Dexter
released 2006-2013
www.ink2quill.com

“Dexter” is an American, crime, drama, TV series with so many talented producers, writers and directors I won´t mention any of them for time´s sake. It is based on the novel by Jeff Lindsay called “Darkly Dreaming Dexter”. It stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Luna Lauren Velez, Desmond Harrington, Julie Benz, Christina Robinson, Geoff Pierson, Preston Bailey, Aimee Garcia, Dana Wilson, Erik King, Luke Andrew Kruntchev, Evan George Kruntchev, Jimmy Smits, Keith Carradine, David Ramsey, Yvonne Strahovski, Billy Brown, Edward James Olmos, Tasia Sherel, Mary Alyce Kania, Margo Martindale and so many more.

Dexter IMDb webpage

“Dexter” is the story of easy going, blood splattering forensic detective named Dexter Morgan, played by Michael C. Hall. At first glance, to the outside world, he comes across as a decent member of the community with a job very important to the community of Miami where he lives. He helps solve crimes, mostly violent, serious crimes, and that is a much needed service to his community. But that is just the surface of things, Dexter´s facade. In reality Dexter is a serial killer (This is not a spoiler to the story either). He is a monster who helps catch other monsters and wears the mask of joe-ordinary citizen.

I generally don´t like serial killer movies because those people are not clever, slick or powerful in a healthy meaning of the word. I see them as broken people who hurt other people and they are a detriment to society. There are exceptions to this case and “Dexter” is one of them. One thing that makes Dexter Morgan more likable is that he only goes after bad people, predators of society. It doesn´t make his cause any saner, more moral or legal though.

So the series consists of him dodging the authorities for his serious crimes, planning his crimes while he does his job as a blood splatter analyst. He also manages some dysfunctional relationships in his life and his relationship with his sister Debra, played by Jennifer Carpenter, who plays her role brilliantly. It´s brilliant the way the writers get us to laugh and be intrigued while knowing things are just wrong. The writing on this show is just brilliant.

I´ve talked to people who don´t like fantasy but were glued to their screens when “Game Of Thrones” came out. Such was the quality of the writing, character development and world building. It crossed genre, and barriers of all kinds. Such was the quality of writing and storytelling. “Dexter” fits in that category of TV series. It´s not a gore fest with shallow villains.

Another thing I really liked was the way it dealt with serious social issues from domestic violence, crime, racial tensions and good old boy networks. The scene where Deputy Chief Tom Matthews, played by Geoff Pierson, should have lost his job from a screwup but didn´t was something you never would have seen in older TV series.

The biggest revelation and draw to this series was how they took us inside the mind of Dexter. That is to say that Dexter Morgan is empty inside. He does not feel sympathy or the need to connect with people and that is beyond strange. All of his displays of emotions, are just that and nothing more. He fakes his emotions to fit in but has nothing inside. He is a shell of a person who enjoys only one thing and is very good at it.

Some say that America has a fascination and revulsion for serial killers. I think it´s simpler than that. I think people wonder why people do horrible things. Dexter gives us one possible answer to that question and it´s a possible answer no one would have thought of.

I was also disturbed by the fact of how many serial killers and bad people occupied the world of Dexter, since it´s suppose to somewhat reflect real life.

Either way, check out “Dexter” folks. You´ll chuckle while your glued to your sofa.

John

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