Dexter - Season 6 DVD

I have to admit, I approached this sixth season of Dexter with some trepidation. Having been a fan of the series since its very first year, I've seen it go through plenty of highs (such as season 2, in which serial-killer-anti-hero Dexter's murderous deeds are discovered; and season 4, in which John Lithgow gives a career-best performance as a cold-blooded killer who's even scarier than Dexter himself) as well as a few lows (such as most of seasons 3 and 5).

If anything, my expectations for this season were particularly low because of the way season 5 tried to undo so many of the show's biggest plot twists and essentially 'reset' the status quo of the series, making me feel as though the show's producers didn't have the courage to follow through on some of the more daring story options that they'd set up for themselves.

I shouldn't have worried, however. Whist it might not be quite up there with the first couple of years of the show - and certainly isn't anywhere near as good as season 4 - season 6 rises head and shoulders above the series' weakest moments, providing a new serial-killer storyline that doesn't feel quite as half-baked as some of those of previous years; a couple of neat plot twists and turns to keep you guessing about certain characters and their motivations; and at least one seemingly-irreversible revelation that threatens to turn Dexter's life upside down as the show heads into its seventh year.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. This season starts as forensic blood-splatter expert Dexter Morgan is attempting to choose a school for his son, Harrison, and finds himself having to confront the issue of whether to choose a religious or a secular institution. Realising that his views on religion are under-developed and ill-informed, Dexter attempts to learn more about the subject - at the same time as (coincidentally) a new religiously-themed serial-murderer called the "Doomsday killer" hits Miami.

Yes, it's fairly contrived stuff, and the show's exploration of the religious themes of this season never stretch beyond the obvious. However, the "Doomsday killer" storyline does allow for some pretty imaginative murder setpieces (including one memorable and arresting scene involving horses and shop-window dummies that are strung together with real body parts to create a 'Horsemen of the Apocalypse' tableau). And there are also some decent supporting performances from actors such as Mos Def, who plays Sam, a new ally for Dexter. Sam could easily have come off as a cheesy and two-dimensional character if played by a lesser actor, but he's fleshed-out well by Mos Def's sympathetic and naturalistic performance. And finally, there's a killer twist midway through the season involving the Doomsday killer, which might be a little too obviously foreshadowed to come as a real shock, but still works pretty well.

Along with all of these serious plotlines, the show's more laid-back soap-opera stuff involving the Miami Police Department continues to roll along in the background. This season, it's Debra's promotion to Lieutenant and her ongoing relationship troubles that form the backbone of much of the office drama. It's a bit of a shame to see characters like Angel and Laguerta relegated to secondary roles, but there's also a sense that they've had their shot at the meaty storylines in previous years, and it's now someone else's turn. And to give her her dues, actress Jennifer Carpenter deals well with everything the script throws at her, including several highly emotional scenes and more than one surprising development involving her relationship with her brother.

Despite hitting some familiar beats with its overarching serial-killer storyline, and spreading its drama a little too thinly in places (especially during the middle of the season, which includes several episodes that are frankly little more than filler), this season of Dexter is unlikely to disappoint those fans who have stuck with the show so far. A vast improvement on season 5, this year of the show features a more interesting villain, a greater sense of jeopardy for Dexter and his son, and a couple of killer twists that could dramatically change the series' status quo if they're followed up properly in season 7. If you've enjoyed Dexter so far, chances are you'll enjoy this.