Warning! This article contains spoilers from Dexter: Original Sin Episode 5.
Summary
- The episode lacks momentum in the main investigation and shifts focus to Dexter’s reaction to a big mistake.
- Dexter and Harry’s complicated bond is well-developed, providing insight into the characters and setting up future conflicts.
- New characters introduced do not have enough screen time to shine, including CSI expert and Miami Metro chief.
Dexter: Original Sin hits the halfway mark of its debut season in decent fashion, with Dexter trying to cover up the death of Mad Dog, while Harry comes to terms with a mistake that leads to the release of a dangerous criminal. In the 70s timeline, Laura Moser’s affair with Harry continues, while he receives some surprising news from Doris.
This episode was directed by Michael Lehmann and written by Alexandra Frankin and Marc Muszynski. It aired on Paramount+ with Showtime on January 3 and the title of the episode is ‘F Is For F**k Up’. The fifth entry in the first season is entertaining, but strangely deviates from the main Miami Metro investigation, which is quite jarring. There is so much story to contend with, including the 1970s flashbacks, and teenage Dexter’s serial-killing antics in the 90s, but luckily, these aspects are enough to keep things interesting.
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Dexter: Original Sin – Episode 4 Review
Dexter: Original Sin episode 4 sees Dexter making a huge mistake during a kill, while Harry investigates the murder of a young boy.
An Entertaining Episode But It Lacks Forward Momentum In The Overarching Story
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Dexter: Original Sin Episode 5 |
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Starring |
Patrick Gibson, Christian Slater, Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson, Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Raquel Justice and the voice of Michael C. Hall |
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Episode Title |
F Is For F**k Up |
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Directed By |
Michael Lehmann |
The halfway point in Original Sin is as good a time as any to judge the potential for this series moving forward. The overall vibe is that it shows a lot of promise, and could quite feasibly run just as long as the original series. However, ‘F Is For F**k Up’ does show some signs of narrative strain, especially in relation to the big investigation of the season. The original series and New Blood both had a very distinct format which finely balanced Dexter’s side kills with an overarching police investigation into a big bad villain. Whether it was the Ice Truck Killer or Arthur ‘Trinity’ Mitchell, Dexter had a big target he had to bring down. Original Sin had set up a ‘mystery’ big bad with the kidnap and murder of a judge’s young son, but this episode completely drops it, in favor of the aftermath of Mad Dog’s death and Harry’s reaction to it. Elsewhere, the 70s flashbacks take up a large chunk of the runtime, while still providing a compelling backstory to Dexter’s origins.
These elements in Original Sin are very strong, so there isn’t too much to worry about in that respect. However, if the audience is going to care about the big case, and the role of Dexter’s dark passenger in bringing the killer to justice, it needs to feature prominently in every episode. The non-existence of this storyline feels like a huge misstep. In addition to this, the new characters don’t get enough screen time to shine, namely Sarah Michelle Gellar’s CSI expert, Tanya Martin, and Patrick Dempsey’s Miami Metro chief, Aaron Spencer. Both feature sparingly, and they don’t really do anything of note.
Dexter and Harry’s Twisted Bond Is Developed Well And Sets Up An Exciting Second Half Of the Season
Original Sin is also Harry Morgan’s story, and this is prevalent in this particular episode, with a heavy focus on the events leading up to Laura Moser’s murder. The veteran detective’s struggles in the 90s timeline are also compelling as he tries to prevent Dexter from ripping the Morgan family apart due to his extracurricular activities. However, a nice little twist in the father and son dynamic saw Harry ending up on Dexter’s kill table, as he tested out the horse tranquilizer that eventually becomes a key part of his modus operandi. Christian Slater is sublime in this episode, as he portrays two versions of Harry: the man he was before Dexter became his full responsibility, and the older and wiser one who is still coming to terms with what his adopted son had become.
Patrick Dempsey’s promise of humor in Original Sin was spot on, and this episode delivers superbly with a hilarious scene featuring Dexter high on Deb’s pot-filled brownies. It also provides an insight into the sibling bond that exists between them, whicjh the audience already knows will only grow stronger after Harry’s death. However, while Harry is still around, Original Sin is more interested in Dexter’s relationship with him, and that is understandable, as the audience has never witnessed it in full flow. Overall, a decent episode, and the promise of more drama to come.
Dexter: Original Sin Episodes 1-5 Are Available to Stream on Paramount+ with Showtime Now
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