Dexter: New Blood Review: Too Many Tuna Sandwiches (Season 1 Episode 6)

Does anyone else have the feeling that things aren’t going to end well for Dexter Morgan?

Dexter: New Blood Season 1 Episode 6, “Too Many Tuna Sandwiches,” might be the most interesting episode of the series so far. As a character, Dexter is grappling with multiple conflicts. He’s worried about Harrison on several fronts, he’s confronted with the fact that his girlfriend now knows his true identity, and he’s also figured out what Kurt Caldwell has been up to lately.

What’s the easiest for him is figuring out that Kurt Caldwell is a serial killer. This is his forte, after all. He puts the pieces together quickly and intervenes when he needs to, in true Dexter fashion.

Dexter is, after all, a decent human — when he isn’t killing people. The code has given him that sense of morality and heroism that makes us want to root for him. And it’s satisfying to see that come into play when he rescues Molly Park. 

He also uses that opportunity to scope out the cabin, noting the way the door locks, the cameras, and so on. 

It also makes it a little more complicated that Dexter murdered Matt Caldwell. After all, as he says, it’s never good to kill the family member of a serial killer.

Of course, the reason Dexter was interested in Molly Park is that he suspects it’s because of her that Angela figured out his identity. And Molly Park does have an episode of her podcast dedicated to the Bay Harbor Butcher. She has a lot figured out about that too, which is fascinating.

Once again, this is just more smart storytelling to justify the existence of more Dexter. It’s almost poetic that even after going into hiding, he could only stay safe from that past for so long. 

As for Angela, she seems to mostly buy Dexter’s story of why he ran off and changed his name. We also get a little more explanation about what happened when he drove his boat into that hurricane, which is a detail I’ve been waiting to get some clarity on.

Dexter’s so good at convincing people in these ways, and even though Angela feels betrayed, it’s enough to keep his bigger truth a secret.

It’s also worth mentioning how genius it is to show the parallel of Angela pulling Dexter over on the highway. This second instance is so similar to the first time we see it happen — until it isn’t. It’s a great detail and a great way for her to confront him.

The timing of her learning Dexter’s identity, it turns out, couldn’t be any better. Also coming full circle is Angela and Teddy’s trip to those caves.

Not only are those the same caves that Dexter initially wanted to hide Matt Caldwell’s body in — a close call now, by the way — it’s also where Angela finds Iris. 

Iris has had a profound presence throughout the series, despite being a character who disappeared long ago. She’s affected so much of who Angela is and how she reacts to things, and she’s a big reason Angela is so interested in finding a link between these missing girls.

When she finds her friend buried under that rubble, she realizes she needs someone with forensic expertise. And someone she can trust. The episode ends with a phone call to Dexter, saying “I need Dexter Morgan.” 

I just got chills.

I mentioned that Dexter is struggling with multiple conflicts on this episode, and the most difficult of those involves his son. Being a father to his teenage son under these circumstances would be difficult enough, but now Kurt has taken an interest in Harrison as well. 

In therapy, they do let out a few very real details about their relationship, largely because Harrison is trying to be honest. Dexter, on the other hand, says that his marriage to Rita “fell apart” to which Harrison brutally corrects him. Then notes he’s feeling abandoned at that moment. 

It’s a little concerning that they reveal all of these things to the therapist in the first place. But then once they do, Dexter’s responses are even harder to take.

He’s trying to protect the both of them, but in doing so, he’s shutting out any real emotional connection with his son. It’s hard to watch.

Even harder to watch is when Harrison’s own “dark passenger” rears its ugly head again. With Kurt Caldwell in his ear, he goes too far during the wrestling match and breaks his opponent’s arm purposefully.

So here’s the battle: Harrison needs a mentor, and right now he has two options, both of whom are serial killers. If Dexter doesn’t find a way to connect with his son, Kurt will. And make no mistake, one of these serial killers is worse than the other.

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Dexter: New Blood airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime. 

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