"That's his mission now, to find his son," Dexter creator Clyde Phillips tells Entertainment Weekly. "And these returning characters, as much of a surprise and as thrilling as it is to see them, help launch the mission for what the show is about: his drive to see Harrison. This is a father and son show."

Before waking up, Dexter also sees other ghosts from his past: Miguel (Jimmy Smits), who he killed in the Season 3 finale of the original series; his father, Harry (James Remar); and finally, Sergeant Doakes (Erik King), who he killed in the Season 2 finale.