Why So Serial Killer?
It would seem like violence and sex in today’s media is a popular subject that manages to receive a lot of negative criticism, especially when things seem to go over-the-top. I’m talking about games such as Grand Theft Auto, movies like Saw and music performed by rap artists such as Lil John who find a way to drop F-bombs every five seconds and still find a way to sell albums.
However, there is one particular TV show which at one point managed to gain the attention of Parents Television Council when CBS decided to air its first season. That’s right, I’m talking about Dexter arguably the best show on television for a reason.
The concept alone makes conservative yahoos and soccer moms sick to their stomachs: make a serial killer the good guy. In a world where murders happen every single day and violence is already glorified, does turning a mass-murderer into an easy-going, easy-to-like, blood-splatter analyst leave one scratching his or her head? The answer is quite simple: not when the people he kills deserve it.
One of the things I never understood was why people would get so annoyed and angry with a television show about a character who kills bad guys. I can name about fifteen shows off the top of my head where this happens regularly.
Anyway, the show is on its fourth season and for good reason: the show is amazing. Having been following it since its beginning, I feel it is my duty to inform you that this is one television show you should only miss if your wife is in labour and she needs a ride to the hospital. Just be sure to install a TV in your car so at least she can watch it as you make a mad rush to the hospital.
One of the best things about the show comes from Dexter (Michael C Hall)’s voice-over narration. I have found that very few TV shows use this technique, but films which have: Taxi Driver, Fight Club, Boiler Room all seem to do very well and actually seem to make you relate with the character. I can see how a lot of people might not be able to relate with Robert De Niro’s character in Taxi Driver, but there is something about the execution in this series which makes anyone relate to him in some way.
As far as acting goes, everyone does an outstanding job and that they should, what with the fantastic scripts and outrageous storylines. Just to give you an example of how diverse and continuous the storylines are, think of your relationships in your life (I hope you’ve had a few) and think of how they progress.
Meet someone, date for awhile, fall in love, have kids the whole bit. Up until this season, imagine that whole scenario happening before your eyes. The entire process from seasons one to four is done extremely well and the whole relationship factor, again, makes you relate to the character.
That’s basically it for this week. Dexter, as a TV series, gets a 9.8/10. Be sure to get those premium channels to watch it, or, do what I do: watch it online!!
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