"Dexter: New Blood" Review: Finally, A Fitting Ending For Our Favorite Serial Killer

I'll just come right out and say it. Season 8 of "Dexter" was atrocious. There were a few good scenes in the finale but Dexter becoming a lumberjack seemed WAY OFF the rails for me. If we're talking about worst finale's E-V-E-R, "Dexter" would be at the top of the list. See my blog entry from back in 2013 here

"Dexter: New Blood" is a"do over" that gets it right. When the new season opens, the Bay Harbor Butcher is living a quiet life in remote Iron Lake, New York. He has managed not to kill anyone in over a decade. But of course, that won't last for long (or we wouldnt be watching this show). I think it's important to think of Dexter as an addict (one who is always fighting the urge). Dexter is going by the name Jim Lindsey. She has a girlfriend (Angela) who is also the Chief of Police. He has a job at a gun/hunting goods store.

Of course Deb died in the series finale. She now appears to Dexter in the form of a ghost/conscience (similar to Dex's father Harry).

What throws Dexter off the wagon is witnessing th scuzbag son of a wealthy guy kill a deer that Dexter had a connection with. Dexter sets up his kill room and does the same to the guy. Serves him right IMHO.

Dexter's teenage son arrives (remember a young Harrison was sent to Argentina in the series finale) and sends the show in a whole new direction. Over time we learn Harrison has the same "Dark Passenger" as Dexter. Can Dexter show him how to channel his anger in more constructive pursuits? Or could Harrison resist the urges all together if he wasnt pushed in that direction by Dexter?

Matt's father starts snooping around. Dexter tries to stay one step ahead of him but it doesnt work very well. Kurt Caldwell is played by the always wonderful Clancy Brown. He needs no introduction since being in tons of movies and TV shows ("Shawshank Redemption", "Pet Semetary 2", etc.) He was also excellent in Shudder's "Mortuary Collection" which aired in 2019. Kurt is our big bad this season (think Trinity but not quite as menacing).

In the end Dexter and Harrison barely escape being killed by Kurt. Angela discovers who Dexter really is. She puts him in jail.

Dexter escapes by killing Deputy Logan (someone who was a good guy and supposedly his friend). Dexter wants Harrison to go on the lamb with him. But Harrison confronts his father about what's really going on. Dexter professes to be doing good by killing bad people but isnt that just a cope out? And how about his killing Logan? How does that fit in with his code? Dexter knows Harrison is right. He is at the end of his journey. Dexter encourages Harrison to shoot him in order to be free of his "legacy". Angela finds out what happened and let's Harrison escape town. Who knows where he'll end up next. Will Harrison be able to live a "normal" life now or will he be consumed by the Dark Passenger?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). While "New Blood" doesnt have quite the same "kick" as some seasons of "Dexter", but it still has enough going for it to keep me happy. I must not be the only one since it's the most watched series in Showtime's history. I really like the introduction of a teenage Harrison as well as the season's Big Bad (played by the always wonderful Clancy Brown). And finally a decent ending (as opposed to the HORRID lumberjack series finale ending). I'm still mad about that one.