More TV Talk.........

I thought today I would share some more TV thoughts and opinions, specifically about a cable series this time. This one is a Showtime fav of ours, and if you’re not watching it, you’re missing some very compelling and interesting TV.

The series I’m referring to is “Dexter”. It has a really “off the wall” premise and when I first heard about it, I was very unsure I would like it. I’m not a blood and guts kinda girl, however, we decided to give it a try and see what the show had to offer. We were immediately hooked as the main character is a very likeable guy, even if he is a serial killer. Now, wait a minute, don’t run off because I said that, it really is a great, well done show. You just need to have a taste for the “slightly bizarre” and you’ll get right into it. You see, Dexter is a “good guy” killer, if that’s even possible, and it does seem that it is in his case. You find yourself rooting for him and hoping he will take care of business very soon. The hook is that Dexter only takes out the very, very bad guys that the system doesn’t seem to be able to deal with. I know that the word for that is “vigilante” and that it isn’t right, but it is certainly satisfying to see some truly, horrific person who has done things you can’t imagine in your worst nightmare, “get his” at the hands of Dexter.

The concept for this series was drawn straight from a book called “Darkly Dreaming Dexter” by Jeff Lindsay. The author has actually written two books about Dexter and is, apparently, in the process of writing a third. I’m sure the professional synopsis writers can do a better job of explaining this than I can, so here is what it says on the front flap of the first book:

“Meet Dexter, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing . . . a monster who cringes at the site of blood . . . a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likable: he only kills bad people.Dexter Morgan isn’t exactly the kind of man you’d bring home to Mom. Though he’s playful and has a wonderfully ironic sense of humor, Dexter’s one character flaw (his proclivity for murder) can be off-putting. But at heart Dexter is the perfect gentleman, supportive of his sister, Deb, a Miami cop, and interested only in doing away with people who really deserve his special visit. Dex is quite good-looking but totally indifferent to (and, frankly, a bit puzzled by) the attentions paid to him by women. Despite the fact that he can’t stand the sight of blood, he works as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police department, a job that allows him to keep tabs on the latest crimes and keep an eye open for his next quarry.Dexter’s well-organized life is suddenly disrupted when a second, much more visible serial killer appears in Miami. Dex is intrigued, even delighted, by the fact that the other killer appears to have a style reminiscent of his own. Yet he can’t help but feel that the mysterious new arrival is not merely invading his turf, but reaching out to him as well. This new killer seems to be doing more than copying Dexter—he seems to be saying, "Come out and play." Dexter’s secret life makes for a lonely existence . . . even a lovable monster can be intrigued by the prospect of finding a friend.Introducing one of the most witty and original narrators in years, Jeff Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a fresh, surprising, and brilliantly executed novel that is sure to receive wide acclaim“.

We are totally hooked on this series and can’t recommend it highly enough. This is excellent, well-written, intriguing television at its best. Try it, you’ll like it.

Note: the first season of Dexter just ended and the second season hasn’t started. I’m not sure if the DVD of the first season is available, however, if it is, start there and then you’ll be ready when the new season starts up.