PREVIEW: DEXTER 3.1 - "Our Father"

Writer: Clyde Phillips
Director: Keith Gordon

Cast: Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan), Jennifer Carpenter (Debra Morgan), Julie Benz (Rita Bennett), Lauren Vélez (Lt. Maria Laguerta), David Zayas (Angel Batista), C.S Lee (Vince Masuka), Jimmy Smits (Miguel Prado), Preston Bailey (Cody), Desmond Harrington (Joey Quinn), Mary Alyce Kania (Karen), Liza Lapira (Yuki Amado), Jason Manuel Olazabal (Ramon Prada) & Christina Robinson (Astor)

Mild spoilers. Dexter avoided the dreaded "sophomore slump" last year, by opting to tackle a storyline everyone expected to see dealt with in the last season (a manhunt for the eponymous vigilante by his own law-enforcement colleagues). After two successful years of critical adoration and appreciative audiences, the pressure's on for season 3 to raise the bar even higher.

"Our Father" represents mild evolution for the series, although the careful repositioning of characters and perspectives does lead to a certain malaise. This is definitely the weakest of the season premieres; but that's not to say it's a bad episode -- it just lacks a strong narrative hook.

Since we last saw him, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) has been enjoying his unique double-life: his relationship with sexy girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) goes from strength to strength, he's been accepted as "dad" by her two kids, and he's still able to quench his bloodlust by cleaning up the mean streets of Miami as judge, jury and executioner.

Season 2 left us with the interesting prospect of Dexter abandoning his Code Of Harry and stepping out of his dead father's control -- having learned Harry Morgan committed suicide because he couldn't live with the child monster he helped create. However, Dex's modus operandi (killing criminals who escaped justice by chopping them up and dumping them in the ocean), remains intact. Well, for now. Season 2's coda did promise us change and evolution, remember...

The early twist here is a terrible mistake Dex makes during one of his meticulously planned attacks. A young drug dealer called Freebo, who got away with killing two college girls, is the intended victim. But, after breaking into his home late at night to exact vigilante justice, Dex is surprised to find another intruder in the house already. A three-way grapple ensues, culminating in Dex killing Freebo's mystery assailant, as Freebo himself escapes and goes on the run.

The next day, Dex is part of the investigative team and learns that his unfortunate victim was one Oscar Prado, brother of Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), a close personal friend of Lt. Laguerta (Lauren Vélez). The murder suddenly becomes a high-profile case because of its political connection to the Prado family and, in an echo of season 2, Dexter is again threatened with exposure as the culprit -- particularly because the runaway Freebo may be able to identify him. Adding to his anguish, having killed an innocent man and thus broken his code of conduct, should Dexter give himself up?

Elsewhere, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is approached by Internal Affairs about becoming an informant on new detective Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington) in a minor subplot that doesn't blossom just yet, Angel (David Zayas) is promoted to replace Doakes as Detective Sergeant, Masuka (C.S Lee) has written an article for a forensics magazine about his role in the Bay Harbor Butcher case, and Cody invites Dexter to his school to give a talk about blood-spatter analysis. Kids just love talk of arterial spray, see.

Throughout it all, the series' fascination with father figures continues. It's Harry's birthday, but while Debra still holds her police hero father in high esteem, Dex admits he's in a different place when it comes to honouring their dad's memory -- causing something of a Morgan sibling rift. The acceptance of Dexter as Cody and Astor's surrogate father is also a strong background element to the episode, while the last-minute surprise seals the deal.

While "Our Father" lacks the vitality of previous premieres and the pace goes limp at times (the series would largely benefit from a 10-minute trim per episode), there's still plenty to enjoy. Yes, the writers have probably used up the best storyline ideas Dexter's premise allows for in season 1 and 2, but season 3 should be a year of moral ambiguity, soul-searching, psychological development and family issues. I can't say I was thrilled by this start, but the plot came together well in the last 15 minutes, and left me intrigued to see what season 3's overall direction will be.

The bar wasn't raised, but this premiere safely limbo's underneath without bumping its head.


Premieres: 28 September 2008 (Showtime)