Dexter

http://sarcastig.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/dexter-season-1-spoiler-free/#more-282
As Cool As A Fruitstand has an excellent, spoiler-free review of Dexter that includes a link to the Emmy-Award-winning opening sequence.

As a general rule, for movies but especially also for TV shows, voice-overs should be on the “to avoid” list.  Show, don’t tell, after all: ... However, there are exceptions to every rule. ... {I]n Dexter, not only is the voice-over pretty essential, but it’s also really well executed. The series works beautifully on a superficial level. The cinematography and production design are simply amazing. ... And then there’s the content, of course. ... And then there’s the rich subtext, which makes this show go from good to great.

I am as guilty as a lot of film buffs of often dismissing TV, seeing it as “easy” entertainment compared to the more “intellectual” experience of movie watching. But they are simply different beasts, and while Dexter is a lot of fun to watch, simple or easy it is not. It’s a complex, well-written, compelling 12-hour experience. And one I can recommend even to the most devout TV-haters.

http://www.scifiheaven.net/index.php/2008/05/31/dexter-season-1-episode-1-dexter-review/
Chris McQuillin at SciFi Heaven likes it too:

[I]t may not be sci-fi, but it is brilliant.The pilot episode, simply titled ‘Dexter’ is fantastic; a magnum opus of premiere writing. .. The true strength of Dexter?  I have to say, for me, it’s the character himself, and the writing that accompanies him. Sure, the rest of the cast perform their roles admirably, sometimes brilliantly, but Dexter is different; a performance of sheer brilliance.  ... The production is just so slick, and the writing so compelling that the overall result is an irresistible blend of suave heroism, psychotic murders and family troubles.