WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Original Sin episodes 2 & 3.
Following an overstuffed premiere episode,Dexter: Original Sinepisodes 2 and 3, “Kid in a Candy Store” and “Miami Vice”, have found a nostalgic flow on par with the original series. WhileDexter: Original Sinepisode 1"And in the Beginning…" covered several expected narrative beats fromDexterseason 1, it failed to effectively establish a natural balance between its old characters and new faces.
With the double-episode drop ofDexter: Original Sin, the prequel series not only honors its classic predecessor but provides tangible hints thatit could actually fill in the large shoes left by the Michael C. Hall-led classic.
Dexter: Original Sin
Cast
Dexter: Original Sin explores Dexter Morgan’s early years in 1991 Miami as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. Guided by his father, Harry, Dexter crafts a moral code and navigates a forensics internship at Miami Metro Police, all while controlling his darker impulses.
Dexter: Original Sinepisode 2 reveals who Dexter’s second kill was after Nurse Mary, whileDexter: Original Sinepisode 3 finally introduces Maria LaGuertaafter she was left out of the first two episodes.Christina Milian rightfully gets her own introduction as Maria, who perfectly captures and elevates Luna Lauren Velez’s original version. Patrick Gibson’s “Dexterisms” only become more eerily on point asOriginal Sinplays out. Harry’s backstory – which began with the shocking retcon ofDeb’s biological brother dying– quickly becomes one of the most fascinating parts of the new series.
Original Sin Achieves A Convincing & Nostalgic Dexter Feel In Episode 2
Dexter’s First Kills & Harry’s Flashbacks Become Increasingly Compelling
Dexter: Original Sinepisode 2 still spends a good deal of its runtime setting things up for the remaining eight episodes. Fortunately, it falls into a familiar rhythm as Dexter learns the ropes at Miami Metro. Now that we’ve gotten past the Nurse Mary exposition and the over-the-top licensed music (there’s still a fair amount in episode 2 including an interesting Alice in Chains outro), it’s easier to pick up on how much care was put into the prequel series.
What might have felt like imitations in theOriginal Sinpremiere – particularly from the likes of Batista and Mauka’s side characters – feel much more full-bodied and polished in episodes 2 and 3.
Giving Dexter’s signature donut offerings at Miami Metro its own origin storywas a great Easter egg that speaks volumes about the quality ofOriginal Sin’scomposition thus far. What might have felt like imitations in theOriginal Sinpremiere – particularly from the likes of Batista and Mauka’s side characters – are much more full-bodied and polished in episodes 2 and 3.
Once Dexter locks eyes on his next target, a predatory loan shark responsible for the deaths of his own community members, the addictive and visceral core element of the original series starts to enter the fold. This main story development, along with the increasingly engaging Laura Moser flashbacks with an old-school Harry, starts todiminish any doubt that aDexterprequel series without Hall in the spotlight couldn’t work.
Classic Dexter Is Back In Full Swing Hunting New Target Tony Ferrer In Episode 3
Gibson Is Killing It As Dexter & Puts Him Back In True Form
After Dexter puts “Handsome” Tony Ferrer in his crosshairs at the end of episode 2, he embarks on his first signature kill in episode 3, which involves him going undercover to get close to his target.This classic Dexter approach is arguably what we were missing inNew Blood, which featured the anti-hero completely out of his element in the frozen winter of upstate New York.
Dexter: Original Sinepisode 3 is when the series truly starts to feel like a brand new season of the original, like aDexterseason 0, rather than just an attempt at one.
Original Sin’s premiere couldn’t escape the inevitable slate of questions we had going into it.Can Gibson actually pull off Dexter? Will the new characters throw things off?Can a 2024 prequel capture the celebrated tone ofthe 2000s original seriesset in 1991?For the most part, the premiere proved it had a lot of potential, which has already started to pay off in episodes 2 and 3.
Ferrer is a perfect Dexter mid-season side quest, while the main narrative involving a masked man who kidnapped and maimed a judge’s young son escalates in the background – for now.Dexter: Original Sinepisode 3 is when the series truly starts to feel like a brand-new season of the original, like aDexterseason 0, rather than just an attempt at one.
Dexter: Original Sin Episode 1 Review - Michael C. Hall’s Return Saves A Bloody Mess Of A Prequel Premiere
The Dexter: Original Sin premiere may be overstuffed & uninsightful but it aptly sets up a killer leading duo in Gibson & Hall’s shared protagonist.
Episode 3 delivers sharp tension at just the right time, utilizing Dexter’s eagerness to kill Ferrerr alongside Harry’s growing concern for Laura as she digs deeper into the cartel as his informant. Knowing what’s to come,there will hopefully be at least one major reveal about Laura Moser, or even Dexter’s drug-dealing biological father Joe, before her gruesome shipping container scene.
Dexter: Original Sinepisode 3 has successfully replaced the initial anticipatory questions of the series' quality with genuine intrigue about where the story is headed next, feeling more and more like a vintage Dexter season with each passing scene.
