I still prefer S1 overall because I think S1 is just a tighter and more focused experience while also having a finale that does a better job at bleeding over into the next season and making the events feel like they have legitimate weight and consequence. Other than that, though, really great season. Love seeing Dexter fight for his survival, question who he is and who he wants to be, and just the general identity crisis he undergoes all season is super investing. While I do overall agree, for the most part, with a lot of people, that this season’s general plot should’ve been used for the final season, I do feel like having it be introduced here creates an interesting perspective on this type of plot because, here, it’s employed during, arguably, Dexter’s most vulnerable period when he can’t really figure out what he wants to do with himself. Lila was a much more enjoyable character on rewatch and I definitely think she belongs in this season because she’s the exact type of temptress that would seduce Dexter during this tumultuous, confusing period of his life. Even if I feel there could’ve been more, especially by the end, Dexter’s conflict with Doakes all season will never not be captivating to watch and tbh, that’s primarily massive credit to Michael C Hall and Eric King, who absolutely nail their roles. Really not looking forward to rewatching the last 3 seasons of this show (Or New Blood, for that matter) because I’m damn certain that the general writing quality is gonna plummet like a mf