Dexter

:

Season 3
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 1, 2006
Season #: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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Critic Reviews

  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    100
    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.
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    90
    Dexter is real, all right. Real good.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    83
    The results are exhilarating.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    80
    With the larger narrative diminished, what remains are the smaller moments. There Hall's terrific performance--full of sly wit and contradictions--elevates the show
  6. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    80
    A relationship with Julie, which has been percolating for some time, might be just a good cover for Dexter. But it feels more complicated than that, which at the very least reflects good writing and acting.
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    80
    Dexter enters season 3 on Sunday at 9 p.m. with an increasing--and pleasing--urge to make us like the curious man-child at its center.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    80
    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.
  9. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    80
    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.
  10. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Micah Towery
    75
    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.
  11. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    75
    It's still a hugely entertaining show thanks to its charismatic lead actor and the tension that builds in its twisty-turny plots. But when a lead character is a murderous anti-hero, there's a fine line to walk between cheering a righteous vigilante and offering sympathy for the devil.
  12. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    70
    Though there isn't anything appreciably wrong with the third season, it's hard to fight the feeling that maybe Dexter is a concept that has reached its expiration date.
  13. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    70
    I'm interested but not engrossed, though it offers the potential for a change-up in the Dexter storyline.
  14. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best TV Season of 2008
15
#15 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
17
#17 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 649 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 576 out of 649
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 649
  3. Negative: 25 out of 649
  1. Mrdan69
    Jun 8, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link 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.    … Full Review »
  2. TheChaser1985
    Apr 8, 2011
    10
    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.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.… Full Review »
  3. TudorPopescu
    Mar 14, 2021
    9
    I also liked Season three of Dexter. A new idea gets explored in this season. Could Dexter have a friend? A literal partner in crime?
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