(S01E01) "Takes life. Seriously." What a great tagline. Just a simple play on words and it tells you everything you need to know about the show. I'm worried though. Dexter is good. In fact, it's really good. That's why I'm worried. Why? Because Showtime has a nasty little habit of canceling great shows. There was The Chris Isaak Show. Then Dead Like Me. The most recent casualty? Huff. All three of those shows were spectacular. And you know what? Dexter is better than all of them. So, yeah... I'm worried.
Top to bottom, start to finish, this show has got "it"... whatever "it" is. You just can't stop watching. Despite all the moral questions Dexter poses, I'm sure plenty of people will be in an uproar over the subject matter. But that's what you want. People talk and then people watch. Dexter is one of those rare shows that even those against the idea will tune in to see. Think Howard Stern when he first started to make a splash. Whether you liked the guy or not, you listened just to hear what he would say next.
So who is Dexter? Played by Michael C. Hall (David from Six Feet Under), Dexter Morgan is a blood spatter analyst for the Miami-Dade Police Department. Once the sun goes down, he takes matters into his own hands. Since the crime rate in Miami is so high, Dexter firmly believes that the city is a fine place to "hone his craft." His craft? Vigilante justice of the most brutal kind. That tagline makes a little more sense now, right?
Dexter isn't alone though. He's finally met his match in another serial killer who I can only assume will be around for the whole season as Dex hunts him down. Look for this storyline to really bring Dexter down as he openly admits to himself that this new kid on the block has skills that even Dexter hasn't mastered.
As I mentioned in this early preview post, one of the hallmarks of this show is the supporting cast. It's really very well assembled and they all work great together. From Dexter's sister Deb to his "girlfriend" Rita, every character was perfectly cast. I mention those two characters because I'd like to think they'll be the first ones to figure out what Dexter actually does and I'm curious to see how Deb and Rita each react when the truth comes out. They're the only two women in Dexter's life... oh yeah, they'll find out.
I'm sure a lot will be said about how gory/bloody/violent this show is. It seems unavoidable if you're going to have a program with this premise, but I didn't think it was all that much worse than something you may see on House or one of the CSI shows.
So now that I've told you how good Dexter is... you should be worried too. Watch this show because if Showtime keeps up it's little trend, Dexter might be gone after one season.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-01-2006 @ 11:59PM
kurt said...
I wouldn't be too worried about it being canceled if the ratings surpass Brotherhood's, considering that Showtime renewed that show despite it's puny ratings.
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10-02-2006 @ 12:37AM
chrispian said...
This show blew me away. The previews and early reviews had my interest already. The concept had me from the first time I read it. But nothing compares to actually watching it. I was so hooked I watched both showings back to back and I never do that. This may be the best show on TV.
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10-02-2006 @ 2:32AM
i think we just crested the summit of average human intelligence said...
I thought this was going to be about "Dexter's Lab".
To my disappointment... it wasn't.
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10-02-2006 @ 2:41AM
Kurifurisan said...
If we're taking bets....I'm guessing the killer is an identical twin, an even eviler Dexter of some sort. Just feels that way for some reason. Deliciously great show, I hope Showtime gives it a chance and people watch it.
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10-02-2006 @ 10:01AM
Tim Dorr said...
Well, I'm calling the "secret serial killer is really Dexter himself" theory now. Either that or it's someone from his past (real parents, etc).
And yeah, I *really* hope this gets picked up for more than 1 season. Better believe my Tivo has this on Season Pass already :)
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10-02-2006 @ 10:01AM
aphallatosis said...
Huffs second season was terrible and Dead like me should have been canceled after the first season. For the entertaining version of DLM watch Wonderfalls! That being said, Dexter is the best new show of the season, and Showtime better not screw it up!
