The Dexter DVD covers are MISLEADING!

[RoJoHen]

I finally got around to netflixing Dexter, and I watched the first episode today. Now, based on the cover art for the DVD cases, I assumed that this would be a fairly light-hearted show. Yeah, I knew it was about a serial killer, but those damn covers make it look like it's a comedy!

I really didn't know anything about the show before watching it today, so I was very shocked by the tone and gruesomeness of the first episode. I mean, it was still really good, but it was definitely not what I was expecting.

 

[Trubinator]

You thought the first episode was gruesome? Geez! The latter episodes make the pilot look practically G-Rated.

 

[Rowan Sjet]

Dexter can be pretty funny at times, but I never got the impression it would be a comedy.

Will you be coming back to tell us what you think of the series as you go along?

 

[Trippy]

The DVD covers are ironic and satire, much like the series

 

[bigdaddy]

Yeah...... if you thought this was a comedy you clearly were seeing what you wanted to see.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yeah...... if you thought this was a comedy you clearly were seeing what you wanted to see.

The covers were the only things I had EVER been exposed to. I knew absolutely nothing about the show. And really, my only exposure to the name Dexter prior to this was "Dexter's Laboratory," so I can't say I ever took the name very seriously. I definitely jumped to conclusions based on the covers. I'm not saying it would have been a full-blown comedy, but the covers (if you have no idea what it behind them) definitely don't look like a serious show about a serial killer.

Irony? Satire? Sure, that's all well and good, but I doubt you'd be able to figure that out if you didn't know what the show was about.

 

[Kegg]

Don't the covers feature big splashes of blood? This should be a tip-off.

Besides, Dexter does have a light touch for its morbid material... it's got a viciously black sense of humour about it all, really. Generally, when I turned into the show I found it more restrained and actually more moral than what I'd guessed/hoped from watching a brief TV ad (I was just expecting a comedy about an agreeable murderer who kills people, not an agreeable murderer who kills people who deserve it, which basically makes him a vigilante sans the apologetics.)

So, yeah, I was expecting the sort of irredemable cad of the Kind Hearts and Coronets variety. But hey, what I got is still brilliant.

Oh god. I need season four now. Talking about Dexter is making me think about how long it's been. Please tell me it's still great.

Yeah...... if you thought this was a comedy you clearly were seeing what you wanted to see.

The covers were the only things I had EVER been exposed to. I knew absolutely nothing about the show. And really, my only exposure to the name Dexter prior to this was "Dexter's Laboratory," so I can't say I ever took the name very seriously.

A bit of a non sequitir, but there are times I wish Dexter's Laboratory did not exist. I'm just a little sick of striking up conversations online with 'Hey, does anyone watch Dexter?' And then before long everyone's agreeing how awesome that cartoon was. Gaaaah.

 

[Rowan Sjet]

And really, my only exposure to the name Dexter prior to this was "Dexter's Laboratory," so I can't say I ever took the name very seriously.

Heh, I can see your point there.

Anyway, about to start on season 2 here actually (just got an email saying they're the next rental disks to arrive), really looking forward to it.

 

[od0_ital]

This is why ya should flip the DVD over and read the descriptions/summaries before ya make the purchase.

 

[RoJoHen]

This is why ya should flip the DVD over and read the descriptions/summaries before ya make the purchase.

It's Netflix. I didn't buy anything. I haven't even ever picked up the DVD box. I've only seen the picture on the front.

 

[bigdaddy]

Don't the covers feature big splashes of blood? This should be a tip-off.

Umm... he likes painting in red.

I mean really, they aren't at all misleading, once again the eye sees what the eye wants.

 

[RoJoHen]

Don't the covers feature big splashes of blood? This should be a tip-off.

Umm... he likes painting in red.

I mean really, they aren't at all misleading, once again the eye sees what the eye wants.

Yes, there is blood, but what does that mean without context? especially when the blood is on the face of a guy with a goofy smirk on his face against a brightly colored background. There is nothing dark or grim about the covers at all.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Now, based on the cover art for the DVD cases, I assumed that this would be a fairly light-hearted show.

Waaaa...???

The first one (and still the best) is a clever visual joke showing Dexter seemingly propping his chin up on his own fist. Then when you notice the arm has a corpse-like hue, you realize that it's showing one of his victims attempting to fight back by punching him in the chin. (Which would have been a better cover for S2, but oh well.)

And it is a comedy, but a very, very dark, ironic and brutal one. It's probably my favorite "comedy" of all time.

You thought the first episode was gruesome? Geez! The latter episodes make the pilot look practically G-Rated.

