Hosted by Jamie Chung, Dexter: Final Cut is back for Season 3, with executive producer and writer Scott Reynolds kicking things off as the aftershow's first guest.
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| Scott Reynolds in Dexter: Final Cut Season 3 Episode 1. (Photo credit: Paramount+) |
With Dexter: Resurrection back for Season 2, Paramount+'s official YouTube aftershow has also returned for a third consecutive season. Hosted by Dexter: New Blood guest star Jamie Chung, Dexter: Final Cut follows the same format, with actors, writers, and producers discussing the events and major moments of the latest episode.
For the Season 2 premiere, who better to sit down with than one of the people behind the story? Scott Reynolds joined Chung to discuss "Risky Business" which he co-wrote with showrunner Clyde Phillips. As one of the writers of the season opener, Reynolds gave some interesting insight into the creative decisions behind the premiere.
The Dexter: Final Cut studio has also received a gorgeous upgrade, and the first episode of the aftershow's new season arrived on a special day. Not only was it Halloween, but October 31 also happened to be Scott Reynolds' birthday.
Here are some of the most interesting parts of the interview, before you watch the full episode at the bottom of this article.
Scott Reynolds Wanted to Explore a More Human Side of Dexter
Writing the premiere of Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 actually came with the usual challenges, but one of the biggest priorities for Scott Reynolds, Clyde Phillips, and Michael C. Hall was finding new ways to keep the character interesting after 20 years.
Reynolds explained that the three got together to discuss what would excite Hall about continuing to play Dexter after all this time. One of their main goals was to explore a more human side of the character, specifically the challenges that come with getting older.
Hall was especially interested in showing Dexter dealing with his declining eyesight and physical abilities, along with the difficulties of raising a son who is becoming increasingly independent. As Reynolds himself actually put it, Dexter is starting to wonder, "Do they even need me anymore?"
The writer described this direction as a way of humanizing Dexter, allowing him to face concerns that many people begin to experience in their 50s.
Dexter Is Experiencing the Same Midlife Crisis His Father Once Did
Reynolds also discussed Dexter's midlife crisis, which plays an important role in his character journey this season. Interestingly, he drew a parallel between Dexter's current behavior and the way Harry acted when Dexter was younger.
"When you're in the middle of it, you don't know that you're in it. It's everybody else around you," Reynolds explained, describing how the experience relates to Dexter's situation.
When Dexter was reaching his 20s, Harry went through his own midlife crisis, taking reckless risks. Now, Dex is showing some similar tendencies. He's feeling underappreciated and alone, and he's beginning to take risks without fully understanding what's driving his behavior.
As Reynolds pointed out, Dexter is not necessarily repeating everything his father did, but the generational similarities are actually there. Harry's voice serves as a reminder of that connection as Dexter navigates this new stage of his life.
The New York Ripper Has Something Dexter Has Always Wanted
Reynolds also touched on what makes Brian Cox's New York Ripper such an interesting character, especially when it comes to his connection with Dexter.
The Ripper enjoys a level of infamy that Dexter has never experienced. Everybody knows who he is. While some people are afraid of him, others are strangely facsinated by his crimes. Reynolds even brought up the weird... attention notorious serial killers can receive, including letters and gifts from women who want to have a connection with them.
For Dex, this creates an interesting contrast. He's killed countless serial killers, yet nobody knows about his own history. Meanwhile, the Ripper is actually able to enjoy the notoriety Dexter has never had. As Reynolds explained, "Here's a guy that everybody, like, everybody knows. And some people are afraid of him."
You can watch the full first episode of Dexter: Final Cut Season 3 right below.