tells Harry that she has enrolled in the police academy, which Harry approves. In private, Harry expresses pride in Dexter for prioritising Nicky's safety over pursuing Spencer, deeming that his Code belongs to Dexter. Dexter and Harry join Debra for a dance, with Dexter narrating that despite his fears, the one thing that could save him is family. Outside, Brian sees Dexter from afar.

Honestly this season was fire. A huge improvement on Dexter: New Blood which was awful. In episode one of this season, we learnt the BIG news Dexter.... lives!

Therefore up next is Dexter: Resurrection, which could potentially stream, this year!

So much Dexter, so little time!

But seriously this was such an improvement on New Blood.

Patrick Gibson as a young Dexter was great. If you need a new serial killer drama/thriller, get onto this now. Paramount+ you are on a good run right now, Dexter, Landman, Yellowjackets and NCIS: Sydney on the local front! Too much to stream pre-Easter! Summer Streamin' 25 RATED list is going to be fire!