“Dexter” is a cult classic show that has won multiple awards and has been referenced in hundreds of other media. The show follows Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who uses his police resources to track down and kill other murderers in his free time.
There are eight seasons in the show with the opening season being my personal favorite because of the mystery that hooks viewers in right off the bat; it also introduces one of the most interesting antagonists in the entire story’s run. However, most of its fame comes from the first half of the show’s run being regarded as one of the best first seasons of a TV show, and the fourth season being one of the highest rated TV show seasons ever on IMDb. With such an amazing start to the story, the later seasons had a lot to live up to, but unfortunately bombed, with those episodes having way lower ratings than previous seasons.
This decline in ratings stems from poor narrative choices and stepping away from what made audiences love “Dexter,” with the ending episode being the lowest rated in the show’s run at a 4.9 out of 10 on IMDb, and I’d have to agree. The worst of this decline in the show’s reception is season six due to the writers of the show trying to experiment too far out of the realms of what made people love “Dexter.” Season six was filled with inconsistent plot points and an overall story that did not feel like it was written for “Dexter” at all, and fans have gone saying it feels like a subplot straight out of “The Walking Dead.”
After its ending in 2013, a sequel show was released named “Dexter: New Blood.” This show ultimately suffered the same fate as the original: a promising and compelling beginning, followed by a finale that drops the ball. This “Dexter curse” led fans of the series to be unsatisfied with the show’s direction. After hearing the news of a new sequel show, “Dexter: Resurrection,” being released, fans were skeptical because of the previous shows’ eventual downfall. However this show surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Dexter: Resurrection” initially follows the same formula the past two shows have, a promising start, but then it breaks the formula and stays that way without a single episode being rated below an eight out of 10 so far.
The story takes place in New York City where Dexter wakes up from a coma directly after the events of “Dexter: New Blood.” With season one of the show having recently finished and season two on the way, fans have absolutely been in love with this latest installment of the series. What I appreciate the most is how the show was able to introduce a ton of new places and aspects of the story while managing to keep what made “Dexter” such a sensation. It feels like a new and refreshing experience that is not repetitive and does not neglect the good parts of the story’s writing. I look forward to the upcoming season two and hope that it continues to provide us with new experiences but stays true to the “Dexter” that so many people have missed.
“Dexter: Resurrection” is Showtime’s apology letter to fans for how the series has been handled recently, as the title suggests. Dexter Morgan is back and better than ever. Whether you are a new fan or have been a fan since the beginning, this is a great installment to look forward to watching. The entire “Dexter” series can be watched on Paramount+. It is a mature-rated show, so watch accordingly.
“Dexter” (2006) The original show that started the whole series. The show’s finale released in September 2013.
“Dexter: Original Sin” (2024) Is a preequel show to the first show but is not required to understand anything in the story. “Original Sin” was cancelled in February 2025.
“Dexter: Resurrection” (2025) is the newest continuation of the series that takes place after “New Blood.” Season two is expected to release around Fall 2026.
