Catching Up Vol 1: Dexter

Wow. It's been awhile since I've put anything up here...but not for a lack of things to say. Motivation was the problem, but I've been watching a lot of TV, gearing up for the return of my favorites (The Office and 30 Rock start up again tomorrow night!) and catching up on a couple shows I've never seen and feel guilt and embarrassment every time I have to admit it.

So, here's a rundown of what I've been watching and why anyone in or out of their right mind should do the same.

Dexter: Good god in heaven, this is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. Featuring Michael C. Hall of 6 Feet Under fame, this Showtime offering jumped to CBS to re-run season 1. This is what initially caught my attention...we're not likely to see Weeds hit the "big 3" in primetime anytime soon, so when something bubbles up from cable, I'm curious.
Thank god I decided to watch. This is likely the most compelling, innovative, interesting, (insert superlative adjective here) television since I watched Damages last fall on F/X. The story is basically of a closeted serial killer (Dexter) who has integrated himself into "normal" life seamlessly. Yes, he still kills. But he kills "the right people." ("What?" you might say...exactly...like I said, compelling). In his non-serial killing hours, he works as a bloodspatter analyst for the police department where his sister (but remember Dexter's adopted...that's important), Deb, has just gotten a promotion from vice (where she was posing as a hooker) to homicide. Deb does not know he's a killer. He's also in a serious relationship with Rita who was violently, brutally sexually abused by her husband who is just on the verge of being released from prison. Rita has two kids that love Dexter as he does a lot of child care and basic "watching out" for Rita's whole clan. Why does Dexter like Rita? Because she doesn't want sex due to her personal trauma. Intrigued yet? Oh, you should be. There's so much more that I can't even capture in words.

This is what I mean about this show...so many layers of "what's going on here?" I've watched the whole 1st season (available on Netflix...also on CBS Sunday nights) and I cried during the last episode; the story was good, but I cried because it was ending. My favorite part of this show is the evolution. From the point of meeting Dexter in the 1st episode to the way the last episode ends, there's been so much change in this scenario that the show is really about Dexter adapting (sometimes not gracefully...he does kill people) to these changing relationships but driven at the core by his psychopathy. I know...I sound crazy for watching. But I love this show. More disturbing, I have sympathy and like (possibly love) for Dexter himself. He's just your average good-guy with a dicey secret. Okay, okay...he kills people.
You've got till the fall to catch up on this one.