DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN CONCLUDES (FOR NOW)

Man, did I ever dig Dexter: Original Sin. Discovering that this prequel to Jeff Lindsay's "conscientious" brainchild was meant as a stepping stone for Dexter: Resurrection, where Michael C. Hall will reprise his role, made actor Patrick Gibson's excellent mimicking even more engaging. Gosh, I haven't felt this much psychotic joy since Anthony Perkins and Henry Thomas interchanged marks in Psycho IV: The Beginning. 

Everyone played his/her part with uncanny precision, whether in the retro vein or as first-rounders: Christian (Heathers) Slater as Dexter's dad, Harry; Molly (Bloody Axe Wound) Brown as his sis, Debra; Jasper Lewis as his stepmom, Doris; Christina Milian as Maria LaGuerta; James Martinez as Angel Batista; Alex Shimizi as Vince Masuka; Reno Wilson as Bobby Watt; Sarah Michelle (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Geller as Tanya Martin; Patrick (Thanksgiving) Dempsey as Aaron Spencer (a most "desperate" Miami Metro Homicide Captain, if ever there was, and such a fine, family man to boot; ahem); Roby (Red 11/Hell Fest) Attal as Dexter's anguished and alienated, older brother, Brian (talk about taking one's "One More Pallbearer" angst to a new, unbridled level); and wow, did Britany (It Stains the Sands Red/Extraterrestrial/What Keeps You Alive) Allen ever work the poignant charm as Dexter's biological mom, Laura Moser (so sexy, so tragic). In addition, it was a perfect-pitch idea to have Hall do the remember-when narration.

In its earliest phases, Original Sin had more of an episodic feel than other Dexter jaunts, but that proved a refreshing, distinguishing factor, a lovely warmup, as it were, for what would later surface in the season.

I gotta say, the guest-star roster was also tip-top. It was cool to see Jon (Daredevil 2002/The Matrix/The Sopranos) Pantoliano and Jeff Daniel (The Munsters 2022/The Lords of Salem/3 From Hell/Cavemen) Phillips in their iniquitous roles. They're a couple of my favorites, so their appearances resonated with me. (Oh, and that Miguel Prado reference had just the right, foreshadowing touch. Prado, in my estimation, still stands as one of the series' best antagonists.)

I can't wait for Resurrection, which is set for June, but perhaps in the meantime, Showtime/Paramount+ could confirm the speculated sequel to Original Sin. And why not make that extension happen? The more background we get on ol' avenging Dex, the better.