The showrunner revealed that a scene from Episode 2 of Season 1 was reworked because he felt it wasn't strong enough in its original form.
As filming for Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 continues, cast and crew members have been giving interviews to well-known outlets following the show's FYC presentation and panel last month. One of them is showrunner Clyde Phillips, who recently sat down with IndieWire to discuss the creative process behind the series.
Among other topics, Phillips explained that the work on a Dexter: Resurrection episode is never truly finished until it airs. According to him, changes can actually happen at any stage of production.
"Working on the show never ends until it airs," Phillips said.
One thing many fans may not realize is that on Dexter: Resurrection, editing often takes place while episodes are still being filmed. This approach actually began during Season 1 and continues with Season 2, allowing the creative team to make adjustments in real time.
Phillips went on to reveal an interesting behind-the-scenes detail about Season 1's second episode, "Camera Shy," which was written by Scott Buck. While reviewing an early cut of the episode, he thought that one particular scene was not as strong as it could be.
According to the interview, the scene featured Dexter talking to Harry.
Phillips explained that while the original scene worked, he felt that it wasn't strong enough. Because filming and editing were happening at the same time, he wrote an additional scene that continued the voice-over. Director Marcos Siega and Michael C. Hall then filmed it using a dynamic setup, with Siega's camera moving 360 degrees in one direction while Hall moved 360 degres in the opposite direction.
After revisiting Episode 2, it appears that Phillips was referring to the episode's final sequence. In that scene, Dexter is tracking Ronald Schmidt in the subway but misses the train after a commuter accidentally bumps into his chest wound while he's rushing down the stairs.
The original scene seemingly ended with Dexter speaking briefly to Harry before heading back upstairs from the subway station.
However, a reshoot was added later to make the ending stronger. In the final version of the episode, Dexter actually exits the station, looks around and then directly toward the camera, saying:
"New York might be a big town, but it isn't big enough for two dark passengers. Ronald Schmidt, my kill table is ready for you."
Editor Perri Frank, who was interviewed alongside Clyde Phillips for the same IndieWire feature, also discussed the flexibility of the editing process, adding that because all of the season's scripts are done before filming begins, scenes can occasionally be moved from one episode to another when it better serves the full story.
That flexibility appears to be a very big advantage for Dexter: Resurrection. With filming and editing happening simultaneously, the creative team can make adjustments throughout production, refine scenes when it's necessary, and of course, strengthen episodes long before they become available to the viewers.
Judging by Phillips' comments, it is a process that actually continues right up until the moment an episode airs.