LOS ANGELES, July 10 (UPI) — The world’s most compelling serial killer is back, defying death in the new series Dexter: Resurrection. Premiering Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime, this latest chapter picks up threads from the 2021 revival, Dexter: New Blood, though initial impressions suggest it doesn’t offer quite as fresh a start.
According to an early review, Resurrection finds its footing and becomes a compelling season after efficiently resolving lingering plot points left hanging at the conclusion of its predecessor, New Blood. The series is established as a continuation following the events hinted at in the prequel, Dexter: Original Sin, which confirmed that Dexter Morgan (portrayed by the inimitable Michael C. Hall) did indeed survive the seemingly fatal shooting depicted at the end of New Blood.
Picking Up the Pieces
The new series opens with Dexter in rehabilitation in Iron Lake, N.Y., the setting familiar to viewers of New Blood. Meanwhile, his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), is situated in New York City. The physical distance between father and son immediately sets a new dynamic for their complex relationship.
Despite his circumstances, Dexter continues to be haunted by visions of his late father, Harry (played by James Remar), a manifestation of his internal conflict and the ‘Dark Passenger’ that drives him. This familiar element serves as a psychological anchor, connecting the new narrative back to the core struggles of the character.
New Faces and Dark Paths Converge
Dexter: Resurrection wastes no time in introducing new narrative arcs that expand the show’s universe. One significant plotline follows Harrison, who demonstrates that he has inherited more than just his father’s name. The series quickly shows Harrison saving a victim and then killing the perpetrator, utilizing chilling methods learned from Dexter’s own dark playbook. This development underscores the lasting, and potentially dangerous, influence Dexter has had on his son.
Simultaneously, the series introduces an investigation into a missing hotel guest. This case falls under the purview of Detectives Wallace (Kadia Saraf) and Oliva (Dominic Fumusa), adding a layer of traditional crime procedural drama that runs parallel to Dexter and Harrison’s personal struggles and secrets.
The season also broadens its cast with the introduction of notable talent, including Uma Thurman in the role of a cat burglar. Thurman’s character promises to bring a new type of adversary or ally into Dexter’s complicated life, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding events.
Lingering Shadows from Miami
A key aspect of Dexter: Resurrection that helps bridge the gap between the original series and its revivals is the return of Lieutenant Angel Batista (David Zayas). Batista, a beloved character from the original Miami Metro Homicide Department, returns from Miami specifically to address lingering plot points left unresolved from the original eight-season run of Dexter. His presence serves not only as fan service but also as a narrative tool to tie the entirety of Dexter’s bloody history together, ensuring that past actions continue to have consequences in the present day.
The Central Question: Reunion
At the heart of the early part of the season is the pressing question of whether Dexter will reveal himself to be alive to Harrison. Their fraught relationship, established in New Blood, remains a pivotal emotional and dramatic engine for Resurrection. Dexter’s survival creates a monumental hurdle for their potential reconciliation or conflict, forcing a confrontation with the lies and secrets that define their bond.
While the review indicates that the initial episodes may feel less groundbreaking than the fresh start attempted in New Blood, the series is credited with becoming significantly more compelling as it moves past the necessary work of resolving the cliffhangers from the prior season and delves deeper into these new storylines and character dynamics. The convergence of old faces like Batista, new threats like Thurman’s character, and the dark inheritance of Harrison, all set against Dexter’s struggle in Iron Lake, N.Y., positions Resurrection to explore the complex legacy of television’s most infamous serial killer on Paramount+ with Showtime.
