"Hi... I'm Dexter Morgan And I Just Bought The House Next Door"

Dexter. When I was growing-up, boys with names like Dexter, Clarence, Blair and Maurice were teased to no end by their classmates. For this reason, I vowed never to use the nickname Dick; though, until convinced otherwise, some teachers insisted upon using it for me. The amount of permanent scarring incurred by these lads was most likely dependent upon their degree of sensitivity, coupled with a motivating goal of revenge toward one or both parents whose homage to grandpa or crazy uncle so-and-so they deemed responsible.

Dexter’s name is the least of his problems . . .

Dexter Morgan’s childhood has suffered a much crueler fate. Though his memories of the event continue to elude and confuse, at the age of three he witnessed his mother’s murder and was adopted by the officer in charge of the investigation. Harry Morgan was good to Dexter. As his adopted son grew, he saw something in the boy that required a specific tutelage; for Dexter had the potential to become either a monster, or something else of a honed, disciplined and manageable nature.

Dexter is something else . . .

The biggest advantage Dexter has over society’s non-serial-killer elite is in his ability to feel nothing. To him, life’s journey is a strategy devoid of emotion. Dex dances to a constant ballet of cover-and-dodge to the point where every move he makes is specifically calculated. His existence is a game of chess whose core beliefs are centered on the permanent avoidance of checkmate. He’s Howdy Doody to Jack the Ripper’s Buffalo Bob. The world of difference here is in “the code” - a value system instilled by his step-father to determine that only those monsters truly deserving by conventional societal standard shall merit the justice Dexter can deliver.

Dexter is Robin Hood’s Boy Wonder . . .

The concept of employing the vigilante theme for public good finds its roots in the comic books and radio dramas of America’s law and order-happy depression-era entertainments. Where The Shadow and his alter-ego Lamont Cranston could cloud men’s minds for the purpose of defeating evil, Dexter’s creator Jeff Lindsay has bestowed a similar strategy in reverse. Through actor Michael C. Hall’s voice-over narration and complete immersion in the character, we are privy to the turning wheels and firing-neurons of Dexter’s double-life deception which uses his south Florida job as a police forensics department blood-spatter expert as a cover for his deeds as society’s dirt-bag bounty hunter.

Dexter: Miami eViscerate?

I know what you’re saying... how can a serial-killer of any stripe become a cute and cuddly one-man clean-up crew for the unaccountable ills of society’s human debris? This is precisely what makes Dexter such a entertainment bonanza. The twelve episodes that comprise season one of Dexter benefit from the establishing back-story by being viewed chronologically; though they are not strictly serial in nature and are stand-alone capable of being enjoyed at random. No matter what order you choose to view, Dexter is at his best when he’s walking the fine line between heart-pounding survival and the imminent threat of discovery.

Dexter is a rush . . .

Dexter admits that he chose the company of girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) due to the fact that she’s damaged goods - her abusive and controlling husband Paul (Mark Pellegrino) is in and out of jail as she struggles to raise her two kids in constant fear. Dexter’s timely presence and “boyfriend” status is the thorn in hubby’s side. Our darkest desire is one where Dexter may just prove to be his worst nightmare.

As Rita’s self-confidence increases, so does her perception of Dexter’s discomfort with the complications her new-found strengths incur; for his concentration rests upon his ability to deflect and run interference upon those whose suspicions jeopardize the orderly chaos of his involuntary destiny.

Dexter is the ultimate 21st century anti-hero . . .

The most memorable drama is the type that hits you upside the head with multiple twists and turns that don’t rely on hackneyed themes or coincidence; the kind you continue to ponder long after the closing credits have rolled. Dexter’s storyline is constructed of intermittent layers that are studded with articulated bits of brilliance. Whether at work or at home, Dexter can never relax and let his guard down. This ongoing thread results in some great moments of comedy, such as when Dex and Rita engage in a mutual foot massage while discussing the possible existence of Dexter’s “dark side”. A scene so bizarre, subdued and laugh-out-loud funny it humanizes his character just enough to make his quirky persona palatable, understandable and oddly rational. The variety of credited writers for the season one episodes contained are clearly well-coordinated in their goal of Spartan quality and resolve.

Dexter: Blood-Spatter Expert . . .

This review is based upon the first-season episodes broadcast on CBS between February and May of 2008. Despite some rather obvious post-production looping to excise blue language from the original dialogue, the quality remains far better than your average network drama. Due to the winter 2008 writer’s strike and the need for fresh material, CBS tapped corporate subsidiary Showtime for Dexter’s initial broadcast network run.

Keep in mind that Dexter is not for the squeamish. Beware that there is a significant gore factor involved when viewing - not having seen the unedited version, I cannot say to what degree this has been sanitized for broadcast. If you should prefer less carnage, perhaps the CBS version will become available on DVD at some point in the future.

However you choose to view, prepare to be dazzled by top-quality writing, fine production values and a most impressive bit of casting in Michael C. Hall’s portrayal of Dexter; Miami’s stealth-favorite not-so-grim reaper.

Dexter - Season One (2006)
DVD: Showtime Entertainment - CBS/ Paramount (2007)