From New Blood to Resurrection: Breaking Down Dexter’s Shocking Return

By Trinity Barnette

When Dexter: New Blood aired in 2021, fans thought they had finally seen the end of one of television’s most complex antiheroes. The finale left audiences divided — with Harrison killing his father, Dexter Morgan, to end his cycle of bloodlust. For some, it was poetic justice; for others, it felt abrupt and unsatisfying.

Now, four years later, Dexter: Resurrection breathes new life into the story. Premiering on Paramount+ in 2025, the sequel series picks up with Dexter surviving the events of New Blood, awakening from a coma, and embarking on a desperate journey to reconnect with Harrison in New York City. Across its ten episodes, the show weaves together suspense, family conflict, and the looming shadow of the Bay Harbor Butcher legacy.

In this blog, we’ll break down each episode with a mix of recap, analysis, and review — exploring how Resurrection redefines the relationship between Dexter and Harrison, while honoring the dark mythology that made the original series unforgettable.

Episode 1: “A Beating Heart…”

The series kicks off with a dramatic opening: doctors fighting to save Dexter’s life after Harrison shot him in the chest during the New Blood finale. Fans were left wondering if Dexter Morgan was truly gone for good—but the answer comes fast. He survives, though he’s left comatose for ten weeks, haunted by visions of familiar faces urging him to either let go or keep fighting.

Meanwhile, Harrison is trying to adjust to life in New York City. Living with his friend Blessing, he’s pulled between wanting normalcy and feeling those dark urges stirring beneath the surface. When he discovers that Ryan Foster, a hotel predator, has drugged a guest, Harrison takes matters into his own hands and kills him—a chilling reminder that he may be following the same bloody path as his father. I was honestly happy when Harrison killed Ryan. He ate with that. Fuck that rapist—glad he’s gone :)

Back in Miami, Angel Batista grows suspicious of Dexter’s supposed death after learning inconsistencies in the Bay Harbor Butcher case. When Dexter finally regains strength and learns from his therapist about Foster’s murder, he immediately suspects Harrison is responsible. Weak but determined, he escapes from the hospital—his sole mission now: find his son.

Episode 2: “Camera Shy”

Fresh out of the hospital and still physically weak, Dexter wastes no time getting back into old habits. He sneaks into the crime scene at the hotel where Harrison killed Ryan Foster, cleaning up the blood spatter and evidence his son left behind. It’s such a classic Dexter move—meticulous, careful, almost obsessive. Even after everything, he can’t stop himself from stepping back into the role of protector and cleaner.

Harrison, on the other hand, is caught between guilt and pride. He saved a woman from being assaulted, but he also crossed the line into murder. You can feel his inner conflict simmering, even though part of him clearly feels justified. I loved this tension—it’s exactly what makes Harrison so compelling. He’s not just a copy of Dexter, he’s wrestling with the morality of what he’s done.

The episode also pushes forward the investigation into Dexter’s survival. Batista continues to poke holes in the official story, raising new suspicions about Dexter’s supposed death in New Blood. You can sense the net tightening already.

By the end of the episode, father and son are on a collision course. Dexter knows Harrison killed, and Harrison is starting to sense that his dad’s “dark passenger” may not be gone after all.

Episode 3: “The Cleaners”

Harrison’s secret is getting harder to hide. The aftermath of Ryan Foster’s murder continues to ripple through the Empire Hotel, and now Dexter is working overtime to keep his son safe. He discreetly coaches Harrison on how to cover his tracks, but you can tell Harrison is chafing under his father’s control. He doesn’t want to just “clean up” like Dexter—he wants to act on his own terms.

This tension is really the heart of the episode. Dexter sees himself in Harrison, but it’s like watching his younger self with all the recklessness dialed up. Harrison isn’t nearly as careful, and that scares Dexter. I actually found myself yelling at the screen, like boy, listen to your father, he’s literally the Bay Harbor Butcher, he knows what he’s talking about!

Meanwhile, Blessing starts noticing Harrison’s odd behavior. She wants to be supportive, but Harrison’s double life is already causing cracks in their relationship. It’s giving classic Dexter vibes—trying to maintain normal connections while hiding a violent secret.

