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The series premiere of the prequel series , titled "And in the Beginning..." , formally bridges the gap between Dexter Morgan’s tragic future and his dark origins. Written by series creator Clyde Phillips, the highly anticipated episode debuted on Paramount+ with Showtime on December 13, 2024, introducing fans to a 1991 version of Miami. The episode expertly balances deep nostalgia with crucial lore updates, establishing how a young pre-med student transitioned into America's favorite burgeoning serial killer under the strict guidance of his adoptive father, Harry Morgan. The Framing Device: Connecting Past and Future
: The episode introduces a retcon to the lore, revealing that Harry had a biological son, Harry Jr., who died by drowning .
Experts at DIRECTV Insider suggest either watching in release order (original series first) or chronological order (starting with Original Sin ).
The Miami Metro Police Department is presented as a place of ambition and corruption, allowing for a young Dexter to learn how to hide in plain sight. 3. Themes of the Prequel
Furthermore, the episode successfully introduces younger, perfectly cast versions of the Miami Metro PD crew. We see a young Vince Masuka (sporting a full head of hair and that same creepy yet endearing laugh) and Angel Bautista, both capturing the energetic mannerisms of their older counterparts. Meanwhile, industry heavyweights like Sarah Michelle Gellar step in as Tanya Martin (the forensics boss) and Patrick Dempsey as Captain Spencer, adding prestige and immediate tension to the precinct. A Dark Legacy Begins Dexter.Original.Sin.S01E01.Dexter.Original.Sin.And.in.the
With incredible attention to period-accurate 1991 aesthetics, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, and phenomenal performances across the board, this premiere proves that there is still plenty of compelling, dark storytelling to be mined from Dexter's past. What Did You Think?
The commanding officer at Miami Metro, hinting at bureaucratic obstacles to come. Sarah Michelle Gellar
DEXTER (V.O.) He taught me how to fish, how to hunt, and how to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. But most importantly, he taught me about the "Dark Passenger" - the part of me that craves blood.
We meet Dexter's coworkers, including Detective James Doakes (played by Erik King) and Detective LaGuerta (played by Jaime Murray). The series premiere of the prequel series ,
Christian Slater stars as a younger, stricter Harry Morgan, who is actively trying to teach Dexter to channel his bloodlust into vigilantism. The episode sees Harry approving of Dexter’s first human kill after a harrowing sequence where Dexter, not yet experienced, nearly gets caught.
The episode is not just a filler prequel; it serves to explain the necessity of the "Code of Harry." It delves into how Dexter’s early murders were messy, emotional, and almost brought him to the attention of law enforcement immediately. It highlights the crucial role Harry played in molding a potential "chaotic" killer into a "careful" one.
From there, the episode wastes no time in laying the foundational mythology. We see a young Dexter Morgan (Patrick Gibson) as a brilliant but socially awkward forensics intern at the Miami Metro Police Department. The central conflict of the episode revolves around Dexter’s first kill. It’s not a random act of violence but a calculated move to protect his father, Harry (Christian Slater), from a sociopathic nurse who is slowly poisoning him. This act is the true test of "Harry's Code," the strict set of rules designed to channel Dexter's homicidal urges toward those who "deserve it" and keep him hidden from law enforcement.
The show is streaming exclusively on for viewers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan. In the US, new episodes originally streamed every Friday on Paramount+, followed by a linear broadcast on the Showtime channel on Sundays. The series is also available internationally as part of the standard Paramount+ library, though you should check your local listing to be sure. The Framing Device: Connecting Past and Future :
The keyword is more than a messy string of text. For fans of the Dexter franchise, it represents a long-awaited return to the blood-spattered roots of television’s most beloved antihero. Following the controversial conclusion of Dexter: New Blood (2021–2022), Showtime took a bold step backward — not just in timeline, but in narrative philosophy. Dexter: Original Sin serves as a prequel, set 15 years before the original series, with the Season 1 premiere (S01E01) carrying a title that many early leaks and file-naming conventions hint at: “And in the Beginning…”
: The episode ends with the official start of Dexter's internship at Miami Metro, placing him under the watch of CSI Chief Tanya Martin (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and within reach of his future colleagues.
"I'm not saying you're a bad person, Dexter," Harry reassured him. "But you have a...condition. A need to control your feelings, to channel them into something productive."
HARRY (smiling) Yes, really.
James V. Hart