Read the TWOP forums. The major complaint there is that S3 and so far, S4, have been too "wimpy" and Showtime is chickening out by turning Dexter into our pet serial killer rather than a scary guy who could be a threat to any of the characters on the show, even loved ones. Those folks can't get enough darkness and blood, and when they sense the slightest hesitation on the show's part to go to the cliff and right on over, the knives come out.

Personally, I think they have a point. The show's getting a tad soft. Everyone join my campaign to get a cannibal serial killer on the show for S6. The actor to play him should be...hey, why not Edward James Olmos?

Don't the covers feature big splashes of blood? This should be a tip-off.

Except for S4. Unless Harrison's a bouncing baby vampire, that must be grape juice!

Oh god. I need season four now. Talking about Dexter is making me think about how long it's been. Please tell me it's still great.

Yep, it is. I'm not one of the big S3-bashers. And so far, S4 has some very interesting elements (enough to finally make me subscribe to Showtime so I don't get any accidental spoilers, now that they've started in earnest into a plotline that I've been waiting to develop for years.)

 

[Kegg]

Personally, I think they have a point. The show's getting a tad soft. Everyone join my campaign to get a cannibal serial killer on the show for S6. The actor to play him should be...hey, why not Edward James Olmos?

Bill Adama? I've just watched three seasons of BSG and he hasn't joked once. We need a funnier cannibal. As far as BSG performers go, I'd probably be more inclined to James Callis.

Yep, it is. I'm not one of the big S3-bashers.

Nor am I. I had my problems with S3 (a whole story arc on Vince Masuka trying to earn respect of his co-workers? Really?) but by and large it was another solid season from my favourite show on TV. Prado was a pretty good character too, it's hard to top Lyta and the Ice Truck Killer but he's a good third act.

Heck, Dexter's arc

Spoiler: Season 3

To become an ever more 'normal' member of society - marrying Rita, having a baby, settling down into a cozy little suburban home... just draws a greater contrast to his eccentric little 'hobby.' I love it!

and Showtime is chickening out by turning Dexter into our pet serial killer rather than a scary guy who could be a threat to any of the characters on the show, even loved ones.

But as early as Season 1

Spoiler: Dexter Season 1

he wasn't that happy about killing his own brother.

And in Season 2

Spoiler: Dexter Season 2

He almost, but doesn't, kill Doakes. The guy does a lot of soul-searching (though the dry, ironic kind, thank god) and almost decides to turn himself in instead.

Given the amount of prevarication in both cases the extent of Dexter's threat to the other castmembers has always been fairly low. They've got to give him pretty good reasons first.

Still, more of him idly picturing irritating co-workers neatly dissected wouldn't hurt.

 

[Checkmate]

The covers have been almost perfect for every season.

The main point they convey is a guy who looks normal, acts normal, and is fairly charming... but the splashes of blood and menacing lights give you a hint into true inner being. Which is exactly whta the show is about.

There's nothing about any of them that screams "comedy" in the traditional sense. If you came to that conclusion it's purely because you had some preconceived notions about the show.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I would agree with the OP, many of the ads I've seen for Dexter on Showtime have a light-hearted comedy feel to them, especially that current one with the nice house and kids and then the dead guy in the trunk. Obviously darker than your average comedy, but still makes it seem like the show is all about laughs.

 

[RoJoHen]

I would agree with the OP, many of the ads I've seen for Dexter on Showtime have a light-hearted comedy feel to them, especially that current one with the nice house and kids and then the dead guy in the trunk. Obviously darker than your average comedy, but still makes it seem like the show is all about laughs.

Exactly! I didn't assume it was going to be a sitcom or anything, but the ads make it seem a lot more light-hearted than it actually is. Granted, I have still only seen the first episode, so maybe the tone will change.

I mean, this is the cover for Season 2. Sure, there's blood. But there's also a dopey-looking guy with a retarded smirk on his face. And the background color is anything but sinister.

http://www.dvdtown.com/images/displaymedia.php?id=23879&sizew=500&cat=3&type=1&page=0

 

[auntiehill]

There actually ARE a lot of lighter moments in Dexter, where the dark humor inherent in the situation is enough to make you grin, despite everything you know about the character.

It's the premise of the entire series. You can't HELP but like Dexter, and everyone (well---ALMOST everyone ) is completely fooled by his "harmless average Joe" routine.

Keep watching. It's so good, it's addictive.

 

[AJBryant]

You should try the BOOKS if you think that's dark.

The first book, in particular, is fantastic -- especially if you get the recorded audio book and listen to the narrator (it's Dexter in first person) talking about his "dark passenger."

 

[Sephiroth]

I was right when I first saw Dexter, it's the SAW mentality at work, oh, the only ones he kills are bad guys, so it's ok