I’m So Glad Dexter: Original Sin Kept One Of The Most Divisive Parts Of Michael C. Hall's Role In The Original Show

One of the most divisive parts of the original Dexter made its way into Dexter: Original Sin, and I couldn't be happier. There were quite a few features that stuck around for all eight of Dexter's seasons that have become staples of the franchise. From Dexter's love of blood to characters that debuted in the first show and reappear in the cast of Original Sin, the prequel has many of the trappings of the original series. Original Sin has also changed quite a bit about Dexter already, however, so I was very relieved to see that it kept one controversial aspect.

In all three Dexter shows so far - and presumably in the upcoming show Dexter: Resurrection - Dexter has had an internal monologue that the audience can hear. Even though Original Sin recast Michael C. Hall with Patrick Gibson, it still uses Hall's voice for its internal monologue. While it is difficult to live up to Hall's portrayal of the character, Gibson did a great job in Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 1. He also has a great advantage: Original Sin preserved one of the most divisive parts of Hall's time as Dexter.

Dexter’s Internal Monologue Is Just As Embarrassing In Original Sin As It Was In The Original Show

Dexter's Thoughts In Original Sin Are As Overly-Edgy & Cringe-Worthy As They've Ever Been

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Original Sin hasn't just brought back Hall and Dexter's internal monologue: his thoughts are just as embarrassing as they were in Dexter. The best way to explain how the prequel series kept Dexter's cringe-worthy narration is with two examples. In the pilot of Dexter, he looks at an empty box of donuts and declares "Just like me. Empty inside." In the pilot of Original Sin, Dexter removes a cadaver's heart and remarks "Heartless. Like the Tin Man. Maybe like me." They're both such corny and awkward lines that sound way too edgy, but they're also both quintessential Dexter.

Dexter: Original Sin Is Leaning Into What Made The Original Show So Endearing

Dexter Is A Nerd You Can't Help But Love, & Original Sin Understands That

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The cringe-worthy nature of Dexter's internal monologue is one of the most controversial parts of the otherwise critically acclaimed show. I know several people who refused to watch Dexter simply because his narration gave them second-hand embarrassment. Longtime fans of the franchise, like myself, have come to not only accept Dexter's narration but actually find it endearing. It may not be the best writing in the world, and it may stick out as a bad part of an otherwise extraordinarily well written series, but Dexter wouldn't feel the same without such embarrassing moments.

2:41 Related Dexter: Original Sin: 3 Biggest Connections to the Previous Series Screen Rant has the biggest connections between Dexter: Original Sin and the the first series.

A big reason Dexter Morgan is such a beloved character is because he's so awkward. He is, by all accounts, extremely weird, but he's got the specific brand of strangeness that comes across as endearing instead of annoying. I liken it to having a younger brother who's a bit too socially awkward: yes, they're embarrassing, but they're also your brother, and you love them anyway. Original Sin clearly understands that Dexter is supposed to be an oddball, which is one of the reasons people kept coming back to the original Dexter for years. The prequel makes Dexter dorky but lovable, which will only help it succeed.

Dexter's Voiceover Makes Even More Sense For The Prequel Than The Original Show & New Blood

Dexter's Narration Has A Clear Source In Original Sin That The Original & New Blood Never Had

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There's even one way Original Sin is improving upon Dexter's voice-over. In the original Dexter series and New Blood, Dexter's narration didn't actually have a clear source. It's not bad that the two previous Dexter narrations didn't have a clear source, but it is a bit odd. The audience is simply granted the ability to hear Dexter's thoughts without explanation. Original Sin, however, explained Hall's narration by presenting the entire show as flashbacks of Dexter's life that he's reliving after being shot at the end of New Blood. Dexter's comments make more sense in Original Sin; they're basically Dexter observing his own memories as an outsider.

Some viewers have theorized that Dexter's internal monologue is actually the voice of his dark passenger, which would help explain why the viewer can hear Dexter's thoughts.

Original Sin also does a lot to explain why Dexter's inner monologue was so weird in the first place. Michael C. Hall was portraying Dexter at a time when he had already figured out how to blend into society. Patrick Gibson proves that Dexter used to be just as weird externally as he was internally. It makes more sense to me that Dexter's thoughts are so embarrassing: he never got less weird, he just figured out how to hide it better. If Dexter: Original Sin can continue to nail the things that made the original Dexter so great, it could be a truly remarkable show.