WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Resurrection episodes 1 & 2.The first two episodes of Dexter: Resurrection show incredible promise for the Dexter sequel series, blending the show’s vintage nostalgia with fresh new faces and storylines. While the location switch to New York City may have initially seemed risky, watching Dexter operate in the Big Apple is just as great as Miami – and far better than frigid Iron Lake.
Michael C. Hall returns to the role of his lifetime as Dexter Morgan, who is reintroduced contemplating the long trail of blood from his past after telling his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), to shoot him in the New Blood finale. Dexter is brought back to life with a newfound obligation to be a father to Harrison, who works as a bellhop in a luxurious hotel, still convinced he killed his own father.
Original series favorite Angel Batista (David Zayas) brilliantly returns with a much bigger role than in New Blood, suspicious as ever that Dexter is the real Bay Harbor Butcher. Claudette Wallace, a genius NYC homicide detective (played by Kadia Saraf), also enters the fold investigating Resurrection’s first kill, which is surprisingly not at the hands of Dexter, but Harrison.
The Ghosts Of Dexter’s Past Wisely Give Him A New Life Purpose In Resurrection
He’s Guided By Harry & Past Foes To Protect Harrison At All Costs
Dexter: Resurrection opens with an extended sequence of some of the key ghosts from Dexter’s past – Arthur Morgan, aka The Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), and fan-favorite Sgt. James Doakes (Erik King) with a classic “surprise m•••••f••••r” guest appearance.
The way Resurrection balances its beloved vintage elements with its new characters, subplots, and location is truly an impressive achievement.
Resurrection smartly doesn’t overindulge in its nostalgic elements in its first two episodes, picking up ten weeks after where New Blood left off. Dexter’s near-death experience and ghostly visitations from Trinity, Prado, Doakes, and his fatherly guide, Harry Morgan (James Remar), inspire him to race to New York City and help Harrison out of a highly publicized and bloody mess.
This plot progression feels natural for Dexter, especially with Batista on his tail. It doesn’t take long for Uma Thurman’s badass character, Charley, to make an introduction, just one of the several incredible new cast members in Resurrection. An actress of her caliber in a supporting role is a great sign for any series.
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Similar to the Dexter prequel series, Original Sin, Resurrection episodes 1 and 2 also feature an awesome soundtrack while also including the unforgettable instrumentals by Daniel Licht from the original series. The way Resurrection balances its beloved vintage elements with its new characters, subplots, and location is truly an impressive achievement.
Resurrection Is Off To A Phenomenal Start With Its Two-Episode Premiere
After Harrison’s “first kill” in the New Blood finale, he takes on a vigilante role by killing a sexual predator who is staying at the hotel where he works. This sets up a fascinating premise for Harrison as he develops his own Dark Passenger, mimicking his father’s technique by cutting the deceased’s body into nine pieces.
Dexter’s paternal and killer instincts kick in the second he gets to Manhattan, working covertly to make sure Harrison has covered his tracks entirely. Although Harrison is now a killer, he is much more haunted by victims than his father was, whose first kill was recently portrayed in Original Sin. Observing these types of differences between the father and son is an incredibly intriguing dynamic that justifies Resurrection’s existence in its own right.
The fact that most of the exciting guest stars have yet to be introduced, and the first two episodes are still fantastic, is a phenomenal sign for the remaining eight episodes of the sequel series.
A new rideshare serial killer is also introduced, whom the media labels as the “Dark Passenger,” which hilariously gets under Dexter’s skin. In past seasons of Dexter, fans could only be engrossed by the titular protagonist’s methods and code. Now, there are at least two more killers to follow in the series, with more on the way.
The mystery surrounding Thurman’s character remains one of the most captivating aspects of Resurrection. A killer herself, Charley appears to be the gatekeeper to the serial killer society that was advertised in the Resurrection trailer. The fact that most of the exciting guest stars have yet to be introduced, and the first two episodes are still fantastic, is a phenomenal sign for the remaining eight episodes of the sequel series.
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On top of Harrison’s killer arc and police investigation, Batista’s arc pursuing Dexter, and Charley being the avenue to the killer society, Resurrection still has room for Dexter to get back to basics. He targets his first serial killer, whom he calls “The Imposter,” while battling Harry in a philosophical squabble over the code.
The first two episodes of Dexter: Resurrection deliver exactly what the franchise needed and what fans have been dying to see.
Ultimately, the first two episodes of Dexter: Resurrection deliver exactly what the franchise needed and what fans have been dying to see. They exceed expectations and set up what is already feeling like one of the greatest Dexter seasons ever made.
Dexter: Resurrection Episodes 1 & 2
9/10
- Release Date
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July 13, 2025
- Resurrection gives Dexter a new fatherly purpose with Harrison
- NYC is an incredible setting for Dexter & the multilayered story
- Resurrection brilliantly blends old and new elements without indulging in nostalgia
- Resurrection is on track to be an all-time great Dexter season
