We’ve watched the series premiere—here’s our SPOILER-FREE review of "A Beating Heart...".
This is a MOSTLY SPOILER FREE review / analysis of the first episode of ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ titled ‘A Beating Heart….’ I describe some moments that have been teased in trailers and heavily discussed during production.
The moment many of us never thought would come has finally arrived with the premiere of Dexter: Resurrection; A brand new series that promises to continue Dexter’s story despite his apparent demise at the end of New Blood. Showtime / Paramount have big plans for the series and following the star-studded premiere in New York City, it is clear that we have definitely reached an exciting new era of Dexter that is expected to continue for the next few years at least.
Despite the excitement and energy surrounding Resurrection, the writers had a daunting task ahead of them: Bring Dexter back to life and write themselves out of a particularly tricky corner for the sake of moving the story forward. It’s something many fans were desperate for and the result (at least in the first episode) is a bit of a mixed bag. Lets face it, exploring the idea that Dexter somehow survived was going to be a little messy and that’s something that viewers are going to have to get on board with or risk being left behind.
While the first episode focuses heavily on addressing the elephant in the room, it truly shines once that bit of housekeeping is behind them. At just over 50 minutes, it covers a lot of ground, moving at a rapid pace similar to that of the first episode of Original Sin. When the dust has settled, it feels like shackles are off and the ambitious new story is finally ready to get moving. Read on for my MOSTLY SPOILER FREE analysis.
"One must go through Hell to Achieve Resurrection"
Let’s cut to the chase, episode one addresses all of the questions you have following the controversial finale of New Blood. In fact, this is perhaps the most prominent theme of the entire episode, for better or worse. Rather than prolonging the issue, the writers were keen to cover as much ground as possible as quickly as possible so that they could focus on the more interesting story that is bubbling just beneath the surface.
I was more or less satisfied with the answers that are provided but I can’t shake the feeling that many viewers are bound to take issue with one thing or another. If you were expecting them to clean up the narrative ‘mess’ from the New Blood finale (an ending that was never meant to be undone), perhaps temper your expectations. The circumstances of his survival is an easy pill to swallow but the more serious implications of his actions in Iron Lake are perhaps a little more complicated. The explanations provided, especially in regards to Logan’s murder and Dexter’s lack of responsibility in that situation end up feeling like a convenient hand-wave and to some extent, even a bit of a joke.
Reviving dead characters in any TV show, especially in response to fan feedback or demand, is a double edged sword. In this case, I would argue that fans are getting exactly what they asked for even if it means they have to suspend their disbelief a bit more than usual. Luckily, the episode leans heavily on classic Dexter narrative devices, nostalgia, and the series signature dark humor to keep viewers attention focused on a variety of exciting dynamics and stories that are just starting to take shape.
Of course, the visions that haunt Dexter in the hospital have been the production’s worst kept secret but the results are undoubtedly effective. These ghostly visitors not only serve as a thrilling and nostalgic trip down memory lane, they help to define Dexter’s state of mind in the wake of the shooting. At the same time, they manage to create a lot of connective tissue between the original series, New Blood, and Original Sin. But all that aside, seeing Michael C. Hall (Dexter) sharing the screen again with James Remar (Harry) for the first time since 2013 is more than enough to overshadow any apparent shortcomings.
”It’s like Seeing a Ghost”
If you were one of the countless fans who felt robbed of the seemingly inevitable reunion between Dexter and Batista in New Blood, this episode finally makes good on that promise. David Zayas slips right back into Batista’s shoes with ease and the chemistry between them is as apparent as ever; albeit with an obvious shift in tone. Dexter knows he is in hot water almost immediately and Batista, despite acting friendly, harbors unmistakable feelings of suspicion, betrayal, and hostility toward his old friend.
Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the episode is that watching Batista and Dexter’s complicated relationship unfurl is going to be a highlight of the season. While Dexter might be off the hook for the crimes committed in Iron Lake, Batista is far less willing to let things go. His veiled interrogation of Dexter brings shocking questions to the surface including his actions related to Deb in the 2013 finale, LaGuerta’s suspicions aligning with Angela’s, and the alias that he adopted after faking his death. Things are tense to say the least and they only get worse when Dexter decides to cut his recovery short and flee to New York City.
Admittedly, it is a little strange seeing Angel as an antagonist for Dexter but it makes clear that Resurrection is serious about shifting the status-quo for this long-running franchise. With Dexter officially in the wind and Batista on his tail, it is safe to say that the reunion we all waited for will now play out over the course of an entire season and that should be an exciting prospect for longtime fans.
”It’s not my Problem…”
As Dexter continues to recover from his 10-week coma, the episode also devotes a significant chunk of time to catching up with Harrison; Now relocated to New York City, earning his GED, and working as a Concierge at the Empire Hotel. Despite being well-liked and well acclimated to his new life, it quickly becomes clear that the events of Iron Lake are weighing on him. He’s clearly suffering from PTSD and haunted by traumatic visions that remind him of the violence he committed against his father.
With Dexter bed ridden for much of the episode, Harrison ends up being responsible for a lot of the action on screen. He’s clearly trying to put the past behind him but he continues to struggle with resisting the violent urges that manifested in New Blood. While he does an impressive job of masking it, the inner conflict between his true-self and the person his dad tried to mold him into is clearly still raging and as one might expect, it was only a matter of time before it bubbled to the surface.
One thing that became clear to me during this episode is that a lot is being done to make Harrison more palatable to fans who didn’t care for him in New Blood. While I have always enjoyed his portrayal of the character, it seems clear that he has grown up a lot in the 10-weeks since the shooting (perhaps out of necessity). He is confident, empathetic, and deeply protective of those he cares about. Putting him on the fast-track to following in his father’s footsteps despite wanting desperately to avoid that fate all together.
If you watched the trailer, it should not come as a surprise that Harrison’s violent side eventually emerges. It’s the moments immediately after when the damage that Dexter did to his son becomes apparent. Needless to say, the ensuing cover-up puts him in the crosshairs of a skillful pair of NYPD detectives and alerts Dexter to the possibility that his son might be out of his depth. While it happened much faster than I was expecting, I was immediately enthralled by the development and left wanting to see what happens when Father and Son inevitably reunite.
"F**king Psycho"
As all of the pieces fall into place, the episode does provide one very enticing glimpse into the larger mystery that fans have been theorizing about for months. Uma Thurman makes her on-screen debut as Charley (brilliantly synced to “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) and immediately establishes herself as a scene-stealer. She’s clearly a force to be reckoned with and her prowess in this brief scene suggests that she is a resourceful and confident adversary.
The question of whether she will prove to be friend or foe for Dexter remains up in the air but one subtle line in particular made me question whether she is as devilish as she seems. It’s hard to truly unpack the character at this point but her persona and on-screen presence reminded me of Isaak Sirko in season 7 played by the late, great Ray Stevenson. It’s obviously not a one-to-one but considering how much I ended up loving that character, I can only interpret the mental connection I am making as a good thing.
The first episode of Dexter: Resurrection provides a strong foundation for a fascinating and compelling season to follow. While it is forced to address difficult questions and twist itself into knots to get the story moving, there is no shortage of “fertile storytelling” potential to be found. Its runtime is packed with creative visual metaphors, dramatic confrontations, and yes, a LOT of blood.
While I could certainly point at a few missteps, I can’t say I wasn’t expecting them given what led us here. The important thing is that they got it over with and now the runway is clear for what appears to be a season of Dexter unlike anything that came before it. It’s ambitious, dark, and full of the sharp wit and masterful performances that the series is known for. Only time will tell where the journey goes from here but right now… I’m feeling pretty good about what’s ahead.