“Dexter:” The upside of addiction

OK, first things first: If there was the remotest possibility that a Narcotics Anonymous sponsor like Lila (Jaime Murray) actually existed somewhere in this country, drug use would skyrocket amongst men hoping to meet that special, strung-out someone to “sponsor” them.

The storyline involving Dexter (Michael C. Hall) pretending to be a recovering drug addict to appease his girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) and meeting Lila, who’s just as dark and mysterious as he, takes an inevitable yet corny and not terribly persuasive turn tonight. And no, it’s not quite what you’re thinking (but be patient), but pretty close.

In Sunday’s episode, Dex discovers that one of his mother’s murderers is still alive; when he shares that information with Lila, she’s the first person he’s told about his mother’s murder. She wants him to visit the murderer and offers to go with him and tell him about his feelings.

You can imagine how that goes. And no, it’s not quite what you’re thinking (but be patient), but pretty close.

Meanwhile, “The Bay Harbor Butcher” is still considered more a local hero than villain, and Dex’s sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is saddled with a silly subplot whose outcome you can pretty much see from a mile away. Still, I say: She’s obviously if obliviously smitten with Special Agent Lundy (Keith Carradine).

Still, the show maintains its tightrope walk between wry and macabre, and watching Dexter try to wriggle away as Lundy drolly if surely pursues the killer who’s just an office away remains good queasy fun. By the way, does Miami PD ever actually solve the peripheral murders on the show?

Next week: Is Lundy onto Dex?

- “Dexter,” 9 and 11 p.m. Sunday, 11 p.m. Monday, 9 p.m. Tuesday, 10 p.m. Wednesday, etc. etc., Showtime.