JohnDoe
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BrentonDexter: Season 1 (2006) - Footage Included
February 14th 2007 07:37
Dexter: Season 1 (2006)
A John Doe TV Preview:
John Doe got a pleasant treat in the mail last week in the form of Season 1 of this much talked about TV series. Airing in the US on Showtime, JD has no idea if it’s even going to screen on Australian TV. After viewing just 4 episodes, their is definitely an audience for it. Figured a little word of mouth was in order to give readers a heads up, so keep your radars tuned for news of the arrival.
TV Poster
Starring:Michael C Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, James Remar, Julie Benz, Erik King , Lauren Valez , David Zayas
"My name is Dexter. Dexter Morgan. I dont know what it is that made me the way i am but whatever it was it left a hollow place inside. A lot of people fake human interactions but I feel like I fake them all and I feel like I fake them well."-Dexter
So there are bad people in this world that deserve to die? Bad people like child murderers, snuff film producers, hit and run drunk drivers and maybe even a harmless looking Forensic investigator named Dexter Morgan (Michael C Hall).
"Your mine now so do exactly as I say" - Dexter
That’s the moral quandary that won’t go away, like a decapitated head in the freezer as this new pitch black comedy/horror TV show unfolds.
Meet Dexter, working for the Miami Metro PD, an expert with blood, easily able to visualize murderous motives or re-enact a vicious slaying down to the finest detail. He is a gifted manhunter and when the sun goes down Dexter is a heinous monster, inflicting unspeakable horrors on others.
"The only real question I have is why? In a building full of cops, all supposedly with a keen insight into the human soul. Is Dotes the only one that gets the creeps from me?" - Dexter
Meticulously dispensing his own unique brand of epoxy filler to wipe out the scum that slip through the cracks of the justice system. He is a vigilante serial killer plagued by psychotic tendencies aimed at those who may deserve it; yep he’s a serial killer who kills serial killers.
"Tonights the night and its going to happen again and again. Has to happen." - Dexter
Packing a twisted and warped perspective on “right and wrong” is an attempt to make something evil into something good, he has standards.
Flashback to childhood, before Dexter was adopted , something happened to him that madde him snapp inside and an insatiable blood lust was born. At a young age his Foster father(James Remar), a cop discovered Dex has been killing neighbourhood dogs.
"Have you ever wanted to kill anything bigger than a dog?" - Harry Morgan
Realising the uncontrollable nature of his son’s disease, Harry Morgan tutors him on the tender art of blending in. At the same time he also guides the future Norman Bates in the ways of the world, explaining the whole “Certain people deserve to die” principle.
Emotionally detached and craving to be “normal”, we laugh and empathise with Dexter, even though we know that he is a sadistic genius.
Unapologetic, trying as best he can to fit in, as an adult he attempts to maintain a real family bond with his tenacious street cop sister Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter). Helping her as best he can and feigning concern at her well being.
He may be a cold blooded homicidal maniac, unshakable in the face of danger but there is one thing Dexter is afraid of. His relationship with girlfriend, Rita Bennet (Julia Benz). A single mother of two who was repeatedly raped and beaten by her crack addicted ex-boyfriend, she is now completly uninterested in sex.
Considered a blessing in diguise, she might be as fucked up inside as he is.
Physical intimacy is a foreign land to a creature that goes through life as an unfeeling, uncaring shell, but he does want to evolve.
Mild mannered flesh detective by day, brutal and merciless slaying machine by night, it’s going to be a long lesson.
This reminds me of something I saw last night.
Sharp penmanship, a complex protagonist and a splash of visual flair to match the sling blade dialogue adds up to a promising pilot episode.
From the Producer of the Sopranos and Six Feet Under, obviously influenced by the films Se7en and American Psycho (Dexter’s alias in the show is Patrick Bateman) this is not for the squeamish.
Morbid and grotesque, the crime scene footage is graphic and the whole premise really needs to be appreciated by those with a John Doe like sense of macabre humour.
The script writers obviously love their jobs because the clever dialogue is vicious and at the same time manages to make you laugh as it manipulates such a well drawn character. The other players also benefit from the balanced screenplay that attacks each individual from an obtuse angle.
The plot narrative plays with convention, often throwing out clichéd bones that fool us into thinking we know what’s going to happen next. Then taking great delight in doing it differently, controlling the distribution of information and evolution.
The cat and mouse plot line that develops is an engrossing idea and exploits the conceit with sometimes thrilling results.
The energetic cinematography blissfully shows beautiful, sunny Miami Beach Florida as a contrast to the grisly nightime escapades.
The performance of Michael C Hall (Six Feet Under) as Dexter is in every scene and the entire story revolves around his character. He plays the role as a passionless, distant outsider, childlike at times. Avoiding the link between passion and violence, instead his journey is one of personal growth
Stealing the show for JD is Jennifer Carpenter (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) who plays the determined sister. She doesn't go for the obvious choices and pulls off awkward but ambitious traits with a physical kookiness all her own.
It’s great to see James Remar (The Warriors, 48 HRS) in form as dear old dad. A host of regulars from the HBO series Oz (Erik King , Lauren Valez , David Zayas) also turn up in supporting roles which pleased this fan of the prison drama.
So far so good, after viewing only the first 4 episodes John Doe is hooked. Wether or not the show holds up is another thing. I will know more on the weekend when I finish out the remainder of the series with a marathon session.
Below is a clip of Dexter displays his gift for deduction in the pilot episode.
Also from the pilot, the start of the Bloodless hack job plotline that runs through the series.
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Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I think that because it is a Showtime series that it will air on Foxtel's Showtime (EG: Deadwood).....although arena got Sopranos, so that is always a possobility too.
The show is too explicit for commercial TV I think. Lots of foul language and fleshy body parts. If they did screen it they would probably cut it like they did to Tony and the boys on 9.
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Comment by Ginger Snap