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Welcome to How to Spend $20, BOP's look at the latest DVDs to hit stores nationwide. This week: Dexter pals around with Jimmy Smits, The Simpsons turns 12 and Wes Craven remakes himself.

Pick of the Week

For people who constantly need reminding that TV siblings Dexter and Dev are actually married: Dexter: The Third Season

Dexter had one of the best debut seasons when it premiered on Showtime in the fall of 2006. I was familiar with its star, Michael C. Hall, during his Six Feet Under days and was blown away by his ability to transform from the tightly wound, gay funeral director David Fisher to the axe-welding, emotionless Dexter Morgan. In 12 quick episodes, the blood spatter specialist by day, serial murderer by night managed to track down Miami's elusive Ice Truck Killer, learn more about his mysterious past and family and keep his deadly secrets, well, a secret – all while juggling a relationship with a beautiful woman whom he can't possibly ever love.

With season two being a bit of a let down (in my eyes), it was up to the pay cabler series' third season to prove that Dexter still had it. Though it takes a good long while to get kick started – about half the season, in fact – Dexter sprints to the finish line with elegance and style.

And after a brief deliberation, I decided the series' junior season to be the show's best yet.

This time around, Dexter mistakenly kills an innocent man in the season opener. Unfortunately for Dexter, the victim happens to be the younger brother of Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado, played by the wonderful Jimmy Smits. He's up for a guest actor Emmy, actually, and in my opinion deserves the prize.

Season four kicks off September 27th, with John Lithgow on tap to appear in all 12 episodes as a deadly serial murderer known as the "Trinity Killer".

Disc includes: The first two episodes of The United States of Tara: Season One; First two episodes of The Tudors: Season Three; Interviews with Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Velez and David Zayas; Dexter by Design (book excerpts)





The obligatory Simpsons plug: The Simpsons: The Twelfth Season (Limited Edition)

For those who are no longer keeping score – I definitely don't blame you – The Simpson's 12th season (episodes 249-269) was the one where a snowstorm traps the kids inside Springfield Elementary, the Williams sisters and company show up after Homer sets up a tennis court out back and the Simpsons check off another continent (Africa) from those they have visited. The Treehouse of Horror (11th to date) had dolphins taking over the world, Bart and Lisa setting up Goldilocks to be killed in a Grimm's Fairy Tales parody and Homer dying after eating a meager piece of broccoli.

Disc includes: Special introduction from Matt Groening, audio commentaries, deleted scenes, animation showcases, Comic Book Guy: Best. Moments. Ever. featurette, The Global Fanfest featurette, The Commercials – Original Sketches featurette

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