Dexter Revival Won’t ‘Undo Anything,’ But It Will Make Things ‘Right,’ Says EP
If Dexter‘s original series finale didn’t quite cut it for you, the newly announced revival hopes to make things right.
Showtime‘s serial killer drama wrapped its eight-season run seven years ago by — SPOILERS ALERT, AND I AM NOT KIDDING — killing off this main character and then sending Michael C. Hall’s titular vigilante into fake death-imposed exile in the middle of nowhere. AKA the infamous Lumberjack Ending.
But with the 10-episode revival picking up in real time, so many years later, “We basically do get to start from scratch,” returning showrunner Clyde Phillips told the Oct. 16 episode of THR’s always entertaining TV’s Top 5 podcast.
“We want this to not be Dexter Season 9,” he continued. “Ten years, or however many years, have passed by the time this will air, and the show will reflect that time passage. So far as the ending of the show, this will have no resemblance to how the original finale was. It’s a great opportunity to write a second finale.”
Given the lukewarm reaction to the September 2013 series finale, from both viewers and even series lead Hall himself, “This is an opportunity to make that right,” Phillips said. “But that’s not why we’re doing it.”
As for righting/retconning any specific perceived wrongs, “We’re not undoing anything,” Phillips maintained. “We’re not going to betray the audience and say, ‘Whoops, that was all a dream.’ What happened in the first eight years happened in the first eight years.”
Michael C. Hall, sharing his own take on the original series finale, told The Daily Beast in 2014, “Liked it? I don’t think I even watched it,” adding: “I thought it was narratively satisfying — but it was not so savoury…. Just inherently because of how long we’d done it, because of the storytelling capital we’d spent, because our writers may have been gassed… Maybe some people wanted a more satisfying-maybe they wanted a happy ending for him, either a happy ending or a more definitive sense of closure.”
I bet his son turns into a killer and dexter ends up killing him and hisself
This would not be making things better. Lol
Right?? Lol
That’s what I’ve been saying!!!! But Harrison is still too young. But not a bad idea for in the future!
Oh please betray me and make Deb’s death a dumb dream. But I guess they won’t do it so I’m not interested in watching it but those who are still fans deserve a better finale so I hope they get it.
Deb was an accomplice and a murderer and got what she deserved.
Deb’s dead?!
Deb’s dead, Dexter gave up his son to be raised by another serial killer as if that was somehow better, then he faked his death and moved away to become a lumberjack. Honestly. That’s honestly what happened. No one ever caught him and he was never exposed. Short of Dexter becoming a werewolf and boarding a rocketship to go live on Uranus, It’s hard to think of a more ridiculous ending to a show than this one had. Actually, you know what, I’m not even sure that would have been more ridiculous!
Deb was the worst. Terrible actress but in small bits amazingly could be decent. She’ll be the new Harry in his head which makes more sense than stupidly bringing her back alive which thankfully they’re not doing.
This is the one time when undoing to entire season would have been the right move for a revival. Kind of like how, if they ever revive Scrubs, that season we don’t talk about should be some kind of nightmare JD had
Season 7?
I totally agree. I was so invested i and LOVED that show. To see it end like that was devastating and did not fit with the show. Please do us a favor and rewrite the ending. I’d rather believe a bad dream and see a happier ending.
Good.
I still hope we get the original ending where the whole series was Dexter’s life flashing before his eyes as he’s being executed.
I always wanted that too but I don’t see it happening, as people love him so much. Says a little about our culture even though it’s lovely dark humor at its best, or was for a large while. Would be nice though in a lotta ways.
As long as Deb returns as a vision a la Harry, I’m up for it.
^^^ THIS
Bring Deb back as Dexter’s spiritual guide with or instead of Harry!
A few years ago, Phillips gave an interview describing how he would have ended the series, and it was EXACTLY how I would he he done it. I hope we get to see that ending here. It’s time for Dexter to pay.
