The fourth episode of "Dexter: Original Sin" kicks off with the grim discovery of a child hanging precariously from a bridge, a sight that sends shivers down Dexter's spine and stirs up the darkest corners of his psyche. The murder of an innocent child is a taboo that Dexter cannot abide, and initial whispers suggest a cartel connection.
Harry, ever the adept taskmaster, orchestrates the logistical chaos, dispatching Dexter to Coconut Grove to focus on a separate case, while gently reassuring him that the waves of fear and disgust crashing over him are but natural reactions. However, in his fervent concern for Dexter and his turbulent emotions, Harry inadvertently sidelines Debra, who explodes in frustration when she learns that the truck she needed for a crucial operation has been commandeered by Harry. Stranded and betrayed by her peers, Debra opts for a radical change of pace, procuring some cocaine and diving into a haze of euphoria with her companions.
In the bustling heart of Coconut Grove, Dexter is thrust into the limelight as the forensic expert tasked with examining a corpse washed ashore on the sandy beach. Through a poignant point-of-view sequence, Dexter narrates the cold, calculated work of the killer, culminating in the victim being zipped into a body bag and labeled for identification.
Meanwhile, the hanging boy's tragic fate captures the nation's attention, splashing across news headlines while Dexter relentlessly pursues the shadowy figure behind the crime. Limited clues suggest an ice-pick as the murder weapon, with the estimate that the boy met his demise 8 to 10 hours prior to being publicly displayed in such a grim manner.
Dexter is driven, a man possessed by the need for justice. Seeking solace in the familiarity of his dark compulsions, he decides to channel his turmoil into an act of killing, hoping to quell the storm within. And he finds the perfect target, ripe for his meticulous plan.
Dexter has been searching through the archives and found records for a man called “Mad Dog”. He has previous connections with the mob as a hired hit-man and addresses dating back to Chicago, New York and Boston. Mad Dog been a person of interest in over two dozen mob-related murders in the 70’s. He claims he’s just a retired fisherman but since being here in Miami, he hasn’t been charged with anything.
Harry allows the murder, but he wants proof, so that sends Dex out to his house. There, he finds some shredded documents which he puts back together and realizes that there may be evidence surrounding Mad Dog’s next hit.
At the Miami PD, there are two cases being looked into here. The Coconut Grove murder is for a guy called Blake Kersten. He was kicked out when his parents found out he was gay. Now, it would appear that Blake was already dead before his head hit the ground, given the distinct lack of blood spatter. The killer wanted to feel the light leave him, and he wasn’t robbed either. This was all about a personal kill; something intimate.
While all this is going on, Deb continues to rebel. She heads to the club with her friend and even manages to get herself a guy’s number too. This is Gio, an accountant, and as Harry and Dex get closer together, she ends up drifting away from her family.
In the past, we see more flashbacks with Harry. Given his ties with Laura, and his growing feelings, they’re about to go after a big fish – Zenny Hernandez. Harry is concerned but he plays babysitter while Laura heads out on her meeting. However, Bobby can see exactly what’s happening here and looks at his partner sternly on the way out.
This is the moment when Dexter and Harry's paths first intertwined, born from a poignant scene where Dex, secluded in the yard, tenderly held a deceased lizard in his arms. Brian and Dex united in a solemn ritual, burying the small creature together, planting the seeds for their bond to flourish.
Upon Laura's triumphant return from her meeting, a tender embrace evolved into passionate kisses with Harry, despite his futile attempts to resist her charms. As the episode drew to a close, Dexter found himself in over his head. In a fit of rage, he assailed Mad Dog, embarking on a murderous spree. Yet, Mad Dog cunningly slipped away under the cover of darkness, bolting up the street. Tragically, his flight was cut short by a collision with a speeding car, leaving Dexter standing in stark disbelief at the gruesome aftermath.
