What I’m Watching: Dexter (Season Premiere)

Dexter: Season 4, Episode 1 “Living the Dream” (B+)

After what feels like an excruciatingly long wait, Showtime’s popular serial killer drama returns. Though I wasn’t an exuberant fan of last season compared to the show’s previous seasons, I still think that the character of Dexter, arguably the main reason to watch the show, remains intact and fantastic. This season opens with another traditionally terrific title for the episode: “Living the Dream,” following the previous premieres cleverly called “It’s Alive!” and “Our Father.” We find Dexter in a somewhat unusual state, worn down to his core with fatigue at being a father and all the responsibilities that come with it. The riff on the opening credits with Dexter lazily going through the motions of getting ready is pretty inspired, and another fitting mimicking of the title sequence by a Showtime show (“Weeds” did this in when it famously burnt down its opening credits in the season three finale). This premiere is, however, different from previous ones in that it’s not exactly clear where the show’s headed. Obviously Dexter can’t really get discovered, but it sure looks like that’s about to happen since he drove off the road with a dead body in his trunk. John Lithgow’s decade-spanning serial killer is going to play a major part this year, but it’s unclear whether Dexter will actually meet the man or merely idolize and try to find him. While many decry the notion of having a foil present for Dexter every season, and I’m not sure I’m fully on board myself, it’s important to note that “Dexter” needs something to drive it forward, and Dexter’s continuous fatigue isn’t going to cut it. Bringing Lundy back, awkward as it may have been this episode, is a great idea since Keith Carradine is excellent and his relationship with Dexter is fascinating. It’s about time Laguerta and Batista shacked up, and I couldn’t really care any less about whatever’s happening with Deb’s relationship. All in all, this season opener showed that this year should have a different feel to it, possibly a more sedated one as all the characters are becoming more disgruntled and tired, but I’m still very excited, and that’s one hell of an episode ending.