Dexter: New Blood Retcons the Murder That Established Dexter Morgan as a Serial Killer

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 6 & Dexter season 8. In the sixth episode of Dexter: Original Sin, Dexter Morgan, portrayed by Patrick Gibson, solidifies his identity as a serial killer with the murder of Levi Reed (Jeff Daniel Phillips). This act marked his third kill, an important milestone in his dark evolution. According to the FBI, a serial killer is defined as someone who has committed three or more murders distinctly, a classification that now applies to Dexter. However, this significant development creates inconsistencies with established details from the original series, particularly from Dexter season 8.

In season 8, Dexter delved deeper into his tumultuous past with the help of Dr. Evelyn Vogel (Charlotte Rampling), a psychiatrist specializing in psychopaths. Vogel’s insights aided Harry Morgan (James Remar) in crafting the infamous Code of Harry, which guided Dexter to channel his urges towards punishing criminals while avoiding capture. During their discussions, Harry and Vogel reflected on Dexter’s early victims, specifically addressing his third kill. However, Original Sin has revised this narrative substantially.

Dexter Season 8 Established His Third Kill as a Drug Dealer, Not Levi Reed

Harry Morgan Conveys to Evelyn Vogel That Dexter’s Third Victim Was a Drug Dealer

In one of the recorded conversations between Dr. Vogel and Harry, they examined Dexter’s third victim shortly after the murder occurred. According to Dexter season 8, this victim was identified as a drug dealer linked to the deaths of several college students. However, Original Sin presents a different narrative by establishing Levi Reed as this pivotal victim, despite Reed not being a drug dealer and being responsible for the deaths of entire families instead. This change creates a significant inconsistency, challenging Harry’s statements to Dr. Vogel without a plausible explanation.

While the alteration serves as a considerable retcon, it reflects a narrative choice that enhances the thematic depth of Original Sin. Keeping the focus on Levi Reed allows the prequel to align Dexter’s murderous urges with Harry’s efforts to redirect them toward justice against truly dangerous criminals, enriching the story’s context.

Dexter’s Prequel Preserves the Original Methodology Change of His Third Kill

Dexter Season 8 Established His Detail of Displaying Victim Photos During His Third Kill

Despite the identity shift regarding Dexter’s third victim, Original Sin retains key elements connected to Dexter’s progression as a character. Notably, during his encounter with Levi Reed, Dexter exhibited gruesome photos of the families Reed had violently taken from the world. This detail maintains continuity with season 8, where Harry revealed to Dr. Vogel that it was during his third kill that Dexter began showcasing such photographs to demonstrate his victims’ wrongdoings.

Levi Reed’s Death Continues Original Sin’s Pattern of Disregarding Season 8’s Twists

Numerous Changes to Dexter’s Backstory from Season 8 Are Absent in Original Sin

Levi Reed is not the only character whose death reflects the growing trend of Original Sin ignoring the narrative twists introduced in season 8. A significant plot detail implicated that Harry met with Dr. Vogel shortly after Dexter’s third victim was taken down. Consequently, the viewer could anticipate seeing her in Original Sin, yet she has yet to make an appearance. Given her influential role in shaping Dexter’s early days as a killer, her absence raises questions about the show’s commitment to integrating elements from the established lore of the original series.

The absence of Dr. Vogel and the alterations made to Dexter’s third kill suggest that Dexter: Original Sin is intentionally steering clear of the narrative developments introduced in season 8. It is intriguing that while Original Sin appears to straddle the line between honoring the original series and making significant changes, many of its choices seem at odds with the careful details previously established regarding Dexter’s background. As the series progresses, fans are left wondering whether these narrative threads will be woven into the storyline or if Original Sin will continue charting its own course.

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