Dexter Review

Overall 4.63 of 5 view all 46 reviews

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jmd123
Carrboro, NC

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Do we really want our sociopaths to have feelings?

into trying new things, character-lover

Pros

Good Acting, Raises questions

AUG

2007

It took me a while to decide, after seeing the first episode, if I wanted to invest the time in watching the series (I ordered it from Netflix), and I'm glad I did. I'm not an eye-for-an-eye type, so I don't like the killing; however, the relationship between the father and foster son has been interesting because it raises questions. In flashbacks, we learn the father, who is a police officer, recognizes the boy is a sociopath and trains him to survive (not get caught) by faking normal social behavior and killing only people who "deserve it" (one of the challenging discussion points).

Actually, Dexter doesn't fit in, and his struggle to navigate normal social situations suggests (softly, and sometimes with direct references) that perhaps Dexter is more average (and "normal" people darker) than his father led him to believe. By the end of the first season, there are other questions that arise about the morality of what the foster father did, who he was really serving with this "training" and the choices he made. Which is nice, because we find out he is more complex than we (and Dexter) think.

And, about the language, Dexter's sister is supposed to be not only an immature officer, but one who is insecure and who is trying to stand out to the people who represent her father. It is appropriate for her character and the setting of a police "bull pen."

The one drawback I'll note is that the writers may be suggesting Dexter is not truly a sociopath, without a conscience, and that he's going to develop into a good guy; we should like him. It's hard to disassociate Dexter from the actor, who is excellent, and we do like him; however, while Dexter is a complex and fascinating character, he should remain the sociopath that serial killers are. I'm looking forward to the next season to see where they take him.