When ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ brought Michael C. Hall’s iconic serial killer back to the screen, fans wondered if some familiar faces would return alongside him. While the revival has been generous with cameos and callbacks, Jennifer Carpenter’s Debra Morgan’s absence is felt.
Deb wasn’t just Dexter’s adoptive sister; she was his moral compass, his best friend, and, in many ways, his tether to humanity. However, episode 6 of ‘Resurrection’ makes it clear: while Deb isn’t physically here, her influence is. And in her place stands someone very close to Dexter, his son, Harrison.
Harrison Steps Into Deb’s Shoes As Dexter’s Moral Anchor In ‘Dexter: Resurrection’
The dynamic between Dexter and Deb was always electric. Deb called Dexter out when he crossed the line, pushed him to do the right thing, and offered the emotional grounding he desperately needed. Without her, as ‘New Blood’ showed, Dexter began to spiral. Now, ‘Resurrection’ seems to be restoring that vital balance, only this time it’s Harrison holding the compass.
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In episode 6, Harrison confides in Dexter about a dark urge, the desire to kill Elsa’s landlord. Rather than simply share this as a curiosity, he frames it as a moral struggle. Dexter immediately draws the comparison to Deb, noting Harrison’s fierce sense of right and wrong, his quick temper, and his drive to make the world better. Within just two episodes of reconnecting, Harrison has already influenced Dexter in ways reminiscent of Deb’s impact.
He’s encouraged him to be more patient, more understanding, and even to think twice before acting on his darker instincts. The family connection makes this shift even more powerful. Harrison isn’t just Dexter’s only surviving blood relative; he represents the very thing that has historically kept Dexter from tipping fully into the abyss, a meaningful bond. Without Deb, Dexter could easily slip into the cold detachment of his brother, Brian Moser. Harrison’s presence, like Deb’s before him, makes that less likely.
There’s another key similarity: both Harrison and Deb are deeply affected by their own acts of killing. Deb’s decision to shoot Maria LaGuerta in season 7 to protect Dexter haunted her endlessly. Harrison’s killing of Ryan to save Shauna, though more morally clear-cut, has left him equally conflicted. Both even reacted the same way: trying to turn themselves in to the police, only for Dexter to intervene. This conscience-driven response creates a rich narrative contrast to Dexter himself, who has always processed murder through his rigid “code” rather than guilt.
The Dangerous Road Ahead In ‘Dexter: Resurrection’
For those not yet caught up, ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ picks up after ‘New Blood’s gut-punch finale, in which Harrison shot his own father. Dexter survives the gunshot after a 10-week coma, but awakens to a world in chaos and to the haunting ghosts of his past. His mission is simple: find Harrison and repair the damage between them. The search takes Dexter to New York City, a place crawling with predators and serial killers of every flavor.
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Here, the “Dark Passenger” is more than a personal metaphor; it’s the name of a local monster using Dexter’s own terminology. This is where Peter Dinklage’s Leon Prater enters. Prater is a sinister billionaire who collects “murderabilia” and seems to be curating his own macabre social club. Alongside his head of security, Charley, Prater gathers an elite roster of killers, including Lady Vengeance, the Rapunzel Killer, the Gemini Killer, and a tattoo-obsessed trophy hunter.
Whether Dexter infiltrates this twisted playground or becomes prey himself remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Harrison is trying to start fresh as a bellhop at the Empire Hotel. Outwardly, he’s rebuilding. His meticulous work habits and moral boundary-testing hint that his father’s legacy is alive and well. The question isn’t whether he shares Dexter’s instincts; it’s how long he can resist them.
