Well, it’s the least-bad spinoff so far

In television, as in life, two things can be true. Dexter: Resurrectionfor example, is everything that’s wrong with the entertainment industry today. As Showtime’s third attempt to revive its once-great drama, the sequel series epitomizes modern Hollywood’s risk-averse preference for creatively depleted intellectual property over original ideas. At the same time, based on the four episodes made available for review, Dexter: Resurrection is a mildly pleasant surprise. Though it would be better for TV as a whole if the show didn’t exist, it seems that executive producer Clyde Phillips and star Michael C. Hall might just eke out one more watchable season for their charismatic serial-killer killer.

It’s doubtful very many viewers are coming to this re-re-reheated property for the first time with Resurrectionbut just in case, the show opens with a two-and-a-half-minute recap of the last sequel series, Dexter: New Blood. That ended with Dexter (Hall) presumably dead from a bullet to the chest — after urging his teenage son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), to shoot him. But the subsequent prequel series, Dexter: Original Sinrevealed that Dexter didn’t actually die. (Remember when stories were allowed to end? Me neither.) Anyhow, Resurrection finds Dexter alive but languishing in a coma in an upstate New York hospital and being haunted by some of his most notable victims during his twilight sleep.

Once awake, Dexter still isn’t out of danger: His old friend and Miami Metro PD colleague, Angel Batista (David Zayas), arrives and strongly intimates that he knows Dexter is, in fact, the Bay Harbor Butcher. Meanwhile, Harrison — who fled to New York City and now works at an upscale Manhattan hotel — crosses paths with an obnoxious guest/serial rapist, Ryan Foster (Bryan Lillis). When Mr. Foster’s body shows up dismembered in a city landfill, police set their sights on Harrison — so Dexter heads to the Big Apple to dodge Batista’s questions and keep an eye on his son from afar.

Jason took Manhattanso perhaps it makes sense that Dexter would eventually make his way to NYC, too. Resurrection was shot on location, and the show takes pains to place Dexter at notable city landmarks, including Times Square, Central Park, and Lincoln Center. Moving the action to (another) new location helps Resurrection feel a bit fresher, but even with its plot-filled premiere, the show’s first three episodes tread familiar and predictable territory. Dexter stalks his next victim (Marc Menchaca) — a killer who targets ride-share drivers — while the ghost of his father Harry (James Remar) urges him to be careful, and a fidgety Harrison tries to evade police suspicions.

Compounding the problem is the dialogue and flimsy characterizations, both of which are, at times, almost hilariously bad. “I’m not wasting a perfectly good roofie because of you!” growls Foster the rapist before his death. Detective Claudette Wallace (Kadia Saraf), one half of the duo trying to solve Foster’s murder, is a paint-by-numbers insufferable genius who, as her partner (Dominic Fumusa) explains, “sees things in ways we don’t.” Woof.

Dexter has never been a particularly subtle show, of course, but there’s usually a level of self-awareness to its excess. Here, it feels like Phillips and his writers are just saving their efforts for episode 4, when the season gets going in earnest — courtesy of a gleefully macabre development in Dexter’s social life, and a delightful gaggle of guest stars. We meet Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage), a venture capitalist/serial-killer fanboy who hosts regular dinner parties for the murderously inclined, including The Tattoo Collector (Neil Patrick Harrisovercoming the burden of a terrible wig); a ponytail-stealing murderer dubbed “Rapunzel” (Eric Stonestreetexuding Midwestern warmth); the Gemini Killer (David Dastmalchian); and Mia (The crown ritter), a sommelier who executes sexual predators, earning her the name “Lady Vengeance” from the press.

Having finagled an invite from Prater’s steely assistant, Charley (A thurmansporting an asymmetrical bob and a disgusted glower), Dexter infiltrates the group looking for villains to bring to his kill table. Instead, he finds something else. “I’ve said things tonight that I’ve never been able to express out loud before,” Dexter confesses to Prater at the end of the night. “I didn’t realize it was something I needed.” It’s a fascinating dilemma for our antihero, and one we’ve never seen him confront in the franchise’s nearly 20-year history: Should Dexter forgo his killer’s “code” and embrace being part of a community?

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It’s established that Prater will host more events for his bloodthirsty guests over the remainder of the 10-episode season, and the prospect of spending more time with these characters — and actors, who are clearly having a blast — is intriguing enough to keep me watching. Dinklage is particularly amusing as the giddy, genteel Prater, while Ritter balances wry disdain with flirtatious charm as Mia. Hall is, as always, entertaining as Dexter, delivering his character’s signature blend of deadpan humor and an earnest façade. Though there are a few nods to Dexter’s advancing age — “How did you do old?” he laments to Harry — Hall himself seems energized by the Prater twist.

In the premiere, Dexter tries to explain to Batista why he faked his death and moved to upstate New York: “I needed a new start.” Well, third time’s the charm — and hopefully the last. Grade: C+

Dexter: Resurrection premieres Friday, July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime.