I remember when video game magazines would talk about the latest releases within the realm of pop culture. There's one show that I remember would get talked about a ton within them, and that was Dexter. I saw this show everywhere. It was always mentioned, always referenced, and always found in your face. Though despite that it remained a show I never really watched. I think that was because it was a show that I had no real access to growing up. I can't think of a single television channel that would air it in the UK, and the only option would've been to purchase the DVD seasons. Even in the era of streaming services, I don't think I ever saw Dexter in a library somewhere available to watch. It wasn't that I was avoiding Dexter, it was that Dexter was somehow avoiding me. At the same time, I knew so little about the show that it never really managed to catch my attention. After all, the strongest memory I have of the show was from seeing it mentioned in video game magazines as I was growing up. Take of that as you will, I guess. Though in recent years I have a lot more interest in these sorts of shows. Those television series from the earlier 2000s which just have a totally different atmosphere to the modern world of massive budget mega-series. There's something about these older television series which hold more of a spark to them, perhaps it's the nostalgia. Or perhaps a time before smartphones and mass consumption of the Internet. Perhaps it's the different standards from the era. I feel it's a bit of everything, and they can't easily be replicated.
Dexter is no exception to this. I instantly understood how it managed to become a show with such a great following back then and even now. From the first episode it completely hooked me in, showcasing a character that is just downright odd and a setup that really works for that type of character. I found it really engaging how it portrayed that first episode, the way it told the story of Dexter and how he thinks. He's by no means a good person, and by no means a hero to look up to. After all, he is a psychotic killer. I can't think of many shows like this that detail a protagonist that really isn't someone to look up to, that really shouldn't be considered good even if sometimes their actions do seem to hold some positive weight to them. Dexter is a killer that thrives on murder, but he was given a way to deal with this issue from a young age: don't harm the good, harm the bad instead at least. That means no killing innocent people, instead find the people that do harm the innocent and harm those. And these actions aren't coming from an interest in helping others, but more pursuing his crave to kill. A lot of this is told to us through Dexter's own narration, the way he interacts with the world and sharing his thoughts. I really like this way of connecting with the character, the way it gives us a look into his mind, to which this keeps things closed off still. Sure, we hear his thoughts, but these thoughts remain in his head. That may not sound like much at first, but when we consider the type of person he is, it is a creative way of giving us more depth into Dexter that sticks true to his nature.
This narration can contain the thoughts of Dexter and his life, the personality he holds and how he perceives the world, it's a nice dynamic with how he interacts with the people within his life too. That way in which he keeps things hidden, closing off his true nature and showing how strong of a personality he has. He calls himself a monster, he knows of what he's capable of. He knows he's different. He also is aware of the fact that his urges to kill are bad. But what I have been especially been enjoying is the side of this narration that shows us his appreciation for killing. The way in which he might glamourise the certain actions of another killer, their methods in particular. Things that make him a little jealous in moments. Since he works in forensics, his life is surrounding the horrible acts of other killers. That analysis over various cases adds more world building to the story, and that's something I've really enjoyed so far. With narration, it allows the show's visuals to take the reigns. Lots of scenes with no dialogue in as Dexter interacts with the world around him, either observing or the directing work we see of the spaces he's in. A use of wider focal lengths helps stretch out interiors and exteriors, warped perspectives add to the world that Dexter sees, not quite the same as everyone else. In regards to other characters, I really like that there's only one that manages to see through Dexter's facade. He knows Dexter is all show, that his personality is faked to just get along with everyone and seem normal.
I'm really looking forward to seeing where the show goes, with each episode being a different story, while still having some side story that goes on through a few episodes at a time. I did hear that the show's finale didn't really please most fans, but that doesn't bother me with a show like this. Where the interest is in each episode and the gradual character development that they hold. Dexter's character alone is really unique to the world of television, he's one that is so fun to follow, though we know in reality he's an utterly terrifying person that could be found anywhere at any moment in our lives. That quiet person at work, a person you're standing next to at a crossing. That normal looking person sitting in a cafe or on the bus. And I think that's what makes the concept so good.