WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Original Sin episode 9.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character inDexter: Original Sinis revealed to be responsible for Debra Morgan’s career choice at Miami Metro Homicide.Dexter: Original Sinepisode 9brings Deb into the Miami Metro fold as a senior in high school, meeting several characters likeGellar’s Tanya Martin, Dexter’s forensics boss, for the first time. Deb is a talented volleyball player who has a rare opportunity to play Division I at Florida State University, even after punching her teammate Tiffany (Victoria Martzloff) in the face.
Tanya is a down-to-earth forensics specialist with a “cool mom” vibe at Miami Metro. While she has mostly been on the outskirts of the main narratives inDexter: Original Sinseason 1, she ends up inspiring Deb during their very first conversation in episode 9. Deb also meets the not-so-encouraging Maria LaGuerta, who would have a long-running workplace feud with Deb during the originalDexterseries. Still,Deb’s conversation with Tanya made an impression that would change herlife forever.
Tanya Martin Helped Convince Deb To Become A Cop In Dexter: Original Sin (& She Rose Higher Than Other Morgans)
Tanya Planted The Seed For Deb To Join Miami Metro In Original Sin Episode 9
InDexter: Original Sinepisode 9, Deb tells Tanya that she didn’t want to become a cop because it’s more of a “male Morgan” thing. In response, Tanya says she would be good at it and they need more “kickass” women on the team. Thesewords of encouragement seemed to have planted the seedfor Deb’s career at Miami Metro. Deb does eventually join the force and ultimately gets higher on the ladder than any male Morgan had before her. She became Lieutenant but probably could have been Captain after Batista if she didn’t die.
Previously inDexter: Original Sin, Deb used to chalk upDexter and Harry’s relationship and cop conversations as “guy talk”. As shown throughout the first season, Deb is far more focused on partying, dating, and other trivial things that concern high school teenagers.
After Deb’s conversation with Tanya, she may have to choose between an FSU volleyball scholarship or entering the Miami Metro fold.
Tanya is the first person in Deb’s lifewho helped her separate the idea of being a cop from her father and brother. After Deb’s conversation with Tanya, she may have to choose between an FSU volleyball scholarship or entering the Miami Metro fold.
Her Disappearance From The Franchise Will Have To Be Explained In Future Episodes
Image via Paramount+
Even thoughDexter: Original Sinreveals that Tanya helped inspire Deb to become a cop,she’s not mentioned once in the originalDextershow. This new detail makes what happens to her even more curious, considering how integral of a character she is as Dexter’s first boss and mentor.
Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 9 Ending Explained – Why Dexter Lets THAT Villain Escape
The ending of Dexter: Original Sin episode 9 “Blood Drive” features Dexter surprisingly letting a main villain escape in an apparent “rookie mistake.”
With Aaron Spencer presumably on his way out in theDexter: Original Sinseason 1 finale,Gellar may take on a bigger season 2role in Dempsey’s absence. It would be shocking if Tanya turned out to be a killer like Spencer, making the reason for her departure from the Dexter universe one of the franchise’s biggest mysteries. Tanya may become a mentor for both Dexter and Deb inDexter: Original Sinseason 2.
Tanya Could Be Deb’s Much-Needed Role Model & Best Workplace Friend
While it’s yet to be confirmed whether Sarah Michelle Gellar will return forDexter: Original Sinseason 2– or if she’ll survive the season 1 finale – her dynamic with Deb in one scene already shows signs of a great workplace relationship at Miami Metro.Both characters carry a similar levity and fun-seeking quality about themdespite being also no-nonsense in certain situations. The pairing of Deb and Tanya at Miami Metro would be a great way to expand both their characters in season 2, even though they would technically be working in different areas within the homicide department.
With most of the focus on Dexter’s first kills with Harry as his mentor inDexter: Original Sin,Tanya could be a great source of inspiration for Debto not only join Miami Metro but to also progress under her leadership. Deb isn’t nearly as interested in the forensics side of things at Miami Metro, which is both Tanya’s and Dexter’s specialty, but Tanya could potentially still be a general support system for Deb during her early training days inOriginal Sinseason 2.
Since Deb continues to mourn the death of her mother, Doris, she needs a maternal figure to guide her through life more than any Morgan character.
Since Deb continues to mourn the death of her mother, Doris, she needs a maternal figure to guide her through life more than any Morgan character. Even if Deb and Tanya’s areas of expertise don’t overlap at Miami Metro, the two could become great friends and develop their own shared subplot inDexter: Original Sinseason 2. This wouldgive Gellar’s role more of an immediate purpose in the prequel seriessince she arguably was underutilized throughout season 1.
After Aaron Spencer’s Twist, The Prequel Series Should Keep Tanya As A Positive Influence
After so many great scenes with Tanya and Dexter, and now Deb,it would be better to leave Tanya as a positive influencein their lives rather than make her a villain in future episodes ofDexter: Original Sin. Both Deb and Dexter have already encountered so many negative, unstable, and violent people in their lives, including people who they trusted who turned out to be terrible. Because of this, it would be a relief to have someone like Tanya just be a constantly positive person for them.
If Harry returns inDexter: Original Sinseason 2, there’s even the possibility that he and Tanya could form a closer bond through Deb and Dexter.
If Harry returns inDexter: Original Sinseason 2, there’s even the possibility that he and Tanya could form a closer bond through Deb and Dexter. It appears that Tanya will get closer to Dexter and Deb throughout season 2 but hopefully not too close to the point where she discovers Dexter’s Dark Passenger. It would be incrediblytragic if somehow Tanya becomes a victim of Dexter’s vigilante pursuits, similar to Rita’s horrific fate at the hands of theTrinity Killer inDexterseason 4. Of all theDexter: Original Sincharacters, Tanya’s personality is the most similar to Rita’s.
TheDexter: Original Sinseason 1 finale releases on Paramount+ at 12:01 AM ET on Friday, February 14.
With the surprisingreveal that Aaron Spencer is an apparent child killerand kidnapper inDexter: Original Sinseason 1, it would be borderline preposterous if another new Miami Metro character turned out to be a killer as well. Tanya is genuinely great and the least likely to “break bad” in the prequel series, sohopefullyDexter: Original Sinwon’t force a Tanya twist that would undermine her character. Tanya should shine a bright light on Dexter and Deb inDexter: Original Sinseason 2 before her eventual exit from theDexteruniverse.
9 Missing Original Characters In Dexter: Original Sin Season 1
There are nine characters from the original Dexter who should have, or at least could have, appeared in the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin.
