‘Dexter’ Season Premiere Scores Killer Ratings

Showtime’s “Dexter,” the twisted drama focusing on the story of a vigilante serial killer, may not be popular in the way other series are, but it’s on its way there, judging by the ratings it got on the season-4 premiere this Sunday. 1.5 million viewers tuned in to see the first episode of the latest season of “Dexter,” a record for both the show and the network, THRFeed says.

“Buoyed by positive reviews and a perversely family oriented storyline, Showtime’s fourth season of ‘Dexter’ broke network records Sunday night. The series opener, where vigilante serial killer Dexter balances fatherhood and hunting bad guys, generated 1.5 million viewers in its first airing. Not only is this an all-time high for ‘Dexter’ – up 25% from last season’s debut – it’s also the most-watched series telecast for any program on Showtime since at least 2004 (when the network altered its ratings system).” the aforementioned e-zine adds.

Of course, fans know that the impressive figures are not really that much of a surprise, even if judging only by how the teaser trailer for season 4 was welcomed at this year’s Comic-Con. The story of the blood-spatter analyst who doubles as a serial killer, bringing to (his own kind of) justice all those who find loopholes in the legal system and who dares go where no other serial killer has gone before – start a family – is captivating, to say the least. It’s no wonder then that fans have been dying to see the season premiere.

As for what the fourth season will bring new to the table, not long ago, Executive Producer Sara Colleton was saying that, just because we knew the main plotline, we were not to assume there would be no surprises for us in store. As a matter of fact, it’s just now that things are actually starting to be more complicated, as Dexter convinces himself – and his audience – he can joggle so many things at once. Finding out whether he can or not is the challenge of this season.

“In other words, can Dexter have it all? Which is something all of us grapple with every day of our lives. So we’re taking something that is a very human dilemma and putting it through the prism of Dexter’s special needs. [The antagonist] will illuminate a lot about Dexter’s life and force him to make some tough choices. All the way through the season, Deb – in her need to know her father more – is going to get closer and closer to figuring out who Dexter’s mother was and her relationship with her father.” Colleton was saying a while back.