*I would have
Thanks for the spoiler Matt! I can’t believe you guys would put that in the article. Why does this site always ruin things for people who haven’t seen it yet?! /s
Generally shows that have been out for years are fair game. Perhaps you were just curious and considering watching the show and thus decided to read this news item. But the show’s controversial ending is baked into any discussion of a continuation, so expecting this article to be spoiler free is unrealistic.
Please Google “/s” (without the quotation marks).
This site focuses mainly on SPOILERS but also TV related news. Also the show ended years ago. When there are talks about a revival or reboot, it’s common to talk about how the original ended. You’re clearly not that new here if this isn’t the first time this site has spoiled something for you so you should have expected this.
Friendly piece of advice to everyone who thinks they won’t get spoilers from the TV related news; if you don’t want spoilers on a show you haven’t finished/caught up to yet, then don’t click on it. The site also have a tendency spoil something by putting it in the link or the headlines. So the point is unless you want spoilers, stay away from the site until you’ve finished it/caught up to the latest episode. Simple as that.
For you as well, Please Google “/s” (without the quotation marks).
I hope the show takes place in Alaska or the state Washington/Oregon .. a much colder, rainier, isolated setting and that Dexter’s mood fits the location. In others words, no sunny Florida
I’m sorry but I beg to differ, sunny Florida is not only sunny but beautiful.
What better place for Dexter to take out the murderers and dispose of their bodies in the sea?
It’s a perfect setting for a perfect show.
Florida and Dexter, the best.
Why bring Dexter for more of the same old, same old? Make it Darker, more between the lines and his code is not as clear as it once was.
I love the show and was very disappointed in the finale. Can’t wait for the reboot!
Maybe Dexter will reunite with Harrison and Hannah in Argentina and they move back to the states.
A family of serial killers. I have to say that I’m always on Dexter’s side and his code.
Saying a “lukewarm reaction to the September 2013 series finale” is being VERY generous. I recall there being a lot of fan and critic backlash. Anytime I’ve seen a worst series finale list, Dexter’s ending is on that list.
I feel like after Game of Thrones, everything else seems better by comparison. xD
They need to wipe out the whole last season and rewrite everything. It was a disaster from the beginning to end. Deb needs to stay alive and get rid of the blond!
Agree!
We didn’t want an ending, just a break.
We wanted Dexter to move to the great northwest so he could start killing bad guys here .
I knew there would be a come back because of the way it ended. And I have been waiting for years for it.
Meanwhile I have watched every single episode five times over at least.
Best series I have ever seen and my favorite one by far.
I’m so happy and can’t wait to see it. Thank you so much.
Oh god, even season 6? You poor, poor human.
Me, too!!!!!
I admit I want Deb to be the new “ghost” or conscience to replace Harry. I’d like to see Dexter follow the Oregon trail tracking a killer. I have no idea how they should follow up Hannah and Harrison, but I will certainly watch.
So glad Dexter is coming back..I loved the show and was disappointed when it ended….I say, “Go for it”!
Why change the ending? Don’t like it write your own. He got away. He is cutting wood and sooner or later the urge will return to take out killers. What a ideal place for disposal. There is no need for Dexter to pay the piper. It’s a tv show and he does not need to die in the end
I see nothing wrong with our beloved Dexter deciding after 8 or 9 years to decide to look for Rita Morgan and Harrison. His curiosity gets the best of him and he’s hoping for the best from them. Being normal. OR they end up being a family serial trio of bad guys.
I love Dexter my son is named after him. Think it’s a bad idea now 😂 👿
I think most viewers also Never want Dexter to end.
I like The show Dexter Seems like the are bring him back to kill him
This list has lost the number one entry, if you catch my drift.
That aside, I quite liked the ending for House. It befit the character’s irrational decision making and honored his friendship with his one true friend.
Sorry, I came here via the FB link “Top 15 worst endings” and ended up on this specific article.
Should be nice with a whole new set of characters as he is off on his own: the way it should be. Nothing could be worse than that last joke of a season. Here’s hoping.