Dexter : Complete Season 1

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk review

An interesting and original idea that's very skillfully executed, Dexter is never less than watchable, often quite compelling and sometimes thoroughly riveting. As the 12 episodes from the show's first season reveal, it's also the epitome of "high concept," a kind of Silence of the Lambs for the C.S.I. generation. Creator-executive producer James Manos Jr.'s title character, one Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall of Six Feet Under renown), works for the Miami Police Department as a blood spatter analyst, visiting crime scenes and helping figure out what happened. He has an avocation, too: during his off hours, he tracks down some very, very bad people who for various reasons have eluded the proper authorities. Seems his adoptive father, a cop himself, taught the kid how to channel his dark side in a 'positive' direction and so, having captured these evil doers (including a child molester-murderer and a recidivist drunk driver with a trail of bodies in his wake), Dex dispatches them with clinical precision, thus making him a serial killer who snuffs serial killers.

But there's more--much more, as it turns out. By his own description, Dexter is 'a monster,' an empty shell who fakes all human interactions and admits to no real feelings for anything or anyone, including his foster sister (Jennifer Carter) and his nominal girlfriend (Julie Benz), a former crack addict and battered spouse who's as uninterested in sex as he is. There's an explanation for Dexter's weirdness, of course, one so deep and traumatic that even he isn't aware of it. It's gradually revealed over the course of the season as he and the cops (who include Erik King, Lauren Velez, and David Zayas, all first-rate) track down the so-called 'Ice Truck Killer,' a fellow monster whose grisly m.o. both fascinates and taunts our hero, leading to a genuinely shocking and squirm-inducing finale. Dexter can be a bit arch, with an ironic, too-hip-for-the-room tone that get a little old. Still, it's a safe bet that anyone who views this first season will be salivating for the second. --Sam Graham

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Customer reviews

review by: The Duffman date: 2008-12-03 rating:
America Strikes Again
In recent years with the emergence of shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, 24, The Shield, Lost, Smallville, Brotherhood, Prison Break i hear about yet another American show thats meant to be outstanding. But Dexter isnt outstanding. Its more than outstanding. Its a show which has simply redefined Police dramas. Its a show which over the 1st 2 seasons has just kept on getting better with each episode, leaving you on a cliffhanger on one episode but never letting you down in the next. Dexter is a magnificent character and someone you instantly like but also scares you at his most gruesome nature. A truly great cast with outstanding storylines, outstanding characters and an unnerving ability to keep you hooked from first episode to last. For anyone who is even thinking about giving this show a miss, GET A GRIP. Now for the most important question, How does America keep producing shows to this quality?

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review by: date: 2008-12-02 rating:
Chilling and weird, but brilliant
This is the show about Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C Hall), a closet sociopath who has an unflinching desire to kill. After being orphaned in early childhood, he gets adopted by a policeman who raises him and finds a niche to channel Dexter's murderous tendencies; hunting down and killing serial killers who escape the justice system. In doing so Dexter masquerades as a good-natured and friendly policeman and a respectable member of society, while actually remaining a man without a soul.

This season contains 12 episodes of whodunnit style drama laced with a subtle mix of comedy and grim violence. As the series moves forward, Dexter's character becomes ever more complex as he struggles to find meaning, which is the main attribute of this show. Hats off to the creators (writer Jeff Lindsay and producer James Manos Jr) for coming up with such a novel and different concept.

It is similar to 'House', where the episodes have a predictable and repetitive pattern (patient with complex symptoms is misdiagnosed but eventually gets cured) but each episode has great acting, dialogue, and tension that supersedes this. This is done brilliantly with the Seargent Doakes character, who doesn't like Dexter and harbours suspicions about him. Amazingly, you will cheer for Dexter, who is a cold and calculated vigilante killer - but that's TV today for you!

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review by: hippymusicman date: 2008-11-25 rating:
HE'S A SERIAL KILLER WITH A HEART - JUST MAKE SURE IT'S NOT YOURS !
This classic American series has already won a slew of Emmy nominations and is a huge cult hit across the pond. Tucked away in a graveyard (ahem) slot over here in the UK a couple of year ago, Dexter failed to make much impact and slipped quietly away. With both the first and second seasons now available to buy on DVD there has never been a better time to aquaint yourself with the forensic blood splatter specialist (and part time serial killer) known simply as Dexter.
Micheal C Hall plays the hero(anti-hero) who talks, and takes, us through his adventures on both sides of law. The humour is jet black and the ever evolving storyline absolutely gripping. Hall is perfectly cast as the everyman monster who juggles his bloody nocturnal escapades with the more mundane activities of everyday life - the opening credit montage of Dexter simply making himself breakfast is wonderfully creepy.
The premise of the show is that our titular hero only kills badguys - mainly murderers who have escaped more conventional methods of law enforcement - and it's hard not to see Dexter as some kind of Batman figure crossed with Hannibal Lector. Throw in a large helping of prime CSI and a dash of House and you get the picture. Yes it's grusome at times but the intelligence and sheer brilliance of the writing means that Dexter never becomes a Saw or Slasher parody. Dexter is smart, funny and original stuff that once again shows that no one does grown up TV quite like the Americans. Take a bow Dex you just joined House, The Sheild and Heroes in the big league.

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review by: date: 2008-11-05 rating:
original, riveting, funny and heart wrenching!
Simply put, this is one of the best tv shows i have ever seen.
I first knew of it when it was on British television, but what i understood of the premise made me doubt whether i would either be interested in it, or take it seriously as a piece of entertainment.
It was at least a year later when i read something about Dexter somewhere that made me think twice about giving the show a chance.
Wow! Am i glad i did!!
It's utterly brilliant from start to finish, the characters are varied and interesting, the originality of the plot makes for riveting viewing; it's a wonderful twist on the genre, giving us a kind of anti-hero who operates in a realistically flawed world. The very structure of the episodes individually and of the entire season's story arc is delivered with a fresh perspective and with cracking attention to detail.
The way that Dexter narrates his own life, and therefore the way that the viewer learns about Dexter lends itself to a feeling of reading a book. It comes as no surprise then, that Dexter did indeed start out life as a literary creation.
The mixture of smart writing and great production make this an absolute joy to watch. Once i had finished this dvd, i genuinely felt a sense of loss...I couldn't bear to wait for season 2 to come out in the UK, so i've ordered season 2 from amazon.com (U.S)!



review by: date: 2008-10-30 rating:
Brilliant and Very Different
One of the best series out at the moment. I can't wait to get hold of Series 2. Every episode has a mystery to it - you can watch each one on it's own. There's a great ongoing mystery and storyline too though so it keeps you wanting to watch the next, and the next.

The characters are great, all with their unique problems. Dexter especially is the most troubled of people but you can't help but feel empathy for him even though he's a serial killer!

A must watch!

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