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10-02-2006 @ 10:40AM
Chris W said...
i miss "dead like me" :(
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10-02-2006 @ 12:24PM
Omar said...
aphallatosis, what are you smoking? dead like me was amazing and while the second season of huff was a little too much of a downer, its far from terrible. but i guess when you drop a wonderfalls reference, i should be taking it with a grian of salt.
i watched the first episode on the website late last night and it was really fun. i like how the dad works with dexter to hone his "urges" and think the flashbacks will be really interesting.
lets hope this other serial killer doesn't turn out to be a disaster like the carver was on nip/tuck.
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10-02-2006 @ 11:03PM
Corrine Santacasa said...
Too dark for me personally.........bring on the L Word.
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10-02-2006 @ 11:03PM
Tony T. said...
Great Show! Let's hope Showtime doesn't screw it up and cancel after this season. I can see another DVD series set ready to be added to my collection.
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10-03-2006 @ 7:33AM
Kel said...
If we never see the killer, then it likely to be a character that has been introduced. The most likely suspect is the sister.
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10-03-2006 @ 2:22PM
spiffy said...
"And yes, I want to play. I really really do". That last line was so creepy yet wonderful. What a great show.
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10-04-2006 @ 7:30AM
Mick said...
This show gave me a bad cut-up body parts nightmare. And I never get nightmares.
I think the Ice Truck Killer is the asian guy he works with in the lab. That dude is weird.
Also, the first person to discover Dexter's dark secret will probably be the cop who gets the heeeby-jeebies when he sees dexter. But he wil be cool with the vigilantism.
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10-04-2006 @ 7:02PM
Sam F said...
I won't say anything about the plot, since so far it seems to be following the book. If you are enjoying the show, and don't care if some twists are spoiled, I would definitely recommend reading the book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. The book was great, and I've been really impressed with the show so far— definitely the best new show this season.
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10-15-2006 @ 10:30AM
Myself said...
ive seen the first 3 episodes. this show kicks ass.
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10-15-2006 @ 11:41AM
Scott said...
It is following the book rather well, which is surprising to begin with. As of my last check, there were two Dexter novels out; Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dearly Devoted Dexter. Both novels by Jeff Lindsay nad wonderfully written. If you like the show, read the books. They are much better. :)
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10-15-2006 @ 2:08PM
Kizzie Burkett said...
This show is AWESOME.... So of course it will probably get cancelled. Since networks need to please "the common denominator" all the shows requiring "thought processes" get either cancelled, or "dumbed down." Maybe there should be a new netwaork/channel these programs can go to... A PSP channel. Programing for SMART people who want something different and thought provoking... I REALLY like this show...
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10-15-2006 @ 2:08PM
Kizzie said...
ps. Sorry for the typos. My lap top is missing half its keys, lol...
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10-18-2006 @ 7:33PM
marty said...
This show is beyond awesome. I am hooked. I miss DLM too. I hope this doesn't get cancelled...Dexter is amazing. Great show!!!
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10-19-2006 @ 12:48AM
psych0fred said...
Yes, this is really well written and I look forward to more. I do have to say unless they cheese the writing the Ice Truck Killer can't be Dexter because there was someone else driving the truck. The fact that they pointed out th person had the head in the front seat was very significant (I think). The killer found him first and has done his research, just like Dexter. he found Dexter that night and got him to follow him. Otherwise why else would the truck be out except to kill another victim? The victim would have had to hav ebeen killed and prepped for him to throw the had at Dexter, and if he's going to be out in atruck I think he'd be careful enough not to have a head in the front seat without a good reason. I'm gonna bet that's why the body was found where his sister was on a stakeout. Somehow he found out about Dexter first. That's my guess. Now it's all a dance. If he wanted to cover his tracks he would have just killed Dexter, after all he was in his apartment. That also means he knows all about him and his family. I assume Dexter has never left traces of his victims, so that does make me lean to the twin or evil sibling idea. Awesome show. I look forward to it more than any other show this season. The writing is tight, well paced and isn't drawn out.
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