Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Murder Horny

Despite a few bumps along the way in the first few episodes, Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 5, “Murder Horny,” steps up its game. By bringing Dexter and Harrison back into the same mold, the show is eliminating that feeling of “too much” that has persisted for most of the season so far.

What’s even better is the writers have decided that Harrison won’t be a murder-crazed individual like his father.

While Harrison becoming the next Dexter Morgan is an intriguing idea, I think choosing to have him not want that in the slightest is an even bolder choice. It is more complex and nuanced, which gives this series more strength.

Dexter Has It Out With Harrison

When Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 4, “Call Me Red,” ended with the cliffhanger reunion between father and son, we just knew the aftermath was going to be exciting. Sure enough, the reunion conversation didn’t disappoint.

Dexter comes into it regretting how he hasn’t been there for Harrison like the boy needs. Meanwhile, Harrison is a mix of both anger and guilt regarding all that he feels his father forced him to do.

All of these emotions make for a very interesting moment of father/son bonding. When Harrison stops Dexter in his tracks and tells him that he’s not like Dexter it’s a breath of fresh air for viewers but a total shock for Dexter.

Harrison’s declaration that he isn’t like his father is one of the first times we truly see his mother’s nature come out in him. Rita was always a gentle, kind soul who believed in the good of others.

Harrison continuing to have nightmare-inducing guilt over killing a man is proof that he is her son, too. Dexter can’t understand why Harrison wouldn’t think killing a terrible person isn’t justified.

But if Rita were there in the room with them, she would have.

This leads the two Morgan men to go their separate ways once more, but this time its with the understanding that Dexter isn’t completely removed from Harrison’s life. Sure, the kid doesn’t want to be around him, but Dexter can still protect him — in his own way.

Dexter and Mia Get Closer

To start off, it’s important to recognize the insane chemistry going on between Michael C. Hall and Krysten Ritter during Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 5, “Murder Horny.”

These two actors make it easy to trust that of all Leon Prater’s “guests” they would be ones to trust each other. We can believe they have a fascination with one another because every time they are together it feels as though an invisible thread connects them.

Of course, Mia is fascinated with who she thinks Dexter is, the Dark Passenger aka Red, not realizing he isn’t. And Dexter’s fascination with Mia stems from his belief that she has a code of her own, only to find out she doesn’t.

The breakdown of their fascination with each other as they spend more time together is what makes this episode in particular so much fun. It isn’t often that we get to see Dexter connect with others on a soul level.

The bowling excursion alone was like peaking into Dexter’s past in Miami. Back when he allowed himself to have a family of chosen people to be bonded with.

Another great thing Mia presents is Dexter’s willpower. It isn’t often that Dexter shows the viewers that he isn’t a total monster.

With Mia he realizes that despite her fitting his code, he can’t kill her just yet considering he killed Lowell only a day or so ago. He knows that his goose is cooked by both Prater and the police if he were to kill her.

Therefore, his move to plant Harrison’s evidence at her place and then alert the police the minute she arrived home with her latest victim is smart on many counts.

How Do Prater and Detective Claudette Factor Into Mia’s Arrest?

We already know that if you piss off Prater he will simply have you “taken care of.” However, Charley’s visit to Mia at the end of the episode doesn’t clearly indicate the murderer will be killed.

Which means that Prater might have another plan for her entirely. However, that doesn’t explain what will happen if Detective Claudette is allowed any amount of time with Mia.

We already know just how observant Detective Claudette is compared to her partner. He doesn’t see why she continues to suspect Harrison because he believed the young man’s lies, whereas she saw right through them.

Something tells me that she’s not buying the appearance of Ryan Foster’s watch at Mia’s apartment as a smoking gun. The way she’s looking around as she tells her partner she wants an audience with Mia tells me she’s not sold.

The greatest thing about this show so far is that we still aren’t entirely sure what the end result is going to be. However, after seeing this episode one thing is abundantly clear.

Dexter: Resurrection is developing like a fine wine. Give it time to build and the pay off will be worth it.

Stray Thoughts:

• I continue to love the added touch of Harry’s ghost as Dexter’s conscience. I feel it is really helping him be better for Harrison.
• I would love for Batista and Detective Claudette to interact, especially about the Bay Harbor Butcher.
• Blessing continues to be a good friend for Dexter, but why am I still concerned that he could end up dead?
• Leon Prater’s backstory in this episode is definitely touching, but I’m not sure I fully believe any of it.

 

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Dexter: Resurrection streams Fridays on Paramount+ Premium and airs Sundays at 8/7c on Showtime.

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