Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episodes 2 & 3.TheDexterprequel showDexter: Original Sindidn’t seem necessary when it was first announced, but one returning character has single-handedly proven that it was well worth making. ThroughoutDexter’s eight seasons, there were plenty of flashbacks and references to the eponymous serial killer’s early life. For example, the Ice Truck Killer provided a lot of insight into Dexter’s childhood, and Dexter himself did several investigations into Harry Morgan’s past and how he developed theCode of Harry. Because Dexter’s life before the original series was so well fleshed out, it didn’t originally seem likeDexter: Original Sinwas going to have much to contribute to the story.
AfterDexter: Original Sinepisodes 2 and 3, one of the returning characters in thecast ofDexter: Original Sinhas completely dispelled the idea that the prequel was unnecessary. The show has already added a lot of context to the Morgan family, from showing how weird Dexter was as a young adult to making Deb more sympathetic and showing her butting heads with Harry. One character who didn’t get much focus in the original series, however, proves beyond a doubt thatDexter: Original Sindidn’t just justify being made, it added invaluable material toDexteras a whole.
Laura Moser Is The Perfect Example Of How Dexter: Original Sin Is A Great Prequel
Original Sin Has Given Laura Moser So Much More Depth & Intrigue Than Dexter Ever Did
The best example of howDexter: Original Sinhas already justified being made is Laura Moser. In the original series, Laura was mostly just Dexter’s mother, a drug addict, and the woman Harry cheated on Doris with. She had a few good flashbacks inDexter, like when she played in the yard with Brian and Dexter, but she was a bit of an underwhelming character on the whole.Even after all the flashbacks and Dexter’s investigations into his past, the biggest impact Laura had onDexterwas the fact that her murder gave Dexter his dark passenger.
Laura Moser was played by Sage Kirkpatrick inDexterand by Brittany Allen inDexter: Original Sin.
Original Sin, however, has shown a completely new side of Laura through Harry Morgan’s flashbacks.The prequel series shows that Laura was a great criminal informant, a caring mother, and even a compelling love interest for Harry. She can lie and fit in with every echelon of the criminal underworld, she has a budding relationship with Harry that feels very natural, and she’s far better than the one-dimensional character inDexter. Laura’s expanded role inOriginal Sinis an example of exactly what any prequel should do: expand upon the characters that the original didn’t have time for.
Dexter: Original Sin Makes The Original Show Better With Laura, Harry & Doris' Flashbacks
Laura, Harry, & Doris' Early Days Add So Much Nuance & Tragedy To Their Ultimate Fates In Dexter
Original Sinisn’t just making Laura Moser a better character, though, it’s also making Harry and Doris Morgan’s marriage more interesting, and it’s enhancing the originalDexterseries as a whole. By diving deeper into their stories - particularly the struggles Doris and Harry had after losingJunior Morgan inOriginal Sinand giving Laura more of a personality -Original Sinhas made them even more compelling characters.Harry’s affair with Laura is a lot more sympathetic after seeing how closely he worked with Laura and how much Junior’s death affected his marriage. Likewise, Laura’s death is even more tragic after seeing how multifaceted she was.
Who Hector Estrada Is In Dexter: Original Sin
Dexter: Original Sin introduced Hector Estrada, a character from the original series, but it didn’t explain just how important he is to Dexter’s life.
Perhaps the best example of howOriginal Sinis makingDexterbetter is through Hector Estrada and his cartel.After seeing how Harry put Laura in harm’s way and how likable she was as a character, both Estrada and Jimenez are much easier to hate, and Dexter’s revenge is a lot more satisfying. In addition to that,Original Sinis also adding new fuel onto the central question ofDexter- whether Dexter’s nature or nurture turned him into a serial killer - in such a way that it has restarted a discussion that began almost two decades ago.
Dexter: Original Sin Likely Has Even More Surprises In Store For Laura’s Story
Even Though Laura’s End Is Already Written, Original Sin Likely Has More For Her To Do
The best part ofOriginal Sin’s treatment of Laura Moser so far is the fact that the show almost certainly has a few more surprises up its sleeve. The show has already carved out a tremendous story for Laura from a timeline that didn’t give it much room. After all,Dexterhad already revealed that Laura was Harry’s criminal informant and how and when she died.It may not seem like there’s much room left forOriginal Sinto explore Laura’s story, but it has already found space to experiment with her once, and it will almost surely do it again.
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There’s no telling whatOriginal Sincould do with Laura next.Her affair with Harry will almost certainly be a priority, but there are also still countless waysOriginal Sincould explore Laura’s work as a criminal informant. Laura could get dangerously close to Estrada, and any confrontations would almost certainly be filled with suspense. The show could also dive deeper into her relationship with her children, and it may add even more layers to Harry’s decision to adopt Dexter and not Brian. Based on how well it functions as a prequel already,Dexter: Original Sinseems like it’s not wanting for great story opportunities.
Dexter: Original Sin
Cast
Dexter: Original Sin explores Dexter Morgan’s early years in 1991 Miami as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. Guided by his father, Harry, Dexter crafts a moral code and navigates a forensics internship at Miami Metro Police, all while controlling his darker impulses.
Dexter
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
