‘Dexter’: Still dark and delicious

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In superhero movies, doesn’t it seem like the villain has more fun than the good guy? Unfortunately, it’s always spoiled when the good guy wins. But what if the good guy was the bad guy? He’d have the inner conflict, alter ego and tortured past mixed with snappy one-liners, fearlessness and, most important, no problem drawing a little blood.

Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ is based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel ‘Darkly Dreaming Dexter.’ In its debut season last year, audiences got to know eponymous hero (or antihero) Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a forensics specialist for the Miami-Dade Police Department who cannot quash an inherent need to kill, and thus channels it in a ‘constructive’ way by murdering heinous criminals whom the police have been unable to catch. As you’d expect from a serial killer, Dexter is devoid of emotion, but he keeps up appearances with a girlfriend, Rita (Julie Benz), his colleagues and his adopted sister, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), for whom he seems to have genuine affection.

In fact, this affection caused Dexter confusion at the end of last season. After tracking and admiring the ruthless Ice Truck Killer, Dexter discovers that the murderer is none other than his own long-lost brother, who, oops, is about to kill Deb. Also, Deb happens to be engaged to the Ice Truck Killer (not very good detective work on her part -- she too works for the police department). It sounds soap-opery, but think of it more like a serial -- no pun intended -- comic strip.

The second season opens with the show’s signature dark humor -- to blend in with society, Dex joins the Bowl ‘Til You Bleed bowling team to keep himself occupied. Because a colleague, the hilariously vulgar and suspicious Sgt. James Doakes (Erik King), has been keeping an eye on him, Dexter is unable to kill for more than a month. ‘I wish I could have fun,’ Dexter’s inner monologue deadpans.

Finally, Dexter finds the opportunity to slip away and do the deed, but something -- perhaps the emotion of having killed his brother -- has thrown him off his game. This is what makes the show so fun: Viewers root for Dexter to kill and hope the police let criminals slip away so he can do his slicing and dicing (always keeping a drop of blood from his victims as a souvenir).

Many of the subplots from last season are back, such as Deb’s emotional issues, police department politics and Rita’s problems with her criminal ex-husband, Paul (Mark Pellegrino), whom Dexter framed and put in jail. And like last season, they pale in comparison, interest-wise, once the body parts start showing up. And do they. Underwater treasure hunters find an unpleasant surprise while trolling in the ocean -- Dexter’s de facto graveyard. Now Dexter is faced with homicidal dysfunction and the possibility of being caught.

The second season’s premiere starts with lots of promise that the series will continue to be compelling and joyfully bloodthirsty. And that’s what’s really fun about the show: Through Dexter, audiences are allowed to enjoy, even revel in, their own secret dark sides. Will the killer remain free and continue to kill? Here’s hoping.

-- Claire Zulkey