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.

TV GuideMatt Roush

Dexter is real, all right. Real good.

Entertainment WeeklyKen Tucker

The results are exhilarating.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TimeJames Poniewozik

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

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.