All Easter Eggs in Serial Killer Prequel

[This story contains spoilers through the finale of Dexter: Original Sin.]

Three years after concluding with Dexter: New Blood, Showtime’s favorite serial killer returned with Dexter: Original Sin. The prequel series stars Patrick Gibson as a younger version of Dexter, with Michael C. Hall providing narration (and a surprising on-camera return as well). Set during Dexter’s earliest days working alongside Miami Metro, Original Sin came packed with returning characters, tropes and Easter eggs aplenty for fans of the original show.

“We had this canon of lore from nine seasons of the show from which to draw,” Dexter franchise veteran and Original Sin showrunner Clyde Phillips told The Hollywood Reporter when launching the 10-episode prequel show (of which he later said he hopes to continue, after Dexter: Resurrection). “If people like Easter eggs, this show is an Easter egg hunt. We would write the shows and start shooting them. Someone would come in and say, ‘Oh gosh, I have this great story about an Easter egg,’ and we would go running down to set and put a picture on somebody’s desk or whatever it is that the fans are just going to love.”

Throughout the season, THR has been chronicling all the Dexter Easter eggs littered across Original Sin, updating as the episodes rolled along. During a midseason check-in chat, Phillips said he was enjoying following along with the online reaction to his egg hunt. “It’s also so fun because this season is a period piece, within a period piece. We have all of this great imagery we get to use from the ’90s, but also from the ’70s, with Harry’s storyline. We get to lay in all these wonderful wall phones, the first car phone, whatever it is. We’re having so much fun watching people watch out for all of that.”

When speaking after the finale to THR, the showrunner called out the LaGuerta-Miguel Prado Easter egg and explained his outlook on what’s to come, as the franchise continues on with Resurrection this summer. “I walked into all of this with a completely blank slate. We knew there were several things we had to do. We had to get Dexter his boat. We had to get the Henley shirt. He was going to start using the red string. We would see the evolution begin. But as far as actual storytelling? We didn’t know everything going in, and still don’t [for future seasons],” he shared.

Now that Original Sin has released its finale, here are all of the Easter eggs that were cooking in the prequel series, with reminders and predictions on how they fit into Dexter’s future.

Dexter…lives?

Let’s start here. It’s not exactly an Easter egg, but we definitely need to get one thing straight right at the top. If you only watched the original Dexter run and somehow didn’t watch Dexter: New Blood, then it’s possible you thought Dexter was still a lumberjack somewhere. Nope! Not even close. The serial killer returned for a sequel a couple years back, and in the finale of New Blood, Dexter — wait for it — dies. Dies! Shot to death by his own teen son, Harrison. So, if you were wondering why Dex was sitting in the back of a car, bleeding out, but still alive…so was every single person who watched Dexter: New Blood. Expect…no, demand! more answers when Dexter: Resurrection premieres this summer, starring the resurrected Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan. (Phillips explained the decision to THR.)

Dexter Rides

OK, the wildest part out of the way, let’s dig in. The very first scene of both Dexter and Original Sin share one thing in common: Miami Metro’s deadliest blood spatter analyst is riding along in a car. Big differences, of course, include the original Dexter’s self-confidence as he drove through the night stalking prey, while the Original Sin Dexter’s just been shot dead in the chest and is somehow still alive. Sorry, still not quite over it!

Introducing Dexter Morgan

Whatever shock still exists from Dexter’s miraculous survival is quickly replaced by a big hit of nostalgia. The Original Sin opening credits are not exactly a shot-for-shot re-creation of the original series’ iconic version, but it’s pretty darn close — from bloodied breakfast to that knowing smile at the end. Applying Dexter’s familiar morning routine to Dexter successor Gibson gives the whole thing a well-worn feeling while making it clear we’re in for something new.

A Shaggy-Hair Story

Shocked by young Dexter’s long-haired looks in his first scene of the series? It’s straight from the original show, which often featured flashbacks starring an aged-down Hall. And by “aged down,” I mean wearing a ridiculous long-hair wig to make him look like a teenager. It works better on Gibson for sure, but we’re thankfully out of this era before too long.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Speaking of hair, let’s talk about one of the show’s returning characters. Forensics expert and confirmed pervert Vince Masuka returns in Original Sin, this time played by Alex Shimizu, and this time, boasting a whole head of hair. Please tell me we’re going to get a Masuka hair loss Origin Story episode.

