On September 2nd, a very interesting and somewhat head-scratching scene was filmed in Times Square, and it definitely feels like a tribute to Dexter Season 1.
The second season of Dexter: Resurrection is already having an incredibly eventful week of filming, but September 2 brought another scene to Times Square that directly recreates one of the most memorable moments from the OG series. Specifically, it brings back memories of the Season 1 finale, "Born Free," which originally aired 20 years ago.
In that episode, Dexter daydreamed about being admired by the public and media, complete with crowds going wild for him, and confetti falling from the sky. Fresh set photos reveal that this exact surreal fantasy is being recreated in New York City, but with a major twist. Instead of his sister Debra standing by his side, Dexter is brought face-to-face with Angel Batista.
Michael C. Hall was actually spotted filming the bizarre sequence surrounded by dozens of extras, with the crowd applauding Dexter Morgan and cheering loudly for him as red and white confetti fell from the sky.
Dexter "Meets"Angel Batista in Times Square
As Dexter moved through the crowd of people admiring him, he suddenly encountered Angel Batista, with David Zayas appearing in his classic Miami outfit from head to toe.
Hall and Zayas were then seen embracing, with Dexter and Batista sharing a few words before going their separate ways. The moment was actually warm, especially considering everything that has happened between these two characters in Season 1 of Resurrection.
After Batista walked away, Dexter turned around, only to stumble upon a huge fake gorilla standing with its arms open. This unexpected sight immediately caught Dexter off guard and made him stop in his tracks. When it comes to the presence of the gorilla, it also appears to have a deeper meaning, potentially grounding Dexter back to reality after what seems to be an... elaborate fantasy.
Multiple takes of the scene were filmed, and there was even a boom microphone positioned above the actors while they delivered their lines. That of course suggests this was an actual scripted scene rather than just a behind-the-scenes interaction between Hall and Zayas.
Why Is Batista Part of This Scene?
The decision to include Batista in what appears to be a nostalgic recreation is particularly interesting when you consider Dexter's current state of mind. In the original fantasy, Dexter imagined being accepted and celebrated by the people around him despite the darkness he was hiding. That makes Batista's presence here even more meaningful.
Batista went from being one of Dexter's closest friends in the original series to becoming one of his biggest threats as he slowly pieced together the truth about Dexter Morgan being the real Bay Harbor Butcher. Seeing Batista back in his classic Miami outfit potentially highlights the long history between these two characters.
Now, Dexter appears to be imagining a version of Batista who actually accepts him, and there is something especially fitting about that.
If this really is another fantasy sequence similar to the one from the OG series, having Batista embrace Dexter could reflect the character's internal desire to be accepted by someone who ultimately hunted him for who he really was.
Is This Scene From the Season 2 Finale?
The scene was actually directed by Marcos Siega, but at this point it is not known which episode it belongs to.
Based on what we have seen from the production so far, however, there are reasons to believe that this could be connected to the Season 2 finale, potentially even its final moments. Of course, that's still speculation.
The sequence could also be used as part of a promotional video or teaser for the upcoming season, so fans should probably wait for more footage or official information before jumping to conclusions. Either way, Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 appears to be going all-in on nostalgia as the franchise approaches its 20th anniversary.
Images by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin via Getty