Dexter: Resurrection smartly avoids one of New Blood’s most confusing setting changes

Many fans were disappointed with the original finale of the series Dexter, leading to the 2021 release of New Blood. With a new tone and vibe, it attempted to fix what many felt was a broken storyline. While some of the new additions were captivating, they certainly were not without their issues.

The most glaring problem was the utter change in the geography and lifestyle pertaining to Dexter Morgan. Fans went from being taken through the vibrant streets of Miami to the desolate and freezing Iron Lake town in New York, a move that was polarizing for many and completely uncharacteristic of the series.

Aside from the obviously stunning contrast this new location offers, it poses far more questions than answers for eagle-eyed viewers, especially considering how much thought was put into the change. Many were left wondering why someone as methodical and cunning as Dexter would want to live in such an isolated area.

For someone whose survival skills revolve around navigating urban jungles, having Dexter set in a diminutive rural town felt completely off. The justification provided by the show was halfhearted at best, failing to convince anyone.

Now, with Showtime's upcoming Resurrection, it looks like the network is committed to correcting the blunders from the past. Rather than putting Dexter — or any killer with those instincts — in yet another randomly picked town, Resurrection seems to be restoring the setting where both the plot and the essence of the franchise are preserved: Miami. At least Miami-like.

The decision might be the best one the franchise has made in more than a decade and counting.

Returning to familiar territory enhances credibility

In Resurrection, the attempt to reconnect to Miami — or something that resembles it — serves a purpose beyond the call of nostalgia. It brings back narrative logic that New Blood squandered. The steamy climate, the throng of people, and the amorally vague boundaries of a city like Miami are a perfect fit to Dexter’s juxtaposed existence as a forensic expert and a serial killer. It is a place where hiding in plain sight is not only possible, but the very concept makes sense. Something that never quite made sense in the insular town of Iron Lake.

By placing Resurrection in a location that echoes the original series, the creative team ensures thematic coherence. The chaotic, corrupting heat of urban life reflects the physiological temper Dexter had to deal with.

New Blood stripped Dexter of that ecosystem which utterly undercut the storytelling power of the setting. It now returns him to his roots, and the character’s actions, motivations, and inner conflicts will be more coherent and believable.

Avoiding the “isolation trap” of Dexter: New Blood

The decision to place Dexter in a remote, snow-covered town with minimal technological resources and a sparse population arguably drew harsh criticism for New Blood. Although it served to add contrast visually, much of the suspense created by Dexter being constantly surrounded by people and the imminent danger of exposure was removed.

In Iron Lake, his primary concern was a sheriff who was also his girlfriend. This situation was simple, straightforward, and devoid of the tension and complexity that was expected from this franchise.

Ressurrection aims to avoid this issue by presenting a changing location with new players, such as active participants — police officers, journalists, members of the public — which amplify the danger and heighten the stakes.

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The fact that dual cities are busy and disordered suggests that once again, Dexter (or his spiritual successor) will have to find his way through a perilously ambiguous universe overflowing with temptation threats. This is exactly the tightrope balance that made the original seasons so thrilling.

To sum up: Resurrection realizes what initially drew fans into the series: It wasn’t only the murders and the ever-present spiraling thought track — it was the locales surrounding everything that added authenticity, urgency, and emotional intensity. By avoiding New Blood’s most baffling, disorienting, and alienating choices, Resurrection might just succeed in delivering the true continuation that fans have been longing for.

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