City of Angel

Continuing in returning characters territory, Angel Batista is back, and so is his hat! James Martinez plays a young version of the original show’s iconic detective, complete with his signature look: immaculate hat and tropical shirts aplenty. Could be worth paying particularly close attention to Angel’s story this season, as in the modern timeline, David Zayas’ version of the character just learned Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher, with sparks sure to fly when Resurrection revs up.

Evil Urges

We get to see the full Morgan family enjoying dinner together in the first episode, including Molly Brown doing a very good Jennifer Carpenter as Deb, and Christian Slater doing a very good Christian Slater as Detective Harry Morgan. The scene does a great job making you forget Deb was in love with Dex for a season or two, while also dutifully reminding the audience that when this show begins, Harry already knows all about Dexter’s dark passenger.

Goodnight, Nurse

The Original Sin premiere follows Dexter as he makes his first kill, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen these events dramatized. We originally saw Dexter’s first kill back in the first season of the original show, in an episode called “Popping Cherry.” Obviously, Nurse Mary’s death is elaborated upon here in Original Sin, and appears to serve something of a launch point into the rest of the season.

Rough Start

After killing the nurse, Dexter makes a couple of sloppy moves. For one, he deposits her body in a swamp, leaving her to be devoured by alligators. For another, he took the nurse’s earrings as trophies. Expect the rest of the season to delve deeper into why both of those choices were very bad, and why they’ll ultimately lead to Dexter’s use of the Bay Harbor as a burial ground, not to mention collecting blood samples as trophies.

You Spin Me Right Round

Original Sin‘s very first episode ends with Dexter Morgan, newly appointed Miami Metro forensics intern, spinning around and around in a lab chair — exactly as he does throughout the first Dexter series. 

Full Masuka

There’s a lot of fantastic recasting in Original Sin, but Shimizu as a younger version of Masuka may take the cake. It helps that the writing feels incredibly Masuka, what with calling Dexter “Dexedrine” and “Dex-Mex” in episode two. But it’s also little things, like perfectly imitating the original Masuka’s laugh.

Full Michael C. Hall

In that same vein, “Kid in a Candy Store” reinforces all of Hall’s work imbued in Gibson’s turn as Dexter. The actor’s physicality as Dexter mirrors Hall, with his dramatic crime scene gesticulating, not to mention nailing the original Dexter’s donut habitat with note perfection.

“Anyone Sitting Here?”

Did we just get an Ice Truck Killer Easter egg? The jury’s out, though we have at the very least seen the season one villain in flashback form already, what with Harry’s trip back home to Laura Moser’s house and seeing baby boy Brian on the porch. But there’s another moment in episode two where a lanky, brown-haired young man asks Dexter if he can sit with him. Dexter says no, and the character moves right along off the screen, as if it never happened at all. Is Dexter: Original Sin a secret Ice Truck Killer origin story? Stay tuned.

Angel and Christian’s Hair

Episodes two and three of Dexter Original Sin continue one of the show’s developing traditions: notable hair. Specifically, Slater undergoes the rite of passage involved with having horrible flashback hair. Additionally, Martinez’s young Batista shows he has a full head of hair under his classic hat. Are we getting an Angel’s hair loss origin? Original Sin really does have everything!

Familiar Faces

Episodes two and three introduce two classic Dexter characters into Original Sin for the first time. First, there’s Sarah Kinsey as Camilla Figg, the Miami Metro records worker played in the original show by character actress Margo Martindale. Then comes Maria LaGuerta, played here by Christina Milian, taking over the role originated by Luna Lauren Vélez.

“Hello Darkness, My Old Friend”

The Dark Passenger returns! Succumbing to his desires to kill again, Dexter closes out episode two with those haunting words: “Hello darkness, my old friend.” It’s almost Hall winking directly at us as he references Dexter’s “Dark Passenger,” the name given to the killer’s killer instinct.

The Rental Cop

Deb buys drugs outside of a Blockbuster, which is an Easter egg for two reasons. For one, Deb starts the original series as a vice cop, and we could be seeing some of that energy in her storyline here. For another, Blockbuster no longer exists, and it is featured here as a reminder that those of us who went there *and* watched the original Dexter are, without question, old. 

