Dexter: New Blood stirred up numerous questions, but one persistent query among fans revolves around Rita’s children, Astor and Cody Bennett. In the original Dexter series, before Dexter Morgan became a father to Harrison, he played a significant role in raising Rita’s kids. This begs the question: does Dexter take care of Rita’s kids, and what happened to Astor and Cody after the tragic events in Miami? The revival series, Dexter: New Blood, notably omits any mention of Astor or Cody, leaving a gap in the narrative concerning Harrison’s siblings. This article delves into why Astor and Cody were absent from Dexter: New Blood and explores the implications for their lives after the original series concluded.
The absence of Astor and Cody in Dexter: New Blood is a noticeable departure from the original storyline. Harrison Morgan, Dexter’s son, returns after a decade-long separation, yet he doesn’t seem to have made any attempt to connect with his step-siblings, Astor and Cody, despite living in foster care in Miami for three years. This raises eyebrows, especially considering Dexter’s past relationship with Rita’s children. In the earlier seasons of Dexter, he was portrayed as a caring stepfather to Astor and Cody, offering them support and stability, particularly after the tumultuous presence of their biological father, Paul. Dexter stepped in as a paternal figure, showcasing moments of genuine care and concern for their well-being. However, the brutal murder of Rita by the Trinity Killer in season 4 dramatically altered the family dynamic.
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Following Rita’s death, Dexter, grappling with his capacity to raise three children, made the difficult decision to send Astor and Cody to live with their maternal grandparents in Orlando. While this decision was made in their best interest, it effectively removed them from Dexter and Harrison’s immediate lives. Astor made sporadic appearances in the subsequent seasons, but Cody’s presence diminished even further. Dexter: New Blood picks up years later, with Harrison finding Dexter in Iron Lake. His backstory reveals he lived with Hannah McKay in Argentina and then entered the foster care system in Miami after her death. This Miami connection is crucial because it’s geographically close to where Astor and Cody were last known to reside.
Harrison’s Missed Opportunity to Connect with Astor and Cody
Given Harrison’s three years in Miami’s foster care system, it seems improbable that he wouldn’t have considered reaching out to Astor and Cody. He knew about his mother’s murder and, logically, would have been aware of Astor and Cody, his step-siblings who were also significantly impacted by Rita’s death and Dexter’s life. Even as a young teenager navigating the foster system, Harrison demonstrated a sharp intellect and resourcefulness, evidenced by his ability to track down Dexter living under an assumed identity in Iron Lake.
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The narrative of Dexter: New Blood glosses over this potential connection. Instead of seeking out family in Astor and Cody, Harrison’s focus is solely on Dexter. The show implies Harrison was consumed by the need to confront his father and understand his abandonment. While emotionally driven, this singular focus creates a plot inconsistency. Astor and Cody, being older and established, would arguably have been easier to locate than Dexter, who intentionally vanished and created a new identity. The most plausible explanation for this plot choice is that the writers prioritized the father-son dynamic between Dexter and Harrison, sidelining other potential family connections for narrative efficiency.
The Narrative Benefit of Astor and Cody’s Absence in Dexter: New Blood
From a storytelling perspective, the absence of Astor and Cody in Dexter: New Blood serves a distinct purpose. Including them could have diluted the central theme of Harrison’s tumultuous relationship with Dexter. Astor and Cody’s history with Dexter is complex, particularly Astor’s resentment towards him after Rita’s death. Reintroducing Astor, especially with unresolved feelings towards Dexter, could have detracted from Harrison’s storyline and shifted the emotional weight of the revival.
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Furthermore, Astor and Cody’s lives were perpetually touched by the darkness surrounding Dexter. Their mother’s death was a direct consequence of Dexter’s world, and involving them in New Blood could have unnecessarily placed them in harm’s way again. By keeping Astor and Cody separate, the narrative maintains a tighter focus on Harrison’s internal struggles and his inherited “Dark Passenger,” without revisiting the past traumas of Rita’s children. This narrative choice, while creating a plot hole regarding Harrison’s actions in Miami, ultimately streamlines the story and intensifies the father-son conflict at the heart of Dexter: New Blood.
Will Harrison Seek Out Astor and Cody Post-Dexter: New Blood?
Despite their absence in the revival, the possibility of Harrison reconnecting with Astor and Cody remains open, especially after the dramatic conclusion of Dexter: New Blood. With Dexter’s death, Harrison is left to navigate his future. Seeking out Astor and Cody would be a logical step for him to explore his past and understand more about Rita, a mother he barely knew. Hannah, while a parental figure, could not provide the personal insights into Rita’s life that Astor and Cody could offer.
Moreover, Astor and Cody represent a tangible link to a family life that Harrison was largely deprived of. They shared a mother and experienced the complexities of being Dexter’s stepchildren. They could provide a sense of shared history and understanding that Harrison might crave. While reconnecting with Dexter’s world carries inherent risks, as highlighted by Rita’s tragic fate, Astor and Cody might also offer Harrison a form of familial connection and support system outside of Dexter’s shadow. Whether Harrison will actively seek them out is uncertain, but narratively, it presents a compelling future storyline.
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In conclusion, while Dexter: New Blood doesn’t directly address how Dexter takes care of Rita’s kids or what Astor and Cody are currently doing, their absence is a deliberate narrative choice to concentrate on Harrison’s journey. This focus allows for a deeper exploration of Dexter and Harrison’s complex relationship and Harrison’s own dark tendencies. However, the door remains open for Harrison to potentially reconnect with Astor and Cody in the future, offering a new chapter in the Dexter saga and a chance to explore the lasting impact of Dexter’s life on all those connected to him.
