Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 6 Review: The Joy of Killing

Things are heating up for Dexter, and soon, he’ll have to change his methods for murder once more. Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 6, “The Joy of Killing,” continues in the same vein as the previous episode, splitting time between Dexter and Harry as we explore their complicated relationships with the law.

Between Harry having to contend with being sidelined from the cartel case just as things heat up and Dexter living on the precipice of becoming a “bona fide serial killer,” this episode helps us understand these characters that much more.

In connection with Harry, we also get a bit more insight into who Captain Aaron Spencer is outside of his job. It’s character development that has been a long time coming and much needed.

Harry’s Capabilities Are In Question, Again

A good thing about Dexter: Original Sin is the attention to detail in building up Harry Morgan’s past. During the original series, we only got snippets of who Harry is based on Dexter’s memories of the man.

This method is flawed because it leaves so much unexplored from before Dexter met Harry or was still too young to know anything about his father. Therefore, the use of flashbacks in this series continues to be a great way to explore Harry’s past and determine his path forward.

At this point in the flashbacks, we are starting to see why Harry would’ve possibly taken Dexter from the crime scene and “unofficially” adopted him. Through his working relationship with Laura Moser and subsequent affair, Harry is putting his future in place for becoming Dexter’s father.

We also see the start of Harry’s lack of concern for Doris and, by extension, his newborn daughter, Debra. When the storyline jumps back to the present, viewers are able to further understand why Deb feels like she’s always shoved aside or forgotten by her dad and brother.

In the present, Harry is fighting his own insecurities and desires to do what is asked of him by the Mayor. We see him glance longingly toward the cartel investigation team throughout the episode, knowing that he’s aching to be one of the lead detectives on the case.

My thoughts can’t break from this idea that perhaps Harry will find himself back in the good graces of everyone by finding Nicky Spencer. He will have to go off the reservation in order to do so, but based on his moments with Aaron, it won’t be hard to see that his Captain won’t object; in fact, he might even encourage such behavior.

Aaron Spencer Finally Gets His Due

One of my chief complaints about Dexter: Original Sin has been that the writers seem to forget about utilizing Patrick Dempsey and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s star power to their advantage. Thankfully, “The Joy of Killing” gives Dempsey the space to develop Spencer’s character beyond just being a dickish Police Captain.

We got a glimpse of Aaron Spencer the father, during Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 4, “Fender Bender,” when Nicky and his mom showed up at the precinct. However, it wasn’t much more than a few seconds.

Now that Nicky is missing, Spencer is an emotional mess, and his behavior is volatile. While Captain Spencer might always be a dick, we haven’t gotten to see him behave like a dick as a result of feeling vulnerable and out of control.

Dempsey does a fantastic job of conveying Spencer’s obvious pain and frustration about not knowing where his son is. This also creates an opportunity for Slater and Dempsey to flex their acting chops together in a more intimate, casual manner. 

Thanks to their brief moment of solace together in Spencer’s office, viewers can now clearly see why the two characters share a camaraderie that feels more than professional; it’s personal. While Dempsey shows Spencer’s overwhelming exhaustion and frustration, Slater shows Morgan’s ability to connect on a parenting level with his colleague/boss.

The two men are now both part of a club no one wants to be in. It’s a club where bad things happen to good parents and ultimately shift their entire worldview.

Morgan has lost his first son and has to secretly watch as his adopted son becomes the type of thing he hunts and puts away. This makes both of these characters that much more relatable and human despite their somewhat unlikable qualities up until now.

Dexter Tries Dating?

While Dexter killing his third victim, the recently released Levi Reed, is important to the overall trajectory of his serial killer side. It isn’t that important to the overall flow of this episode. 

Sure, stalking Reed allows Dexter to see some natural dating habits that he tucks away for future use with Sofia. However, this time around, the kill isn’t as thrilling or important as the other two were. 

Instead, it’s more important to focus on what Dexter learns during “The Joy of Killing” because it shapes who he becomes to avoid suspicion. During his adult years, Dexter dates and later marries Rita. So, we know that at some point in his younger years, he had to learn how to maintain romantic relationships with women. 

Thankfully, Dexter: Original Sin has decided that 1991 is the perfect time for Dexter to spread his wings. Even better, the writers have made this a learning experience that also includes Deb, further solidifying the tight relationship we know the siblings to have.

In fact, the whole date fiasco is a nice bit of levity in this episode to counter the kidnapping of Nicky Spencer. After all, who doesn’t love the way Patrick Gibson portrays Dexter in awkward social situations?

It is entertaining to see him sit next to Deb instead of Sofia, order food only for himself, and then reveal too much about the crime scene from that day. Ultimately, these actions are probably the most human Dexter has ever been.

Deb, Sofia, and Gio are looking at him strangely, but not because they think he’s nuts. They just don’t know what to make of this awkward, socially inept side of Dexter.

They don’t suspect he’d ever harm them. Instead, they brush it off as Dexter’s nerves about going on a date for the first time.

Even more so, they all want Dexter to come along as they work to get Tiffany back for her awful behavior toward Deb and Sofia. Dexter further proves himself to them by hotwiring Tiffany’s car. 

I love that Dexter: Original Sin isn’t shying away from showing Dexter fumble a bit before he becomes adept at being a human. After all, he has to grow and learn in order to become the Dexter Morgan we all know and love.

Stray Thoughts:

• Uh oh. Dexter’s regular dumping grounds are now an active crime scene because Tony’s arm has shown up.
• The one scene where Dexter stalks Levi through Miami’s nightlife is interesting for fans of the original because we see a Miami Chill Ice Truck, which could be a nod to Dexter’s brother, Brian, the Ice Truck Killer.
• Also, running into Bobby just outside that club that could potentially be a gay club…interesting.
• I adore Dexter for wearing a “Kiss the Cook” apron underneath his kill apron during Levi’s murder.
• Dexter losing his virginity in a bar bathroom is comical for some reason. Maybe because he’s so obsessed with passing that it’s funny for his first time to be very atypical without him having to plan it.

 

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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