The third season finale of the Showtime series Dexter surely made a killing on the ratings that night.  Attracting some 1.5 million viewers, plus another 491,000 during the 11pm encore, the season finale of the critically acclaimed drama registered an almost 50 percent jump compared to its sophomore season finale in December last year.   Collectively, the 2 million who tuned in to see the highly anticipated wedding of Dexter (Michael C. Hall) and his pregnant wife Rita (Julie Benz) was the premium cable network's highest rated offering in 4 years.

On the episode called “Do You Take Dexter Morgan,” Dexter (the show) showed just how fun weddings can potentially be.  Since Miguel (Jimmy Smits) was out of the picture, Dexter decided to keep his focus and ease the concerns of his emotionally unstable brother, Ramon (Jason Manuel Olazabal).  Moreover, he had an encounter with The Skinner, while Batista informed Debra that receive her Detective's shield, after all.  However, things didn't go according to play, as she was blindsided with information that could potentially derail her promotion.

The next season should be very interesting because Dexter will – finally – be assuming father duties full-time, while at the same time continuing to do what he does best.  Recently, Hall picked up a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Male Actor in a Drama Series, while Dexter earned a highly exclusive category - Outstanding Drama Series Ensemble - the Guild's answer to Emmy's Outstanding Drama Series.  Dexter joins a pretty elite list, which includes Boston Legal, The Closer, House, and Mad Men.

On October 21, 2008, Showtime renewed the series not only for a fourth season, but for a fifth one as well, indicative of the cable network's faith in the series.  Set to start filming in the spring, the next seasons are also slated to occupy the same fall schedule it does for the past three years.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: E! Online, Los Angeles Times
(Image Courtesy of Showtime)