Dexter, a new show you need to watch

[tenaya]

We just got done watching the first ep of Dexter on Showtime and it's brilliant and creepy and very compelling, not to mention disturbing. It starts off a bit strong but then it delves deeper into the characters and their motivations. And there are some very interesting characters established here in the first ep.

The show is about a serial killer who goes after other serial killers on his off time from his job as a blood spatter expert for the police in Miami. In flashbacks, we see that his foster father, a policeman, notes the early behavior that earmark his beloved foster son as a future serial killer. When the boy is a teen, he decides to channel Dexter's urges into something that could be useful for society and teaches the boy how to be successful and not get caught. Isn't that just so twisted? And in the opener, there's a serial killer who is better at the job than Dexter and basically starts to stalk Dexter and challenges him to play. Can you root for a "good" serial killer? What a stunning show that can set up situation like this. The actor that plays Dexter is Michael C. Hall who played David Fisher on Six Feet Under.

Give this one a shot if you can.

Comments

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

I've already got the book on order through the library -- talk about an anti-hero! I hope it's got some black humor in it. And isn't it taking a risk in making the "bad" serial killers look sympathetic?

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Oh, it has black humor alright. I enjoy black humor but there were a few moments that even made me wince. I'm thinking they'll find the right balance as the show progresses.

I didn't find the "bad" serial killers sympathetic at all. The first guy was confronted with the exhumed bodies of the boys he'd kill, and the second guy raped and snuffed his victim on a net film. As a viewer, I did feel a sense of 'eye for an eye' when these two were now experiencing some of the fear and pain their victims had. It was disturbing, but there you go.

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... that sounds really interesting. I have a background psychology, and I studied some criminology, so I've always found the reasons for crime incredibly interesting. I'll have to look that one up. Thanks! :)

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

I hope you find it interesting.

The actor that protrays Dexter is very likeable. We get to hear Dexter's thoughts and, from what little I've picked up about serial killers, they seem true to form. I have a low threshold for violence and don't watch any of the slasher films, so I was hesitant about this but I did like it.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I'm getting it now, so I'll let you know what I think - usually if I make it through the pilot, that's a good sign I'll continue watching... ;)

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yep, you'll have to let me know if you liked it enough to get more of them. I didn't know what to expect next and that's always intriguing.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yep, you'll have to let me know if you liked it enough to get more of them. I didn't know what to expect next and that's always intriguing.

[deej1957.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I don't know, it doesn't sound like something I'd like. I'm really not into Bad Guys. I dunno. Maybe I might give it a shot if I can find it.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't like violence for the most part and can't watch the Freddie/Jason type films, or even those old Charles Bronson films and I was hesitant to watch this (I figured I could peek between my fingers or just turn it off.) Dexter is played by a very likeable actor, and I have to say, I'm very impressed with his skills in this.

Dexter's father calls him a 'good kid' and it's clear these urges are beyond his control. If he's preying on the killers of children and women, is he all bad? Well, yeah. Maybe.... There's this bit of eerieness where we hear his thoughts about how he pretends to be normal in his relationships. There's the one cop whose instincts tells him that Dexter is dangerous and I'm hoping that he figures Dexter out eventually. I don't like being maniputlated, but with Dexter, we see how we're being manipulated and I applaud the self-examination this show puts you though. And I really appreciate that violence is not glorified and dwellled upon (mind you, crime scene shots are dwelled upon as Dexter ferrets out the motives of the perp.

I'm not really trying to sell you on this, but examine why I found the show intriguing. No pressure. *g*

[sheepsclothing.livejournal.com]

I liked it too, but I don't find the main character particularly likeable. He looks like a serial killer to me! He pisses off one of the cops too, who has bad vibes about him, which was good. The story is fascinating, and I liked the way Dexter narrated his lack of emotion etc. for the audience, so we wouldn't be too confused. His sister is really strange too, don't you think?
Definitely will be following this show. Lord knows there's buggar all else on now that 'Eureka' is done for now!

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

His sister is very odd, somewhat stupid, naive and doesn't have that confidence that cops must have. She's not very believable.

I love that that one detective gets a bad vibe from Dexter. I'm kinda rooting for him to figure it out eventually.

Dexter's actor was such a neurotic wuss in Six Feet Under that I didn't care much for him. He is super creepy as Dexter while even being likeable. And isn't how they are in real life, charming? It's unnerving to see such a dangerous predatory among the unsuspecting. I am hooked, I'm afraid!

Yep, Eureka all gone. But we have Dr. Who, now. I've decided to quit watching Galatica since SciFi has cancelled SG1. The people on that show are such a bunch of losers; it's a relief not to feel like I should watch it any further.

Don't you watch Boston Legal?