Dexter

So, after all these years, I finally dove into this classic series. I must admit, the pilot episode hooked me right away! Michael C. Hall is perfect in the lead role; he portrays the lack of emotion with such skill that his cold-bloodedness captivated me as a viewer. But you also end up loving the other characters, like Angel, who plays the excellent cop willing to go the extra mile for others. The writing is top-notch, and Dexter's inner monologues are a pleasure to listen to! The central plot with the "Ice Truck Killer" is full of surprises, with twists that caught me off guard (one twist absolutely blew me away :D), and the chilling atmosphere is palpable at times! The final episode runs like a Swiss watch; I consider it a flawless conclusion to the first season. Still, I think it hasn't quite reached the metaphorical pedestal of great TV shows just yet, so I'm keeping some stars in reserve :) 8.5/10 P.S. The opening sequence is divine; I never skipped it :) (07.09.2021)

I have to say, the pilot hooked me good and wouldn’t let go! Dexter feels like a creation from the Coen brothers; I’m incredibly entertained by the main character’s inner monologues. The writing seems to be at a high level so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next. 8/10 (01.09.2021)

The creators didn’t hold back with the second season’s premise: Dexter becomes the prey for the Miami homicide department! As a result, the continuation picks up pace right from the early episodes, with the returning characters no longer needing any “introductions.” In addition to familiar faces, two important new characters were introduced: Lila and Landy. I’m especially pleased that Agent Landy was portrayed by Keith Carradine—he undoubtedly belongs in the category of outstanding actors. The continuation delves even deeper into Dexter’s past, revealing a lot of new and surprising details about his life. The theme music is again fantastic (the opening credits are never skipped), and the overall acting backdrop is superb. The final episode was packed with emotion and suspense. If I rated the first season a strong four stars, my conscience simply won’t allow me to go below five for this one. It’s luxurious. We’ll see what the continuation brings. 9/10 (14.09.2021)

After the excellent second season, where the creators dared to follow the trail of Dexter himself in the main plot, there is a slight quality drop here. It’s not dramatic, but a few aspects were on the weaker side. The new character Miguel Prado was initially quite interesting, but as time went on, I started to realize as a viewer that he didn’t have much to offer. I also immediately noticed the absence of Sergeant Doakes; his verbal clashes with Dexter elevated the show to a higher level (Quinn cannot be considered a worthy replacement, definitely not). The visually simple style that won me over in this series was maintained in the third season, but unfortunately, the story lacked a stronger pace. And mainly, the antagonist needed to be more menacing. Season four is said to be undeniably the best, so I’m curious. For me, this one gets a solid three stars. 7/10 (30.10.2021)

Yes! The fourth season blew me away with its quality! It’s clear how crucial having the right villain is for success. John Lithgow outshone all his predecessors in the role of Trinity; such a slimy yet captivating antagonist is rarely seen on a TV series level, and I honestly didn’t expect such an excellent performance! Dexter is back with his witty remarks, and the others are keeping up well (even Quinn is slowly racking up positive points, and I might even start liking him :D). The music is perfect, and the ending sent me off to outer space. Those final episodes have been among the best in the entire saga (not to mention the ending of the fourth episode with its jaw-dropping twist). The final few minutes of the last episode nearly gave me a heart attack. I’m really looking forward to the next season! I can’t give it less than 9/10 with a clear conscience! (24.11.2021)

I was pleased that the fifth season picks up exactly where the previous one left off. I admit there’s been a slight dip in quality, but I can’t really fault the creators, as John Lithgow shone as the antagonist, and I can’t imagine anyone surpassing him in this role in the future. The new storyline involving Lumen and the gang of twisted perverts really hooked me; I thoroughly enjoyed how they later teamed up and took on the antagonists as a two-person team. The rest of the classic cast also delivered stellar performances, and Peter Weller’s (a.k.a. RoboCop) reduced presence paid off well; his character stirred the otherwise calm waters of the fifth season. One of the best moments that had me on the edge of my seat was when Debb speaks in the final episode to the duo of Lumen and Dexter, unaware of their true identities. That scene had me up off my seat! 8/10 (06.12.2021)

So, the religious theme has also entered the Dexter world. To be honest, I’m surprised it took until the sixth season to explore this topic. It was interesting to watch Dexter being confronted with it at every turn. Otherwise, it was again a quality show in all respects, and I particularly enjoyed Colin Hanks' performance, which was exceptional, especially towards the end. I’m a bit disappointed with how the writers handled the character of Quinn, turning him into a comically inept figure with no self-awareness (which doesn’t fit with his development in the previous seasons). As for the storyline, I have to agree with the majority of reviewers here... The one cliffhanger was something I never saw coming. Saying it took my breath away doesn’t even come close to describing my reaction. We’ll see what the seventh season brings, as the ending was truly shocking (and I’m curious how the creators will handle this bold decision and what they have in store for us viewers). For me, it’s 8/10. (12.02.2022)

The seventh season had a tough task from the very first episode, as it decided to develop multiple storylines simultaneously. LaGuerta gradually pieces together the puzzle, ending with Dexter’s name and the label “serial killer.” Additionally, there’s much greater emphasis on Deb, who has to come to terms with the unpleasant fact that her beloved brother is a murderer. On top of that, the creators introduced the Ukrainian mafia led by the charismatic Ray Stevenson (though he falls slightly short compared to Trinity as a villain, he’s still a superbly written character). Despite all this, I really enjoyed the seventh installment of the saga. The acting is once again reliable, with new and interesting characters introduced, and that ending! It was such a tense spectacle that I’m still surprised it didn’t break me :D For me, it’s 8.5/10. (21.02.2022)

I agree that there was a noticeable drop in quality, but it wasn't anything dramatic. On the other hand, I have to disagree with the majority that Debra seemed particularly unsympathetic. What she went through in the final episode of the previous season really affects a person psychologically. So why did I find the eighth season the weakest? At times, it felt like the plot was going in circles, and I couldn’t overlook the lack of a more prominent antagonist. The final episode was shocking, and I'm a bit uncertain about it, so we’ll see how the creators handle it moving forward. For me, it's 7/10. (26.03.2022)

So, I finally finished all nine seasons of Dexter. What a ride, friends! The final addition approached it smartly, shifting from the sunny and attractive setting of Miami to the snowy and remote town of Iron Lake in New York. I welcomed this change with open arms. I liked the more modern style of the new ninth season; it still featured Dexter's monologues and took quite a bit from the past, but I felt some innovation. The antagonist finally instilled fear again after a brief hiatus; being a serial killer of young girls sounds chilling on paper, but the actor playing this antagonist delivered a masterful performance. I might be in the minority, but I didn't find the character of Harrison disruptive at all; on the contrary, he worked as a flawless catalyst for the various subplots. The final episodes provided a viewing experience where the atmosphere was literally and figuratively palpable. Sure, there were a few inconsistencies, but the creators' decision on how to end the story of this beloved character seems successful to me. And that's what matters. For me, it's 8/10. (29.03.2022)