Intro
Dexter: New Blood is a limited series revival of the original Dexter show that aired from November 7, 2021, to January 9, 2022, on Showtime. The series is set 10 years after the events of the Dexter series finale and brings back Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall), the vigilante serial killer who originally faked his death and went into hiding.
Dexter Morgan has been living under an assumed identity as “Jim Lindsay” in the small, snowy town of Iron Lake, New York. He’s built a quiet, peaceful life for himself, working at a local fish and game store and dating the town’s police chief, Angela Bishop (played by Julia Jones). Dexter has kept his dark impulses, his “Dark Passenger,” at bay, abstaining from killing for nearly a decade.
However, his world begins to unravel when his teenage son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), tracks him down. Harrison’s arrival stirs up Dexter’s past, and Dexter starts to wrestle with his true identity as a father and a killer.
Major Plot Points
Harrison’s Arrival and Relationship
Harrison shows up in Iron Lake, looking for his father, after having been abandoned when Dexter faked his death. There’s tension between the two, as Harrison harbors resentment but also yearns for a relationship with Dexter. Harrison himself appears troubled, showing signs of a dark side, which echoes Dexter’s own childhood trauma. The dynamic between them drives much of the emotional tension in the show.
Dexter’s Dark Passenger Resurfaces
Dexter’s return to killing begins when he encounters Matt Caldwell (Steve M. Robertson), a local troublemaker with a criminal background. Matt accidentally kills a rare white deer and Dexter gives in to his old urges, killing Matt and returning to his methodical ways of getting rid of the evidence. This action is what triggers a chain of events that ultimately unravels Dexter’s new life.
3. Kurt Caldwell: The Main Antagonist
Matt’s father, Kurt Caldwell (Clancy Brown), is a wealthy and respected businessman in Iron Lake, but he harbors his own dark secret: he’s also a serial killer who has been murdering young women for years. Kurt becomes suspicious of Dexter when his son disappears and begins to investigate, eventually clashing with Dexter in a game of psychological warfare.
Kurt’s obsession with getting revenge for his son leads to a dangerous conflict that brings Dexter’s carefully crafted life crumbling down.
Angela’s Investigation
Dexter’s girlfriend, Angela, who is the police chief, starts to suspect that Dexter isn’t who he claims to be. After finding clues connecting him to the Bay Harbor Butcher (Dexter’s alias from his previous life), she launches an investigation that puts Dexter in serious danger.
Harrison’s Dark Side
Throughout the series, it becomes apparent that Harrison might have inherited some of Dexter’s darker tendencies, as he shows signs of violence and exhibits a fascination with Dexter’s own past as a killer. The question of whether Dexter will embrace Harrison’s potential for darkness or try to save him from it becomes a key thematic struggle.
Return of Debra Morgan
Dexter’s sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), who died in the original series, appears in the form of Dexter’s inner voice or conscience throughout New Blood, much like Dexter’s father Harry did in the original series. Debra’s presence adds a psychological layer, as she represents Dexter’s guilt and self-loathing.
Ending Explained
In the final episodes, Angela closes in on the truth about Dexter. Harrison also learns about Dexter’s dark past, including the fact that Dexter killed people who he deemed deserving of death. Although Harrison initially seems to embrace his father’s moral code, he ultimately rejects it.
As the walls close in, Dexter realizes he can’t escape his fate. After a confrontation with Angela, Dexter is arrested for his crimes. In a desperate attempt to escape, Dexter kills a police officer, which finally shatters Harrison’s trust in him.
The series ends with a dramatic and emotional finale. Harrison, horrified by Dexter’s actions, ultimately decides to stop his father’s killing spree. In a heart-wrenching moment, Dexter accepts his fate, realizing he can never truly escape who he is or live a normal life. He gives Harrison his blessing to kill him, and Harrison shoots Dexter, ending his father’s life.
Harrison then flees Iron Lake with some money and leaves behind his father’s legacy, possibly hinting at a new beginning for him.
Review and Analysis
Fatherhood and Legacy: At the heart of Dexter: New Blood is the father-son relationship between Dexter and Harrison. It explores themes of inheritance, both of trauma and moral dilemmas, and whether Harrison will follow in Dexter’s footsteps or forge his own path.
Consequences: Unlike the original series, where Dexter seemed to evade the consequences of his actions, New Blood focuses on the idea that Dexter’s past will eventually catch up to him. The revival serves as a form of closure for both Dexter and fans of the series, with a more definitive and morally consequential ending.
While the series was praised for bringing back Dexter and capturing the tense, suspenseful atmosphere of the original show, the ending proved to be divisive. Some fans appreciated the more definitive closure to Dexter’s story, while others were dissatisfied with how the character’s fate was handled, particularly the decision to have Harrison kill Dexter.
In summary, Dexter: New Blood revisits the iconic character in a new environment, focusing on his struggles with fatherhood and morality. The show serves as a darker, more introspective chapter in Dexter’s story, ultimately leading to his death and leaving fans to ponder the consequences of living a life of darkness.
