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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.

Dexter

Season Three

EMAILPRINTSERIES: Showtime, Sunday 9:00p (60 minutes)

Dexter
78
8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 36 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >

Show Info

Genre(s): Drama

Created By: James Manos, Jr.

First Air Date: September 28, 2008

Summary

Starring Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, Lauren Velez, and Jimmy Smits

Dexter's back with more blood on his hands and may have found a friend in the new Assistant District Attorney (Jimmy Smits).

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

When Season 3 kicks off spectacularly, there's a slight exhale in the first 59 minutes--then a twist. And not a small one, either. By the second episode, the writers give you roughly 40 minutes to digest that twist, then drop a real stunner. Which is--just to cut to the chase here--truly and incredibly exciting television.

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90

TV GuideMatt Roush

Dexter is real, all right. Real good.

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83

Entertainment WeeklyKen Tucker

The results are exhilarating.

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80

The New York TimesGinia Bellafante

The nature-nurture question has always been central to the show: had his upbringing been different, would his genetic makeup still have led him onto the same path? Now the stakes have been raised compellingly in that debate.

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80

PopMattersCynthia Fuchs

The perversity of this connection cannot be overstated (Smits makes Miguel both charismatic and creepy, often in the same breath). Dexter sees it, though he also yearns for the friendship, the brotherhood, even.

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80

VarietyBrian Lowry

With the larger narrative diminished, what remains are the smaller moments. There Hall's terrific performance--full of sly wit and contradictions--elevates the show

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80

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

A relationship with Julie, which has been percolating for some time, might be just a good cover for Dexter. But it feels more complicated than that, which at the very least reflects good writing and acting.

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80

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

Dexter enters season 3 on Sunday at 9 p.m. with an increasing--and pleasing--urge to make us like the curious man-child at its center.

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75

Slant MagazineMicah Towery

Should we actually trust his actions over what he says as a true indicator of who he really is? It does not seem that the writers of the show have discovered this apparent problem in their storytelling, but it certainly could be something worth exploring in the coming season.

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75

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

It's still a hugely entertaining show thanks to its charismatic lead actor and the tension that builds in its twisty-turny plots. But when a lead character is a murderous anti-hero, there's a fine line to walk between cheering a righteous vigilante and offering sympathy for the devil.

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70

Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall

Though there isn't anything appreciably wrong with the third season, it's hard to fight the feeling that maybe Dexter is a concept that has reached its expiration date.

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70

TimeJames Poniewozik

I'm interested but not engrossed, though it offers the potential for a change-up in the Dexter storyline.

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50

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

What a disappointment to find that the third season of Dexter is all over the map and lacks the crackling tension the drama had supplied in previous years.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this show is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andrea W gave it a10:
Season 3 start-to-finish was Amazing! I cannot wait until August so I buy it on DVD... (I own Season 1 & 2 already.)

Dre H gave it an8:
This show has it all.... or rather had it all Season 1 and 2 were great. Awesome story, storyline, plot twist, character development, this show is probably one of the best things... that was until season 3 aired... which consisted of a bunch of random incomplete half-ass ideals and plot-lines.

Kris R gave it a10:
Possibly the best show I've ever seen. I couldn't see this lasting more than two seasons, how wrong I was! Thank you to the writers and actors for the stunning work.

Rhett D gave it a10:
Great show starts off slow in season 3 but it picks right back up, critic on this site sucks his rating is more personal.

Marissa D gave it an8:
Michael C. Hall & Julie Benz have great chemistry. I was hoping for much more development there. The show is almost perfect. Despite that, it's still the best thing on.

Doug S gave it a10:
Dexter raises the bar season after season. In his showdown with the 'Skinner' Dexter shows that he is the biggest bad ass there is. And Deb has gone from a damsel in distress in Season 1 I can't wait for season 4!

Nick H gave it a10:
This show makes you laugh, cry, cringe and shout with joy. The edited version on CBS is crap comparatively, but I'd still watch it. Better than Weeds, Californication and Entourage.

Read more user comments >

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