Dexter: The Complete Third Season – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Aug 19, 2009, 14:30 GMT

"Dexter" is back and more killer than ever. The Emmy(R)-nominated Showtime Original Series (Best Drama Series, Lead Actor in a Drama Series) returns for an all-new season - and this time Dexter\'s got a new take on taking life. Having faced some of his darkest demons, Dexter\'s ready to put the past behind him. Now, with family life, a day job catching killers and an uncontrollable urge to do away ...more

Showtime’s Dexter once again proves to be one of the most compelling and addicting shows on television.  

Early on his life, Dexter Morgan’s (Michael C. Hall) stepfather Harry (James Remar) recognized the budding serial killer in him.  To keep his stepson on the side of the angels Harry developed a code for Dexter that allowed him to use his gifts to kill those that deserved to die because of their crimes.  Last season, Dexter was nearly exposed and caught but was able to escape detection. 

This season finds Dexter contemplating marriage since his girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) is pregnant, but will his “hobbies” be able to work around marriage and a baby?  Dexter dutifully continues with his murders and targets local drug dealer Freebo (Mike Erwin) but he misses his target and accidentally kills Oscar Prado (Nick Hermz). 

This might not have been a problem if Oscar wasn’t the brother of assistant district attorney Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits).  He keeps the secret that it was he who killed Oscar but finds in Miguel a willing accomplice in crime. 

Meanwhile, his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is on the cast of a deadly new serial killer called “The Skinner.”  

I love Dexter.  The show is as addicting as a serial killer’s craft is to the madman in question.  Dexter is the definition of an antihero as he does things that we may not like but he does them with such character that we can’t help but watch. 

Michael C. Hall is a wonderful performer and it’s his ability as an actor that keeps the audience tuning in.  The writing is superb and the supporting characters also give the show a lift.  I’ll take a moment to mention Angel Batista (David Zayas), one of Dexter’s fellow officers.  He’s been with the show since the beginning and continues to charm. This season features a guest turn by Jimmy Smits and he too is excellent. 

Both Smits and Hall are up for Emmy nominations and the show is also nominated as Outstanding Drama Series.  Dexter is a show that you’ll relish tuning in to watch.  Reality provides an odd turn of events as Hall and Carpenter have married in real life.  That seems somewhat incestuous.  What would Harry say?

Dexter is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features continue to annoy.  The only special features on the disc are the first two episodes of The United States of Tara (disc four), some text biographies, and a photo gallery. 

The rest of the special features, interviews, two episodes of season three of the Tudors, and an excerpt of the novel Dexter by Design (that offers a chance at winning a tropical vacation), are only accessible via your PC.

To be honest, the last time I tried to get some of this stuff online when I reviewed the last season it was either not available or I didn’t want to wait for the download so I didn’t try this time.  It’s out there if you want it, but I’m more for having the special features on the disc as downloads are slow or websites can crash. 

I’m going to rate the show highly again, but I’ve not been happy with the say the special features have been handled with the show.  Luckily the show is so excellent it doesn’t affect my rating.  

Dexter continues to slash his way into our hearts.  If you’re of a bad sort he might actually do it literally.  The show continues to offer quality television that you’ll be tuning in to watch and eagerly anticipating season four (teased with a card in the box with a grinning baby with a grinning Dexter and blood all over the place).  

Dexter: The Complete Third Season is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.