Here at Dexter Daily, we were happy to receive screeners for the first two thrilling episodes of Dexter: Resurrection Season 2, allowing us to watch them one month ahead of their official premiere.
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| Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 key-art. (Photo credit: Paramount+) |
Disclosure: Early access to Episodes 1 & 2 was provided courtesy of Paramount+ for review purposes.
The second season of Dexter: Resurrection is set to debut on Halloween eve, but thanks to Paramount+, we were lucky enough to get our hands on Episodes 1 and 2 of the upcoming season ahead of their official releases.
For the first time ever, Paramount+ was kind enough to consider Dexter Daily and select us among a very limited group of websites and media outlets to receive screeners for the first two episodes. Needless to say, this was a very exciting opportunity for us.
We've had these episodes for several days now, but after watching both of them a second time and taking a more thorough look at everything they have to offer, we're finally here to share some exciting, spoiler-free thoughts and impressions from the first two episodes of Season 2.
Without further ado, let's dive into our thoughts.
Episode 1: A Seamless Return and a Strong Opening
The premiere actually does an amazing job of picking up where the Season 1 finale left off.
As previously confirmed through various reports and interviews with showrunner Clyde Phillips, the events of Season 2 take place a few years after the first season. Despite that time jump, the premiere manages to tie everything together so naturally that the passage of time never feels forced.
The cinematography of the series also remains familiar, making the transition between the two seasons feel almost seamless. At the same time, without giving away story points, the premiere introduces a something that will make viewers very happy. A classic Dexter element so incredibly well done, that we're sure fans will not only appreciate, but absolutely adore once they see it on their screens.
Strong performances and intriguing new characters
Acting-wise, the first episode is actually nothing short of stellar. The episode introduces a few new faces, and they are already incredibly intriguing, not only because of the performances, but also because of the mystery surrounding their characters.
And if you loved the inclusion of famous licensed songs in previous installments from Dexter: New Blood onward, then we have good news for you. That trend continues in Season 2, and we have to say that the song choices fit the specific scenes like a glove.
Penned by Clyde Phillips and Scott Reynolds, two of the key people behind the series, the premiere delivers plenty of twists and surprises. It's a very satisfying episode, and we could easily see it being considered one of the strongest season premieres in Dexter history.
In fact, it may even be stronger than the Season 1 premiere of the sequel series.
Episode 2: Dark Humor, High Stakes, and... Midlife Crisis
If Episode 1 sets the board, Episode 2 hits the gas, making going into this second episode even more exciting. While the premiere mostly focuses on getting the story back on track following the time jump, Episode 2 is where the direction of the season really starts to become clear.
That actually includes its main theme, with Dexter Morgan dealing with his midlife crisis, as well as the role of the supporting characters, who are set to help pave the way for the story to unfold throughout the rest of the 10-episode season.
And we can say with confidence that many fans are going to consider Episode 2 one of the strongest episodes of Dexter: Resurrection so far.
The pacing is incredibly well done, the dialogue and conversations between certain characters are absolutely fantastic, and honestly, it delivers exactly the kind of material fans would want to see in a Dexter episode.
The humor is just one of Episode 2's biggest strengths
Aside from its plot and the stellar performances perhaps the strongest element of the episode is its sense of humor.
There are a few genuinely funny moments that are sure to make audiences laugh, and one of which involves a brand-new character in a... not-so-family-friendly scene. Dark humor was more present during the original series' run, so it is particularly great to see that side of 'Dexter' making its way into Resurrection as well.
This episode once again proves how great Scott Buck is when it comes to writing episodes for the series.
Overall Thoughts and Verdict
Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 feels refreshing and rejuvenated, while still staying true to the elements that made the OG series so beloved.
Most importantly, the new season gives the impression that Resurrection has a real reason to exist. There is still plenty of story left to tell, and the season actually feels even more connected to the original series thanks to some specific elements that fans will undoubtedly notice.
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| Michael C. Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection Season 2. (Photo credit: Matt Infante/Paramount+) |
Believe it or not, based on our first impression after watching Episodes 1 and 2 twice, we can confidently say that Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 has everything it needs to be stronger and better than Season 1.
The bar was already high after the first season ended. But based on what we've seen so far, Season 2 could deliver a much stronger season overall. And that's perhaps the most exciting part.
When Do Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 Episodes 1 and 2 Release?
Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 Episode 1 premieres on October 30, while Episode 2 premieres on November 6, both exclusively on the Paramount+ Premium plan.