Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Code Blues

A finale episode should always do a great job of wrapping things up while also leaving enough on the table to continue the story, should the show get another season. Such is the case with Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 10, “Code Blues.”

We get closure on the case that has been a throughline of the whole season, but still have an open ending for what La Guerta thinks is a serial murder case. Viewers can walk away from this episode feeling mostly content about how things end because it gives just enough to close the story should the show not get a Season 2.

That’s mostly due in part to what fans of Dexter Morgan already know about his back story according to the original series, Dexter. Even if we never get closer on the Brian Moser serial murder case, we know he gets what is coming for him during Season 1 of the original series.

Aaron Spencer Completely Loses His Humanity

When we were first introduced to Captain Aaron Spencer on Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 1, “And in the Beginning,” viewers weren’t sure what to make of him. By extension having Patrick Dempsey play him seemed like a waste of Dempsey’s talents. 

However, over the course of this initial season, Captain Spencer slowly disappeared inside his anger. From feeling like his ex-wife screwed him over to eventually thinking the way to get revenge on her was to harm his son, Nicky. 

“Code Blues” does a great job of showcasing just how far Captain Spencer has fallen into his anger. He’s reached a point where he’s so angry at his wife for all the lies she’s told him that he refuses to see he is harming a child.

Luckily, his downfall also highlights Dexter’s growing humanity. Ever since he was younger and worrying about his ability to connect with others, Dexter has allowed his father to teach him.

Now, he is faced with a moral dilemma — follow Captain Spencer and let Nicky drown or let Captain Spencer go in order to save the boy. He chooses to save Nicky, proving once and for all that Dexter has control on his urges.

It’s an interesting juxtaposition to see these two characters seemingly flip the script. In the beginning, Dexter was unable to fully control his urges and Captain Spencer seemed to have full control over his anger.

Now, Captain Spencer devolved so completely that he’s no longer to be trusted as a cop or a father. Therefore, Dexter’s final move to kill him is completely justified.

Harry Morgan Fights His Past

One of the other compelling reveals during Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 9, “Blood Drive,” centers on what happened with Brian Moser after his mother died. We were finally given insight into his past with the Morgan family and how he didn’t fit in so he was sent away.

Then, during Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 10, “Code Blues,” Brian starts us off with a narration of his past. We get to see how he devolved into the killer he has become. 

It gives us, and Harry, an insight into who he’d killed and why. We find out that he has killed all these people because they kept him from being reunited with Dexter.

It’s a moment of fear for us as we watch Brian and Harry fight for dominance in a situation where they are equally matched. In the end, Harry doesn’t want Dexter to find out Brian exists so he agrees to let Brian go instead of bringing him in.

It’s a major coming to terms moment for him, which Christian Slater nails the nuances of without a word. Viewers can see not only Harry’s inability to further harm this young man but also his thoughts spiraling around in his head.

We’ve always felt a fondness for Harry Morgan thanks to Dexter’s love and appreciation of the man during Dexter. Now, we get to see firsthand that despite everything, Harry just wants his children to be good, upstanding, morally centered people. 

He encourages Dexter’s killing urges by enforcing a code that ensures only people who deserve it end up dead by Dexter’s hand. Now, we know that he really pushes that narrative because he’s looked into the eyes of Brian Moser and realized that’s who Dexter could become if not kept in check.

Which, makes those final moments with Harry and Dexter that much more significant. We find ourselves appreciating that Dexter is a better man because his father loves him enough to teach him how to be a good human. 

Then, we get to see Harry’s worries fall to the wayside as Bobby is released from the hospital, Dexter confirms Spencer is dead, and Tanya gives Dexter a promotion to full-time.

Harry Morgan is a damn good detective, but this finale proves that more than that he’s a fantastic father even if he sometimes falls a bit short.

Stray Thoughts:

• I’m still curious to see what leads Harry to commit suicide in the very near future. Therefore, I hope this show gets a second season.
• I also need to know where Tanya ends up in all this because she’s never even mentioned in the original series.
• Finally, Deb getting a second chance with FSU but deciding to join the police academy instead is so awesome. We all obviously knew she’d get there eventually.
• Harry mentioning to Dexter he won’t be around forever is very ominous considering we know he only lives for a year after his heart attack.

 

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 is now streaming all episodes on Paramount+ with Showtime.

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