Given the jaw-dropping highs of season four of Dexter, which ended with one of the best finales of a TV show in recent memories, it’s somewhat inevitable that expectations would be set unreasonably high for season five of the show. And certainly, if you’re looking for the kind of rug pulls and sheer tension of season four, then you might conclude that season five falls just a teeny bit short.

But only just. For the creative team behind Dexter are no fools, and with season five, they’ve taken their show about a serial killer who just happens to be on the police payroll to some continually interesting places.

The masterstroke with regards season five of the show is the introduction of a new character. In this case, it’s Lumen Pierce, playing by the terrific Julia Stiles. Unsurprisingly, Stiles attracted awards-attention for her work here, and it’s her character who witnesses the actions of Dexter, and the ramifications unfold from there.

It’s still Michael C Hall’s amazing portrayal of Dexter Morgan that grounds the show, though, and he combines likeability and menace with worrying skill. It’s this combination that makes Dexter such a wonderfully tricky show to watch at times, and also adds an unpredictability that helps make this one of the best dramas on television.

Dexter season five wisely tries not to be better than season four, rather different, and it’s a strategic choice that pays off handsomely. It also leaves things in an interesting place for season six, and for the further adventures of television’s most compelling serial killer. In this case, that has to be a good thing.

Starring Golden Globe® winner Michael C. Hall, the fifth season finds Dexter going from happily married husband to guilt-ridden single dad as he struggles to atone for the death of his wife, Rita.  But when his dark secret is discovered by a woman seeking revenge against those who brutalized her, he finds a kindred spirit who may finally save—or destroy—him. Julie Stiles joins the cast for the enthralling fifth season, which also features appearances by Peter Weller, Jonny Lee Miller, Shawn Hatosy, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Katherine Moennig and Scott Grimes.

Dexter received multiple 2011 Golden Globe® nominations, including Best Television Series—Drama, Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series—Drama (Michael C. Hall) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series (Julia Stiles). The fifth season also received SAG Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by a male Actor in a Drama Series (Michael C. Hall) and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Episodes:

My Bad
Hello Bandit
Practically Perfect
Beauty and the Beast
First Blood
Everything is Illuminated
Circle Us
Take It!
Teenage Wasteland
In the Beginning
Hop a Freighter
The Big One

Special Features:

20 Questions
Photo Gallery
Get Connected

The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition and features English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD® (24-bit/96 kHz), which was developed for high-definition entertainment to deliver a powerful sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the original studio master, as well as French 5.1 and Spanish 2.0 Stereo Surround.