1. "Dexter" (Showtime)

"I got enormous pleasure watching the second season of 'Dexter,' which has led Showtime's surge to be 'the new HBO' ... And on its finest level, 'Dexter' was a test of our moral thinking, taking the mantle from 'The Sopranos' as it gave us a murdering hero, made him sympathetic, and asked us if we really wanted him to die." --Matthew Gilbert

Pictured, Michael C. Hall as Dexter, and Julie Benz as Rita.

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