Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Fender Bender

As we dig deeper into Harry’s past with Laura Moser, Dexter’s career as a serial killer of justice is ramping up. Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 4, “Fender Bender,” does a great job of giving us glimpses of the many complexities that Dexter Morgan has.

From showing that he’s not completely heartless through his reaction to the dead body of a child to showing how he was before his mother’s death. The writers are dedicated to presenting this character as having many layers, which longtime fans already know.

We love Dexter Morgan in large part because of his ability to love when it’s the right people. He’s not a complete sociopath like his brother, Brian.

Oh Deb, What Have You Done

Before we discuss what works well in this episode, let’s examine what falls short. After praising the writers for Deb’s role in the plot of Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 3, “Miami Vice,” we are back to questioning why she’s even there.

Once again, Deb has slipped back into the role of an insufferable teenage daughter throwing a fit because she feels ignored. I’d be inclined to feel sympathy for her if it weren’t for her constantly flying off the handle, even when her dad and brother try to connect with her.

Sure, this family isn’t a model example of good family communication. However, I’m more likely to lean toward frustration when it comes to Deb because she wants to feel connected but then doesn’t even try to properly communicate with them.

“Fender Bender” itself shows that Deb is more interested in making her dad angry than in fostering a genuine relationship with him. He congratulates her on making captain, but instead of leaning into that and basking in her father’s pride, she lashes out at Dexter for not mentioning it sooner.

Not only that, she acts like a bratty teenager anytime she doesn’t get her way. Instead of being upset about the truck and letting that boil over, she decides to participate in even more self-destructive behaviors.

It’s not even that surprising that she picks up a guy at some club who is clearly dangerous. Deb from the future is just as destructive in order to get the love and attention she craves. Guess it starts here.

This depiction of Deb goes a bit beyond what we know to be true about her. It’s just hard to decide whether that’s an immaturity issue or a gross mischaracterization.

Harry’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Him

The minute Harry sees Dexter freak out at Jimmy’s dead body, viewers know Harry is feeling a bit relieved. After all, for the first time in a very long time Harry is seeing his son react normally to something sinister and gruesome.

Of course, that pride only lasts as long as it takes to reunite with Dexter back at the precinct. He starts to freak out when he discusses it further with Dexter and realizes Dexter might start asking questions about his own past.

The conversation between Harry and Camilla proves just how far out of bounds Harry went in order to adopt Dexter. He scraped any mention of the boy from the file on Laura Moser. That’s not exactly ethical.

Of course, this is going to explode in much bigger ways years down the line, but Harry has no idea. For now, he’s able to relax a little, knowing that Camilla has his back and is willing to double-check the files for mentions of a little boy.

That doesn’t mean the writers aren’t still using flashbacks. Sure, this tactic is very helpful for us to discover Laura’s story, but let’s just say I’m glad the writers have reduced the number of times we flashback.

That being said, the flashbacks themselves are very well done. The actress playing Laura Moser has clear, undeniable chemistry with Christian Slater which makes their affair that much more believable.

In fact, Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 4, “Fender Bender,” does a great job of establishing that Harry bonds with Dexter prior to his mom’s gruesome death. This further explains why Harry might’ve wanted to save Dexter from a life caught in the system.

Dexter’s Next Kill Just Might Kill Him

The best parts of this episode, of course, center on Dexter. He’s itching for another kill, and he thinks he’s found it in a professional hitman. 

Above all else, we have to give Dexter props for his confidence in his ability to kill just about anyone. He is a fledgling killer and thinks he has the smarts to outsmart a professional hitman for the mob? Love it. He’s got balls.

Aside from that, it continues to amuse us the lengths Dexter will go to ingratiate himself to the people he’s about to kill. After all, he’s not a natural at blending in. 

However, anytime he attempts to be someone else in order to get intel, he’s surprisingly talented in that department. Further exploration of his many layers and complicated parts of what makes him who he is.

He truly believes that only the guilty should become his victims, which puts him a step above most killers. Somehow, Dexter feels his urges are controlling him, yet he’s able to control them well enough to avoid killing in front of a family.

Patrick Gibson continues to blow it out of the park with the little nuances of Dexter’s personality that shine through in the most unexpected moments. For example, when Dexter does his first crime recreation for La Guerta and proves that his “educated guesses” are pretty spot on.

We aren’t sure what happens to Mad Dog when the car hits him, but regardless Dexter has walked straight into a mess. If Mad Dog is alive, then he can finger Dexter. If he’s dead, the driver of the car can also finger Dexter as being there, which is also a bit suspicious.

 

What did you think of this episode of Dexter: Original Sin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Dexter: Original Sin airs Fridays on Paramount+ with Showtime and Sundays at 10/9c on Showtime.

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