LaGuerta Makes Enemies

It’s just a thing she does! In the original series, Maria was a cutthroat political animal willing to do most anything to rise to the top. She’s not so cutthroat here, but she’s already butting heads with Patrick Dempsey‘s Miami Metro chief Captain Spencer, signaling the earliest parts of her ambitious path. Also, she doesn’t like Dexter much at all. Yet. That will change soon enough (before it fatefully changes again). 

Family Secrets

In the original series, desk clerk Camilla is very fond of Dexter, for a number of reasons, including her fondness for his father Harry. But it goes deeper: Camilla is one of few who knows about Dexter’s beginnings, discovered in a shipping crate, covered in blood. We get to see how dedicated she is to protecting young Dex in the fourth episode, as she helps Harry out with a favor about his kid, no questions asked. “That’s what family’s for,” after all. 

The Bay Harbor Botcher

Dexter tries to take down a boat captain and killer named Mad Dog, played by the legendary Joe Pantoliano. Before he can cut him up in the kill room a la Tony vs. Ralphie, Dex botches the job, losing Mad Dog to the streets — only for the guy to get pancaked by a car mere moments later. Perhaps it’s not all a lost cause, though, as Dex seems to have found a boat that doesn’t exactly have his name on it but very well may soon.

Hunger Games

In the original series, Dexter’s appetites extend beyond his killer instinct. Sometimes, demolishing an entire kitchen’s worth of food is the only way he can choke back his violent needs. Dex does exactly that in episode five, leading to…

Stone Cold Killer

… Dex getting extremely stoned, having eaten four — no, make that six — pot brownies. Dex tells Deb he doesn’t like being out of control, which is very much a reflection of the man from the original series, who would always feign intoxication rather than get too far into the… uh… well, weeds.

Drug of Choice

Speaking of Dex and drugs, episode five brings yet another example of how deep into the — yes, again — weeds Dexter: Original Sin is willing to go, as it provides an origin story for Dex’s use of etorphine when subduing his victims, complete with a classic “whoops.” Little does she know it, but Sarah Michelle Gellar’s little tip about the drug’s use in euthanasia is at least partly responsible for a whole Bay Harbor Butcher’s worth of murders.

Target Practice

In a pretty clever subversion, episode five shows Dex taking the etorphine for a spin, complete with improving his kill room set-up — not by capturing and killing a murderer, but by capturing and not killing his father and giving him a front-row seat to the Dark Passenger process. The scene is staged exactly like one of Dex’s actual kills, complete with him tapping his “victim” on the forehead and delivering, in searing staccato, “What. Were. You. THINKING??”

The Older Man

Episode five advances Deb’s relationship with older boyfriend Gio (Isaac Gonzalez Rossi). Add him to the list of the future Detective Morgan’s myriad love interests, including but not limited to the original older guy, Special Agent Frank “The Cucumber Sandwich” Lundy.

Throwbackpack

Not a Dexter callback so much as a ’90s kid callout: Dexter’s backpack, a forest green Jansport, the spitting image of every other backpack I saw at school when I was in elementary school. Folks, why aren’t we Jansporting anymore? Can we talk about this?

Bowling Over

Dexter Morgan certainly doesn’t look 45 and divorced, at least not here in Original Sin. But that doesn’t mean he can’t go bowling. The serial killer in training was a well-established bowler by the time of the proper Dexter series, and in episode six, we get to see the origins of that hobby.

Ice Trucking Along

In episode six, Dexter stalks serial killer Levi Reed through the streets. During his pursuit, he’s nearly flattened like a pancaked by a truck — and not just any truck: an ice truck. And not just any ice truck! It’s the ice truck, the same one the Ice Truck Killer drove in Dexter season one. Is it the exact same truck, or is it just a shout-out to Dexter’s brother Brian? This one could be an Easter egg, or it could be a big plot development. Stay tuned!

Life and/or Death

What do you call an Easter egg for something that hasn’t happened yet? Whatever phrase you want to cook up, let’s apply it to episode seven, as there’s a moment right away where Dexter openly wonders about his fate if he gets caught by Miami Metro: “I wondered if I’d get life in prison or the electric chair… I could never decide which was the lesser of two evils.” Well, considering that Dexter Morgan’s been caught red-handed by the time Dexter: Resurrections begins, we might not have to wonder that question for too much longer.

