Visitors Review

pinbyte (2012-05-26 01:36)

The sum of its parts yields a Dexlicious show

I applaud the creators of this show for daring to make a mass murderera hero. They have taken an even bigger risk by wrapping each season upso neatly that even their fictional protagonist would be astounded. Ijust finished watching the complete second season on DVD and I amdoubtful I could be more pleased with the balance of tension andsatisfaction played-out in this show.Unlike other shows with an ongoing story line, this one does not leaveyou on the hook waiting for next year. I don't know about season 3,which I expect is in progress, but the first two seasons kept me on theedge of my seat throughout, but didn't leave me hanging until nextyear. I really appreciate that. I will be a repeat customer.As for the content, it is really tough to recommend this show. Iusually skip the very disturbing opening sequence. When I force myselfto endure it, I can recognize its brilliance. This show is so 'out ofthe box' which is a sad cliché I know, but that is the point. It takesa bizarre concept and fleshes it out so expertly that I cannot turn itoff.This show rarely drags, but it does annoy. I really feel that thosethat create this show are working hard to mess with the viewer and takeus on unexpected twists and turns. Unexpected twists are essential tomaking the show really enjoyable to watch. But they also havecharacters like Deb and Rita that I think other viewers will agree, areextremely annoying. I suppose that without these characters, the showwould be incomplete somehow.I take the time to write this review because I think this show is trulyextraordinary. It is not for everyone. The subject matter is verydisturbing and makes the viewer have compassion for a mass murderer.What is up with that? It is exactly that conflict that makes this showunique. The writing and story lines actually make it good. They reallypull it together after throwing out a web of questions… and answeringthem satisfactorily.I will patiently await for season 3 to come out on DVD and watch itstart to finish in just a few days as I have done with seasons 1 and 2.I cannot imagine experiencing it any other way. It is intense and verywell done.

NHBshooter-1 (2012-05-25 17:58)

Excellent new series

show time is finally giving HBO a run for its money... this excitingnew show is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat... thecharacters are very well developed... the main character Dexter givesthe audience a peek into the functionality and motives of a serialkiller...the show is a unique take on an a lingering desire forforbidden knowledge that secretly dwells deep within the minds ofmany..a parallel storyline is that the main character is a detective aswell as a serial killer and he is in search of a meticulous killerdubbed,"the ice truck killer"... Dexter does not kill at random, heseeks out other killers and seeks to server justice as he see fit... avery entertaining new television show...I highly recommend giving it achance

David Schmidt (2012-05-23 21:44)

Interesting though with flaws...

I've watched the first two seasons and found my way to Dexter mainly bywanting to know what Michael C. Hall was doing after Six Feet Under. Iam a little disappointed although his role fits and it's always apleasure to see him act as Dexter. What disappoints me though is the storyline. It has it's ups and downsand I image some viewers might find it really interesting but if youhave seen thrillers and movies like American Psycho you will find thisshow rather boring. Dexter is the "good guy" who has to go through"adventures" and this is not really what you would expect from a guywho can't stop loving to kill people. I know those two extremes mightsound interesting but after seeing the first episode you basically knoweverything about the character. Of course there are some flashbacks,some minor development but in the end Dexter stays the same. I won't even get into the other characters who are just dragging thewhole show down, especially Dexter's sisters (Jennifer Carpenter). Shedid a decent job in the remake "Quarantine" but only because she was atypical horror movie victim. You enjoy to see her scream and die butshe won't in this show (and I have to say this: I was really happy whenseason 1 was over mainly because I would never have to hear her say theword "ice-truck killer" again) Julia Benz is the only character I found interesting ever since Dextersaid about her "in her way she is as damaged as I am". This is goodstuff. Comparing his life to a mother of two children and seeing thosetwo "damaged" people kinda fall in love. They could have made a wholeseries just about that storyline, instead they focus on the "bossyCuban bitch", the "suspicous black colleague", the weird sister "I lovea 30year older man" etc. all those story lines fail to be: a)believable b)innovative c)relating to the main character (after allthe show is called Dexter)I don't want to tell people not to watch this show, after all it issometimes entertaining and if you like to see something that goes wellwith your popcorn, go watch an episode or two. But it is nothing morethan a show a housewife would watch while ironing her clothes. If youdon't pay attention to most of the show, you'd still won't miss a lot.If you dislike that watch the Sopranos (if you haven't already) whereyou actually do have to pay attention if you don't want to miss out onall the entertainment.

ruudruud1 (2012-05-23 05:58)

Delicious surprising food for the mind...

