SPOILER WARNING! The following contains MASSIVE SPOILERS for the sixth episode of ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ titled ‘The Joy of Killing’ - Proceed with caution.
Not to sound like a broken record but the strength of episode six - “The Joy of Killing" - lies in its commitment to channeling the early years of Dexter while continuing to unfurl the complex backstory that we didn’t know as well as we thought. The stakes are starting to heat up and new potential targets seem to be coming from every direction. Meanwhile, Dexter is thrust into one of the most painfully awkward situations of the entire series and I can’t help but remember how devilishly funny this show can be. It all comes together in a perfect storm of nostalgia, mystery, and wonderfully perverse entertainment.
"The Killer’s still Learning what he Enjoys"
Early in the episode, a sweeping drone shot brings us into a fresh crime scene where LaGuerta and Harry begin work on their first case together. Dexter is busy taking photographs of a man who has been suffocated with a plastic bag and left in the middle of an abandoned silo. Dexter’s confidence on the job continues to grow and it is here that we see that his colleagues are starting to appreciate his insights a little bit more.
When Dexter theorizes that this murder could be related to the other two murders featured this season, the Detectives, Harry included, are skeptical. Regardless, you can see the awe (and maybe even fear) in Harry’s expression as Dexter evaluates the crime scene and presents his reasoning; Explaining that the murders appear unrelated because the killer is still experimenting with his method of killing. As LaGuerta tries to poke holes in his theory, Dexter efficiently shoots them down and eventually wins some modicum of validation from LaGuerta.
At the season’s midpoint, introducing the possibility of another up-and-coming serial killer on the rise in Miami shakes things up considerably. The writers have done a great job of subtly planting the seeds for this new development while our attention has been focused elsewhere. These seemingly immaterial crime scenes involving NHIs (“No Humans Involved") suddenly feel like they are more worthy of our attention, suggesting that something more sinister might be in play. The question now becomes: Which one of these killers (The kidnapper or the NHI killer) is destined for Dexter’s kill table at the end of the season?
"He was Wearing a Mask"
One thing this season truly has going for it is misdirection. We are now in the back half and it feels like there are several potential villains vying for the lofty title of ‘Big Bad.’ The further we get, the more confident I become that there are some big surprises in store for us in the final stretch. At the top of the episode, the masked kidnapper strikes again; This time blitz attacking Captain Spencer’s ex-wife in their garage and abducting their young son, Nicky. After his brief encounter with Dexter in episode four, it is no surprise that Nicky has become a victim but the identity and motive of this killer remains as elusive as ever. With that said, there is no shortage of suspects and red herrings to keep audiences engaged.
When word finally reaches the station, Captain Spencer is thrust into the spotlight for a large portion of the episode. His reaction is understandably intense as he tosses furniture and almost comes to blows with his wife’s boyfriend in the middle of the bullpen. Later in the episode, he even pushes back against the Deputy Chief when he takes over the investigation. While Dexter is thoroughly distracted by his next target, Harry appears hurt by his inability to help with the investigation (after being benched); A sentiment made more intense thanks to his own history of losing a child.
While it hasn’t been made clear where this story is ultimately going, the pieces feel like they are sliding into place. The kidnapper’s motivations remain a mystery but it is clear that Harry and Aaron are going to find themselves swept up into this mystery and maybe even find themselves operating outside of the law. When Dexter inevitably gets pulled into the situation, maybe even at Harry’s behest, I feel the stakes of the season will peak.
"My Own Ritual was Growing"
With Miami Metro focused on the kidnapper, Dexter takes to the streets of Miami (and almost gets pancaked by an Ice Truck!) to keep an eye on Levi Reed; The target that could take him across the threshold and make him into a bonafide serial killer. The unmistakable dark-humor of the show shines through in this scene as Dexter is forced to drink a virgin cocktail at the bar while he stalks his next victim and takes note of his surprising social competence; A skill that will soon stand in stark contrast to Dexter’s lack thereof.
After getting to know Levi’s routine out in the wild, he finds himself in the file room back at Miami Metro where the next part of his ritual is evolving. In true 90’s fashion, he uses a polaroid camera to snap pictures of the victim photos in Levi’s case file. Those of us well acquainted with the character know where this is going but Hall’s commentary also subtly hints at the similarities between Dexter and the NHI killer that is hovering just outside of Dexter’s radar (for now).
As Dexter is leaving, Camilla gets his attention and asks about his weekend plans. At first glance, it is a throwaway interaction but it also hints at the potential origins of another aspect of Dexter’s MO. He tells her about the double date with Sofia, Deb, and Gio to which she offers to let him use her boat to show Sofia a good time. If you ask me, the only reason this scene exists is to foreshadow Dexter’s eventual acquisition of the “Slice of Life." Given that we were never actually told where the boat came from, it makes sense that someone like Camilla might have planted the idea in his head or even sold him the boat itself at some point. Whether it happens soon or sometime down the road, this moment felt calculated.
