What happened to Mad Dog in Dexter: Original Sin Episode 4? Explored

Dexter: Original Sin introduces the audience to Dexter Morgan’s initial victims. The show follows the titular forensic expert, who expresses his violent urges by hunting down criminals.

In the fourth episode, titled Fender Bender, Dexter is on the lookout for his third target when he comes across a former mob assassin named Mad Dog. Played by Joe Pantoliano, Mad Dog in Dexter: Original Sin is reported to have murdered around 200 people.

After confirming that the assassin is still active and will kill his next victim soon, Dexter plans to take him down. He enters Mad Dog’s home and smashes his head; however, the assassin escapes before Dexter can kill him and is eventually hit by a car.

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A speeding car hits Mad Dog in Dexter: Original Sin episode 4

In Dexter: Original Sin episode 4, Dexter Morgan goes through files of unsolved cases to find his next target. He gets to know about Mad Dog, a hitman who used to work for the mob and is suspected of killing up to 200 people.

Mad Dog, whose real name is Anthony Moretti, now lives a quiet life as a fishing charter captain. However, Dexter learns that he is planning another murder. Mad Dog’s next target is Omar Reyes, a witness in an important trial against the mob. Dexter decides to stop Mad Dog before he can kill Omar.

He gets the hitman’s address after pretending to be a customer for a fishing trip. Meanwhile, Harry is not thrilled about Dexter killing again but agrees it is the right thing to do. Dexter then breaks into the man’s house and finds clues about his next victim, including a shredded photo of Omar.

He sets up a trap to attack Mad Dog at his own home. As soon as the assassin enters the house, he knocks him out with an acoustic guitar. Dexter then begins to prepare his kill room by wrapping the space in plastic, just like he usually does.

While he ties Mad Dog up, he regains consciousness and fights back. The two get into a tussle, but Mad Dog manages to escape the house and runs into the street wearing only his boxers. However, just as he tries to flee on the road, a speeding car hits him.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger without confirming whether Mad Dog is dead or alive. If he survives, it could cause trouble for Dexter as he has seen his face and could report him to the police.

However, even if he dies, Dexter could still face problems as authorities might investigate the hit-and-run case, which could lead them to the forensic expert.

Dexter: Original Sin episode 4 shows Dexter is still new to the world of killers as he makes some rookie mistakes. For example, instead of sedating Mad Dog with a tranquilizer, he relies on hitting him with a guitar, which does not end up well.

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The Mad Dog incident will have repercussions in the next episode

Dexter: Original Sin episode 5 synopsis hints at how messing up things at Mad Dog’s house would have repercussions for Dexter. In the next episode, titled F is for F...-Up, Harry is set to ground his son after he fumbled in killing Mad Dog. The logline for episode 5 reads:

“After a kill goes wrong, Dexter is grounded by Harry; Deb deepens her relationship with Gio, and bonds with her brother on the anniversary of their mothers' death.”

Dexter: Original Sin episode 5 will air on January 7, 2025.