And of course, Batista keeps digging. His suspicions are more than just a hunch now, and the way the show frames his investigation makes it clear: it’s only a matter of time before he’s face-to-face with Dexter again.

By the end of “The Cleaners,” father and son are bound tighter than ever by their shared darkness, but it’s also obvious they’re on completely different wavelengths about what that darkness means.

Episode 4: “Manhattan Itch”

This episode kicks the tension up a notch by introducing a new killer in New York City. While Dexter is focused on Harrison and keeping him in check, bodies are starting to surface that don’t match his son’s work. It’s the first big hint that their “dark passenger” bond isn’t the only danger lurking in Manhattan.

Harrison is still spiraling. He’s pulled between wanting to prove himself and resenting Dexter’s constant oversight. You can feel the father–son friction boiling over here—Dexter wants Harrison to follow “the Code,” while Harrison just wants to be free of his father’s rules. I actually loved this dynamic; it feels like Dexter arguing with a younger version of himself, but this time the stakes are even higher because it’s his son.

Blessing becomes more involved, sensing Harrison’s secrecy, and her presence adds a new layer of pressure. Watching her question Harrison while he tries to act normal gave me flashbacks to Rita in the original Dexter—that uneasy balance between love and suspicion.

And then there’s Batista, inching closer to uncovering the truth. Every scene with him is dripping with dread, because you just know the moment he locks eyes with Dexter again, the whole illusion collapses.

By the end of “Manhattan Itch,” the city itself feels like another character—buzzing with life, secrets, and danger. Dexter’s worst fear is coming true: Harrison isn’t just dabbling in darkness, he’s sinking into it.

Episode 5: “Burning Bridges”

Halfway through the season, the father–son bond is starting to crack wide open. Dexter and Harrison are constantly at odds, clashing over the Code, morality, and even trust. Dexter is desperate to mold Harrison into a version of himself he can control, but Harrison refuses to live under his father’s shadow. Their arguments in this episode feel raw, like two predators circling each other.

Harrison also begins pulling away from Blessing, caught up in his double life. The more he lies to her, the more it echoes Dexter’s own past relationships—how love and secrecy never seemed to mix. You can see the cycle repeating in real time, and it’s painful because Dexter knows exactly where it leads.

Meanwhile, the new Manhattan killer storyline heats up. More victims are discovered, and the methodical brutality makes it clear this isn’t just random violence. This subplot adds another layer of suspense, reminding us that Dexter and Harrison aren’t the only monsters in town.

I really liked this episode because it finally forces the father–son relationship into open conflict. Dexter’s instinct is always control, but Harrison pushes back harder than anyone ever has. It’s messy, it’s emotional, and it sets the stage for the second half of the season where things only get bloodier.

Episode 6: “Bleeding Out”

The cracks between Dexter and Harrison finally burst open in this episode. Their arguments turn explosive, and the emotional weight is heavy—Dexter’s attempts to guide his son are met with flat-out rejection. Harrison doesn’t want a code, a leash, or his father’s approval. He wants freedom, even if that means embracing his darkness recklessly. Watching them clash like this actually hurt; it’s the exact opposite of what Dexter dreamed of when he thought about reconnecting with Harrison.

Meanwhile, the Manhattan killer takes center stage. The crimes are growing more brutal, and the investigation is gaining traction. Dexter, ever the predator, starts to piece together clues in his own way, and you can feel the itch returning. He’s weaker, older, but the instinct to hunt hasn’t gone anywhere. I liked how the show reminded us that Dexter can’t resist the pull of another killer—it’s part of who he is.

Blessing is stuck in the middle, sensing Harrison’s unraveling but unable to get through to him. It adds tension to every scene she’s in, because she represents the fragile “normal life” Harrison is at risk of losing.

By the end of “Bleeding Out,” the season shifts gears. This isn’t just about Harrison inheriting Dexter’s darkness anymore—it’s about whether either of them can control it before it destroys them both.

Episode 7: “A Trail of Blood”

This episode is all about pursuit—both literal and emotional. Dexter is on the trail of the Manhattan killer, piecing together a pattern that law enforcement is still fumbling with. Watching him slip back into hunter mode gave me chills. Even after everything, he’s still razor-sharp when it comes to reading killers. It almost feels like a spark of the old Dexter is back, but there’s a desperation now—he’s chasing more than just justice, he’s chasing purpose.

