Could these 5 theories explain the dark path of Dexter: Resurrection's first season?
With less than 40 days remaining until the hotly anticipated premiere of Dexter: Resurrection (July 11th), we finally have our first real glimpse of the series. Watching the production unfold from afar in New York City has been great but admittedly confusing since the writers seem focused on venturing into new territory for the series. Luckily, the brand new trailer has come along and provided just enough context for us to start theorizing about how all of these mysterious pieces might fit together. Let’s take a look at five theoretical plotlines that could serve as the foundation for this exciting new chapter in the world of Dexter.
NOTE: While none of these theories are confirmed, they are pieced together using the trailer combined with behind-the-scenes information featured here on Dexter Daily so please beware of potential spoilers.
Dexter’s New Lease on Life Leads to Fun and Games
The new trailer sets up Dexter as a changed man; One who seems emboldened and empowered by his brush with death. Quite frankly, it seems like being shot might have given him a lust for life that we haven’t seen in him since the early years of the show; Like he has finally snapped out of the tormented fog that has loomed over him since Deb’s death. But perhaps more importantly, this new found enthusiasm seems like it might be the key ingredient that leads him into the eye of the storm this season.
For months, we have wondered why Dexter is going to be running around New York City with a group of serial killers and the trailer shows us a man who is keen on embracing his curiosity, darkness, and desire to have fun. He seems poised to follow his nose and embrace his true nature - or as some might say, “let his freak flag fly.” Of course, as we all know, Dexter has a knack for sniffing out danger when he gives himself over to his dark passenger and this season might be the most intense example of that yet.
Leon Prater is Inviting known Serial Killers to Compete in a Dangerous Game
One of the biggest questions from day one is related to the motives of Billionaire Philanthropist, Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage). Out of the entire confirmed list of characters, he is by far, the most mysterious and the reveal that there would be a gathering of Serial Killers in New York City only added to the confusion. One of the most prevalent theories online appears to have been proven correct in the first official trailer.
While the trailer confirms that Leon is responsible for “collecting” these killers in one place, the reasoning for the gathering still feels somewhat veiled. With that said, context clues and behind-the-scenes photos seem to suggest that he is using his wealth and influence to host some sort of game where the killers are the game pieces (think “The Most Dangerous Game”). If you ask me, it looks like Dexter, in his eagerness to enjoy his newfound freedom, is intrigued enough by the idea to let himself be swept up into the ordeal. Of course, this is destined to conflict with his reconnection with Harrison and eventually become the driving force of the season. Ultimately, this will put him on his path of conflict with Leon Prater and the other participants. It’s a fascinating concept that is unlike anything we have ever seen on the show before so consider me very excited.
The ‘Dark Passenger’ Killer is Born (Sort of)
Here is where things start to get kind of specific in regards to story theories (You have been warned). One of the most intriguing shots in the trailer includes a newspaper that features a headline about an active serial killer in New York who has been dubbed the “Dark Passenger” killer. At first, I suspected this might be Dexter’s imagination running wild but when you pair that with the second page headline about a killer who targets ride-share drivers, it starts to become a bit more clear.
I suspect that this “Dark Passenger killer” is real and is the character we have come to know as “Red” (played by Marc Menchaca) over the past few months. He is also a character I think will serve a very important purpose as he seems destined to be Dexter’s first target when he makes landfall in New York City. If that’s the case, it explains how he might end up befriending Blessing, a character we already know to be a ride-share driver but more importantly, it also potentially puts him on Leon’s radar.
With that in mind, It is possible that Red is already being pursued by Leon as a potential participant in his serial-killer game OR he has already received the invitation from Charley (Uma Thurman). If that’s the case, Dexter could be setting himself up to take Red’s place or even impersonating him as a means of infiltrating Leon’s game. After combining this theory with the fact that episode 4 is titled “Call me Red,” I must say that I am feeling pretty confident that some variation of this scenario will serve as the inciting incident of the whole season (or even series?).
Harrison Uses the Code to Help a Friend in Need
While the trailer was not super forthcoming with information about Harrison, it did still manage to make it quite clear that he will be a major component of the season. We already knew he would be working as a Bellhop at a major hotel but now we know that he will be going to great lengths to dispose of a dead body while at work. The question now becomes whether he was responsible for the murder or if he is helping someone else dispose of the body.
It was confirmed months ago that Harrison will befriend a girl working with him at the hotel but she was nowhere to be found in the trailer. Regardless, it seems more likely to me that Harrison will be tapping into the code in an effort to help his friend cover up a murder than to have decided to commit the murder himself. I could be wrong but the Harrison that avenged Logan and fled Iron Lake was not keen on following in his fathers footsteps. Either way, it’s going to have a profound impact on Harrison and potentially put him in danger of being investigated; Perhaps by the new NYPD detectives who were revealed a few months ago.
Batista Leverages Harrison to Get to Dexter
Information coming out of the CCXP seems to suggest that despite what it looked like in the trailer, Batista’s reunion with Dexter will be fraught with suspicion and masked aggression and that animosity will only grow the moment he realizes that Dexter has fled; Leading to an intense game of cat-and-mouse in the streets of New York City. When we see Batista again in the trailer, he is sitting with a distraught looking Harrison and appearing to apply pressure on him in an effort to turn him against his father.
It’s no secret that Batista and Dexter’s relationship is one of the most anticipated story threads going into Dexter Resurrection but as of right now, they are keeping the dynamic close to the vest. With Harrison struggling to conceal a crime, it makes sense to me that Dexter might cease the opportunity to repair their relationship. One way or another, Harrison looks like he will find himself trapped between loyalty to his father and giving in to his better nature. How that ultimately plays out is anybody’s guess but I am super excited to see where it goes.
After re-watching the trailer a dozen times and letting my brain review the months of behind-the-scenes photos, these were the dots that I connected. Are any of them accurate? Who knows! Regardless, the trailer left a fascinating breadcrumb trail for us to follow in the countdown to the premiere and I couldn’t be more excited for a new season of Dexter. Now that the curtain has been pulled back, what’s there to examine is without a doubt, the most unusual setup for a season in the show’s history; Marking the beginning of a new era of Dexter with the show’s original masterminds at the helm. Stay tuned!
Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images