Dexter's back this Sunday, some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Sep 25, 2010, 14:32 GMT

Showtime\'s “Dexter’’ takes an emotionally stunted psychopath who operates in a "code" that keeps this taut, noir dramedy dipped in elements of a horror film from veering off into an unwatchable gorefest.

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Showtime's “Dexter’’ takes an emotionally stunted psychopath who operates in a code of ethics that keeps this taut, noir dramedy, dipped in elements of a horror film, from veering off into an unwatchable gorefest.

Michael C. Hall's Dexter exists normally in the parameters of polite company, but if a bad guy crosses his path, all bets are off if he survives the episode.

We left Dexter in a pool of Rita’s bloody bathwater, holding Harrison and in shock that Arthur (John Lithgow), the Trinity Killer, had bested him in the cat-and-mouse game.

The humor offsets the real-time unimaginable; the quality of writing and the character development given to a group of well-cast actors who have real charisma and chemistry with each other, notably earthy, steely Lauren Vélez who plays Lt. Maria Laguerta.  Her character is fleshed out even more this new season, and her relationship with Sgt. Angel Batista (David Zayas) feels real and right.

"Dexter" is wholly unique, not a cookie-cutter procedural and simply like no other television show on the air.  The fifth season begins Sunday night at 9 on Showtime.

The new season feels more the net sum of Dexter's decisions, compulsions and actions. He has lost his tether (Rita, Julie Benz) and now clings to Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) and his routine as his sanity Rosetta stone.  There is a bit of an incestuous overtone in the Miami Dade department where Dexter and Deb work, as relationships spring up inside the department born of stress and grief.

Dexter marvels at others ability to feel, grieve, empathize, and commiserate. He play acts these things, and analyzes his own loss in that patented removed way he does, not experiencing his feelings, but smart enough to play act them in the right company to pull it off.

C.S. Lee shines as gallows humor-filled Vince Masuka, the sexually inappropriate coworker whose heart is in the right place.  Jennifer Carpenter is exemplary as her character, Deb.  We feel for Deb, despite her crusty, foul-mouthed personality.  She has an electric moment with fellow detective, Quinn (Desmond Harrington).  "The Tudors" Maria Doyle Kennedy is introduced to the cast as a nanny for Dexter's baby boy.  Shawn Hatosy has a brilliant guest role as a wound-up creep whose daytime job is dead-animal removal. He crosses paths with the wrong man in the Miami area.

Dexter, season five, premieres this Sunday on SHOWTIME.

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