Has anyone watched this? All I can find on the blog is a brief but positive aside from Jeff. It airs on Showtime, which I don’t get, but season 1 is available to watch instantly on Netflix. The concept seemed rife with opportunities to produce something really horrible: forensic investigator with the Miami police who specializes in tracking down serial killers, and he is especially good at his job because he himself is a serial killer. He handles his urges to kill by only going after those who has escaped punishment by the criminal justice system. Three episodes in, I am very impressed. Michael C. Hall (of Six Feet Under fame) plays the lead, and he owns the role. Many of the characters are pretty flimsy (especially Jennifer Carpenter who plays his sister), but Hall give a multi-layered performance managing to convey vulnerability and menace at the same time. A small smile plays across his lips most of the time, and his shows genuine delight at coming across a true master serial killer. The series plays cleverly and in non-obvious ways with issues of abuse, emotion, sex and vengeance. Hall has chosen to be in a relationship with a deeply damaged woman in part because it avoids the need for sex. His foster father, a cop, recognized his urges and essentially taught him how to get away with it, but also how to channel it towards “taking out the garbage.” Creepy, clever, compelling.
We watched 2 episodes, and Hall’s as great as you say, but it hewed so closely to the plot of the novel (which I’d recently read) that I gave up. Maybe I should give it another go. (We’re just gearing up to give Mad Men and Damages some attention… ah TV on dvd. Thank god for it.)
So does the novel (which I have not read) form the basis for season 1 of the series (loosely tracking the ice truck murders)? Then presumably season 2 is independent of the novel and relies on more conventional screenwriting.
Whoever is responsible, I am enjoying the Dexter character more and more (7 episodes in now). I particularly like the moments when he ponders his lack of emotion and empathy, and then attempts to fake them in order to continue his relationship with Rita. One episode begins with a wonderful internal monologue in which Dexter says something like “…this always happens in my relationships, there comes a point at which they want to take it to the next level. They never realize that I don’t have another level.” Of course, the Dexter character is meant to be an extreme case, but the exploration of faked emotion and faked empathy is clearly intended to be applicable beyond serial killers.
I was told by a little lurking bird that yes, indeed, season 2 breaks from the novel(s). So maybe we’ll jump in there.
I just finished watching season 2, and I’m still very impressed. One would think that the conceit would wear off, but the storylines remain inventive, and Michael C. Hall is just utterly compelling. His ability to construct a character who can be simultaneously emotionless, very funny, and often bewildered makes Dexter Morgan one of the great TV characters (I can’t comment on the extent to which it mirrors the character in the book). Dexter’s lucky breaks become less and less believable, and there are some changes that are never explained (he seems incapable of sex in the first season — hence his choice of a relationship with the damaged Rita — but that is no longer a problem in season 2). The secondary characters are pretty one dimensional (this is nothing like the ensemble work of Sopranos or the Wire). Still, it’s very enjoyable, and the opening sequence is a sly delight every time I watch it.
And season 3 is even stronger. Michael C. Hall remains the emotional center, if someone with so few emotions can fulfill that role, but this season has two added strengths. The ensemble cast has really started to gel. Dexter’s sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), Lieutenant LaGuerta (Lauren Velez), Angel Batista (David Zayas) and Rita (Julie Benz), Dexter’s fiancee, have all emerged as fully-fledged characters, permitting a range of sub-plots to fill out the main story arc of this season.
Second, Jimmy Smits is superb as an assistant attorney general who befriends Dexter and seems to share in his “darkness.” I haven’t watched Smits in anything since L.A. Law, many moons ago, but here he gets almost equal screen time as Hall, and the interplay between the two can be electrifying. This has become one of my favorite shows.
Oh, and John Dahl directed two of the episodes, which helps to explain the high quality noir.
Dahl’s been directing a lot for “True Blood” as well (which is a hell of a pulpy/funky/sexy show). He’s even directed for “Breaking Bad” and the wonderful Toni Collette dramedy “The United States of Tara.”
“Dexter” 3.0 is a great season. Smits really brings something special to the mix (gravity, acting chops, and a middle-aged puffiness that really fits the character). I’m looking forward to season four.
I may have to finally subscribe to Showtime rather than wait until next summer for the DVD of season 4. Then I’d get Tara, Weeds, and that Nurse Jackie show that I’ve heard good things about.
mike did you ever watch Damages? what did you think?
Not yet–‘though season 1 is on the way from the library. Kris is hard to watch a series with; she will go to bed at 8:30, or watch 15 minutes of a show then want to leave it ’til some other evening (which I hate) — so we’re slowly getting through series.
We have Weeds season the latest here, and a show called Shameless we both love (into season 2 right now)…
But I hear all these great things about Damages, particularly the last couple seasons. Do you watch ’em, Gio?
not yet. trying to get into True Blood, because i’m doing vampires in class. simon’s watching Mad Men. wow, kris goes to bed at 8:30! that’s early. (oh shite, i just realized you posted this more than a month ago.)
simon and i were absolutely sucked in by the two seasons of Damages that are out on dvd. i will write a post if i feel like it. best thing i’ve seen since The Wire. also, it has the same long-story plotline, with episodes not self-contained so you can’t really pick up in the middle. absolutely loved it.