Better Angels

Speaking of things to look forward to in the next Dexter show, few relationships stand to have more tension than Dexter and Angel, since the fedora-clad detective knows all about Dex’s serial-killing secret by the end of Dexter: New Blood. In episode seven of Original Sin, Dexter manages to give some very solid advice to Angel, albeit, advice pointing away from Dexter’s own crimes. Angel is grateful: “Thanks for talking me off the ledge, amigo.” Will Future Angel look back on these interactions as kindly? Odds aren’t looking so good…

“Close Your Eyes, Dexter”

At long last, we finally see it: Dexter’s birth in blood. Episode eight takes us to the scene of the crime — the “original sin,” as it were — as Dex, brother Brian and their mother are trapped inside a shipping container, helpless to watch as other prisoners are chainsawed to death. Laura tells Dex to close his eyes, but he does the exact opposite, eye wide open, soaking in the violence. Is this the exact moment that made Dexter Morgan into the Bay Harbor Butcher?

Hide and Go Sea

Speaking of the Bay Harbor Butcher, we’re one step closer to seeing Dex earn that moniker. When he goes and rescues Deb from her evil ex Gio, she tosses a diamond bracelet into the water, only to regret it instantly. When she asks if she can fish it out, Dex replies: “Once it’s in the ocean, it’s gone forever.” You can practically see the wheels turning as his new hiding spot comes to mind.

“B. Moser”

Originally looked upon as an Easter egg, Dexter: Original Sin keeps pushing the ball forward on “Brian Moser,” the boy who one day grows up to become the original Dexter villain known as the Ice Truck Killer. Episode eight sees Harry discovering Brian is no longer institutionalized, as he once assumed, but is now out and about — and what’s more, corpses of folks who worked in his institution are cropping up all over Miami. Looks like this show isn’t just the story of “Young Dexter,” but “Young Ice Truck Killer” as well.

Another Young Killer

Brian isn’t the only original Dexter villain featured in episode eight. We also see a young version of Miguel Prado, the future serial killer played in Dexter season three by Jimmy Smits. “It’s nothing serious,” Maria tells Harry about the man she’s seeing, only offering that one day, he’ll “be the DA,” nodding ahead at Prado’s future within the Dexter-verse. Will we see him again on Original Sin, or is this an actual Easter egg, unlike the plot momentum going on with Brian?

The Older Man

In episode nine, Harry and Deb connect over her recent romantic escapades. Rather than chide her, Harry simply makes one request from Deb: “No more dating older guys.” The youngest Morgan replies with a grin: “The heart wants what the heart wants, dad.” And eventually, one day, it’ll want the older man: Frank Lundy, the world’s number one cucumber sandwich fan, played by Keith Carradine.

Considering the Family Business

Speaking of Deb, she announces her decision to become a police officer in the season finale, though the groundwork is laid one episode earlier, when she goes to the station for a blood drive. It’s here she meets Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Tanya, and gets the itch to join the force. But there’s another person Deb meets: Maria LaGuerta, the woman who will one day run Miami Metro, and the same woman Deb will one day gun down in cold blood.

A Slice of Pie

In the finale, Dexter kills Captain Spencer under a starlit night, on the back of the Slice of Pie boat. He dumps Spencer’s body in the bay, though stops short of committing to it as his new burial ground. Still, as Dex says: “I was a little closer to my final form.”

Hope for the Future

Near the end of season one, Dex and Harry have a heart-to-heart, in which the veteran detective glowingly praises his son: “You channeled your urges for good. It’s your code now.” Of course, true Dex heads know he won’t always channel his urges for good, given where we left him at the end of the frosty Dexter: New Blood. But is this another call toward the future? And not an Easter egg for the original Dexter, but a table-setter for Resurrection, when it arrives in the summer of 2025? Is it still possible for Dexter to use his code for good? Only time will tell.

This story originally posted on Dec. 15.

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Dexter: Original Sin is now streaming all episodes on Paramount+. Read THR‘s in-depth feature on the return of Dexter with Original Sin.