Sell me on Dexter

[Elemental]

I'm always looking for the next good show to watch on DVD. I'm currently in season 6, part 1 of The Sopranos and will need something to replace it when I'm done. I keep hearing lots of good things about this Dexter show.

Some of the elements of the show that I've heard sound unique and intriguing, however, while I enjoy dark stories and having faults in the main characters, the idea of the protagonist being a serial killer (even of criminals) seems a bit distancing to me. While I enjoy The Sopranos, I wouldn't say I'm as drawn in to the characters as a show like Lost, Heroes, The West Wing, ER, Babylon 5, etc. because the characters are perhaps painted a little too darkly.

I do love mysteries, however, and pre-planned story arcs is always a big plus. Another thing I'm always very wary of is one-hit wonder shows where they get off to an amazing start the first season, gain a large following, but then never really manage to keep that same intensity as things go on. I've seen some comments that season 3 hasn't been as good as the previous two. Is the show still proceeding in a logical, entertaining direction?

As a means of comparison, I'll list some of my other favourite shows - Star Trek (obviously), Babylon 5, Lost, ER, Heroes. Other shows I've collected and enjoy are 24, The Sopranos, Dallas, The X-Files, and Prison Break.

Thanks for your input!

[Super Grover]

I'm interested in checking it out too.

[Kirkman1987]

I'm in the same boat as you two, my friends. I have never seen Dexter. I would like to sometime, as all my friends have highly recomended it. I think the premise is very interesting. I can imagine a serial killer being very likable as a character, and from what I hear he is.

My favorite shows are Star Trek (you too? wow!), Twin Peaks, Firefly, The Prisoner, Sherlock Holmes, and MST3K. most of those are very different from Dexter I think, but I always like to try new things.

[Harvey]

The main character is very complex and interesting. He's also a serial killer. That part might be a turn-off you can't get over. But I'd give the pilot a try. Chances are, if you don't enjoy it, the rest isn't worth it. But if you do, stick with it, the first season is great.

And, out of curiosity, have you seen The Wire yet? Great show.

[Kirkman1987]

Harvey wrote:

---

The main character is very complex and interesting. He's also a serial killer. That part might be a turn-off you can't get over. But I'd give the pilot a try. Chances are, if you don't enjoy it, the rest isn't worth it. But if you do, stick with it, the first season is great.

And, out of curiosity, have you seen The Wire yet? Great show.

I really don't think I would be turned off by a serial killer as lead. Hannibal Lector a pretty terrible person but is made very watchable by Anthony Hopkins. I don't mind seeing bad guys as leads in films/tv.

And no, I haven't seen The Wire either. The truth is, I don't watch much TV. I just rarely have the time beteen classes, my two jobs, and whatever I'm watching on DVD. DVD is how I catch most tv shows anyway, usually after watching a few episodes online.

But I hear The Wire is good too.

[auntiehill]

I LOVE Dexter, and here's why:

The main character kills people---yes, that's true. But the way he justifies it almost makes it less horrible. He only kills people that he knows are a threat to society. He sees it as his calling. He satisfies his need to kill and protects the world from criminals. Surprisingly enough, Dexter, in his own twisted way, is a very moral person. He narrates the show, so we see everything through his filter. We see him pretending to be normal, wanting to be, puzzled by the emotional attachments that others have.

But the show is written very intelligently. It never dumbs it down for us. We hear Dexter's thoughts, see what he does--and yet, the scriptwriters have enough faith in the audience to actually let us figure a few things out (gasp!) for ourselves.

There are people in Dexter's life that he really loves, although he thinks he is isn't capable of actually feeling anything. But we can see it. Dexter is smarter, more capable, more talented than any of his co-workers, but he hides it and keeps a low profile. He is always two things at once---a meek public mask he has learned to adopt, and the dark, powerful killer underneath. But he is also just Dexter, a guy who wants to fit in, and wants to understand. In some ways, he really is a good guy. He cares, although he keeps telling himself he doesn't. He feels rage when he sees innocent people suffer, he wants to protect and comfort the people he cares about.

He also has "The Dark Passenger," that drives him to satisfy his need to kill and still meet the strict codes of justice that his foster-father instilled in him. He doesn't kill randomly. He carefully follows trials, researches evidence, examines the blood evidence ( his specialty, of course), and when the guilty go free, he steps in.

Watch the first three episodes. You won't be able to stop.

[Elemental]

Ok, I get that much... but how does this concept lead to several seasons worth of story arcs? Are there any elements connecting various episodes and "victims" to each other? Or is the only real connection the protagonist himself?

[auntiehill]

ACK....there so many different plot lines that connect in this series. The victims are connected to the killer(s) who are connected to the detectives in the police department where Dexter works as a forensics specialist. Every episode connects to the next. I can't give you any specifics without giving things away. The first season has a DEFINITE story arc and the second season has a DEFINITE story arc. The third season has just started, but I'm guessing the pattern will continue.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Dexter is fucking excellent.

There you go.

[Mojochi]

Ok, the somewhat quick sell on Dexter.

The show does not pull any punches. There is a palpable edge on which you ride with the main character. He is not a vigilante, nor does he think of himself as one

He is a homicidal psychopath, & he knows it. He kills people because he desires killing people, plain & simple. Only though a moral code, which has been instilled in him since childhood, by his step-father (Played brilliantly by James Remar) has he been able to reduce the level of monstrosity that he is, by killing only they who are at least equally monstrous, which he never seems to run out of

The edge, which we ride with him, resides primarily in that he chooses to live almost as dangerously as any murderer can, by continuing to make & hold relations & connections of a ridiculously personal nature, which leaves him exceedingly vulnerable to exposure for what he is, foregoing any discussion about the fact that he works around cops

Still, in all, though the show holds to that taught formula almost religiously, it still manages to not only be genuine, but also heartfelt, clever, ironic, & even funny, while continually maintaining a very firm grasp on the reality of police investigation, psychology of the normal & abnormal mind, interpersonal relations, & life in general

I don't know how long they can maintain the quality of ride they have been, but I'm stll enjoying season three, without exception, even though the show & character continue to grow & find new direction.

[Bob The Skutter]

No sell, just watch it, it's one of the best shows on TV. Your loss if you miss out.

[Deckerd]

It's a good show because the characters are all interesting, which is a rare thing in modern TV series. It also has the best working plot I've seen for ever so long; how to make a serial killer likeable.

[Mistral]

Watch the show-or the puppy gets it!

[Starbreaker]

It's like crack.

[Jax]

Watch it and then you will know why we all love it