Dexter Spinoffs Change How He Interacts with Dark Passengers

The original Dexter had one big rule for his dark passenger visions, and the spinoffs completely changed it with Harry and Deb’s returns. Based on the bestselling crime/thriller books by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter Morgan is one of the best fictional serial killers of all time, following a code that allows him to use his dark impulses to kill criminals.

Even though the show released over a decade ago, Dexter has never lost interest from fans. Producers have capitalized on the popularity by making Dexter spinoffs. These spinoffs are actually really entertaining, even if they aren’t quite as good as the original.

They add their own unique spin on the story. This includes Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection, bringing back Dexter’s dark passengers, Harry and Deb, but changing the way that he interacts with them. By taking a different approach to the dark passengers, these shows speak to the mental state of the titular main character.

Dexter Can Actually Touch His Visions Of Harry & Deb In New Blood & Resurrection

Zach Dilgard / ©Paramount+ with Showtime / Courtesy Everett Collection

In the original Dexter, the titular main character never actually touched his visions of his father. However, in both New Blood and Resurrection, he can touch them, and they can touch him. Harry even slaps him in the back of his head. From a storytelling perspective, this adds more drama and tension.

However, there’s also a deeper narrative purpose. Dexter’s ability to touch his vision of Harry and Deb shows just how real they’ve become to him. If the shows are lined up in narrative order, not release order, it becomes clear that the hallucinations increase in severity and intensity over time.

Yes, they are still hallucinations in the two sequel series. However, in his mind, he conceptualizes them as real entities, giving them a major sway over him. Ultimately, it might be a diversion from the original story, but it’s one that enhances both Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection.

Dexter: Resurrection Still Needs To Explain Why He Doesn’t See Visions Of Deb Anymore

Seacia Pavao / ©Showtime / Courtesy Everett Collection

Dexter used to see visions of Deb in addition to Harry; however, this has changed with Dexter: Resurrection. The out-of-universe explanation is that Jennifer Carpenter wanted to move on to other projects and close the door on Deb (via People Magazine).

However, they still need to explain it within the story. This feels especially necessary since Harrison steps into the role that Deb played for Dexter when she was alive. The integration of another family member makes it more noticeable that Dexter isn’t seeing visions of Deb anymore in Dexter: Resurrection.

Release Date

2006 – 2013-00-00

Showrunner

Clyde Phillips

Directors

John Dahl, Steve Shill, Keith Gordon, Marcos Siega, Michael Cuesta, Romeo Tirone, Ernest R. Dickerson, Tony Goldwyn, Nick Gomez, Rob Lieberman, Tim Hunter, Adam Davidson, Alik Sakharov, Brian Kirk, Holly Dale, Jeremy Podeswa, Michael Lehmann, Milan Cheylov, Seith Mann

Writers

Scott Reynolds, Jace Richdale, James Manos, Jr., Drew Z. Greenberg, Jim Leonard, Karen Campbell