Okay, enough with the freaking politics.
So… at some time in the last year, I got the first two seasons of Dexter extremely cheap on DVD. I was curious about the show, since it seemed like people had raved about it. I am just now getting around to watching the sets. I am about half way through season two. My early impressions of the series in season one?
Good show. It’s an intriguing premise (based on a book series by Jeff Lindsay) about a man who whose cop foster father recognizes that his foster son is a budding sociopath. He raises him with two goals, controlling his impulses and fitting in. Ultimately, Dexter satisfies his impulses by killing the serial killers that slip by law enforcement.
The show nicely lets us into Dexter’s (Michael C. Hall) mind through voiceover and flashbacks to young Dexter and the man he calls his father. Those scenes really ground the show, even
The Cast of Dexter
more than the voice over (which offers a lot of moments of levity), as it gives you real perspective into Dexter’s struggles to conform and understand a world he has no ability to relate to. Dexter explains all the pains he goes through are merely an act. His interpersonal relationships at work as a blood spatter expert for the Miami Police force are full of trial and error. His girlfriend Rita (actress Julie Benz) is part of his elaborate performance, and he struggles to maintain the relationships to her and her children. His other primary relationship, his step sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), is a bit more complex. Like Dexter, she has joined the police force, and is working to prove herself as a new detective. She struggled with her father’s devotion to Dexter, yet, she clearly cares about and relies on Dexter for support.
Dexter’s fellow officers are a mixed bag, in the most positive ways. There is Angel Batista (David Zayas) who is a hard working Detective trying to hold his marriage together, and sees Dexter as one of his best friends (much to Dexter’s confusion). On the other end is the driven and obsessed Sergeant James Doakes (Erik King). Doakes is sure there is something Dexter is hiding…something dangerous. And he is determined to figure it out. Running the show is Lt. Maria Laguerta (Lauren Vélez), who seems interested in Dexter early on in season one, but shows to be quite an overall schemer, butting heads with her superior Captain Tom Matthews (Geoffrey Pierson). Finally, the comic relief of the Department is Vince Masuka (C.S. Lee). Masuka is entertaining, but also frustrating as he is the stereotypical horny Asian guy. At least he appears to be good at his job.
It’s interesting watching Dexter progress across the episodes, starting out cold, but clearly starting to feel attachment to the people around him. His relationship to his sister and Rita are compelling, as are his memories of his father.
The show is quite clever in it’s reveals, and even if I figured out the identity of the Ice Truck killer a few episodes before they revealed it…and yet, strangely, I was satisfied with the moment as a viewer. Cleverly written, expertly choreographed with great visual flair, Dexter is a strong series wortyh watching. What surprised me is how low key the gore is. They never linger on the kills-most kills happen off screen. The actors all do a solid job and contribute to making this a great ensemble to watch. I am looking forward to season 3.
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