Resurrection’s New Intro Sequence & Ties To New York Ripper Explained

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Resurrection season 1, episode 9.The intro of the original Dexter was iconic, but Dexter: Resurrection didn’t bring it back, and I finally understand why. Dexter: Resurrection feels like a return to the classics of the Dexter franchise in a number of great ways. There are several returning Dexter characters in Resurrection, the show feels lighter and more fun than New Blood did, and it’s already proven to be a hit.

That being said, Resurrection hasn’t been able to perfectly replicate everything about the original Dexter. Resurrection episode 9, for example, killed Angel Batista after nearly two decades, and there are surely more changes in store for Dexter and Harrison. One of the most noticable changes Resurrection made was to its intro sequence, and I finally get why it changed it.

Dexter: Resurrection Abandoned The Original Series’ Morning Routine Intro

The intro for the original Dexter was simply iconic. Its jaunty but eerie music, coupled with the way Dexter’s morning routine infused a sinister bend to everyday tasks like tying shoes and making breakfast, made it an instant classic. The intro was so good that it was honestly surprising when Resurrection didn’t bring Dexter‘s intro back.

Instead of Dexter’s morning routine, Resurrection has opted for two separate intros. Early on, the title of each episode would make its way into the scenery of the opening scene, just as Dexter: New Blood did. Now, each episode of Resurrection features the show’s title printed on a manhole cover, along with quick shots of what’s to come later in the episode.

What makes the decision even more odd is the fact that the recently canceled Dexter: Original Sin brought back the morning routine intro. The manhole cover also didn’t make much sense as a title card. New York is more urban than Iron Lake, but the manhole cover seemingly had no other ties to the actual plot of Resurrection. That is, until episode 9.

Dexter: Resurrection’s Manhole Intros Make So Much Sense After The New York Ripper’s Weapon Reveal

In Dexter: Resurrection episode 9, we learned what weapon the elusive New York Ripper used for his murders, and it tied the show’s intro scenes together. The New York Ripper used a manhole hook, a tool for lifting manhole covers out of the ground, which finally gave Resurrection‘s intro a connection to the show. Some viewers may have instantly recognized the tool, but Claudette’s explanation made it clear to me.

The reveal about the New York Ripper’s tool doesn’t just explain Resurrection‘s intro sequence, though, it may have a lot more significance. So far, the Ripper has taken a back seat for most of Resurrection season 1. He keeps getting mentioned by Prater or Claudette, but Dexter isn’t actively looking for him. The fact that Resurrection based its intro around the Ripper, however, indicates that he could be the sequel series’ main villain.

Dexter has never had a multi-season villain before, but Resurrection was reportedly envisioned as a three-season show (via Dexter Daily). Clyde Phillips and the creators of Resurrection may be building up the New York Ripper as a recurring antagonist for the show. The intro hints that the Ripper is much more important than they’ve seemed so far and that they’ve been hiding in plain sight.

That theory gains even more credence when considering two things: Resurrection season 1 only has one episode left, and Blessing Kamara is the most likely candidate to be the Ripper. Both Blessing and the Ripper are too important to wrap up in a single episode, and Dexter: Resurrection‘s title card indicates that the Ripper could be the entire show’s main antagonist.

Dexter: Resurrection

9/10

Release Date

July 13, 2025

Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

Directors

Marcos Siega

Writers

Scott Buck