Archive for the ‘dexter’ Category

#9 of 2007: Dexter

Friday, December 21st, 2007


Since I experienced both the first and second seasons of Dexter in 2007 (and in the same three-month period leading up to this list), it seemed impossible to leave it off.  I feel kind of dirty about my bandwagoning considering how long it took me to jump on board.  My general (and waning) skepticism of Showtime series and my desire to perfectly preserve my TV memories of Michael C. Hall as David Fisher made me avoid Dexter until the flu and an empty DVR forced me to watch the first run over the span of one weekend.

Most arc-driven serial drama aims to entertain viewers in a way once traditionally reserved for the movies.  Dexter’s high-gloss finish and grindhouse-quality gore don’t definitely don’t hamper their attempts, but it’s their cinematic approach to storytelling that raises the bar.  TV tends to dwell on ensembles and avoid fully fleshed out character studies.  Even shows focusing on titular characters can lose focus when the actors who play them aren’t up to par or the writers let the supporting cast become too interesting or appealing to fans.  But Dexter, the show and the character, deftly navigates a stellar supporting cast without ever straying too far from the absurd mind of the protagonist.  He’s made me love first person narration again – and somewhat tolerate flashbacks.

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Dexter Season Finale: “The British Invasion”

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

The first season of Dexter could not have been tied up with a prettier bow. In the span of an hour, he tracked down the ice truck killer, uncovered their connection, saved his sister and took out his nemesis/soul mate by faking a suicide. It has seemed clear, from the very first episode, that this could not possibly be the case for season two.

Yet somehow the main arc of the season (the search for the Bay Harbor Butcher, Dexter) was resolved in the first five minutes. Weirder still, it was pulled off really, really well. Super-psycho-tramp Lila stole Dexter’s GPS and followed it to the the cabin where he’d been hiding Doakes. When Doakes told her that Dexter was the butcher, she freaked out, mustered some composure and then proceeded to blow him to kingdom come. The prime (and falsely accused) suspect in tens and tens of murders took the blame, and Dexter got off scot-free. With the biggest issue already resolved, the remainder of the episode focused cleaning up the annoying Lila mess. She hit the road after a botched attempt on Dexter and Rita’s kids’ lives, and the show seemed over. But no one gets away from Dexter, so he followed her to Paris to take care of the matter once and for all. We all thoroughly appreciate the fact that she will not be sneaking back into the picture ever again. The story had run its course.

I think it’s safe to assume, at this point, that our Dexter does not prefer the company of other crazies. He’s had plenty of opportunities to seek comfort with those more similar to himself, but time and time again he’s chosen the companionships of people like his sister and Rita. Killing Lila was hardly as rough as offing his murderous (albeit loving?) brother, so whatever kook the next season’s arc focuses on will have to go in a different direction. Dexter isn’t pretending to be normal because it’s convenient – it’s how he likes it.

Even among sitcoms, the cliffhanger has become the obligatory way to end a season of television. It makes the decision to conclude each season of Dexter so perfectly kind of a brave move. It’s not like they’re concerned with ending the show on a fitting note in case of cancellation – Showtime has always been in Dexter’s corner. (A third season was alluded to last month and confirmed after the finale.) So, if anything, these big pay-off finales are just another reflection of the show’s confidence in its own storytelling – and it’s audience.

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Dependably Darling Dexter

Friday, September 28th, 2007

Dexter isn’t just America’s favorite serial killer, he’s one of the most charming and strangely lovable characters you’ll ever meet. A great ensemble, smart writing, super-stylized filming and radically mixed tone (just watch the titles!) all make this possible, but let’s be honest… Michael C. Hall is god’s gift to the tube.

If there were ever a greater departure from Six Feet Under’s neurotic, conservative, semi-closeted David Fisher, it’s creepy, blood-lusty Dexter Morgan. And Hall has played them both (the only highly exposed roles of his career) to a level of perfection the characters’ creators probably never dreamed possible. Dexter is not without its issues though. How does a serial about a serial killer ever hope of topping a first season where his soulmate/nemesis is killed off after just 12 episodes? The answer is: surprisingly easily.

Showtime loves to offer season premieres online before their airdate, and the recent epidemic of torrent leaks has been Dexter heavy, so if you’re at all a fan of the show, you’ve probably already seen Sunday’s episode. Season two finds Dexter with a slew of problems. Sergeant Doakes is on to him. His victimized sister is living in his small Miami apartment. And his girlfriend, Rita, is having suspicions of her own. Fulfilling his desire for ritualistic murders is hard enough, and now he has to deal with a curious loss of libido.

These obstacles alone can’t provide a suitable arc for a show that’s already set such a high standard for tension and mystery, so Dexter’s underwater dumping ground for victims is unearthed to a media firestorm in the first episode. His reaction? Grim delight! This season Dexter will flirt even more with the notion of getting caught and find something he prophetically mused on last season: fans! When the unsavory identities of the mystery killer’s victims come to light, Miami is polarized by their desire to capture a deviant and salute him for ridding the city of its worst scum. They’re just as conflicted over what should become of him as we are. I couldn’t have less of an idea what will happen; Dexter is that good at keeping me on my toes. So if you’re looking for something to transfix you this season, look no further.

Dexter airs Sundays at 9pm on Showtime

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