'Dexter: Season Three" Review: Dexter makes a friend

I went through season three within a few days, just like the previous seasons. But Dexter continues to surprise me and keep me engaged as I binge through the episodes. Season three was significantly different to the previous seasons: season one had us introduced to the characters and seeing how Dexter operates while solving various crimes and dishing out justice. Season two saw Dexter at his worst as his victims are found by divers, thus launching a massive investigation that almost had him under the eyes of the law. An incredibly tense season that I thoroughly enjoyed despise some hiccups here and there. Season three, however, was totally different with the introduction of another character that had Dexter the most vulnerable thus far. And this character gave Dexter something he had never really had nor thought he really wanted: a friend. The friend of Miguel. Everything changed for our protagonist as he thought he finally had someone that truly understood him, allowing Dexter to reveal his greatest secrets to someone he assumed he could trust.

This led to a series of new events as it became clear that this new friend was incredibly interested in Dexter's secretive lifestyle, and how as a top prosecutor that saw endless criminals both defended and set free, it fascinated him that it could be something he joins Dexter in. After all, Dexter only hunts the people that deserve it the most. I really liked how this was orchestrated and how Dexter had managed to finally fully reveal his true nature to someone, and how that person ended up not judging him for it. But things were not always as they seemed. This new friend of Dexter's is a bit of a crazy one, wanting to dish out his own version of justice without the code that Dexter lives by to ensure their safety and that justice is actually served in a responsible manner: no harming the innocent. There was more to this as it was seen that Miguel hasn't been all that truthful to Dexter. This led to a series of events that had Dexter and his new friend slowly starting to clash as the season went on, to which it became clear to us that sooner or later, Dexter would have to deal with the first friend he ever had.

This season had a specific purpose though: it served as the story that showed why and how Dexter had to be alone. And how nobody, no matter how much they claim to understand him, would ever truly be able to know of his secrets. The people that would be okay with these actions are simply those who are too messed up themselves and that's ultimately why, leading to being a more dangerous person for Dexter to associate with. This is amplified by the flashbacks with Dexter's adoptive father which highlights the code that he taught him to live by, to ensure justice and safety. Harry's flashbacks are often seen as moments of hallucination as Dexter is tormented by the thoughts of Harry that appear in real time, showing the conflict that Dexter has internally. These hallucinations are seen as Dexter coming to terms with the fact that he's aware of just how backwards he's living by revealing himself to Miguel, and how much of a regret it really is. At the same time, Dexter is vulnerable under the assumption that he really does have someone finally. I quite liked this idea given it shows that Dexter, as he ages, is becoming someone that does and can feel something, he isn't as empty as he thinks.

For the most part, Dexter shows this portrayal of himself as someone that doesn't care about anything nor does he have the ability to feel about things, but the more this season progresses, the more evident it is that Dexter has people around him that hold some true weight to his life, beyond just the narrative of who Dexter is that he has established. From having a family and getting married, to relatives and even friends. These seasons are starting to show moments within Dexter's life that are things he sooner or later has to adapt to while handling his secrets, the difficulties of doing so while also having his own fears. Even down to the idea of having a child, and whether that child will end up like him or not, a monster that he'd otherwies want to put down. These developments of the Dexter character are really engaging to see, it gives us that more human look at someone that is seen as a ruthless killer that needs blood to be spilled in order to feel something. Both being a form of justice as well as his addiction.

I really enjoyed this season for the vast amount of character development it held. And that isn't even just regarding Dexter. We saw a lot of development within the side characters that I found interesting. All the lives of the characters that are within Dexter's life whether it's directly or the colleagues. Developments over Debra were made with her constant struggles to find a good partner, all over the place and constantly ending up with the wrong people. Her life being a constant heartbreak as she struggles to find belonging somewhere. It seems like this attempt to belong is a constant theme within the precinct, where the police officers themselves are in and out of relationships with each other and desperate to feel something. This dynamic shows how different people try to pursue that idea of happiness, how that itch to feel anything is pursued even. So this season on being how Dexter attempts to make a friend isn't much different to the rest of the episodes in which those around him attempt to seek connection in their own ways.

An incredibly strong season yet again which held my attention tightly. And I'm really curious as to where things are heading the more Dexter's life continues and highlights specific moments of challenge to the character. Just how long can Dexter's charade continue?