Gotta say, after the way S8 ended, I was not sure how I felt about Dexter coming back. However, this episode has got me intrigued.
It's really interesting to see the place Dexter's in after the events of the original series finale, (granted, they don't exactly give an explanation to how he ends up in the cold state of New York compared to the lumberjack status he had in the final few minutes of the last episode of the original series). His life seems to be calm, steady, and most importantly, kill free. Dexter works at a hunting store, which is sort of fitting. Considering he hasn't killed in 10 years apparently and is trying not to, but is surrounded by weapons meant to kill. He has the urge to try and kill a deer almost every day, but he resists, as it's what Deb would have wanted for him. Deb also happens to appear as his new consciousness, being his guide and voice of reason in the same vein Harry was in the original show.
He also happens to be dating the towns chief of police, Angela Bishop. Who, besides like two other people, is one of the only characters that gets some insightful background. But I don't think that was intentional, I'll have to watch the rest of the show for the other characters who will undoubtedly get more screen time.
The shows new look also is really appealing to me. The cold, vast expanse of the New York State wilderness is a nice contrast to the hot, secluded city of Miami. Not to mention, the movie feel of the show helps differentiate it visually from the original series. The 2.39:1 aspect ratio making it feel unique and giving it a nice, cinematic look.
My least favorite part of the episode was Harrison though. Not that I don't enjoy his presence, if it even is him. I just feel like they could have built up his reveal more over the course of like 2 or 3 episodes. It would have been even more of shock, in my opinion, but I can live with interactions he and Dexter had.
My favorite part of the episode, however, comes at almost the very end. Up till that point, the whole episode had no narration at all. Making it feel, again, very different from the original show. But, it also adds to the purpose of showing Dexter and his fight to resist his former killer instincts. However, when Caldwell, the son of the towns mayor (I could be wrong) decides to shoot the deer Dexter was befriending with the same rifle Dexter sold to him earlier in the episode, he decides to knock him out. With the narration starting back up, he takes him back to his cabin to perform one of his iconic plastic killing rituals, using the fact that he discovered Caldwell killed 5 people in an accident as a reason for his demise. It was a really great scene, and I love how subtle the show is with how and what causes Dexter to snap. Therefore, bringing back Dexter's inner, sinister thoughts that act as narration.
Overall, a solid start to this new show. I'll have to see more in order to get a full opinion on it, but for now I'm glad we're back in the world of Dexter and I can't wait to see where this show goes.
Final rating: 8.6/10.
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