Andrew Grevas
Tonight’s the night. Dexter: Resurrection Episode 3 (directed by Monica Raymund and written by Nick Zayas) is now streaming on Paramount + and will air Sunday evening on Showtime. If you haven’t seen it yet, proceed with caution as this article will included spoilers.
Fathers and Sons
The themes of parenthood remained strong in Dexter: Resurrection Episode 3. Harry is still very much with Dexter in this latest outing, remaining the constant reminder in Dexter’s ear that his son Harrison needs his father. Dexter seems to be settling into New York, still preoccupied with the local serial killer who has taken Dexter’s “Dark Passenger” moniker.
The inner struggle for Dexter is similar to one that many parents have, only on a majorly exaggerated scale: How do I be the version of me that I want to be and also a parent at the same time? For the average person, it’s typically about finding time for a hobby in addition to family duties, but it’s a little more complicated for Dexter. His inner monologues in this episode make reference to him needing to be on this path alone. Dexter knows that he can’t bring anyone along with him on this journey of removing dangerous people from this world. No matter who he’s tried to include, they get hurt.
When Dexter is doing his research on the local serial killer who is targeting ride share drivers, he’s moving noticeably slower. It’s in part the effects of him being shot and in a coma for ten weeks, but this is also very much a story about aging. Dexter is no longer spry or even on top of modern technology. He’s a bit out of touch and him being excited about what all you can order on the internet today was a funny realization that our beloved mass murderer is well into his 50s now.
It’s an interesting commentary on these “universes” that are becoming increasingly more common in television and film. We as audiences grow older and change and if these “universes” continue on long enough, the characters within them should be changing the same way that we are. Dexter: Resurrection Episode 3 did make me think about how long this particular narrative can go on. Sure, it’s enjoyable, but time catches up to all of us and at some point, the serial killer baton has to be passed off to Harrison (or some other heir apparent).
Dexter had one scene in this episode where he followed Harrison to a restaurant. Harry urged Dexter to go inside and talk to his son, but Dexter rejected the wishes of his (dead) father. Dexter was happy to see Harrison with Elsa and seems content to watch his son from a distance. As a viewer, the question I’m asking myself is why. Does Dexter really think it’s in Harrison’s best interest to not confront him? Or does Dexter just want to make the most of this second chance he has to be himself? He’s in the city that never sleeps, almost completely detached from all responsibilities and commitments. He doesn’t have to go to work every day. He doesn’t have to be a husband or a brother. He doesn’t have to be Jim Lindsay either. Dexter is free and that all changes if he approaches his son.
The Lost Boy
Claudette, who might be my favorite television cop since True Detective’s Rust Cohle, cracked the case in about two minutes. Once again armed with her large headphones and “Staying Alive” playing comically loud, Claudette figured out not only that Harrison killed the perv from the premiere episode, but exactly how he did it, how he cleaned it up, and every detail in between. While I will always be an Angela Bishop truther, Claudette is a force of nature.
She and her partner gave Harrison a chance to come clean. They knew he only killed the man to prevent him from raping a drugged woman. They were prepared to give Harrison the lightest sentence possible in exchange for his admission of guilt. But Harrison didn’t flinch. He was ice cold (much like his father) when he told the cops that he’s homeless and sleeps at the hotel. That a maid (Elsa) gives him empty rooms to sleep in. Harrison didn’t miss a beat when escaping a tense situation with the police. After all, the first rule of the code is to not get caught.
We also saw Harrison with Elsa at her apartment. In these quieter moments of the show, we should be asking ourselves if Harrison is seeking normality after the complicated life he’s led so far or if he is just like his father. Dexter built a life with Rita to create a story for himself. We don’t know enough about Harrison to know what his intentions are yet. Either way, as much as I enjoy the scenes with Dexter or Harry even, it’s the Harrison scenes that get to me. He’s a sympathetic character, a boy who’s lost so much. You can’t help but root for him while also wondering if the future of this narrative rests upon his young shoulders.
A Pinch of Nostalgia
Dexter: Resurrection Episode 3 gave us just enough nostalgia to feel exciting without feeling like fan service. We got a glimpse of Miami before we entered the quiet home of Angel Batista, who received a phone call. He got a lead on Dexter’s truck. A little while later, we heard those familiar sounds of Latin Jazz and we were back in Miami, but this time at a bar. It turns out that Batista is retiring after more than 40 years on the force. Old faces Joey Quinn and Vince Mazuka were back in our living rooms again, playing characters we watched for years. Their scene was brief, sharing a drink and a hug. Enough to make us feel warm and fuzzy, but this show is too future facing to dwell much on the past.
Angel told his long time peers that he has unfinished business. Something important he has to do that led to his decision to retire. It’s clear that Angel is hunting Dexter. He knows that Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher and is responsible for the deaths of Maria, Doakes and many more. Dexter: Resurrection is going to be about many things, but one of those stories will be about a lifelong police officer leaving the force to avenge the deaths of people he loved. Angel seems to be headed to NYC and the showdown between him and Dexter should be quite memorable.
Serial Killer Social Club
Dexter got to kill his foe, the ride share killer. It was interesting to see Dexter go through his process a half a step slower and certainly not as sharp as we’re used to seeing him in these situations. But besides getting his mojo back, this kill was designed to setup the next chapter of this series: Dexter discovered that this man had been invited to a meeting of serial killers, which Uma Thurman’s character seems to be in charge of planning. While we don’t know much about this yet, it’s a safe bet that many of the exciting guest stars announced for this season will be a part of this and that much of the narrative will unfold from this event. Until next week…
