‘Dexter: New Blood’ Director Reveals ‘The Shining’ Easter Eggs in Episode 8
Dexter: New Blood Episode 8, “Unfair Game,” was by far the most action-packed episode of the revival so far. Dexter struggles to escape from Elric Kane (Shuler Hensley) and save his son from Kurt Caldwell. Much of the episode takes place while Dexter is being hunted through the frozen wilderness of Iron Lake. Dexter: New Blood director Sanford Bookstaver revealed that episode 8 also has several hidden references to the classic horror film, The Shining.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Dexter: New Blood Episode 8.]
What happened in ‘Dexter: New Blood’ Episode 8?
In Dexter: New Blood Episode 8, Dexter is kidnapped by a man working for Kurt Caldwell named Elric Kane. Meanwhile, Kurt grows closer and closer to Harrison, eventually inviting him to his cabin for venison and scotch. Little does Harrison know that Kurt plans to kill him.
Kane has been instructed to bring Dexter back to Kurt’s cabin alive, but Dexter makes things difficult for him. He manages to escape Kane’s car using a clever trick with his hand ties. Then Dexter finds himself racing for his life through the snowy wilderness, being chased by a gun-wielding Kane.
The chase eventually leads Dexter and Kane to an abandoned summer camp. Dexter finds a knife and is able to get the best of Kane by smashing through a mirror. He learns where Kurt has taken his son before stabbing Kane in the chest.
‘Dexter: New Blood’ director reveals ‘The Shining’ easter eggs in episode 8
Dexter has paid homage to popular films such as American Psycho in the past. Episode 8’s snowy setting was the perfect time to sneak in some easter eggs referencing The Shining. The classic 1980s horror film takes place in an isolated hotel over the winter. Dexter: New Blood director Sanford Bookstaver breaks down the hidden references on the Dexter: New Blood Wrap-Up podcast.
“The Shining is my favorite horror film of all time,” Bookstaver said on the podcast. “There is some very Shining-esque moments in this episode, with the stalking through the snow, it’s very similar to the hedge maze.”
Toward the end of The Shining, little Danny runs from his deranged father through a hedge maze. He is able to outwit Jack by laying a trail in the snow, then backtracking over his already existing footprints. Dexter attempts this tactic while running from Kane, but unfortunately for him, he doesn’t have as much success as Danny.
Bookstaver continued to explain more of The Shining easter eggs hidden in the episode. “There is a 237 door in the summer camp dining area that Shuler is walking past,” he said on the podcast. “There is a sign in the woods leading to the summer camp, but also in that same sign it says, ‘To the Overlook Hotel’. In Kurt’s cabin, it’s very very subtle, the wallpaper is the pattern from The Shining.”
Where was the revival filmed?
Dexter: New Blood takes place in the fictional town of Iron Lake, New York. The revival’s new location is a stark contrast to Dexter’s previous home in Miami. Filming for the revival mainly took place in various parts of Massachusetts. Shelburne Falls in particular was used to create the little town of Iron Lake in all its snowy charm, Dexter executive producer Scott Reynolds said on the Dexter: New Blood Wrap-Up podcast.
Dexter: New Blood airs on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET on Sundays.
