Dexter

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DEXTER.
Showtime

This show revolves around Miami Metro Police Department's Homicide Division. A couple of the folks that work there are the kid's of a late well respected veteran detective, Harry Morgan. Although in the beginning of the series, Deborah Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) was working vice, she eventually gets into Homicide, and in fact, as the seasons go by, she makes Lieutenant. Her step-brother Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), is on the forensics team. He is a "blood splatter analyst." And he's very good at his job.

Dexter has a secret though. When he was 3 years old, he witnessed his mother being murdered with a chainsaw. That left a profound affect on him and twisted him is such a way that he became a sociopath with a psychotic need to kill. His father Harry (the cop that rescued and later adopted him), sensed this early on, and decided to intervene as best he could. He knew there was going to be no stopping Dexter, but he (and as it turns out in the last season, a Dr.) came up with a "Code" for Dexter to live by. Harry (James Remar) started instilling it in Dexter from a very early age. Essentially the code, outlines how Dexter is to never get caught, and is to kill only those who absolutely deserve it, when the law lets them slip through the cracks. In other words, Dexter is a serial killer who only kills other serial killers.

Dexter is a guy who doesn't have feelings. He wishes he did. He carries with him what he calls his "Dark Passenger." It's that dark place inside of him that feels this overwhelming urge to kill. Along the way though he meets a woman that was severely abused and doesn't want any real male contact, and Dexter is thrilled to start dating her, because she isn't interested in any real human contact. Made to order for Dexter! Rita (Julie Benz), is standoffish at first but as time goes on she warms up to Dexter, and so much so that they eventually actually get married. In all the wedding pictures, Dexter is confused. He doesn't know what feelings he's supposed to be faking. Rita brings with her two kids, Astor (Christina Robinson), and Cody (Preston Bailey). So now Dexter is a father. And later on.....voila! Rita's pregnant and gives birth to Dexter's son Harrison! This makes it complicated for a serial killer who likes to spend a lot of evenings "out."

I cannot begin to describe all of the events and characters that come into Dexter and Deb's life. So many psychos. But there is a pivotable moment at the end of season 6 when Deb gets let in on who Dexter is, and everything changes.

Beyond that, one of the psychos Dexter encounters murders Rita, and Dexter is left alone with Harrison (the two step kids go to Grandparents).

I know this is old news because Dexter has been over for a couple years. But I watched the first season many years ago and never pursued it, but decided to go back and see it all. And man am I glad I did. Frankly, I don't know what I'm going to do without Dexter in my life.

Ironically, Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter were actually married for seasons 4, 5, and 6, and then divorced. In seasons 7 and 8 you'd never know it. They were committed professionals all the way. And there are two many great side-players here to mention them all, but they are all worthy and all deserve respect.

This is a show I loved and I am going to miss. I watched an episode every day at the gym on the treadmill as I did my 3 or 3.25 miles on the treadmill. It's over now. What am I going to do? What is there to watch?

DEXTER is a masterful work of writers coming together with directors and acting talent and the magic happened. This was an interesting idea explored to the Nth degree and I thank all the people involved in it for that. Although, I know it was set in Miami, many scenes looked amazing like Long Beach, California where I used to live........yuk-yuk

I cannot, and I mean cannot recommend this show enough. I loved every moment of this. Even when Dexter was killing. Because by killing the animals he was killing he was saving lives. And that is how weird this show is. Let's root for a serial killer!!

DEXTER explores a lot of human nuances that maybe we are uncomfortable with. And that's the beauty of this show.

Grade: A+