The show leans into its 90s setting with a synth-heavy score and a grainy, humid visual palette that distinguishes it from the slick look of the original series. Why This Prequel Matters
The narrative is anchored in the sunny, neon-soaked backdrop of Miami in 1991. The story centers around young Dexter Morgan (played by Patrick Gibson), who is struggling to navigate his everyday life while suppressing a severe, internal "Dark Passenger". He lives with his adoptive father, Miami Metro police officer Harry Morgan (Christian Slater), and his fiery high school senior sister, Debra "Deb" Morgan (Molly Brown).
DEXTER ( wide-eyed) Really, Dad?
DEXTER (V.O.) The victim was a young woman, probably in her early twenties. The killer had gone to great lengths to make her look like a deer, complete with a makeshift antler headpiece. Dexter.Original.Sin.S01E01.Dexter.Original.Sin.And.in.the
Dexter: Original Sin Season 1, Episode 1, “And in the Beginning...,” is a confident and stylish start to the prequel series. It successfully delivers the morally complex narrative, dark humor, and tense atmosphere that fans of the original crave, while paving the way for a fresh story about how a damaged young man becomes a monster. With its stellar cast, ’90s nostalgia, and a deep bench of Easter eggs, the series offers a thrilling deep dive into the mind of television's most famous serial killer.
The commanding officer at Miami Metro, hinting at bureaucratic obstacles to come. Sarah Michelle Gellar
Experts at DIRECTV Insider suggest either watching in release order (original series first) or chronological order (starting with Original Sin ). The show leans into its 90s setting with
: Dexter is already grappling with homicidal urges, which his adoptive father, Harry ( Christian Slater ), attempts to manage through a strict moral code.
Hall’s original performance?
The episode wastes no time in establishing the tone and atmosphere of the series, transporting viewers to the mystical and often foreboding world of Bayou Country. The setting sun casts a golden glow over the murky waters and cypress trees, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. This is a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and the darkness that lurks within every character is waiting to be unleashed. He lives with his adoptive father, Miami Metro
Taking over for James Remar, Slater brings a hardened, desperate energy to a father trying to save his son from the electric chair by teaching him to kill.
: The script introduces a devastating piece of Morgan family lore: Harry had a biological son named Harry Jr. who drowned years prior, explaining the unique emotional distance initially felt between Harry and Debra.
From there, the episode wastes no time in laying the foundational mythology. We see a young Dexter Morgan (Patrick Gibson) as a brilliant but socially awkward forensics intern at the Miami Metro Police Department. The central conflict of the episode revolves around Dexter’s first kill. It’s not a random act of violence but a calculated move to protect his father, Harry (Christian Slater), from a sociopathic nurse who is slowly poisoning him. This act is the true test of "Harry's Code," the strict set of rules designed to channel Dexter's homicidal urges toward those who "deserve it" and keep him hidden from law enforcement.
The premiere episode is now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. Rewatch it. Listen for the “and in the” moments. They are the heartbeat of a prequel that, against all odds, gives a dead franchise new, dark life.