Refreshing subtle morbid and anti-cyclic humor, really surprising plotchanges, suspense and all of this in a rather fast tempo. Great work ofart! The series must have been supported by a team of psychologistsbecause at the end the most strange situation are explained withpicture and words in such a way that you understand the reasoningbehind all th different authentic characters. I just finalized thesecond season and can't wait for season 3 (august 3 - 09 according toAmazon UK). Lots and lots of Oscar winning movies are not able tocompete with this 30-hour during movie. Not only because of theexcellent and exciting story but also because the perfect casting,acting and camera-work (especially the attention for detail in manyscenes).

vonglahn (2012-05-22 00:25)

Unique, unpredictable, captivating - you should check it out

Very unique show. When I first heard the premise I rolled my eyes,thinking it was a hokey angle to have a serial killer that kills serialkillers, but the idea has remarkable depth the way it is played out. Ifind Dexter to be a fascinating and likable character - not as hard torelate to as some would think. The cinematography is very slick andcreative - often you are repulsed by a seemingly graphic image on thescreen which turns out to be a common object such as a piece of fruit.And then something graphic by definition (such as blood) is shown in anartistic and attractive way.The character of 'Harry' has to get my vote for most compassionatefather of all time - the way he teaches Dexter to deal with his innatedesire to kill is remarkable and believable. I also love the way Dextertakes care of his girlfriend's children and his girlfriend. The onlything I don't like much is the character of his sister, Deborah. I findit hard to take her seriously as a cop. Perhaps she will develop and Iam definitely going to stick around to find out. Have watched half adozen episodes and can't wait to see more!!!

Michael Turnbull (2012-05-21 14:28)

Things are changing...Where too?

Dexter is by far one of the most creative television shows! Theuniqueness of the show is what makes the audience fall in love with aserial killer. The story follows Dexter, a Miami Blood Spatter Analyst,who fights justice in his own way by killing murderers to quench hisneed to kill. Basically he's the killer of killers! Michael C Hallplays Dexter perfectly. Dexter's lack of emotion, satisfaction fromkilling, and fear of getting caught couldn't be portrayed any better.Along with Dexter Morgan, all the characters are well developed andhave a well built sense of reality to them. Dexter's first seasonfocused on Dexter Morgan and played around with his history and showedthe audience how Dexter became the closet killer he is. Unlike manyother shows Dexter did not lose its integrity during it's secondseason. This season humanized Dexter in a sense of becoming a familyman and trying to feel the emotions he can't. Unfortunately SeasonThree took a bad turn. Having Miguel Prado in such a big role andbasically becoming Dexter's Intern made the show seem like they got hitwith a bad case of writer's block! Season Four is up and running and sofar it looks like it's going to be the show to beat. John Lithgow'scharacter "The Trinity Killer" is so mysterious and is played so well!This season's story line has so much potential. With the trinitykiller's presence, Agent Lundy back in the picture, Maria and Angel'ssecret romance, as well as Rita and the kids, who knows how this talewill end!

greglatraille (2012-05-20 19:17)

Dexter should get caught eventually (Slight Spoilers)

Dexter kills bad people and then works as a forensics investigator. Iasked a fan what happens if he murders someone who is evil but actuallyit turns out they were completely innocent. They said "He never doesthat." Well maybe the writers should explore that one, though judgingfrom what I've seen, it would not bother him at all. Dexter lacks thecharm, wit and humor of "Kind Hearts and Coronets" (a classic Britishcomedy about a serial killer). Maybe this is because the Dextercharacter abuses and tortures his victims which would only please asadist, but no matter how bad the characters are, I hope the seriesends somewhat akin to the cleverness of "Kind Hearts and Coronets",with the Dexter character caught and sentenced but a twist sets himfree only until a final twist of fate outwits him. Dexter also lacksthe goal, crazy as it may be, of the British character.

dominictomlinson93 (2012-05-20 09:25)

