Dexter: Original Sin is a prequel show to the original Dexter show that also premiered on Paramount+. The show finds Clyde Phillips returning as showrunner after his work as showrunner on the original show from season 1 to 4 and the sequel show titled New Blood. The show stars Patrick Gibson, Christian Slater, Molly, Brown, Christina Milian, James Martinez, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson, Patrick Dempsey, Michael C. Hall, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Continuing from New Blood, serial killer Dexter Morgan thinks back to his youth while on his death bed, starting in 1991, 15 years before the original show’s first season.

I think as much as others, I wasn’t looking forward to this. I was a huge fan of the original show even through its highs and lows. Covering things the original show already covered sounded lazy and not interesting. If we already know what happens, what’s the point? It took a few episodes, but to my surprise, this ended up being a great show!

The first episode covers a lot of what we already know about. To be fair, the rest of the show does as well, but the first episode in particular does nothing to prove its existence. Even for newcomers, I couldn’t imagine it gaining new fans. Sure, it’s entertaining, but it lacks the significance of why this show needs to be told.

Patrick Gibson’s portrayal of Dexter is even rocky to begin with. It feels like Michael C. Hall only returned as the inner voice to help viewers understand Patrick Gibson really is the new Dexter. From the mannerisms to the dialogue, I had a hard time believing Gibson was the new Dexter. After a few episodes, Gibson starts to fully embody the character. It’s at this point where the show really finds itself to make something unique and exciting.

As the story continues, you begin to realize how detail oriented it truly is. I feel like I could rewatch it and catch new details. There are some real, genuine surprises that I haven’t felt from the Dexter franchise since its early days. There is a jaw-dropping surprise in the latter half of the show that fully works.

As much as the show is detail oriented in its plot, it goes even further for its character. I haven’t seen such a perfect cast like this in a while. I love how Christian Slater is given so much to do that gives Harry more depth. Molly Brown is perhaps the shining star as her performance of Debra Morgan as much as Jennifer Carpenter was on the original show. The rest of the cast fully embodies the original characters with James Martinez & Alex Shimizu being a spitting image as Angel & Vince, respectfully.

The cinematography & editing also immerses you into the show’s original style. It feels so good to revisit this franchise that cuts deeper into the world we already know. It also utilizes flashbacks to give more context into Harry and Dexter’s biological mother. Fans will appreciate this style over New Blood’s new style. Given how popular this style is, it makes me wonder how the new Resurrection show might be.

The final aspect I want to touch on is how the show leaves it open for more seasons to tell. It will be interesting to see how long it could go on for. I think there might be time jumps here and there to bring you into the original show. It ends on an awesome note to where I want more. Since we already know the outcomes of most of these stories and characters, I’d be intrigued into seeing if continuing these stories can work without retconning too much.

Overall, it may take you a while to be fully on board with Dexter: Original Sin. While entertaining, the show finds its footing after a few episodes to be one of the best shows going on right now. From the plot to the characters to the design, it’s truly impressive how detail oriented the show is. A season 2 renewal is inevitable. I can’t wait to see more alongside the upcoming Resurrection.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)