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Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7 (The One With the Reveal)

“The Big Bad Body Problem”

Dexter disposes a body in Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7
Screenshot / Showtime

Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7 is currently streaming on Paramount + and will air on Showtime in its normal Sunday night time slot. If you haven’t already seen the episode, proceed with caution. We’re about to get into major spoiler territory. The episode was written by Katrina Mathewson & Tanner Bean and directed by Monica Raymund.


While my reviews of this prequel season have been mostly positive, Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7 was largely pointless. Every plot point this week seemed to be on autopilot—acknowledged but not really moved forward. It very much felt like an argument for a nine episode season instead of a 10 episode one. This show has been mostly good, but besides the last five minutes here, nothing happened.

We saw Dexter continue to “dodge bullets,” as Harry called it, by throwing the severed arm in for an alligator to eat. He talked Angel out of continuing to pursue the case of the discovered body and refocus on Nicky Spencer, who is still missing. He dumped his last victim in a trash bin and even got out of his quasi-relationship with Sofia because of an empty condom wrapper.

Dexter spent most of the hour researching how other serial killers disposed of their victims’ bodies, which included a scene where he was visited by John Wayne Gacy, Ed Gein and even the Son of Sam. In an episode that already felt light, a silly gag with deceased serial killers talking to Dexter just didn’t land.

Deb and Sofia fell out over Dexter, which led to Sofia telling the popular girl on the volleyball team what Deb and her boyfriend did to the girl’s car. Deb wound up punching the girl, getting suspended and kicked off the team, which means she’s likely losing her scholarship offer from FSU. We then had a brief scene where Deb’s boyfriend picked her up and he waved at Dexter.

Again, this felt like wasted time. We know Deb is a troubled kid. The story with her boyfriend is what seems to be the most compelling. Watching Deb self-destruct even more wasn’t needed when we already know how damaged she is. Get to the story we want to see, which is whether her boyfriend is a good guy or a bad guy. He has secrets and that’s what we’re all ready to see.

Back in 1970 something, we see Harry try to reconcile with his wife. She knows he cheated. He swears it’s over. He wants to be a good dad. She is hesitant to believe him. Yet over at Laura Moser’s house, she’s telling Harry point blank that she wants out of this undercover operation. She knows it’s dangerous. But Harry isn’t letting her go, even though he’s broken off the affair. In one of the more cringey moments of the season, young Dexter called Harry “Daddy” before Laura corrected him. If Harry’s been over there, every night for over a year, why would Dexter just now start calling him that? Can’t young Brian do anything except stare from doorways? There’s an opportunity here to develop Brian as a character, knowing that he will be important to the narrative later on. Feels like a wasted opportunity.

Laura holds young Dexter in Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7
Screenshot/ Showtime

Laura finally gets to meet the leader of the cartel—but has to do so nude, of course. Sure, there’s probably some realism to that, but again, in an episode that’s light on plot, it feels like a cop-out to insert nudity. “Hey, this episode is kind of boring, but look, a naked woman!” One of the other cringey moments of Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7 was when Estrada, the leader of the cartel, specifically mentions Dexter by name but not Brian. Why is he singling out one child? Is he clairvoyant and knows that Dexter will grow up to be a vigilante? It would be much more natural to say something like, “Yes, I know you have two sons,” instead of saying, “Yes I know about your kid Dexter.” Weird, sloppy writing.

Of course, the most noteworthy part of Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7 was the reveal that Captain Aaron Spencer is the “big bad” of the season, like myself and most critics have been saying all along. Dexter puts it all together when Nicky’s finger comes back with a hesitation cut, which was different than the cut from Jimmy’s finger. It implied that the assailant knew Nicky. The blood type was also another clue towards Captain Spencer, and then, of course, the Captain is sporting a large bandage himself. The final moments of the show are of the good Captain buying the same boxed lunch the kids keep getting fed.

Captain Spencer looks ahead in Dexter: Original Sin Episode 7
Screenshot / Showtime

As I’ve said in previous recaps, you shouldn’t expect large plot twists from this franchise. The killer is usually obvious and that’s fine. The final few moments of this episode did serve as a saving grace of sorts, with Patrick Dempsey being particularly delightful. I am excited about how these stories will conclude and the impact this will have on all the characters. Will the serial killer Maria is chasing tie into this somehow? Is it Brian? How will Dexter tell Harry that Captain Spencer is a kid killer? There are things to look forward to but this episode was a major step back quality wise. Perhaps that’s a note for the network. Not every season needs to be 10 episodes.

Written by Andrew Grevas

A staunch defender of the series finales for both Lost & The Sopranos and watched Twin Peaks at the age of 5 during its original run, which explains a lot about his personality.

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