Current Dexter and first-few-seasons Dexter are practically two different shows, though.  Like classic Simpsons and nü-Simp.  There is no iron law of AVC grading; it's just a matter of expectations vs. reality, and no one's expectations at this point are for the show to be as good as it was in the beginning.

Current Dexter and first-few-seasons Dexter are practically two different shows, though.  Like classic Simpsons and nü-Simp.  There is no iron law of AVC grading; it's just a matter of expectations vs. reality, and no one's expectations at this point are for the show to be as good as it was in the beginning.

Probably the same way it took so long for Deb to figure out that Dexter was a serial killer.

Probably the same way it took so long for Deb to figure out that Dexter was a serial killer.

Agreed.  Season 4 was pretty awful aside from Lithgow's performance.  There was also Rita's death and Lundy's return (and death)… and I think that was the season where Jennifer Carpenter's acting started to impress me, but the overall story and pretty much everything involving Dexter himself was just lousy.

Agreed.  Season 4 was pretty awful aside from Lithgow's performance.  There was also Rita's death and Lundy's return (and death)… and I think that was the season where Jennifer Carpenter's acting started to impress me, but the overall story and pretty much everything involving Dexter himself was just lousy.

It's weird that "trashy" is an exclusively feminine adjective.

It's weird that "trashy" is an exclusively feminine adjective.

Before this season started, I decided I was going to just try to like it, since this is a show I once loved, and it's supposed to be ending soon.  Unlike Weeds — with which I took a similar approach — this show rewarded my efforts by actually being good, not just in my eyes but in those of a lot of other people as…

Before this season started, I decided I was going to just try to like it, since this is a show I once loved, and it's supposed to be ending soon.  Unlike Weeds — with which I took a similar approach — this show rewarded my efforts by actually being good, not just in my eyes but in those of a lot of other people as…

"[in] this review"

"[in] this review"

This is a dilly of a pickle.

This is a dilly of a pickle.

Did Dexter plant the tackle box in the evidence room?  I thought Debra planted it in LaGuerta's garage, where LaGuerta and Matthews later examined it.

Did Dexter plant the tackle box in the evidence room?  I thought Debra planted it in LaGuerta's garage, where LaGuerta and Matthews later examined it.

Overalls are only worn by little kids (Bobbys, if you will), middle-aged ladies, and farmers.

Overalls are only worn by little kids (Bobbys, if you will), middle-aged ladies, and farmers.

Are you being sarcastic, duuude?

Are you being sarcastic, duuude?