Greatest Show Ever Made

I want to stress that I have seen a lot of great shows; 24, House, TheSimpsons etc. But I have never seen a show quite as brilliant asDexter. It succeeds in every level, it's funny, has superb lead actors,great character development, very dramatic and the most ingenious storylines I've ever seen. I remember watching the first episode on theinternet to see what it was like, and from the second he killed hisfirst victim on the show I knew I was hooked. I watched the other 11episodes of the first season religiously and I can say bar the firstseason of 24 I've never enjoyed a series of TV more. Dexter is goinginto it's sixth season and in my opinion the previous five have beensuperb, and the show has never lost it's dramatic pace or originality.so if you want a to watch something that will hook you with it's greatstory lines, amaze you by it's actors and amuse you with it's sharpwit, then without a doubt, this is the show for you.

ilikesoldat (2012-05-19 03:18)

This TV show instills violence...

Having watched the first 6 seasons, I have a good idea about what theshow is about.. and let me say I think it is messed up that people ratethis show so high, and sympathize with the main character. I even foundmyself sympathizing with him myself in a way, because of all thesuspense in the show. I didn't want Dexter to get caught because he'sthe main character but at the same time what he does is absolutelywrong. I realized this show promotes corrupt morals from the start, butthe extent of how tiresome this show is doesn't start having an impactuntil around seasons 5-7, especially 7.Why couldn't this show be about a clever way Dexter sets these peopleup so that they get prison for life, rather than torturing them andmurdering them? Also, Dexter ends up killing SEVERAL innocentcharacters throughout the seasons all to... NOT GET CAUGHT. The show isbasically insinuating that a serial killer who is threatened to getcaught has the right to kill innocent people. The murderers he doeskill BEG him for mercy. Does anyone out there realize how wrong thisshow is and how much it deteriorates moral thought? Later on in theshow, it is shown that people basically die for anything that they dothat is "unacceptable" by Dexter.Lastly, this show becomes repetitive after a few seasons. While it isentertaining to watch, by the time I began season 7 it seems everyminute there is a reference to something along the lines of: "would amonster do that?" ; "but would they understand if it was a monster?" ;"nobody accepts a MONSTER..." ; "it sure is different as a monster...".Well I'm pretty sure by the 7th season I no longer need to hear abouthow he is a monster, and how unbelievably hard it is for Dexter to liveas a monster. It's as if the show is forcing out sympathy andacceptance for the monster (Dexter) by constantly saying how difficultDexter's life is. So the question is, does the audience have to decideby themselves whether to sympathize with the main character, or do theyhave to be constantly be spoon-fed and alluded to reasons why tosympathize with him?The fact that so many people think so highly of the show withoutrealizing that it constantly tries to justify moral wrongs such askilling (even of the innocent), torturing, and admiring deaths as awork of art shows how many people are brainwashed by the writing andcan't see the real point of this show. What I think this also shows,however, is how messed up many of our own morals are, that we can evenwatch this show and not be disgusted.

catgoth2007 (2012-05-18 20:15)

just to say i love this series

i just want to share my love for this series. i live in england and Isaw the first series on channel fox last year i was so impressed! itsabout to be released on itv2 which is great as i get to see it again.so many more people are gonna be following this! i cannot wait for thenext series. its written fantastically, and Dexter's little saying arebrilliant! This series will really be a hit here. seriously if your awomen and you don't fall madly in love with 'dexter' then there'ssomething wrong with you. do not miss this series. you will be sorry!!!also i hate it when people spoil it for others.its not a nice thing todo.whats the point?

kwanbis (2012-05-17 19:04)

The best series i ever seen

Dexter is so good that, after finishing season 2, i went out and gotthe HD version of both seasons, and i'm re-watching them again.Its the first show that makes me want to be a blood-spatter-specialistcop, and go live in Miami.Is that good.The characters complexity is marvelousThe history is excellent.The acting is superlative.It also get high points for all the Latin characters and that they dospeak Spanish from time to time.My only complain is that a 12 chapters season is too short.

Moongate2000 (2012-05-17 11:48)

hell yeah ;) !!

It's hard to stop watching this show: Dark, mean, cynic, funny... yes,"Dexter" is not the usual stuff. If someone like Dexter could be forreal ? I doubt it... but it doesn't matter, as long as you can acceptthis setup there's a good chance you won't get disappointed !Season one started with a "brighter" side of Dexter, who needs to findout about his past... or let's say the past finds him. The secondedition went on with the dark side of Dexter (I liked it even better),who needs to find himself. So everything I've enjoyed the most aboutthis show holds true to these two perfect seasons. So what I love about"Dexter" are the carefully written characters, which change and evolveslowly during the seasons. It is not a 08/15 set of characters and youcan expect interesting social constellations. After all Dexter is notthe only great character here !And considering the third installment: I'm not happy with it. Decent itis... but not as great. A slow ticking story development (far frombeing as deep going and personal as before), missing the dynamicevolvement of it's antecessors. Except for Dexter most characters feelstatic, not as fascinating. In my point of view it would had beenbetter to cut this season down to let's say four episodes. Take it asinciting incident to get something bigger started. Probably what comesnext will be more interesting - after all I'm pretty sure season threewill have strong consequences for the next one !In short: If you don't know "Dexter" yet, start at the beginning. It'sa terrific show with great potential for further great seasons. Onlyseason three doesn't show the same qualities as before !

aviakob (2012-05-16 13:30)

Amazing!!!

Dexter's one of the best TV shows these days. It's just too interestingthat I couldn't stop watching it until I got to the end of the lastseason! Even though every episode is almost an hour...The writers of this show never take a break! Every season of "Dexter"they presented us a new, fresh, interesting and good plot, anddeveloped the story step by step.Just a minute ago, I finished watching the last episode of the 4thseason, and it just left me in shock!!! I can't wait to watch the 5thseason now.I watch a lot of TV shows: Lost, Prison Break,Grey's Anatomy and more.And I have to tell you - now "Dexter" became one of my most favorite TVshows! If you haven't seen it 'till now, hurry up now and watch it,'cause you wouldn't wanna miss it...

cerrakixx (2012-05-16 12:19)

Excellent Show

Dexter had me from the commercials before the show even aired. A serialkiller whose lust for blood extends into his professional life as aforensic blood expert, how wonderfully twisted is that? (PossibleSpoiler Here) Adopted by a homicide detective, Harry Morgan, and hisfamily, Dexter shows his predilection for blood at an early age. Harryrecognizes the signs and through the power of flashbacks, trains theyoung Dexter to channel his "urges".Four episodes in and I am delighted to see Dexter's nuances slowlycoming to the surface as the character is being developed through storylines that take the time to portray Dexter coping with life outside ofblood. Being clinically insane, he cannot feel emotion as "normal"people do, but as Harry's training dictates, Dexter mimics as best hecan to "fit in" to the situation at hand.Michael C. Hall shines as Dexter. When he is Dexter dealing withday-to-day-life scenes, he is convincingly docile but when Dexter is inhis natural killing mode Hall takes on the body posture and speechpattern of a master predator, powerful and totally in charge of hisprey. *(Spoiler Alert Here)* The best was in the second episode whenDexter, takes a break from dismembering a victim to answer his cellphone; dripping blood, he pleasantly assures his girlfriend that hewill come by later.Hopefully, Dexter will continue to evolve as a careful character studyand not slip into being a cartoon.

vdeo_junkie (2012-05-15 22:12)

Excellent, but different

This show is about a serial killer, that kills serial killers. He livesby a code, and as such the people he kills must be worthy of killing.Killing the innocent would break his code. Dexter is a M.E. that killsserial killers he investigates. During the day he helps track killers,and night he kills them. This show is a labyrinth of psychology behindkillers and what it would take to be a killer yourself yet still one ofmorality.Morality- in this sense means doing what you deem the correct action.In this case the character Dexter is a moral character, just a littletwisted. At the same time, you might wonder whether he feels anythingor not. It seems that he does yet also not. It is a very interestingshow and any Showtime subscribers should not miss it. If you likeanything like CSI, this is CSI on crack. This is like "Crossing Jordan"if it were a good show.

dean_milner72 (2012-05-15 00:32)

Leaves other crime dramas trailing, simply brilliant

Dexter was such a sleeper it that when I watched it, after hearing thebuzz from the US, I expected it to be pretty OK, but nothingspectacular, especially since crime dramas (csi,24, etc.) aren't myfavourite. As well as that I don't really like Lost and I've growntired of heroes. But as soon as I heard the twisted monologues ofDexter, I knew this show was interesting to say the least. And not onlythat, I was really produced well, the plot was flawless and the actingamazing with superb comic timing from the cast when it's needed.I must say, Dexter is the best show on TV at the moment along withEntourage and South Park. Just don't take it too seriously, and getengripped in the story. Brilliant, bring on season 2!

