After 13 years, Dexter resumes a dangerous ritual from his past.
It’s no longer a secret: Dexter Morgan is alive, and not only that—he’s returned to his dark, deadly ways. After all, what’s Dexter without a kill or two, right?
Set against the vibrant and chaotic backdrop of New York City, Dexter: Resurrection is poised to deliver a thrilling new chapter in the saga of America's favorite serial killer. Fans are buzzing with anticipation as the series transports Dexter from the sun-drenched streets of Miami to the towering skyscrapers and shadowy alleys of NYC—a setting that promises fresh tension, new victims, and a darker tone.
Over the past few weeks, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes featurettes have teased what lies ahead. Following the dramatic events of Dexter: New Blood—where Dexter was nearly killed by his estranged son Harrison in the snowy woods of Iron Lake—viewers have been eager to learn how he survives, evolves, and reclaims his identity.
A Familiar Ritual Returns
One major reveal? The return of Dexter’s blood slide trophies—an iconic and deeply disturbing ritual that longtime fans instantly recognize. This chilling habit is back, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia… and concern. Could this be a sign of Dexter’s true descent—or his ultimate downfall?
A Killer’s Keepsake: The Blood Slide Trophies Explained
In the world of serial killers, keeping a trophy from each victim is not uncommon. For Dexter, it all began with Nurse Mary's earrings (as revealed in Dexter: Original Sin), but it quickly evolved into something far more methodical—and sinister.
By the time the original series begins, Dexter's ritual is fully established. After immobilizing his victims—typically wrapped in plastic, fully conscious—Dexter carefully slices their right cheek, extracting a single drop of blood using a specialized tool. That drop is then placed onto a glass microscope slide, labeled, and stored in a small wooden box: the infamous blood slide box.
These slides served not just as mementos, but as proof—tokens that affirmed his adherence to Harry’s Code, and his twisted sense of justice.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Dexter understood the danger of keeping these trophies. In the original series, he famously hid the blood slide box inside his apartment’s air conditioning unit. It stayed hidden for a while—until Sergeant James Doakes found it, which eventually led to his downfall. The police at Miami Metro ultimately pinned the identity of the Bay Harbor Butcher on Doakes, using the slides as evidence.
Despite that close call, Dexter held onto his ritual until Season 7, Episode 5, when his sister Debra—now fully aware of his dark secret—convinced him to destroy the blood slides and give up his compulsive behavior. That moment felt like the end of an era.
Blood Slides Reborn: A New Chapter in Dexter's Legacy
Fast forward to Dexter: Resurrection—and the ritual is back.
According to recent behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, Dexter is once again collecting blood slides from his victims. Whether it's part of a deeper psychological relapse or a deliberate homage to his past, the return of this ritual signifies something profound: Dexter is no longer hiding from who he is.
Michael C. Hall himself has hinted that this new chapter is about rebirth. After surviving a ten-week coma following the events of New Blood, Dexter is embracing his identity with more clarity than ever before. The Big Apple becomes his new hunting ground, and with it, he’s doubling down on his dark passenger—this time with renewed purpose.
But that begs the question...
Could the Blood Slides Be His Undoing?
With Angel Batista reportedly hot on Dexter’s trail, the revival of this incriminating ritual could be a critical mistake. Blood slides have long been associated with the Bay Harbor Butcher case—especially in the eyes of Maria LaGuerta, who, in Season 7, found one at a Travis Marshall crime scene. She believed the real killer was still out there, and she wasn’t wrong.
If Batista picks up that same thread in Resurrection, a single misplaced blood slide could unravel everything. Could the very trophies that define Dexter's code be the clue that leads Batista to the truth?
Final Thoughts: Nostalgia or Foreshadowing?
Whether the return of the blood slides is fan service, character development, or a plot device that foreshadows Dexter's final reckoning, one thing is certain: they’re back—and fans are here for it.
Will these slides ultimately connect the dots for Batista, proving that Dexter is still alive—and still killing?
Only time will tell.