Harrison, meanwhile, is spiraling further out of control. He resents Dexter’s interference but also craves his approval. Every decision he makes feels reckless, like he’s trying to prove he’s more dangerous, more independent than his father. Honestly, it’s frustrating but believable—he’s a teenager with a dark passenger, and that’s a nightmare combination.

Blessing becomes more suspicious than ever. She can sense Harrison’s distance, and it’s heartbreaking to watch her fight for a version of him that might already be gone. Her presence really raises the emotional stakes—you know something has to give.

And Batista? He’s closing in. His investigation leaves no doubt: he’s going to catch up with Dexter, and when he does, there’s no going back. The tension is electric because you know it’s not a question of if—it’s when.

By the end of “A Trail of Blood,” both storylines—the new killer in Manhattan and the father–son implosion—are colliding. The blood trail isn’t just literal, it’s symbolic of everything Dexter has left behind, now threatening to catch up with him.

Episode 8: “Blood Ties”

The season barrels toward its climax here, and you can feel it in every scene. Dexter is closer than ever to unmasking the Manhattan killer, but the hunt feels heavier this time. It’s not just about stopping a predator—it’s about proving to himself that he still has control, that his instincts haven’t dulled. Watching him stalk the killer feels like vintage Dexter, but there’s a darker undercurrent, like he knows his time is running out.

Harrison, on the other hand, finally crosses a line that can’t be uncrossed. His actions in this episode confirm what we’ve been dreading: he’s embracing the darkness inside him rather than fighting it. There’s no more hesitation, no more guilt—just cold determination. It’s chilling to see him mirror Dexter in ways that feel more dangerous than Dexter ever was.

Blessing’s heartbreak takes center stage here. She sees Harrison slipping through her fingers, and the pain is raw. Her presence reminds us that while the Morgans’ story is soaked in blood, it still leaves collateral damage on innocent lives. Honestly, her reactions hit harder than some of the violence—it’s the human cost of living in Dexter’s world.

And then there’s Batista. At this point, he’s practically breathing down Dexter’s neck. His investigation has cut through every lie and every shadow, and you can almost hear the clock ticking. The inevitability of their collision hangs over the entire episode.

“Blood Ties” is the moment where everything tightens—the killer, Harrison, Batista, Dexter’s own unraveling. Every thread is pulled taut, setting up an explosive finale. By the end, it feels like there’s no way out, only through.

Episode 9: “Touched by an Angel”

Episode 9 raises the stakes in a brutal way. Dexter, now on the run and trying to keep Harrison close, is confronted with enemies closing in from all directions. Harrison ends up cornered and questioned by Charley, and for the first time we see Harrison really fumbling to hold his double life together. When Charley pushes too hard, Dexter tracks her down and nearly kills her, only sparing her when he learns she’s working for Prater to cover her mother’s cancer treatments. It’s a rare moment of restraint, but also a reminder of how close Dexter always is to crossing the line.

Meanwhile, Batista continues to tighten the noose. His pursuit of Dexter is relentless, and it finally pays off when he exposes Dexter’s identity. The tension between the two old friends is almost unbearable, especially when Prater steps in to manipulate the situation further.

The most devastating blow comes with Angel’s death. After Dexter refuses Prater’s offer to kill Batista in exchange for his freedom, everything unravels. Prater fatally shoots Angel, leaving Dexter shattered. Angel dies cursing Dexter’s name, and the grief on Dexter’s face is gutting. For a show that’s always balanced morality and monstrosity, this was one of the heaviest emotional punches of the season.

This episode broke me a little. Seeing Batista go out like that, after years of being the moral compass of the series, was brutal. And Dexter’s fury in the aftermath—it feels like the calm before a storm that’s about to swallow everyone in the finale.

Episode 10: “And Justice for All…”

The finale wastes no time throwing us into chaos. Dexter, still reeling from Batista’s death, is running on pure vengeance and desperation. Harrison feels the weight of everything they’ve lost pressing down, but instead of pulling them apart, it strangely cements the bond between father and son. For the first time, they’re fully aligned—two predators trying to survive in a world that won’t forgive them.

