This season's had its ups and downs, but for me Dexter is like House. After a phenomenal first season or two both shows have settled into a pretty well established formula that keep them from approaching the best shows on television right now. Both shows have had their moments since, particularly in Season 4 (most of it for Dexter, and the two part finale for House, which is still some of the best TV I've ever watched), but I largely tune in because I like the characters and the formulas.