Dexter Finally Reveals The Origin Of His Obsession That Lasted Throughout The Main Series & New Blood

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 6!The origin of one of the most heartwarming aspects of Dexter Morgan from both the main series and New Blood is finally revealed in Dexter: Original Sin, and it fits his character perfectly. Through the new and returning characters in Dexter: Original Sin, the backstories of some defining aspects of the main show and the titular serial killer are finally divulged, and some prove more surprising than others. Some prove to be more dramatic, such as the truth behind Harry Morgan and Laura Moser’s relationship, while others, like Dexter’s donut-bringing tradition, are born out of some funnier moments.

Just like becoming the “Donut Guy” at Miami Metro, Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 6 reveals how another part of Dexter’s “mask” of normalcy originally came about. In Dexter season 2, it was revealed that Dexter was a really skilled bowler, and even played in a league with other employees at Miami Metro. It didn’t seem that Harry was a big bowler, so the origin of Dexter’s interest in bowling was somewhat of a mystery in the main series. However, Original Sin finally explains how he was inspired to pick up that hobby, and it was a complete accident.

Dexter's Bowling Obsession Began After Lying To Sofia To Get Out Of A Date

Dexter Panicked When Explaining To Sofia Why He Was Busy

Dexter (Patrick Gibson) has a vision of how the murder he's investigating was committed in Dexter Original Sin Season 1 Ep 4

Dexter’s interest in bowling began when he was 20 years old, as he was trying to get out of a date with his new girlfriend, Sofia. After Dexter and Sofia were driving home from their double date with Deb and Gio, Sofia asked the titular character whether he would want to hang out again the following night. However, the next night was when he was planning to stalk and kill Levi Reed, who Harry almost tried to kill in Original Sin season 1, episode 5. Having to think quickly on his feet, Dexter hesitated and said that he couldn’t hang out because he was going bowling.

Not only did Dexter say that he was going bowling, but he made the context of the lie more difficult to keep up with by explaining that it was practice for his bowling league. While Sofia believed him, Deb would certainly know that Dex hadn’t been going to bowling practice and isn’t a league. So, after Dexter: Original Sin season 1, episode 6, it’s likely that he’ll actually have to find a league to join in order to keep up his lie, which he can also continue to use as an excuse for Sofia.

Dexter technically joins the Miami Metro bowling team before the season 2 premiere, but Original Sin is seemingly adjusting this league to begin much earlier.

Since Dexter is on a team with other members of Miami Metro in Dexter season 2, he’ll also likely be the one to suggest to others at the station that they join a bowling league. Batista and Masuka were among the players in the main show, so these two returning Dexter characters in Original Sin are apt to be the ones who he recruits first. Additionally, since the photo of the bowling team from the main series includes Dexter, Masuka, Batista, and another unknown man, the latter will, hopefully, finally get an introduction before Dexter: Original Sin season 1’s finale.

Dexter Being A Great Bowler Ended Up Helping With His "Cover" In Miami & Iron Lake

Dexter's Bowling Gave Him A "Normal" Extracurricular

While it started out as a lie to get out of a date, Dexter turned out to be an excellent bowler, and actually enjoyed playing the sport. He then used it as part of his “cover” to appear more “normal” to those around him – the exact same intention behind why Dexter brings donuts to Miami Metro in the main series. Dexter believes that being part of a team in a “normal” sport like bowling is a great mask to lower suspicion of him, while furthering his camaraderie with others at the station, like Batista and Masuka.

Realizing that his bowling hobby helped make him seem more like a “normal” guy in Miami, Dexter continued bowling in Iron Lake before Dexter: New Blood. The sequel series revealed that Dexter had joined a bowling team in his new town that was sponsored by his employer at Fred’s Fish & Game. Not only was he in a bowling league in Iron Lake, but he was also known for bringing donuts into his place of work – repeating the same methods that helped cover up his double life for decades in Miami.

Dexter's Bowling Hobby Has A Sad Connection To His Biological Father

Dexter's Biological Father Was An Avid Bowler Before His Death

Eventually, Dexter would find out that his bowling skills might have actually been inherited. In Dexter season 1, he discovers that his biological father, Joe Driscoll, has been murdered, with Dexter inheriting Joe’s house and belongings. While at the house, Dexter finds a bowling ball and bag as well as a photo of Joe with his bowling team, with Dexter picking up this hobby soon after. Since Joe Driscoll is still alive during Dexter: Original Sin, it’s possible that he could appear in the series at the bowling alley – though without any direct interactions with Dexter.

New episodes of Dexter: Original Sin season 1 release Fridays on Paramount+ with Showtime.

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