Dexter: Resurrection Episode 5 Review

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Resurrection episode 5.

Dexter: Resurrection episode 5, “Murder Horny”, features interesting new twists and deviations from expected character arcs, particularly with Jack Alcott’s Harrison and Krysten Ritter’s Mia. The episode arrives on the heels of Dexter meeting Leon Prater and an elite group of serial killers in Resurrection episode 4.

While Mia seemed like a perfect match for Dexter as a vigilante partner in crime, it is revealed in Resurrection episode 5 that she was not who Dexter believed her to be. Rather than actually being Lady Vengeance, a serial killer who only targets sexual predators, Mia turns out to be just as ruthless a killer as the long line of Dexter’s victims.

This interesting Mia development instantly thwarts any chances that Dexter may have found a romantic counterpart, knowing that in time, if given the opportunity, he’ll gladly have Mia on his table. Rather than satisfying his killer urge, Dexter cleverly uses Mia to get the NYPD heat off of Harrison in the murder case of Ryan Foster.

Dexter: Resurrection’s Storytelling Continues To Be Razor Sharp In Episode 5

Harrison & Mia’s Arcs Unfold In Surprising & Satisfying Ways

All signs pointed to Harrison following in his father’s footsteps as a vigilante killer in the Dexter: Resurrection premiere episode. Instead, Dexter quickly learns, after revealing to Harrison that he’s still alive, that Harrison is actually nothing like him – he is stricken with guilt and is more or less a neurotypical human being.

Dexter sacrificing one of his prized targets to essentially buy his son a “get out of jail free” card is a masterful step forward and a surprising evolution of Dexter Morgan, the parent. Even though Resurrection has achieved a “back to basics” OG Dexter feel in its first five episodes, it’s still finding ways to authentically innovate on the celebrated protagonists.

Through Dexter’s parental concern for Harrison, James Remar’s role as Dexter’s dark passenger guide and father, Harry Morgan, also developed brilliantly. Harry didn’t give too much advice on how to be a dad in the original series, but he is now given an enhanced role as Dexter’s fatherly advisor and grandparent to Harrison.

Dexter Is Thrillingly Knocking Off Prater’s Killer Guest List One By One

We All Had An Idea Of What Dexter Would Do In A Room Full Of Serial Killers

Dexter has wasted no time after attending Prater’s dinner party to target each guest individually. After murdering Red and gaining access by impersonating him, Dexter quickly saves an innocent woman by killing Lowell, aka the Tattoo Collector, in Resurrection episode 4. Now that the Mia situation is handled, there are only a few killers left at the party who are still at large.

Prater and his head of security, Charley, are bound to see a pattern after finding out about Lowell’s death and Mia’s arrest, which happened within days of each other. I have a feeling the no-nonsense Charley will ultimately blow Dexter’s cover. Then, it will be up to Prater to either honor Dexter as the real Bay Harbor Butcher or have him killed as an impostor.

Related

Dexter: Resurrection Finally Finds The Last Missing Piece To Prove The OG Dexter Morgan Is Officially Back

Dexter: Resurrection season 1, episode 4 has finally found the crucial missing piece to prove that OG Dexter is back in full form in the spinoff show.

The cliffhanger ending of Resurrection episode 5, in which Charley visits Mia in jail as her attorney, suggests that Mia could put Charley onto Dexter, aka “Red.” Prater’s national TV news interview reveals that he is generous with his wealth, which could also include some behind-the-scenes bribery to get Mia back in action on the streets of NYC.

Now that we are five episodes into Dexter: Resurrection, the third Dexter spinoff series has to be considered the best – by a long shot. Many viewers would attest that New Blood had a strong yet slow start, only to fall apart in the finale episodes. Meanwhile, Original Sin received a mostly positive reception, but was missing the original cast members who make Resurrection so great and satisfying.

Given the Dexter franchise’s lack of success with endings, there’s still a chance that Resurrection misses the mark in its latter half. However, considering how far the show has come in exceeding expectations, Resurrection’s hot streak could continue and truly become one of the best Dexter seasons of all time.

Even though Resurrection episode 5 didn’t quite match the highs of last week’s 10/10 episode, it was still a solid entry in the series that held the positive momentum strong. While some 10-episode shows have fallen short and grown thin in their mid-season episodes, Dexter: Resurrection is still pulling strong and keeping fans excited about what’s to come next.

Dexter: Resurrection Episode 5

9/10

Release Date

July 13, 2025

Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

Directors

Marcos Siega

Pros & Cons

• Mia & Harrison’s character arcs develop in sharp and unexpected ways
• Dexter is taking on a more parental role with Harrison even though he’s not a budding killer like him
• Episode 5 avoided becoming a let-down after an all-time great episode last week

• Angel & other OG Dexter characters aren’t utilized as much as previous episodes