DEXTER: RESURRECTION (NEW LIFE FOR THE KILLER OF KILLERS)

I don't know what Dexter: Resurrection may entail on the whole, beyond the fact that Jeff Lindsay's Dexter Morgan will return in the guise of Michael C. Hall (i.e., we now know that the character didn't die, as implied, at the end of New Blood, thanks to Original Sin's revealing narration). I trust I'll be surprised by this new track's twists and turns, set in NYC, per a recent trailer, and from what's been publicized, with Uma Thurman on board: a promising start for this resurrected "dark passage." 

I must confess, I never liked the idea of Dexter perishing, at least not in a visible, concrete way. I mean, I know that deaths occur in the fictional realm (and I don't mind them; that's why prequels and retellings exist). However, in Dexter's case, it feels only right that he would prevail in the shady corners of society, always lurking, always looking for his next, deserving victim. 

Dexter is rather like Norman Bates in this respect. On that basis, I always appreciated Psycho IV: The Beginning leaving the door open for another chapter. Sure, we didn't get it, but one's imagination can at least construct an expansion. (On the flipside, I didn't like it when--Spoiler!--Norman bit the dust at the end of Bates Motel. There was so much more to explore for that revisionist incarnation. Too bad the blaring obvious wasn't pursued.)

Oh, well, we'll see what this new Dexter stirs, but whatever it is, I'm betting it turns out as hoped and expected: nice and vengeful. 

Dexter: Resurrection hits the crime scene July 11 (with a fruitful, two-episode drop) on Showtime/Paramount+.

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. 

DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN BEGINS

Doing a prequel to Dexter isn't something I had considered, but gosh, it's actually quite a bloody good idea, and Showtime/Paramount+ has made it official, with the ten-part series, Original Sin, kicking off on December 13.

This retro saga features Patrick (The Portable Door/Tolkien) Gibson as a 1990s Dexter, with good ol' Michael C. Hall as the series' narrator, reflecting on his character's past, in particular his start with Miami Metro, as he withers in the snow (a throwback--SPOILER--to New Blood's finale). 

The rest of the cast consists of Christian Slater as Dexter's dad, Harry; Molly 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) Geller as Tanya Martin; Patrick (Thanksgiving) Dempsey as Aaron Spencer.

We all have a clear notion as to how and why Dexter is a crusader killer of serial killers, but to see the development at its earliest stages ought to be a real treat, even though we already know he's going to get away with whatever the plot entails. Even so, to find oneself rooting for a killer of killers has a nice chill about it (particularly in light of today's unbridled crime rate). Even though Dexter may be doing wrong per his vigilante antics, he's doing right by us all in purging Miami (and beyond) of its most vile elements. Let the just carnage commence and continue!

Welcome Back, Dexter Morgan: New Blood Begins

I hold Showtime's Dexter in high regard: a suspenseful saga (based on Jeff Lindsay's popular book series) where the killer is the protagonist, fulfilling his disturbing, serial impulses by tracking down (and terminating) those of his kind (and all for our benefit). 

"New Blood" is the 10-part, revival series, which picks up ten years after Season 8's polarizing, ratings-winner finale.

We now find Michael C. Hall's Dexter Morgan in upstate New York, residing in the fictional town, Iron Lake, under the alias, Jim Lindsay (ha, ha). Lindsay is a cordial, unassuming sales clerk, and his lady friend, Julia Jones' Angela Bishop, is the Chief of Police. Well, Dexter was never one to place it safe on any counts even when he was playing it careful, hiding (and working) as it were in plain sight on a fair number of occasions. 

Rumor has it that Clancy Brown's Kurt Caldwell, a town overseer, is the new antagonist, but in what manner precisely? Is he a basic, pain-in-the-ass snooper, with the potential to reveal our off-kilter hero's actual identity, or one of Dexter's same-ilk predators who deserves extinction? 

Jennifer Carpenter returns as Dexter's sister, Debra (Deb), who perished at the end of Season 8, but in Dexter's mind, she lives on to whisper in his ear. Dexter's old opponent, John Lithgow's Arthur Mitchel (the Trinity Killer) appears as well in niggling, envisioned form. All of this will be rendered, no doubt, in the style of William James Remar, who commenced the trend as Dexter's defunct but mentoring "ghost" dad. (Jack Alcott's Harrison Morgan will say hello to inject tangible father/son conversations for added, thematic texture.)

Showtime did a terror-ific job with the original, long-running series, and it's a bloody given that the storytelling quality will prevail in this anticipated offshoot. To see how it progresses is where the devilish fun comes in, and I sure as hell can't wait to take my voyeuristic peek. 

Dexter: New Blood begins Nov 7.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2019!!!