Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 10, 2016

CBS/Paramount/Showtime has re-released all eight seasons of 'Dexter' to Blu-ray in 'shelf-friendly' packaging. The massive 24-disc set carries over the same video and audio presentations of the previous season releases as well as all of the (questioningly and frustratingly delivered) BD-Live based supplemental content which is now difficult to access. See the supplements section below for more information on the packaging.

For full reviews of each individual season -- show content, video, audio, and supplements -- please click through the links below:

• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three
• Season Four
• Season Five
• Season Six
• Season Seven
• Season Eight

Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For full season video reviews, please click through the appropriate links above.

Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For full season audio reviews, please click through the appropriate links above.

Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

First, the vitals: All 24 discs are housed in a single clear plastic "Epik Pak" case, similar to that found in the recently released Star Trek: The Original Series box set. The discs are housed in a removable hub, two to a side, and staggered. The reverse side of the case artwork features episode and special features listings, by season and by disc. The case itself measures approximately 7.25" high, 5.5" wide, and 2" deep, which will definitely save some shelf space, width-wise, over the previously released eight seasons. A rather flimsy slipcover that merely replicates the case packaging with no embossing or added jazz is included.

For those hoping for new supplemental content or, at the very least, a transfer of all the BD-Live material to physical inclusion on the disc proper, no such luck. By all accounts, these discs are identical to the previously released seasons, including the majority of extras that are available only digitally. While the press release mentions several extras that were previously exclusive to 2013's more dynamic and involved complete series collection, such as The Evolution of Dexter Morgan, The Code, and Rubin Museum of Art Special Presentation, they do not actually appear in this set.

Unfortunately, the BD-Live-based extras are a nuisance at best and impossible to access at worst. Here's a breakdown of what I experienced trying to access the bonus content as of October 10, 2016 (Note that access was attempted on three separate devices, including a standalone Sony BD player, a PS3 console, and a PS4 console):

• Seasons One and Two: BD-Live loads but turns up blank access points.
• Season Three: A black screen and nothing more.
• Season Four: "Application Not Found" message.
• Seasons Five and Six: A message states "Thank you for your purchase of this Showtime product. Please note that on August 1, 2014 Showtime will no longer support the BD-Live portion of this disc." As of today's date, the content still plays.
• Season Seven: No supplements. The UV code included with that original release is not included.
• Season Eight: All extras are on-disc.

Dexter: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dexter's shelf-friendly packaging re-release is a major disappointment. The show is by-and-large good, yes, the tech specs are up to par, and the packaging, while flimsy and frustrating (including discs that tend to fall off the hub and others that are near impossible to remove without flexing them to near breaking point), will save some horizontal space on the shelf. But the supplements, what little of them there are (or should be) are difficult or impossible to reach via BD-Live, and the few scattered extras that are on the discs proper don't amount to much. The failure to include the bonuses exclusive to the fancy Complete Series set is a serious oversight and a major disappointment. For fans with zero interest in supplements but a desire to own the show in one box, this set is fine. Those who already own the individual seasons, or the more comprehensive boxed set, should steer very clear.