The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for "Our Father," the Season 3 premiere for the Showtime Original Series, "Dexter." "Dexter" is one of the quirkiest, darkest, oddest and most interesting shows on the tube right now. Maybe one of the reasons this show appeals to me is that Dexter reminds me of a friend and classmate from college. He had many of the same mannerisms, had a name that begins with the letter "D," gave friends the same kind of "knowing looks," and actually looks something like the actor. He even wanted to be a surgeon. On the other hand, my "D" friend wasn't a serial killer (at least, not to my knowledge), and he was more socially aware than Dexter, which included pleasing as many ladies as possible at one time, if you get my drift. I also don't often enjoy a show with an antagonist who does things I find morally reprehensible, like killing people, even those who deserve it. A lot of the credit for this show's success has to be given to Michael C. Hall (no relation), who has the uncanny ability to look through the camera and make us feel as if we are actually talking to Dexter as if he were a real person. That ability often makes me feel uneasy as I watch it, but is also one of the most appealing parts of "Dexter." The show's first season dealt with "the ice box killer"/Dexter's brother. Season 2 focused on the "British Invasion" and the "Bay Harbor Butcher." Those two years have seen Dexter evolve from someone devoted to following his adopted father's code (which included killing those who deserve it) to someone who now has more freedom and wants to be more spontaneous. The premiere episode opens with Dexter getting a crown on one of his back teeth and tells the dentist that a little blood is "not a problem." Shortly after that, Dexter and his sister Debra make plans to get together to celebrate their deceased father's birthday. Dexter has additional plans to honor his father, which include killing someone who deserves it. Dexter lands on Freebo, a local drug dealer who was accused but got away with killing two female college students. After scoping out Freebo's home by pretending to be a junkie, Dexter enters Freebo's home under the cover of darkness. He's more than surprised when he discovers Freebo in hand-to-hand combat with another guy. On seeing Dexter, the guy lunges at Dexter, knocking his crown out. Dexter finally takes the knife from his attacker and plunges it into the man's chest, killing him. Dexter runs, horrified that he has killed someone he never planned to do for the first time. It isn't long before Dexter gets called to the scene of the crime. During the investigation of the crime scene, Dexter finds his lost crown (and later has it reinserted by his dentist). Dexter also learns that the man he killed is actually the younger brother of Miguel Prado, the lead prosecutor in the state of Florida. Although everyone tells Dexter the guy was a pillar in his community and that he had come to confront Freebo about the drugs he was selling, Dexter thinks that no one is perfect and begins to seek a reason to justify his slaying. He searches the web for information on his victim. He also wants to be sure Freebo takes the fall for the murder. As things progress and Freebo can't be found, Dexter and Miguel begin to interact, and a friendship starts to form between the two. Dexter isn't used to having friends, so he's unsure just how things should go. Miguel asks Dexter why he was researching his brother. Dexter says this killing "got to him." Miguel invites Dexter to his brother's wake, and Dexter attends. Meanwhile, Debra feels that the promotion of Angel, her co-worker, will make her getting her badge a lock. However, she blurts out in front of Miguel as he once visits the station that Miguel's brother was actually an addict. Maria, who has ties to the Prado family, tells Angel to take Debra off the case because she isn't sensitive enough. Angel thinks it over and agrees, telling Debra in a bar where she's waiting for Dexter to help her recognize her father's birthday. Debra is crushed, but she takes a new assignment. When Debra and Dexter arrive on the scene of a Jane Doe who has had skin cut off her, Dexter recognizes her as Freebo's girl friend. Dexter realizes that Freebo is likely responsible and still in town. Rita and Dexter's relationship is blossoming, with her son treating Dexter more and more like a father figure. The two have great sex as often as possible. The final sequence in the episode is Rita telling Dexter, "I'm pregnant." What Worked One of the strengths of this show is that the characters are so alive in my head that if I were to bump into Michael C. Hall on the street, I'd likely be terrified and run as far away from him as possible. Each person is well-developed and three-dimensional, with none completely perfect or the other end of the spectrum, without any redeeming characteristics. The show moves along at a rapid pace, so pay attention! Because it is cable, the four-letter words are heard and sex scenes are much more graphic, which will turn some folks off. But to me, it makes the show all the grittier. Dexter has learned over time what behaviors others will accept, and even though they aren't genuine or from the heart, they do help Dexter blend into the community. It's interesting to see just what things he does, like bringing doughnuts, and how people will give him a pass based on those behaviors and his "average guy" looks. What Didn't Work Well, my complaint about this show is that it is never long enough. The end just comes way too quickly for me, which I guess is actually a good thing. Jimmy Smits does a good job with Miguel Prado, but he seemed a little stiff (no joke intended) to me. Hopefully as the actor continues to interact with the cast, that will go away. Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due "Dexter" airs on Showtime each Sunday at 9 p.m. The show stars Michael C. Smith, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, and James Remar. "Our Father" was written by Clyde Phillips and was directed by Keith Gordon.