Dexter Season 3: The First Four Episodes Reviewed

You've likely seen the enticing and captivating marketing for Showtime's hit serial killer drama, Dexter, but if you haven't yet tuned in, now's the time to get caught up. With two seasons now under their belt, and a third having just kicked off tonight, Dexter is perhaps one of the best cable TV programs of the past few years, and it seems that it just keeps getting better each season.

Each season the show's main character, Dexter Morgan, faces a new challenge. In Season One, it was the infamous "Ice Truck Killer" and learning that he had a brother he never knew about. During Season Two Dexter found out the truth about his mother, found himself at the center of a murder investigation, and endured a crisis of faith and confidence. And so far the theme that has remained constant at the end of each season is that Dexter is a survivor. No matter what life throws his way, he somehow makes it through, perhaps not unscathed, but he survives.

Dexter narrowly escaped Season 2 without landing on death row, and at the same time was able to get rid of the two people in his life that knew his dark secret - his N.A. sponsor Lila, and co-worker Sgt. Doakes. After coming through the trials and tribulations in the show's sophomore season, Dexter realizes that he is a survivor and his confidence in himself and his life's mission reaches an all-time high.

Dexter's newly discovered confidence, as well as the realization that he needs other people in his life, if only to give off the appearance of normalcy, carry over into season three, which kicked off tonight (9/28) at 9pm. Season three, at least through the first four episodes that we were allowed to preview, seems to focus on Dexter's new found and unlikely friendship with Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado, played by Jimmy Smit (L.A. Law, NYPD Blue).

We also get to see a new side of Dexter, as he begins to embrace spontaneity and occasionally goes against Harry's rules for life. Dexter begins gives into strongly protective feelings that he has for his girlfriend Rita and her two kids, Astor and Cody, and comes to a huge realization as their relationship grows.

New dynamics and new relationships already beginning to form in the latest season promise to bring an exciting new dimension the show. I'm hooked again, and I'm sure you will be too.

Tune in at 9pm ET Sunday nights at Showtime to catch the latest episode of "Dexter".