The Dark Depths of Dexter
Dexter is Showtime's diamond in the rough. Based on Jeff Lindsay's book Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) is an original series about a seemingly emotionless blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police. His adoptive father, Harry, a former member of the force, noticed his son's insatiable need to kill at a young age. He developed "Harry's Code" to ensure that Dexter only kill only those who had brutally killed others.
However, while Dexter argues he has no emotion and that his relationships with his wife (Julie Benz), sister (Jennifer Carpenter), and step children are an illusion to protect his "dark passenger", in later seasons he seems to truly care for his son while continuing to only harm those who have harmed other with malicious intent. Thus, the audience has an internal conflict: they vilify him for being a sociopathic serial killer, but sympathize with him because of his troubled upbringing and daily struggles to fake normalcy.
Dexter's ability to sway an audience into feeling for a killer is unmatched by any series. His character development over the past six seasons has allowed fans to watch him take down Miami's most deranged murderers, and through the process, self-reflect, grow, and learn to care for a son...all while having no feelings.
Watch Dexter Sundays at 9 on Showtime.
However, while Dexter argues he has no emotion and that his relationships with his wife (Julie Benz), sister (Jennifer Carpenter), and step children are an illusion to protect his "dark passenger", in later seasons he seems to truly care for his son while continuing to only harm those who have harmed other with malicious intent. Thus, the audience has an internal conflict: they vilify him for being a sociopathic serial killer, but sympathize with him because of his troubled upbringing and daily struggles to fake normalcy.
Dexter's ability to sway an audience into feeling for a killer is unmatched by any series. His character development over the past six seasons has allowed fans to watch him take down Miami's most deranged murderers, and through the process, self-reflect, grow, and learn to care for a son...all while having no feelings.
Watch Dexter Sundays at 9 on Showtime.