There's truly never a dull moment in the first four episodes of Dexter: Resurrection. The multifaceted story is endlessly compelling, the various supporting cast members are exceptional in highly dynamic roles, and the sharp editing and great soundtrack create a snappy, immersive rhythm.

The first four episodes crackle with old Dexter fun, delivering a smorgasbord of fresh killers, cops, and crucibles for the former Bay Harbor Butcher to navigate (all while Harrison's fledging butchering is in dire need of some patience and finesse.)

For the many, many viewers burned by the original series who weren't motivated to tune in to New Blood, this won't be a must-watch. But there's a lightness and a familiar dark humor in this iteration that brought me back to the old days of watching the show, before everything got so heavy.

The new setting, the old humor, the new killers (who are just goofy enough to evoke the excellent killers of old) — are enough of a hook to reward anyone still eager to engage with their favorite aughts era mass murderer. It may not be enough to sustain an ongoing series, but Dexter’s new lease on life may actually be worth waking the dead.

The viewer must wade through tedious stock characters, some alarmingly hammy acting and a script that assumes we are all staring at our phones as we watch. Do that, however, and you’re rewarded with Dexter’s trademark breezy, jet-black wit and a crime procedural all of its own. It’s like CSI: Patrick Bateman.

“Dexter: Resurrection” proves most interesting when Dexter meets an elite collective of serial killers who convene at the home of a wealthy admirer (Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”) and his henchwoman/enforcer (Uma Thurman). It’s the only element of this season that feels like new, semi-unexplored terrain.

Whatever hints of freshness there are to “Resurrection,” they’re overpowered by the inescapable stench of the old. Per the title, “Resurrection” is an attempt to bring Dexter, and “Dexter,” back to life. It makes a better case the character’s better off where he was.