"Dexter" is definitely worth watching. It was one of the best shows on TV.
But that doesn't mean that the show's later seasons didn't slip in quality, because they did.
Actually, there was an odd inconsistency in quality between eight seasons. Season One is great. Season 2 was strong. Season 3 was weak. But Season 4 made up for it with a great villain and a shocker ending. Season 5 had to deal with the aftermath of that Season 4 shocker, so it spent a lot of time just resolving those issues. Still it was watchable. Season 6 started out with an intriguing premise, and a good guest star, but then dropped the ball, as the writing got sloppy. It also had a shocker ending that almost made the season worth watching, though.
Season 7, though, began the real problems. The writers had wanted to end the show at Season 7, but Showtime convinced them to stretch it out for two more seasons, and the padding showed. By then, you like the characters, so it's fun to watch them, even if the writing was pretty bad by then. But the real disaster came in the final Season 8. This show had what was (in my opinion) the worst finale in the history of TV - if they had planned to disappoint fans everywhere, they couldn't have done worse. Just horrible. Almost enough to ruin the whole show, but not quite.
So, here's my advice: Definitely watch the first four seasons. It's a great run. Then, you have an option. If you really like the characters (and I did), go ahead and watch the next three seasons, just lower your expectations.
But whatever you do, don't watch the final (8th) season. Despite an intriguing start, it is terrible. You'll be tempted to watch it, since you've come this far, but don't do it! If you make the mistake of watching the final episode, you'll hate yourself for watching. The writers really blew it. You have been warned.
Bottom line: Great show. Horrible ending.
It was actually the 1st season that had me most at risk of turning it off. THAT is the hard part to get through. The protagonists and antagonists are so plainly defined as either good or bad it's actually a major irony that the show itself is supposed to be about the line between good and bad being BLURRED. Season 2 makes it obvious the lazy writing was just to pitch the show's main subject matter, and that once it became accepted they actually TRIED.
If you get 4 good seasons of ANY show you should consider that a win, so YES, even if those people are right it's still worth watching. I don't think it got any worse, but with the finale of Season 4 going the way it did, a major element was removed from the show. Either way, you're at least watching five seasons to see whether or not you agree. At 12 episodes a season, that's maximizing your entertainment dollar for something you can easily stream.
My only warning is this all rides on your ability to suspend your disbelief and not be overly bothered by plot holes. In real life none of this goes past 7 episodes, much less spans several very watchable seasons. It was the first show that I was able to pick up after Breaking Bad's excellence almost ruined shows for me in particular. It makes up for with stupidity what BB did with intelligence, and even then people thought Walter White should have been caught way sooner. Both shows center on a likable antihero and they're both worth every episode as long as you accept that NEITHER Dexter nor Walter are admirable people. After all, in order to be pulled by a moral tug of war you first need morals.
I freaking love that show! Yes, I am only on the second season, and I was not aware of people saying it sucks after the 4th season, but even if it does I believe it would be worth watching until it does suck. The first season completely freaked me out, especially that finale! :D
Yeah Its A Good Show. A Nice Classic. Cute And Kid Friendly. Appropriate For All Audiences.
I've been thinking of watching it, but I heard it sucked after the 4th season. Is it worth watching in your opinion?
