I always viewed Dexter as 2 different shows. The first season which is dark and quirky. And all of the other seasons, which are very soap-opera like. I loved the first season. Was majorly disappointed by the 2nd season. Almost stopped watching the 3rd season. 4th season was better, but not even close to first. From there is just went farther and farther down in quality.

I think keeping Brian alive at the end of the first season, and saving the BHB manhunt storyline for a later season (like the last) would have solved a lot of problems. But they probably didn't expect the show to catch on like it did.