DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON (BLU-RAY) (2008)
Directed by: Various
Review by: Adam Becvar (aka Luigi Bastardo)

Released by: CBS/Paramount
Running Time: 629 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Color Format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: English 5.1 TrueHD, Spanish 2.0 Surround/English (SDH), Spanish
Region Code: A
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
16:9 Enhanced: Yes
Special Features: via BD Live
Trailer Online: Yes

From that first auspicious moment when the world was introduced to DEXTER, we all knew had Showtime winner on our hands. But even after two seasons of watching a serial killer murdering serial killers, it’s a bit hard to fathom the writers of DEXTER coming up with enough plot points to keep viewers interested and still keep the show fresh.

Thankfully, DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON does not disappoint. In fact, it goes well beyond expectations, just as the show itself has done for the past three years. The stories are tightly woven. The suspense is damn-near harrowing at times. And never once does the show let its dark humor turn it into a farce.

For those of you who haven‘t seen it yet, be prepared for a number of changes with THE THIRD SEASON. Our anti-hero, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) has been having a bit of a hard time lately. The memory of the Ice Truck Killer (from The First Season) is all but gone. The threat of being exposed as the Bay Harbor Butcher by either Special Agent (Keith Carradine), Sergeant Doakes (Erik King), or that creepy artist chick Lila (Jaime Murray) no longer keeps Dexter awake at nights.

In terms of his personal life, Dexter has been distancing himself from the memories of his foster father Harry (James Remar), after having discovered the truth about him and his biological mother (to which Harry appears more as a figment of Dexter’s psyche instead of via flashbacks -- a nice touch). And then, an all-too-common twist of fate pushes Dexter a few steps closer to being a family man with his girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz).

An accidental murder (hey, it happens) brings District Attorney Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits) into Dexter’s life. Amazingly enough, this forms the first real friendship that Dexter has ever had. Meanwhile, a new menace on the streets appears in the unseen form of The Skinner, a killer with a very big sharp knife and a hankering for anyone connected with a missing drug dealer.

On Blu-ray, DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON looks fabulous. The sunny underworld of Miami comes to life in a glorious 1080p High Def widescreen (1.78:1) transfer. The colors leap right off the screen and the contrast is magnificent, with nary a sign of grain or debris (even most of the darker scenes are relatively grain-free). The English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack complements the bloody onscreen fun quite well. A Spanish 2.0 Surround is also available. English (SDH) and Spanish subtitles are included.

My only qualm with DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON on Blu-ray are the special features. There are none. Well, none to be had on the actual disc itself. However, those of you who participate in the online world of BD Live (I am not one of those individuals, obviously) can check out a few bonus materials, including some cast interviews, book excerpts, and the first two episodes of THE UNITED STATES OF TARA: SEASON 1 and THE TUDORS: SEASON 3.

While the lack of any tangible special features comes as a bit of a frown, the absolutely killer High Def presentation of DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON on Blu-ray more than makes up for it. This is a fabulous show and I hope the Fourth Season is just as great.