'Dexter: Resurrection' - A New Bet For The Franchise?

In 'Dexter: Resurrection', the latest chapter of the infamous Miami-based serial killer series, creator Clyde Phillips takes a daring gamble on the franchise that has dominated most of his career. The 10-episode relaunch of this long-loved series, which aired from 2021 to 2022, provided a more gratifying conclusion for fans than the original show's ending almost a decade ago.

The reboot wasn’t flawless, possessing traces of not just the best of Dexter, but also characteristics of numerous spin-offs inspired by the series at its peak. Yet, it showed that there was just enough creativity left to bring closure to the series, concluding with Dexter Morgan, believed dead, in the snow of upstate New York, killed by a son who didn’t wish to follow his father's blood-soaked path.

'Dexter: Resurrection', coming to Paramount+ and Showtime, represents Phillips’ high-risk bet on the franchise. The new series comes not by necessity but from desire, marked by entirety of being lighthearted. Just when Phillips and his team had fixed what was broken, they decide to forge ahead.

From the first four episodes sent to critics, it's clear that this is a leisurely season, seemingly on a victory lap and unafraid to risk the hard-earned respectability of the franchise. The series begins 10 weeks after Harrison (Jack Alcott) presumed his father dead.

Harrison, believing he is starting anew after committing patricide, finds work at an upscale Manhattan hotel, forming a bond with single-mom maid Elsa (Emilia Suárez). The show reveals early on that Harrison may indeed be his father's heir, even though 'Dexter: New Blood' went to great lengths to deny this.

Parallelly, the return of an old friend and familiar danger forces Dexter to travel to New York City, seemingly in search of Harrison. Guided by the annoyingly virtuous spirit of his late father (James Remar’s Harry), Dexter joins a friendly immigrant rideshare driver (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s Blessing), who alerts him about a serial killer hunting local drivers.

The shift in location somehow breathes new life into the law enforcement characters Dexter skillfully deceives, plus displaying the Miami police department's pitiful ignorance even after eight years of Dexter's brilliance.

While Dexter’s character isn't as intriguing as before as he follows similar patterns from previous seasons, there is still entertainment to be found. A seemingly endless convoy of murderers, giving the series its requisite quirky appeal, are portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, David Dastmalchian, Krysten Ritter and more.

'Dexter: Resurrection' promises potential as it unfolds, although the lack of impending closure makes it unclear whether it's preparing for a long-running NYC version of the show, eyeing annual locations worldwide, or just another risky move from a show that’s finding it hard to stop when it's winning.