SINGLE PARENT, SINGULAR KILLER! THE RETURN OF "DEXTER"

Blood bath! Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) reflects on his recent tragedy in the new season of DEXTER. Images: SHOWTIME.

Please note: this blog contains possible spoilers...

They say the best things come to those who wait, but we've been waiting a helluva long time in the UK for the fifth season of the hit SHOWTIME serial killer thriller/ black comedy DEXTER from the FX channel, though we're sure it'll all be worth our prior anxious and expectant teeth grinding and finger nail chewing during its 12 episode return next month (starting Friday, June 17th at 10pm), what with its taking place mere moments after the conclusion of the dramatic and shocking events of the season four finale, as death and tragedy await our favourite, emotionally complex hero serial killer as he returns to the home of his wife and family and makes a terrible discovery...

Picking up the pieces, Dexter and family say goodbye to Rita.

Unlikely couple: Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington) and Dexter's sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter)

Serial Dad! Dexter's new son becomes even more of a life priority.

This year, things become even more complicated- if that's possible!- for Dexter (so brilliantly and instinctively played by Michael C. Hall) as, guilt-ridden and destroyed over innocent Rita's death, and with his increased responsibilities as a single parent (deeply concerned that the killer genes within him may carry on into his son's blood line), he makes a set of poor decisions that could ultimately lead him down an even more self-destructive path and endanger his friends and colleagues around him at the same time, especially his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter).

Murderous affair! Dexter and Lumen Price (Julia Stiles)

Adding to all this dramatic mayhem, MIAMI P.D. colleague Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington), now in a beginning relationship with Debra, is soon quick to make her brother the number one suspect in Rita's murder as he begins to delve deeper into the prior events related to the Trinity Killer. Then, in the midst of all this turmoil, a new serial murderer hits the sunshine state and Dexter's sense of emotional justice and retaliation returns sharply to the fore, complicated further by his later rescue of one of the intended victims, a revenge fuelled Lumen Price (played by the well cast and coldly memorable Julia Stiles), of whom, at this vulnerable time in his life, Dexter soon enters into an unforeseen and equally complex relationship.

New dangers from Jonny Lee Miller (right) as Jordan Chase. 

Rubbing shoulders with Robocop! Peter Weller guests as crafty agent Stan Liddy

As well made and as brutally dramatic and funny as ever, this new season has a terrific guest cast acting alongside our fine regulars, including Peter Weller as the corrupt ex-narcotics Agent Stan Liddy (who helps Quinn investigate his suspicions on Dexter), the aforementioned Stiles, and UK actor Jonny Lee Mller as the motivational speaker/murder suspect Jordan Chase.

Old habits never die!

Trailer:YouTube - Dexter Season 5 Trailer !!! Oh Shit!!!

Can this new season, with a sixth to come next year, possibly top the final episodes of Season Four and the terrific interplay/cat and mouse games between Hall and John Lithgow as the late Trinity Killer? I'm not sure, but I have no doubts that the producers and cast will give it a bloody good try!