A Perfect Blend Of Innovation & Nostalgia Creates One Of The Best Dexter Episodes Of All Time

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Resurrection episode 4.

Dexter: Resurrection episode 4, “Call Me Red”, features the moment we’ve all been waiting for as Dexter attends the serial killer dinner party hosted by Peter Dinklage’s Leon Prater. The ensemble of killer guest stars – featuring Neil Patrick Harris, Krysten Ritter, Eric Stonestreet, and David Dastmalchian – is also introduced, resulting in one of the best Dexter episodes of all time.

After Dexter made his first NYC kill in Resurrection episode 3, he impersonates the “Dark Passenger” rideshare killer Ronald Schmidt to gain a seat at Prater’s table. There, he forms a connection with Ritter’s Lady Vengeance killer, who Dexter is surprised also follows a similar vigilante code, after touring Prater’s secret serial killer museum.

Leon Prater’s Serial Killer Collection Is Pure Nostalgia For Dexter Fans

Watching Dexter Reunite With His Blood Slides Is Strangely Satisfying

As Dexter tours Prater’s murder shrine in Resurrection episode 4, he reunites with his beloved blood slide box where he kept all of his trophies. This sets up one of the coolest moments in Dexter franchise history as the real Bay Harbor Butcher can’t help himself but nostalgically slide his finger atop the glass, only for Prater to ask him not to touch it.

Prater’s collection is not only a blast from the past, featuring the likes of Arthur Mitchell’s Trinity Killer, but is also brilliantly how we are introduced to new killers such as Rapunzel and The Tattoo Collector.

Prater even remarkably collected the table that Brian Moser, the Ice Truck Killer and Dexter’s biological brother, died on in season 1. Prater’s collection is not only a blast from the past, featuring the likes of Arthur Mitchell’s Trinity Killer, but is also brilliantly how we are introduced to new killers such as Rapunzel and The Tattoo Collector, played by Stonestreet and Harris, respectively.

Ritter’s Mia, or Lady Vengeance, becomes an intriguing character for Dexter since she is, in a way, just like him. She targets sexual predators, similar to the one who Harrison killed in the Dexter: Resurrection premiere. Something tells me that Mia and Harrison’s similar types of targets are no mere coincidence. While he doesn’t necessarily have a code, Harrison – like Mia and his father – has killed for a greater societal good.

Michael C Hall in Dexter Resurrection With a Red Glow

Dexter Resurrection Review: An Incredible Cast & NYC Setting Make This Spinoff Series The Greatest Dexter Season Of All Time

Michael C. Hall’s magnetism as Dexter Morgan is one of TV’s safest bets. Adding him to a club of NYC killers is the best thing the franchise has done.

Dexter’s life seems to have changed like never before after the dinner party, even though everyone knows him as Red. It’s deeply ironic and dramatic that Dexter is finally able to feel seen and validated but still has to conceal who he really is in a room full of killers. It will be interesting to see whether Dexter will take a leap of faith and reveal his true identity to his counterparts.

Even after Dexter kills Lowell, aka the Tattoo Collector, at the end of Resurrection episode 4, he is still cleverly conflicted by fulfilling Harry’s code and not wanting to kill the killers who are just like him. He and Mia seemed to have hit it off – she could become a modern-day version of season 2’s infamous Lila.

Dexter: Resurrection Episode 4 Is The Perfect Blend Of Tension, Humor, & Even Music

Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan in Dexter Resurrection

Dexter is darkly hilarious throughout Resurrection episode 4, getting back to his vintage brand of sardonic dry wit from the original series. From his inner monologue calling Rapunzel “the ponytail guy” to him complaining about Red’s vegan dinner choice, only to devour two chili dogs immediately after the party.

Some of the soundtrack choices in these new Dexter series I’ve found to be overbearing or not very tonally “Dexter”, particularly in Original Sin. However, the multiple songs featured in Dexter: Resurrection actually work well for their intended purposes and enhance most scenes, especially “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as Detective Wallace gets into an investigative zone.

If Dexter: Resurrection continues to be just as great as episode 4, it will undoubtedly cement itself as one of the all-time best seasons in franchise history.

Angel’s arc gets even sharper after touching base with Quinn and Masuka in episode 3, hanging up his Miami Metro badge to go full force at Dexter – and Harrison. It’s a perfect direction for him to team up with Wallace and Olivia, one that should start to link Harrison to Dexter in future episodes.

Although Harrison seemed to be building a romance with Elsa, that notion surprisingly went downhill fast, leaving more time to reconcile with Dexter after nearly turning himself into the police. Dexter appeared at the perfect time to break the truth to Harrison, ended what was already a phenomenal episode on an incredibly high note.

Dexter Morgan’s First Resurrection Kill Repeats A Major Change To His Serial Killer M.O. From New Blood

Dexter: Resurrection episode 3 features Dexter’s first kill in New York City, although his method of disposal is very different from his OG approach.

If Dexter: Resurrection continues to be just as great as episode 4, it will undoubtedly cement itself as one of the all-time best seasons in franchise history. Dexter already has two great kills under his belt as Angel pursues him and Harrison in the background. What’s more, Mia feels like the cherry on top that could become a compelling ally in Dexter: Resurrection.