Stoh80 (2012-05-13 23:35)

Sixth season and still going strong

Dexter is, without a doubt, one of my favorite television showscurrently on the air, in its sixth season and still going strong. It isa crime mystery told from the killer's point of view but, unlike anyother dark show or movie of its kind, actually has the audience rootingfor the macabre protagonist of the series, Dexter Morgan.Set in the extravagant city of Miami, Dexter uses his job as a bloodsplatter analyst at the police department as a way to find info abouthis next victim. But Dexter has a code: he only kills those who areguilty of killing innocents, but who have, for one reason or another,slipped through the cracks of the justice system. Dark, dramatic,action-packed, and often morbidly humorous, this show is bound toplease.The acting and writing is top notch. Michael C. Hall's performance isphenomenal—he acts a demented serial killer who, in turn, has to actlike an everyday joe in order to blend in with society. Dexter lacksthings that most other people possess, like feelings, morals, and asense of connection with other humans. Through his constant struggle tocontrol his desire to murder, one episode of Dexter can show us, theaudience, more about the dark side of human nature than most othertelevision shows can do in a season.

killer1h (2012-05-13 10:32)

A Cut Above The Rest

I know, I know it took me a really long time to get to this review andI apologize for that. The truth is this show has been one of myfavorites since the very beginning. Michael C. Hall is just an awesomeactor in pretty much anything he does, and apparently so is JenniferCarpenter big ups on a great casting choice.Lets start with the mood of this show, unlike all the other stuff aboutserial killers the pace is nice and slow, they don't rush through theshow leaving you with nothing to grasp onto in fact making it an hourlong was by far the best decision made for this kind of show. As far asfeel is concerned since this is actually a narration from the lead andentirely based on his view of the world you really get into it withhim. He takes you inside the mind of someone who doesn't perceivekilling as bad or good just as a means to an end. The acting is topnotch by far, this is the only show I've seen where I can truly say itliterally gets better with every episode even with this many seasonsin.The show is about a serial killer who works as a blood splatter expertwhich gives him virtually limitless access to the files of people whogot away with murder and therefore by his standard need to be killed,but also it deals with him blending in and becoming a family andsociety oriented person since he seems to lack the basic understandingfor human response and emotions and is in turn made to fake theseemotions. This is a definite must see for anyone who wants to see aspectacular show 10/10 with a bullet.... or a knife.

infiniter-1 (2012-05-13 11:50)

A wonderful new look at the crime drama.

I read Lindsay's excellent books - Darkly Dreaming Dexter and DearlyDevoted Dexter - some time ago, and when I heard that there was to be aseries based on the books, I was extremely excited. So much so, infact, that I feared disappointment merely because my standards were sohigh.Thankfully, "Dexter" absolutely delivers. The show maintains theuncomfortable atmosphere of the novels with better fidelity than onecould ever have expected, and Dexter (played by Hall) is all there.The visual elements from the show are stunning, to say the least.Disturbing, certainly, but more than that - fascinating. Watching theshow, it's impossible to keep from finding a certain agreement inoneself for Dexter. He's a monster, and yet it's completely possible toidentify with him.10 out of 10. This one has a permanent spot on my DVR.

Charlotte West (2012-05-13 06:02)

Cast Propels Series

The complexity of the character Dexter draws viewers into this crimedrama. It is strange to find a serial killer so endearing andidentifiable. Michael C. Hall does an amazing acting job, playing boththe part of serial killer Dexter and acting normal Dexter. I applaudhis performance. Dexter's relationships with the contrasting outsideworld create the story, particularly the relationships with his sisterand girlfriend. He has problems opening up with his sister, his onlysurviving relative, as well as difficulty forming a romanticrelationship with another woman, Rita. Comedy is what brings all theelements together to form a complete story and excellent series. Itreally brings the basis of morality into question - is it wrong to killthe bad guys?