Ah, doesn’t the TV series, Dexter, just check all of our multifaceted and moral ambiguity boxes?!? Ugh, yeeeaaasssss! A guilty pleasure to watch, I say.
Moral ambiguities abound
Sometimes most of us, if we’re honest, while taking a fearless moral inventory, have wished to take out vengeful, violent retribution on someone at some time in our lives. I can’t be alone in this. Especially when one considers Dexter’s appeal.
Even if we catch our vengeful thought before it becomes a feeling. Even if we feel the tug before intellectualizing it. It’s there. Seething. That righteous moral authority to take action to right a wrong or save an innocent from harm.
I think this is why we like, or dare I say, love, Dexter Morgan. The handsome yet unassuming Clark Kent type star character of the show that bears his name.
First came the original Dexter series. Ah! Miami. I loved the setting for this series. It gave me Miami Vice vibes. Of course also because it was another police drama. But Dexter had more of a gritty edge. Dexter was brilliantly written (where sadly, Miami Vice fell flat in its story lines on several episodes).
And the original Dexter spent a good chunk of time building and fleshing out great characters! Something Miami Vice attempted to do, but didn’t quite accomplish. (I always wanted more background on Gina and more martial arts from Lt. Castillo). The Shield (plenty of moral ambiguities on it as well) actually did a better job.
The original Dexter also had incredible guest stars, like John Lithgow and Tom Hanks’ son, Colin Hanks. Now, Keith Carradine was pretty amazing too, as well as the lovely Julie Benz.
Now, I must admit, I have always been a Michael C. Hall fan too, since Six Feet Under (another one of my favorite shows, and another show full of moral ambiguities too!). So, right off the bat, Dexter was a must see. And every season of the original was expertly executed IMHO. The writing from Scott Buck returns (yes, Scott was also a writer on Six Feet Under), and he’s even sharper this time around! (Pun happily intended.) You know Dexter’s adopted father, played by the fantastic James Remar, had to have come from Buck because it’s a play right out of Six Feet Under!
The Dexter franchise can keep growing as far as I’m concerned, it’s continuing to explode and explore multifaceted possibilities.
In Dexter: New Blood, Dexter has a son, played by Jack Alcott, who is fast becoming adept at continuing to “follow the code.” He eerily seems very good at following in Dexters footsteps, while bringing his own heart and style to the table. The supporting cast in this show is amazing too!
In Dexter: Original Sin, Patrick Gibson is well cast as a young Dexter and almost creepily gives us something that’s not often found. A way to look back in time and into the formation of the mind of our anti-hero. And I’m a big Christian Slater fan, so though Scott Buck was missing from the writing cast on this show, I couldn’t keep from watching this with glee! I thought most of the cast were spot on in their portrayal of their characters. Almost as if in reality they are big fans of the original Dexter too!
Of course by Dexter: Resurrection we get several of the characters from the original Dexter back, including James Remar (yay!), which is deliciously delightful. Plus, some characters (the ones who didn’t make it to the series end) return within memory flashbacks—three guesses as to why!
This franchise TV series may be sinful, and one I will have to answer for one day, but if it quenches any hint of me committing any physical act of moral retribution, while entertaining me… ah, how could it be that bad?
I’ve been wanting to write this review for a long time. Actually, for at least five years. Check my nod to Scott Buck on my old post: https://sheilamurrey.net/2020/05/31/the-truth-lies-somewhere-in-between/
Yours in consciousness-expansion as we evolve and revolve during our mystical awakening. All while doing-my-egoless-best, to take you on a limitless, spiraling thought ride to better health, through doing more with ease, to help us sustain the JOY in our lives! (With lots of Gratitude throughout.)
Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.
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My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to many of his songs at: https://www.youtube.com/user/richardmurrey
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