Dexter

[Allan]

A little while ago, I bought the first season of Dexter on DVD. I finished watching it about a week ago, and have to say that the show is absolutely stunning. From the performances (the majority of which that are brilliant, the rest being good), to the scripts and direction (for a show about bloody murders, it manages to not go over the top), to the beautiful setting of Miami and the music, it's brilliant.

For those who don't know, it's a show about a serial killer, who, after being trained by his father, channels his urges to kill into killing murderers - people he deems deserve to die. By day, he works as a blood spatter analyst for the police.

Psychologically, the show is great - we get Dexter's witticisms about life from a unique perspective - someone who cannot feel human emotion, but needs to fake it to get through life - and you can see where he comes from with a lot of it, when looking at things without emotion. The guy is seriously disturbed, but you can't help but feeling sorry for him.

If there's one thing to say negatively about it, it's the twists and turns. There are quite a few of them, and they are played out nicely, but I got every twist before it happened, which was a little disappointing.

The show starts on Foxtel early next month, so those in Aus with Foxtel really should check it out. It's great viewing.

Btw, it's based on the novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter", which is the first in a series. I'm thinking I'll have to check them out. The DVD features the first couple of chapters of the newest book, though I haven't had a chance to read those yet.

[Lizzie]

Isn't it cool? I've watched the first six episodes (we have season one). Such complex characters, such an intriguing storyline. Cool seeing Julie Benz!

I don't like his sister very much though, she really annoys me.

[Allan]

She's not my favourite character, but I still think she's good. She's the polar opposite of Dexter in just about every way, and the interplay between the two of them is great.

[Lizzie]

I really enjoy watching the flashbacks between Dexter and Harry. So interesting.

[Allan]

I actually thought those were a bit hamfisted to begin with, though as we saw more of them they seemed more natural. My issue was mainly:

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Early on, Harry seemed really keen to get Dexter to channel the inner killer (as opposed to, I dunno, getting him psychiatric help). It just didn't seem natural.

That said, I think as you see more between the two of them and it delves a bit further into their relationship, it works far better.

[Lizzie]

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Yeah, you're right. It's a very odd reaction, especially since he was so young.

[ryley]

I love Dexter too, i've seen all of season 1 and read the first two books, but i haven't seen the start of season 2 yet, gonna try to catch up soon . The first season was really good, but i think i would of enjoyed it more if i hadn't read the book first, but season 2 isn't based off the second book !

[Lizzie]

Are the books good? I think I'll get them for my brothers for Christmas.

Season 1

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ZOMG I honestly didn't see that coming about Deb's boyfriend/Dexter's brother being the ice truck killler. So good!

[ryley]

I like the first two books, haven't read the third one yet, but im pissed off by hearing that they put a supernatural aspect into it, I don't think I would of saw that coming if i hadn't read the book first, but it was a good twist!

[Allan]

hellie said:

Are the books good? I think I'll get them for my brothers for Christmas.

Season 1

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ZOMG I honestly didn't see that coming about Deb's boyfriend/Dexter's brother being the ice truck killler. So good!

Really? I thought it was quite obvious, and thought all the twists were predictable. Not that it's abig issue to me, since the characterisations and psychology were handled brilliantly, which were the major draws for me.

[Lizzie]

It probably is, and I'm just not that perceptive.

I'm really looking forward to season 2 now.

[Allan]

I still think they were handled well, predictability aside. The revelations still unfolded nicely regardless.

Season 2 should be good. From what I hear, it stems from

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The final scene in season one where he's imagining that everyone ses him as a hero, and he continues down his path, convinced he's doing the right thing

[Lizzie]

My brother has seen the first few episodes, and from what he says, it's just as good as season 1.

[Ange]

I must be a sick sick person because I always seem to adore the "bad guys".

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It totally broke my heart when Dexter killed his brother! (then again I don't like the girl who plays his sister so I often root for her to be killed off.) I dunno it was just sooo infuriating, the one person who could have understood Dex.

I too found the ice truck killer to be completly obvious from the moment he was introduced. Well played out, how horrible it must have been to witness that murder.

[Allan]

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Dexter killing his brother broke my heart to. Not because I liked the character (and I personally liked the sister), but because Dexter did what he knew he had to do, but it was killing the one person who would accept him for who he truly is. I really felt for Dexter, but not so much his brother.

[Allan]

Just a heads up to Aussies that season 2 will be directly following season 1 on TV here (21 Feb).

[Forsaken]

If seen intermitent episodes, and really like the show. Although it is a pretty twisted concept. Somebody said there is supposed to be a supernatural twist. Is that true? I don't get it.

[Allan]

Apparently the third book has a bit of a supernatural element (though I'm not sure if it's "really" supernatural or not). I've seen season one and the first couple of episodes from season 2, and they haven't shown anything like that yet.

[Allan]

Has anyone been watching season 2? I'm up to episode 6, and:

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Is it just me, or has Dexter been becoming less likeable since he's been becoming more "normal"? He's fighting the addiction, starting to care and have feelings of his own, and now he's becoming a bit of a prick (cheating on Rita and then telling her the way he did being a prime example).

It's interesting if it's a direction they're moving him forward, and says a bit about people and emotions on a whole.

[Allan]

So, I'm finally through season 2, and wow.

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The season finale was a lot funnier than I'd anticipated, given how dark the season was becoming. I think my favourite aspect of the finale was that while conventional wisdom is that characters, by the end of the story, have grown in some way. Throughout the season, Dexter has been growing and changing, and the underlying point of the episode is that he didn't.

I've recommended it many times now, but if you haven't seen Dexter, watch it.