“Dexter”: Where Dramatic Meets Disturbing

“Dexter”, the critically-acclaimed Showtime original television series, ran for a total of eight seasons from 2006 to 2013, becoming one of the most popular shows on the air during that time span. I recently picked up the show out of quarantine boredom after it popped up in my Netflix recommendations and I quickly got hooked. The series centers around Dexter Morgan, an unassuming blood spatter analyst at a Miami police department who leads a double life as a sociopathic serial killer. Michael C. Hall stars as the titular character of the series and Jennifer Carpenter and James Remar star alongside him in their roles as Dexter’s sister and deceased father, respectively. 

Season One 

The show’s first season, adapted from Jeff Lindsay’s novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, drew universal applause from critics. Following Dexter’s investigation of the notorious “Ice Truck Killer”, the season effectively introduces the world to the dark and gruesome lifestyle of the lead character. Although I initially started watching out of boredom, I was quickly hooked by the dark and mysterious nature of the show.

Rating: 9/10

Season Two

The second season, signaling the transition from the novel’s events to the uninfluenced work of the screenwriters , worried many that the show wouldn’t live up to its literary-based predecessor. However, the transition ended up being very fluid and played off the previous season’s events seamlessly. Throughout the season, Dexter attempts to cover up his tracks as his department unknowingly launches an investigation into his own murders. Personally, I believe this season is the best of the show, keeping you always guessing and on the edge of your seat. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Season Three

The third season of the show presented many new lifestyle changes for Dexter to juggle, most notably the quick development of his personal life. Forced to spill his secret to an undesired witness, Dexter and his new buddy eventually forge a friendship and become partners. However, this change in routine brings about new problems of its own, and Dexter scrambles to sort things out while battling his own personal demons, creating for another compelling season.

Rating: 8.5/10 

Season Four

Considered to be the climax of the entire series, the fourth season follows Dexter’s encounters with the “Trinity Killer”, a notorious serial killer who continues his spree in Dexter’s own backyard. Initially impressed with the killer’s operation, Dexter soon realizes the monster he truly is and tries to put him down once and for all. This season proved to be entertaining and culminated with a string of series-altering incidents, although some of its events made me disinterested as a viewer to keep watching.  

Rating: 8/10

Overall, the first four seasons of Dexter provide for a compelling story that delves into many interesting psychological dilemmas. If you’re able to handle the disturbing nature of the show, I would recommend checking it out if you’re a fan of crime dramas or in need of a show to binge.