Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4 ending explained: Did Jimmy Powell die?

Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4, titled Fender Bender, aired on Showtime on December 27, 2024. Focusing on the early days of Dexter’s journey, episode 4 of the series brought a mix of suspense, humor, and moral dilemmas.

The episode followed Dexter as he targeted his third victim, Mad Dog, a former hitman with a gruesome past, portrayed by Joe Pantoliano. It also explored Dexter’s growing unease with certain crimes, particularly when faced with the death of an innocent child. The interplay between Dexter’s moral code and his compulsion to kill was central to the storyline.

Early in the Dexter: Original Sin episode, the tragic fate of Judge Powell’s abducted son, Jimmy, was revealed. Jimmy's dead body was found hanging from a bridge, which served as a reminder of the stakes Miami Metro faced. This discovery left Dexter shaken, revealing his humanity in a rare moment of vulnerability and setting the tone for the rest of the episode.

Jimmy Powell from Dexter: Original Sin (Image via Paramount Plus)

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Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4: The child abduction case took an intense turn

The case of Jimmy Powell’s abduction and murder formed the emotional core of Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4. Jimmy’s disappearance sent shockwaves through Miami, with law enforcement under immense pressure to locate the boy. Tragically, their efforts failed. Jimmy’s body was discovered hung up on a bridge, with signs of torture and murder.

An autopsy showed that Jimmy was killed by an ice pick stabbed into the back of his head. One of his fingers had been cut off and burned with a car’s cigarette lighter.

These chilling details shook the Miami Metro Police Department, especially Dexter, who showed an unusual emotional reaction. Harry, Dexter’s guiding voice, saw this as proof that Dexter still had some humanity left in him.

A still of Dexter from the series (Image via Paramount Plus)

The Powell case showed the two sides of Dexter’s life. On one side, he wanted to bring justice to people who committed crimes, like Jimmy’s murder. But on the other side, his code stopped him from acting unless he had clear proof that someone was guilty. This struggle pushed him to focus on Mad Dog, whose violent past made him a prime suspect in such crimes.

Dexter’s drive to uncover the truth about Mad Dog intensified, leading him to dig deeper. He found clues, like a torn photo that pointed to Mad Dog’s next target, a state witness named Omar Reyes. This discovery made Dexter act quickly to stop another innocent life from being killed, all while dealing with the painful memory of Jimmy.

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Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4: Who is Mad Dog?

Mad Dog was a former hitman with a violent history that stretched back decades. He was once a feared killer for the mob, rumored to have taken over 200 lives, mostly in the 1970s. Despite these claims, the police could never gather enough evidence to charge him, allowing him to retire quietly in Miami and stay out of sight.

Now working as a fishing charter operator, Mad Dog gave Dexter the perfect chance to investigate him. Using a fake identity, Dexter got close to the aging hitman, searching for proof of his crimes.

Mad Dog from Dexter: Original Sin(Image via Paramount Plus)

Mad Dog’s house, filled with vintage guitars and suspicious items, became the spot where Dexter prepared to make his next move. But things went wrong when Mad Dog woke up in the middle of Dexter’s setup.

In the chaos that followed, Dexter’s lack of experience as a killer showed. Mad Dog, dressed only in his boxers, managed to escape to the street, where he was hit by a passing car. The episode ended on a suspenseful note, leaving viewers wondering if Mad Dog survived and what problems Dexter might face if he didn’t.

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Other highlights of Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4

Debra from Dexter: Original Sin (Image via Paramount Plus)

Apart from the central storylines, Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4 explored side plots such as a flashback showed Harry growing closer to Laura, Dexter’s mother. These scenes gave more insight into Dexter’s past, showing how Harry cared deeply for Laura and her sons, Dexter and Brian.

At the same time, Debra, Dexter’s adoptive sister, had a night out with her friend Sofia. During their outing, she met Gio, an older man with a shady vibe. While his charm intrigued Debra, his mysterious lifestyle raised concerns. Despite the warning signs, Debra seemed drawn to him, hinting at trouble ahead.

The episode’s humor was a highlight, especially when Dexter used guitars as weapons. A funny moment happened when Mad Dog begged, “Not the Clapton!” as Dexter threatened him with an acoustic guitar. These lighthearted scenes balanced the darker themes.

Additionally on Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4, tension simmered within Miami Metro, with LaGuerta sidelined to a less prestigious assignment, much to her frustration.

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Fans can stream Dexter: Original Sin season 1 episode 4 on Paramount+.