Dexter sets his sights on Prater, and their inevitable face-off doesn’t disappoint. The showdown is brutal, messy, and soaked in the kind of poetic justice that the series has always thrived on. Dexter finally dismantles Prater’s operation, but it doesn’t come without a cost—Harrison is forced to get his hands bloody in a way that makes it impossible to deny what he’s becoming.

The climax hits hard when Dexter accepts that Harrison has inherited more than just his darkness—he’s inherited the burden of choice. The finale doesn’t give us a clean answer about whether Harrison will rise above Dexter or spiral deeper into the same cycle. Instead, we’re left with haunting ambiguity: Harrison standing in the wreckage of his father’s life, staring into a future that could go either way.

For me, this finale was intense but satisfying. It tied together the themes of legacy, morality, and family, while still leaving enough room for the possibility of more story. Dexter might not have walked away a hero, but his influence on Harrison ensures the “Dark Passenger” won’t vanish anytime soon.

Raw Reflections

Let me start by saying the first episode was great. It immediately hooked me by bringing back some familiar faces — Doakes, The Trinity Killer, Harry (Dexter’s dad), and even Miguel. If you remember these characters from the OG series, you know how exciting it was to see them pop up again. It felt like Resurrection was rewarding long-time fans right out of the gate.

Later episodes doubled down on that nostalgia factor, with Quinn and Masuka making appearances. Those callbacks made the world feel richer, like the story wasn’t just rebooting but actually weaving in the weight of everything that came before. For me, that was one of the strongest parts of this season.

And I have to talk about the Ryan Foster situation in Episode 1. I was on the edge of my seat. It was lowkey triggering for me — Ryan was about to rape that woman, and it was one of those moments that made my stomach turn. But then my man Harrison stepped up and stood on big business. Ryan got taken care of, and I had a large smile on my face watching it happen. That moment cemented Harrison as a force in this series.

On the flip side, I absolutely love Blessing and the friendship he builds with Dexter. Blessing has all my love and support — he’s loyal, grounded, and honestly brings out a softer side of Dexter that we don’t often get to see. Their bond ended up being one of the most refreshing and heartfelt parts of the entire show.

But then there’s Angel. I did not want Angel to go out like that. He’s been around since the beginning, and he deserved a different ending. But at the same time, Dexter warned him: “If I am who you think I am, this can’t possibly end well for you.” And Angel didn’t give a fuck — he wouldn’t let it go. He died because of his motivation and determination for justice, which is always admirable in my eyes. It hurt to see, but it was true to who Angel has always been.

And finally, the finale. Dexter’s speech on the boat hit me hard. Hearing his inner monologue, where he accepts that he is a serial killer but also realizes that Harrison is the one thing that gives him humanity, was powerful. When he said: “This is who I am. What I am. I’m Dexter Morgan. Exactly who I need to be. Exactly who you want me to be,” it felt like the perfect closing statement. For the first time, he fully embraced himself — not just the Dark Passenger, but the father who found his last shred of humanity in his son.

Final Analysis + Rating

Going into Dexter: Resurrection, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Dexter: New Blood left a lot of fans (myself included) disappointed, and I wasn’t sure if another spin-off could really capture the magic of the original series. But they absolutely ate with this one. The writing was sharp, the nostalgia was handled with care, and the performances — especially from Michael C. Hall and Jack Alcott — carried so much weight.

Every episode gave me something to think about, whether it was the father-son tension, the ethical gray areas, or the emotional gut-punches like Angel’s death. The callbacks to classic characters like Doakes, Trinity, Harry, Miguel, Quinn, and Masuka made the story feel grounded in the Dexter universe we know and love, instead of just tacked-on fan service.

Most importantly, the finale landed. Dexter’s acceptance of who he is and his recognition that Harrison gives him humanity was the perfect way to close the season. It felt earned, it felt emotional, and it left the door open for more without forcing it.

For me, this season is a clear 10/10. It exceeded my expectations, redeemed the franchise after the missteps of New Blood, and gave me hope that we might actually get a worthy continuation. I’m excited and definitely hoping for a Season 2!