Dexter: Season 3

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 649 Ratings

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8.1

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 649 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

SHOWTIME | Season Premiere Date: September 28, 2008

Starring: Julie Benz, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas

Summary: Dexter's back with more blood on his hands and may have found a friend in the new Assistant District Attorney (Jimmy Smits).

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 3 Episodes

tbd
S3:E12. Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
Air Date: December 14, 2008
tbd
S3:E11. I Had a Dream
Air Date: December 7, 2008
tbd
S3:E10. Go Your Own Way
Air Date: November 30, 2008

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Tim Goodman

When Season 3 kicks off spectacularly, there's a slight exhale in the first 59 minutes--then a twist. And not a small one, either. By the second episode, the writers give you roughly 40 minutes to digest that twist, then drop a real stunner. Which is--just to cut to the chase here--truly and incredibly exciting television. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Dexter is real, all right. Real good. Read full review

Ken Tucker

The results are exhilarating. Read full review

Cynthia Fuchs

The perversity of this connection cannot be overstated (Smits makes Miguel both charismatic and creepy, often in the same breath). Dexter sees it, though he also yearns for the friendship, the brotherhood, even. Read full review

Ginia Bellafante

The nature-nurture question has always been central to the show: had his upbringing been different, would his genetic makeup still have led him onto the same path? Now the stakes have been raised compellingly in that debate. Read full review

Micah Towery

Should we actually trust his actions over what he says as a true indicator of who he really is? It does not seem that the writers of the show have discovered this apparent problem in their storytelling, but it certainly could be something worth exploring in the coming season. Read full review

Maureen Ryan

What a disappointment to find that the third season of Dexter is all over the map and lacks the crackling tension the drama had supplied in previous years. Read full review

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User Score

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8.1

User Reviews

NasreenS.

Nov 17, 2008

Amazing! Every episode gets better! I can't wait for the next.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KrisR

Feb 26, 2009

Possibly the best show I've ever seen. I couldn't see this lasting more than two seasons, how wrong I was! Thank you to the writers and actors for the stunning work.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TheChaser1985

Apr 8, 2011

This was my least favorite season, besides season 5, but it's still a 10! Another great plot, great acting, great twists and lots of tension. Loved every minute of it and the new characters they added.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MustisTheCat

Aug 17, 2011

It is imo second best season of Dexter to date. The twist with Dexter thinking about his father`s code throughout the whole season is very attractive, as we see him developing his personality and questioning his motives and purpose of his life. He has to decide if he wants to be a "normal"It is imo second best season of Dexter to date. The twist with Dexter thinking about his father`s code throughout the whole season is very attractive, as we see him developing his personality and questioning his motives and purpose of his life. He has to decide if he wants to be a "normal" person and , most of all, if he is able to actually be one. He is acompanied by Miguel Prado, a Miami DA who is also a very interesting character. Interactions of those two play the most part in this season which leads to a powerful ending. Some fine twists. Great acting by Michael C. Hall as always, but same also by Jennifer Carpenter, Jimmy Smits and David Zayas.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drlowdon

Apr 2, 2013

After a fantastic ending to the second season hopes were high for the third and yet again the writers and cast deliver. This time around the show focuses more heavily on Dexter's gradually character development and desire to be accepted by someone for who he really is.

This certainlyAfter a fantastic ending to the second season hopes were high for the third and yet again the writers and cast deliver. This time around the show focuses more heavily on Dexter's gradually character development and desire to be accepted by someone for who he really is.

This certainly makes season three different as many of the major developments involve Dexter's personal life but it is no less intense and and almost as entertaining as the first two seasons.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mrdan69

Jun 8, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dexter season 3, while being the least interesting season of the show thus far, still has some highlights (there is no such thing as a "bad" season of Dexter, but it does not quite stand up to seasons 1 and 2.)

Starts out interesting enough-Dexter kills the wrong guy! Who happens to be the brother of the ADA. That's the good part. The bad part is this ADAS is played by Jimmy Smits-who I had trouble buying into all season long.

The rest of the cast shined brightly in season 3-although Batista's romance with the vice-cop seemed forced, and vanished as soon as the season ended.

But, the centerpiece of the season is Dexter's relationship with Miguel Prado. I did find it difficult to believe that Dex would be so quick to let him in to his dark world-and he indeed learned at the end that it was a very bad idea. The red-herring of the bachelor party kidnapping was perfectly done, as we knew the Skinner was on his trail. Speaking of that though-I had a VERY difficult time believing that Prado and the Skinner would be in cahoots. That may have been the low-point of the season crow-barred in just to keep the tension going throughout the 12 episodes.

I did like the storyline about Deb and Anton. She did seem happy there for a short time. Quinn came across as a jerk, but not nearly the total a%$hole that Doakes was.

All in all-the least amazing of all of Dexter's seasons I would say. It was hard to buy into Jimmy Smits as the "big bad" but still lots of good fun to be had. The show MORE than redeemed itself 10 x over with the following season.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Abutreca

Dec 18, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this season was awful: a stupid plot, bad characters, anything transcendental. Dexter appears to be retarded in this season. The worst season of dexter for sure.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Seasons & Episodes

76

Series Overview
Season 8

71
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: June 30, 2013
Season 7

81
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 2012
Season 6

62
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: October 2, 2011
Season 5

76
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 26, 2010
Season 4

77
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 27, 2009
Season 3

78
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 28, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E12. Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
  Air Date: December 14, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E11. I Had a Dream
  Air Date: December 7, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E10. Go Your Own Way
  Air Date: November 30, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E9. About Last Night
  Air Date: November 23, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E8. The Damage a Man Can Do
  Air Date: November 16, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E7. Easy as Pie
  Air Date: November 9, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E6. Sí Se Puede
  Air Date: November 2, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E5. Turning Biminese
  Air Date: October 26, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E4. All in the Family
  Air Date: October 19, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E3. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
  Air Date: October 12, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E2. Finding Freebo
  Air Date: October 5, 2008
- tbd
  S3:E1. Our Father
  Air Date: September 28, 2008
Season 2

85
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 2007
Season 1

77
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 1, 2006