In tv, as in life, two issues may be true. Dexter: Resurrection, for instance, is every part that’s fallacious with the leisure business right now. As Showtime’s third try and revive its once-great drama, the sequel sequence epitomizes trendy Hollywood’s risk-averse desire for creatively depleted mental property over authentic concepts. At the identical time, primarily based on the 4 episodes made accessible for evaluate, Dexter: Resurrection is a mildly nice shock. Although it might be higher for TV as a complete if the present didn’t exist, plainly govt producer Clyde Phillips and star Michael C. Corridor may simply eke out another watchable season for his or her charismatic serial-killer killer.

It’s uncertain very many viewers are coming to this re-re-reheated property for the first time with Resurrection, however simply in case, the present opens with a two-and-a-half-minute recap of the final sequel sequence, Dexter: New Blood. That ended with Dexter (Corridor) presumably lifeless from a bullet to the chest — after urging his teenage son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), to shoot him. However the subsequent prequel sequence, Dexter: Unique Sin, revealed that Dexter didn’t truly die. (Bear in mind when tales had been allowed to finish? Me neither.) Anyhow, Resurrection finds Dexter alive however languishing in a coma in an upstate New York hospital and being haunted by a few of his most notable victims throughout his twilight sleep.

As soon as awake, Dexter nonetheless isn’t out of hazard: His previous good friend and Miami Metro PD colleague, Angel Batista (David Zayas), arrives and strongly intimates that he is aware of Dexter is, in actual fact, the Bay Harbor Butcher. In the meantime, Harrison — who fled to New York Metropolis and now works at an upscale Manhattan resort — crosses paths with an obnoxious visitor/serial rapist, Ryan Foster (Bryan Lillis). When Mr. Foster’s physique reveals up dismembered in a metropolis landfill, police set their sights on Harrison — so Dexter heads to the Large Apple to dodge Batista’s questions and keep watch over his son from afar.

Jason took Manhattan, so maybe it is sensible that Dexter would ultimately make his approach to NYC, too. Resurrection was shot on location, and the present takes pains to position Dexter at notable metropolis landmarks, together with Occasions Sq., Central Park, and Lincoln Heart. Transferring the motion to (one other) new location helps Resurrection really feel a bit brisker, however even with its plot-filled premiere, the present’s first three episodes tread acquainted and predictable territory. Dexter stalks his subsequent sufferer (Marc Menchaca) — a killer who targets ride-share drivers — whereas the ghost of his father Harry (James Remar) urges him to watch out, and a fidgety Harrison tries to evade police suspicions.

Compounding the downside is the dialogue and flimsy characterizations, each of that are, at instances, virtually hilariously dangerous. “I’m not losing a superbly good roofie due to you!” growls Foster the rapist earlier than his loss of life. Detective Claudette Wallace (Kadia Saraf), one half of the duo attempting to unravel Foster’s homicide, is a paint-by-numbers unbearable genius who, as her accomplice (Dominic Fumusa) explains, “sees issues in methods we don’t.” Woof.

Dexter has by no means been a very delicate present, in fact, however there’s often a stage of self-awareness to its extra. Right here, it seems like Phillips and his writers are simply saving their efforts for episode 4, when the season will get getting into earnest — courtesy of a gleefully macabre growth in Dexter’s social life, and a pleasant gaggle of visitor stars. We meet Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage), a enterprise capitalist/serial-killer fanboy who hosts common dinner events for the murderously inclined, together with The Tattoo Collector (Neil Patrick Harris, overcoming the burden of a horrible wig); a ponytail-stealing assassin dubbed “Rapunzel” (Eric Stonestreet, exuding Midwestern heat); the Gemini Killer (David Dastmalchian); and Mia (Krysten Ritter), a sommelier who executes sexual predators, incomes her the title “Girl Vengeance” from the press.

Having finagled an invitation from Prater’s steely assistant, Charley (Uma Thurman, sporting an asymmetrical bob and a disgusted glower), Dexter infiltrates the group on the lookout for villains to convey to his kill desk. As an alternative, he finds one thing else. “I’ve stated issues tonight that I’ve by no means been capable of categorical out loud earlier than,” Dexter confesses to Prater at the finish of the night time. “I didn’t notice it was one thing I wanted.” It’s a captivating dilemma for our antihero, and one we’ve by no means seen him confront in the franchise’s practically 20-year historical past: Ought to Dexter forgo his killer’s “code” and embrace being a part of a neighborhood?

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It’s established that Prater will host extra occasions for his bloodthirsty friends over the the rest of the 10-episode season, and the prospect of spending extra time with these characters — and actors, who’re clearly having a blast — is intriguing sufficient to maintain me watching. Dinklage is especially amusing as the giddy, genteel Prater, whereas Ritter balances wry disdain with flirtatious allure as Mia. Corridor is, as at all times, entertaining as Dexter, delivering his character’s signature mix of deadpan humor and an earnest façade. Although there are a couple of nods to Dexter’s advancing age — “How did you do previous?” he laments to Harry — Corridor himself appears energized by the Prater twist.

In the premiere, Dexter tries to clarify to Batista why he faked his loss of life and moved to upstate New York: “I wanted a brand new begin.” Nicely, third time’s the allure — and hopefully the final. Grade: C+

Dexter: Resurrection premieres Friday, July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime.