(S0401) "Who knew life could get so ... unsimple?" - Dexter Morgan

Moving an unsuspecting serial killer to the burbs sounds like a pitch for a UPN sitcom. "What happens when a wacky serial killer moves into the wackiest suburban neighborhood in the wackiest town in America? You've got 'A Real Cutup.'"

Instead, this is where we find loveable ol' Dexter Morgan, played by Michael C. Hall, at the beginning of the fourth season of Showtime's most popular Sunday night drama that isn't all drama. It still plays heavy on the complex emotions and relationships that make Dexter's life so interesting, but it also features shimmers of laughter as Dexter tries to juggle the life of a father, wife, blood spatter expert, and avenging serial killer without relying too much on one device or character.

The promos for the new season probably made you think, as did I, that Dexter would go from kill room to kill room with a baby slung across his torso in a cute little mini rubber smock and welding mask.

Instead, I was surprised how the new baby, Harrison, served simply as an obstacle for Dexter and not a wacky sidekick, which would just turn the whole show into something even sicker than it already is, like Killer and a Half or Kindergarten Criminal.

The opening scene contrasting Dexter's new life and the life of the Trinity Killer, played by John Lithgow, did a good job of setting the stage for the rest of the new season. It put Dexter's new challenges into perspective and gave us a very dim taste of what to expect from what's sure to become Dexter's new kill.

Lithgow is scary good as a serial killer. Everything about him is creepy, from his voice and demeanor to his choice of weapons, most notably the straight razor on his first victim. He's extremely cold and conniving, dark and mysterious and one cold motherf#*$*#$ with what appears to be some serious control issues. Control over what? You name it. Control over his conscience. Control over his temper. Control over his ability to wear pants. Geez, when I ordered the extra cable channels, seeing Lithgow's ass wasn't the kind of nudity I was hoping for.

As for Dexter, the show really knows how to make you feel sorry for this poor schlub who decided to become a father for the first time. The parody of the show's signature opening scene was another clever way for setting the plot in motion. Even if you don't have kids, you know what he's going through. If anything, it makes you appreciate the beauty and majesty of condoms even more than you already do.

His predicament also sets up for a very gripping ending. The thrill of the show has always been watching Dexter flirting with being found out and falling asleep behind of the wheel of his ride with a neatly severed body still in the trunk. It would make anyone wish they had an advanced copy of next week's episode. Another reason you bastards should be jealous of me.

The return of Frank Lundy, played by Keith Carradine, sets up an interesting situation for Debra Morgan, played by Jennifer Carpenter, that could turn into something interesting if it climaxes quickly (not that way, sickos, or maybe it could end that way, sickos). This thing could get boring if it stretches beyond three or four episodes.

The one burning between Batista, played by David Zayas, and Laguerta, played by Lauren Velez, seems to be setting up for a big fall, as well. Is it wrong that I like Masuka, played by C.S. Lee, the most out of this brazen bunch of boys and girls in blue, just because he seems to be the smartest when it comes to playing "Slap the Pickle"?

[Watch clips of Dexter and other shows at SlashControl.]