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Broadcast wasn’t the only one debuting series last night. The fifth season premiere of Showtime’s flagship drama Dexter drew 1.8 million viewers, the series’ highest-rated debut to date and Showtime’s highest-rated original series premiere in 15 years. It was up 16% from last year’s opener but down from the show’s record-setting finale last season, which drew 2.6 million viewers. Including a rerun at 11 PM, the Dexter premiere last night was watched by a total of 2.3 million viewers, 22% up from last year. (Yet to come in are the ratings for HBO’s premieres of Bored to Death and Eastbound and Down last night.)
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I was already to watch Desperate Housewives new season opener but when I found out DEXTER’s new episode was on there was no choice..it had to be DEXTER!!! From the Trinity murders to the final shot of last season, all the blood, the memory flashbacks for DEXTER, then the chat with actor extraordinare John Lithgow a week earlier it was a MUST SEE! To see DEXTER finally show emotion in such a viral, human place in his soul was life changing for his character. Cannot wait for this show every week, even watch the repeats during the week to be sure I didn’t miss any subtle nuances. Very different show than anything I have ever been interested in before. But it commands my attention.
All I can say is it is a sad statement that we look forward to watching a serial killer get fame. Especially when it tends to be fodder for a young man who killed his brother and stated that he identified with Dexter. I’m sorry if you disagree. I think it is bad TV.
Possibly most tired argument in the history of TV: violence on TV = violence in real life. Settle down big guy, it’s entertainment.
Yes, let’s get rid of shows like “Dexter” and movies like “The Matrix” because some psychotic lunatics like to use it as an excuse to get media attention for their monstrous crimes. Way to play right into that. Blaming the “evil media” for people being evil.
Dexter is an incredible show with astounding writing and one of the most impressive and layered lead performances on screen. I will look forward to watching it every week. It deserves every bit of success it gets and Michael C. Hall should have already won a couple of Emmy’s for this.
And I think your view of people is terribly depressing. People have free will and to suggest that a television show can guide someone’s behavior is sad.
Boardwalk Empire, Dexter and Mad Men are the best shows on tv.
The episode was pretty bad. Robotic acting and poor writing leave me with little desire to continue watching the rest of the season.
Ha ha ha… if you seriously want to see “Robotic acting” tune in to Undercovers or anything on CW.
That last episode did drag. I believe the season will definitely pick up!
One of the best shows on TV. Hands down. Not afraid to take risks or be ugly. I look forward to the rest of this season very much, as I have to the rest of them. (And come on now, lets not blame ‘tv’ for crimes committed out in the world.)
robotic acting lol
wow get a clue moron
I’m with David. Season 4 was amazing, and I’ve been addicted to Dex since season 1, but the season 5 premiere is definitely in the top 5 worst Dexter episodes ever. If it’s any indication of what’s to come for the rest of the season, I’m out.
Jeez. You guys must work for a network. One “bad episode” and you’re ready to give up on Dexter. You said it yourself. Season 4 was amazing and you’ve been addicted since season 1. They’ll come through. For the record, I thought the episode was fine.
Joan, you are so right. A great day for Television. (Add to your three, re-runs of The Wire on Direct TV’s 101 Network.)
And to the person who complained that it’s “bad TV” to have a serial killer protagonist, please tell me you felt this self-righteous when The Sopranos was on the air. Enjoy your boycott. I’ll be watching Dexter.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-television-show-dexter-inspired-kill/story?id=9252620
Dexter is great television. I’ve too have been addicted to this series since the first season.
No stats re BOARDWALK EMPIRE? This can only mean that there was no bragging press release. Uh-oh.
Love DEXTER, was happy to finally see lame-o Rita go at the end of last season, but hence wasn’t all that impressed with the season premiere. OTOH – none of this night’s premieres was anything to get excited about.
Last night was the worst episode in the series. The acting of the kids and Jennifer Carpinter was a joke plus the guy that plays “Quinn” looks like he’s had plastic surgery something is different with his face. Look at his cheek bones. The show has different show runners and producers this season so while it is not fair to judge a whole season off this one episode things aren’t looking good. I was finally happy to see the awfull Julie Benz leave the show only to see other actors pick up the bad acting slack. One last thing, someone should ask Michael. C Hall why his lips are so white. Is it the fake tan? The lighting? Or smoking crack? His acting was great as per usual but those lips are too white. Wise up Dexter! Don’t go the Weeds route and loose your sense of identity
@Venkman
You do know that Michael C. Hall has/had hodgkin’s lymphoma right? So this may be why the makeup and hair may look a little different.
I have to say though, most of last night’s episode just felt very awkward and kind of wooden, I was pretty disappointed. Of course that doesn’t mean I am going to stop watching, you can’t give up on a show with such an amazing past as Dexter. I think it had to do with the seriously sad and depressing vibe that this opener had over other premieres that made it not as enjoyable.
Usually Dexter episodes balance the humor with the more macabre aspects well, but last night it just didn’t work. One example being Masuka’s comment about seeing Rita naked…
That being said, I will continue to watch this show and hope for the best.
I agree. Love the show but that was a weak opener to the season
My wife and I love this show, but these episodes have been crappy, editing was so mechanical, I told my wife there must be new writers, editors etc. because it sucked, (ran a search on “dexter season 5 + new editors” and sure enough, the cuts back and forth during dialogue were jarring and Quin looked wierd, even Deborah, who pulls off the best acting, seemed weak, too many establishing shots (long distance full body), you know directing plays a huge part, ever watch a great performance by an actor or actress and then another movie they don’t seem like the same person
you are completely right… its all about the director. the acting is AWFUL in season five… just terrible. but its because the director is horrible and doesn’t know how to direct the actors correctly. all the actors who have had amazing performances in past seasons suck in season 5… the girl who plays lumen is TERRIBLE and even dexter is bad. i am so dissapointed the show is just so bad i cant even bear to watch it… i started laughing and had to stop the last episode, i dont even care what happens next.
the writing is so bad as well as the editing. they destroyed dexter. it has been my favorite show until now. they haven’t even mentioned the trinity killer yet?! rita died and then everyone moved on… dexter hasn’t even thought about finding him!
you are completely right… its all about the director. the acting is AWFUL in season five… just terrible. but its because the director is horrible and doesn’t know how to direct the actors correctly. all the actors who have had amazing performances in past seasons suck in season 5… the girl who plays lumen is TERRIBLE and even dexter is bad. i am so dissapointed the show is just so bad i cant even bear to watch it… i started laughing and had to stop the last episode, i dont even care what happens next.
the writing is so bad as well as the editing. they destroyed dexter. it has been my favorite show until now. they haven’t even mentioned the trinity killer yet?! rita died and then everyone moved on… dexter hasn’t even thought about finding him!
I started watching DEXTER at season 5. I love the show !Now I am watching season 1 through 4 to catch up ! I think the show is different and captivating. You can’t help but like the Dexter character. I am glad to hear Michael C Hall ‘s cancer is in remission. I am sure it was hard for him to work and deal with this terrifying issue. I think he is a great actor and he definnitely deserved that award !