Fans of Dexter received some polarizing news with the announcement that the show is returning to Showtime for a ninth season. Many fans were left disappointed after the end of the series in 2013. The eighth season proved highly controversial and spoiled what had been a hugely successful run. Nothing about the show's finale has aged well, but some things about the show have.
If the series is going to redeem itself in the eyes of its fanbase, it will need to remind itself of what about the show worked and why. It would also do well to keep in mind what didn't work at all.
Aged Well: Narration (First Two Seasons)
Narration generally doesn't work in television or film as it's essentially a show, don't tell medium. Visual language will ordinarily explain what's happening just fine. With a complex character like Dexter, whose thought process regarding his 'code' is fundamental to understanding who he is, the narration was key.
The decision to have Dexter narrate the series proved successful in the first two seasons of the show, as the series dug deep into the psyche of its compelling main character.
Didn't: Narration (After)
As the show progressed, the narration eventually became a liability. Though it continued to provide a distinction between the show and the books it was based on in terms of exploring the concept of the Dark Passenger, the narration eventually became a storytelling crutch.
His internal dialogue drifted from providing insight into his soul to pointing out the obvious of what was happening around him, especially in later seasons. For example, this gem when he brings a box of donuts to work: "Empty inside... just like me."
Aged Well: Stylistically Unique
Along with the narration, the show brought a unique visual style that distinguished it from a lot of other shows. Setting it in Miami helped a lot. Bright neon lights at night and sunny days provided a healthy dose of color that contrasted heavily with the dark subject matter of the show.
The show provided a dream-like quality for scenes involving the Dark Passenger and visions of Dexter's dead father. There were lots of low angles and wide-angle lenses used to create a sense of space that was inspired in part by the films of Martin Scorcese.
Didn't: Losing Rita
A show about a serial killer is going to end up with some deaths. Any character connected to that serial killer is going to be in trouble and that was certainly true of Rita. Dexter's eventual wife provided a great deal of warmth and humanity not just to Dexter's cold world, but the show. Her death was expected but ultimately tilted the show into its disappointing endgame.
Without Rita to anchor him, Dexter flailed as a character, spinning his tires narratively and entering a series of relationships, most of which were ill-advised for him and the show both.
Aged Well: Acting
The show could have easily indulged in the dark allure of its subject matter from the start. But the show took itself very seriously (at least in the beginning...) and that started with the acting.
Michael C. Hall was nominated for numerous Emmy And Golden Globe Awards for his compelling performance as Dexter Morgan. The show featured many other great performances, including a captivating John Lithgow as the Trinity Killer from season four, one of his best performances.
Didn't: No Growth
The show began as a deep, unflinching exploration into the mind and soul of a killer. For the first half or so of the show's run, Dexter grew as a person through his experiences (like finding out his brother was a serial killer, too).
That eventually stopped. The general consensus is this happened in season five, with the death of Rita. The show's last few seasons saw the character more or less idle and going through the motions, as if the creative team had run out of ideas. By the end of the show in season eight, fans were ready for them to pull the plug.
Aged Well: Anti-Hero Fixation
Anti-heroes have proven highly successful in 'the Golden Age' of television. From The Sopranos to Game of Thrones, bad guys (and women) continue to make compelling viewing. Dexter coming back to television is a testament to the fact that this trend remains firmly in place.
Exploring characters with complicated morals and ethics makes for much more rewarding storytelling, especially in the serial format that has become the standard of high-quality television on cable and streaming.
Didn't: Deb / Dexter
Dexter started to make a few wrong turns about halfway through its run. One storytelling decision that sent it off the road was having Deb fall in love with Dexter. Dexter's sister had a rocky road in the romance department but the decision to have her realize romantic feelings for him was too much.
It was evidence that the show no longer knew what to do with either character. Deb spun around after this quickly dismissed development until her final, unceremonious end in the series.
Aged Well: It Ended
The decision to bring Dexter back for another season likely pleases some fans of the show. There is certainly an opportunity to undo some of the missteps of the finale (more on that in a moment). But sometimes leaving well enough alone is a good idea.
One of the best things about the series is that it came to an end and didn't continue spinning its tires just because it was popular. The character had more or less reached his narrative end and so had the concept.
Didn't: Ending
Season 8 did not please fans in general. The last episode left fans in utter despair, and ranks among the worst finales of all-time, arguably on par with the end of Game Of Thrones. The worst aspect of it is the death of Deb, who suffers a stroke.
Dexter removes her from life support and dumps her body in the ocean (for some reason) during a hurricane. He skips town during the storm and resurfaces in Oregon as a lumberjack. None of it really made sense and none of it left viewers satisfied.