New serial killer hit will end in debacle – and the bold “Dexter” lie is to blame

It's almost certain: Dexter Morgan is still among the living. In doing so, the franchise copies itself – and makes a fatal mistake.

Due to the fake serial death of the main character, “Dexter” joined the ranks of the most unpopular final episodes after eight great seasons. And it looks like series creator Clyde Phillips hasn't learned from his mistake. In the following teaser for the spin-off “Dexter: Resurrection,” Dexter (Michael C. Hall) asks the question: “Did you miss me?” My answer: No, I didn’t. Because you were finally declared everything by Phillips himself!

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Phillips originally vowed to make amends with the spin-off New Blood. However, this promise only lasted until the current offshoot “Original Sin”. Right from the start, what I had already feared was confirmed: Dexter Morgan is still alive. And I can't help but say that I feel betrayed. Again.

– Warning: Spoilers for “Dexter”, “Dexter: New Blood” & “Dexter: Original Sin” follow –

“Dexter” creator reveals himself

We remember: Years after Dexter Morgan faked his own death and fled to Iron Lake under a new identity, his son Harrison (Jack Alcott) tracks him down. But the reunion is short-lived because the boy is ultimately forced to shoot his own father. As Clyde Phillips said in an interview with Deadline at the time, that was actually supposed to be the end of the so-called Bay Harbor Butcher:

“I wouldn't do that to the audience.” It would be dishonest. At this point there is no question whether it is the end of Dexter. Dexter is dead.”

Almost three years later, “Dexter: Original Sin” proves to us: Dexter is not dead. Cylde Phillips has impressed us again. In the emergency room, medical professionals are trying to resuscitate the serial killer. Although his heart stops beating briefly, they manage to bring the moral murderer back to life. This not only makes the personal happy, but also Dexter – but not me.

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New “Dexter” series break the most important promise

Please don’t get me wrong: “Dexter” – as long as I ignore the ending – has a permanent place among my favorite series. “New Blood” beautifully complemented this title with Harrison’s career. In my opinion, adapting Dexter's backstory as a spin-off is completely legitimate. The first two episodes kept me very entertained with numerous anecdotes and an interesting narrative. Still, I feel betrayed.

While Clyde Phillips had revealed that he had heard the voices of the fans and given us a much more worthy end to the Bay Harbor butcher with “New Blood”, he is now destroying his own redemption with Dexter’s reanimation in “Original Sin”. Two great Indians suggest that the killer may have a long future ahead of him. For one thing, some letters in the word “Emergency” fall out as the camera focuses on them. What remains is the lettering “emerge”, which in German means “to free yourself” or “to rise up”. On the other hand, it is already known that Michael C. Hall will be in front of the camera for “Dexter: Resurrection”.

Dexter's wish is ignored

Actually, it would have been so easy to hang on to the actor without bringing Dexter back from the dead. He could simply have regularly appeared as an advising vision to his son Harrison – just as Harry (James Remar) and Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) once stood by Dexter. Instead, “Original Sin” and “Resurrection” destroy what I consider to be one of the most emotional scenes in the “Dexter” franchise: the farewell letter to Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski). It said:

“We both know that – with me around – a normal life will not be possible for Harrison.” […] If Harrison shows no dark tendencies, I beg you: let me die. So that my son can live.”

And yes, Harrison suffers from a dark companion himself. Nevertheless, his value compass is more clearly aligned than Dexter's. From the way we got to know the boy, he would be able to suppress the urge to murder. So why can't Clyde Phillips just let Dexter go? I hope to get an answer in “Original Sin” or “Resurrection” at the latest. But at the moment I'm afraid that the damage control of “New Blood” will become a total loss.

If you want to see for yourself, you can now stream the series weekly on Paramount+. You can test the service free of charge for seven days. Our quiz will tell you whether you should watch the original again:

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