"Greedy Fingers"
The 70’s flashbacks continue to take huge strides in this episode by enriching the complex backstory of Harry and Laura and re-shaping the way we perceive them. While the original series suggested that Harry was, at the very least, extremely popular with women, it also hinted at the possibility of him being a womanizer without ever showing us explicitly. Here, we see that Harry and Laura’s illicit affair has continued for nearly 9 months and maybe even evolved into something deeper; All the while, Doris is on the cusp of giving birth to Deb. It is not necessarily a retcon but it certainly adds weight to the tragedy that this season is barreling towards.
Despite Laura’s growing impatience and frustration (both at being a CI and “the other woman" in Harry’s life), she finds herself again walking into the lion’s den for the sake of their operation. When she arrives, our old friend - and future Dexter victim - Santos Jimenez, makes an example of Alfredo for skimming money off the top of their drug profits. Laura is forced to watch in horror as Jimenez cuts off his finger; An ugly reminder of what happens to people who cross Estrada.
This unfortunate encounter leaves Laura understandably shaken and gives her the courage to take a stand against Harry. She’s clearly tired of feeling used by the police and is starting to question how much of Harry’s feelings for her are genuine. Tensions are rising and the inevitability of what’s to come is starting to intensify. The path to that defining event has proven to be a fascinating insight throughout the season so far but I can’t help but wonder what revelations are in store for us once the story reaches the fated shipping container.
Meanwhile, Doris ends up dropping a bomb of her own in this episode. After giving birth to Deb, she calmly admits to Harry that she has known about his affair for a while. It is an unexpectedly touching moment between Harry and Doris as the underlying sentiment seems to be that she was letting the indiscretion slide because of the trauma they both suffered after the loss of their first child. Regardless, she tells him that it is time to end the affair and commit to being a father and husband again; To which he acknowledges and agrees. Where this leaves him and Laura in the final days before her death is going to be interesting to watch play out in the coming weeks.
"It was Date Night…"
Make no mistake; The big double date featured in this episode will be remembered as one of the most painfully awkward moments in the history of the show (and that’s a good thing). Deb watches in horror as her brother manages to make almost every interaction of the night painfully awkward. Whether it is greeting Gio with “Nice teeth," trying to sit next to Deb instead of his date, or devouring half the menu as everyone watches in shock, I can pretty much guarantee you that it doesn’t get harder to watch than this; And I loved it.
One of my favorite aspects of the character has always been his ability to learn and grow by interacting with his victims. It is almost like he becomes a little bit more real with every kill and this week is no exception. While the double date gets off to a rocky start, Dexter starts to make headway by mimicking what he saw while stalking Levi Reed. He helps Sofia improve her throw while playing darts and inadvertently (and hilariously) invites some oral sex in the restaurant bathroom; A development that even Dexter can’t help but admit is quite fun.
When the group decides to play a prank on Deb’s teammate, Dexter puts a little bit of his training to good use by successfully hotwiring her car; Another impressive feat that doesn’t go unnoticed by Sofia. Although he stumbles his way through the date, he somehow manages to salvage it in the end; Finding success most often when relying on what he’s learned in the course of becoming a killer. Perhaps more so than any other scenario this season, this captured the spirit of classic Dexter and reminded me why I have always trusted the creative team when Clyde Phillips is at the helm.
"Tonight… I Become a Bonafide Serial Killer"
As the episode reaches its crescendo, Dexter finally gets Levi Reed on his table while he philosophizes about the similarities between romance and killing; A poignant summation of the episode’s themes delivered in Michael C. Hall’s iconic narration. With that said, it is Patrick Gibson who takes control of the scene; Conveying the confidence his character has been yearning for and channeling his predecessor with his performance almost perfectly.
As Levi awakens on the table, Dexter’s evolved ritual finally plays out in a deeply nostalgic way but the importance of the scene lies elsewhere. Dexter parades the pictures of Levi’s victims in front of him and acknowledges that this is the kill that makes him a serial killer (as defined by the FBI). It is a fact that the audience has known since day one but in this moment, it is wild to think about the significance a kill like this might have had on him.
Before delivering the killing blow, Levi recognizes the look in Dexter’s eye and throws it back in his face; Forcing him to face the possibility that his code is the only thing separating him from a child murderer. It is an existential question that Dexter was already at peace with in the original series but seeing him face this potential truth for the first time is what makes this prequel such an interesting journey.
In the end, Dexter lets the accusation fuel his bloodlust and quickly takes back control of the conversation. He explains that he only kills those that deserve it and then officially transforms himself into a serial killer with one decisive blow. Unfortunately, the disposal of the body doesn’t quite go as well as the kill itself. As he returns to his dumping ground in the everglades, he stumbles across a crime scene of his own making; Setting up next week’s episode for some serious damage control.
The Joy of Killing is another standout episode in a season that has yet to disappoint. It taps into the spirit of the original series while also continuing to evolve and expand a story that fans already thought they knew. While the larger arc of the season continues to feel appropriately familiar, it is the smaller stories that play out week-to-week that make this prequel a worthy addition to Dexter’s legacy and episode six is no exception.
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Next Week: “The Big Bad Body Problem"