This debuted on Showtime Sunday night and I recorded it and watched it last night.

I'm glad I recorded instead of watching live, because I would have watched on the TV without the DVR and missed the chance to rewind. A LOT.

Michael Hall (do I have that right?), the actor who played David on Six Feet Under is the title character

*************************SPOILERS!!!!!!!!***************************************************
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.They didn't reveal it immediately, but I knew from watching a preview that he's a serial killer. He's also in law enforcement...sort of. He's a blood-spatter expert who works on the local police force, which allows him inside info so he can avoid getting caught. He's adopted and his foster sister works with him, as a cop. She's in vice as the show opens but she'll get bumped up to homicide by next show.

They still haven't laid everything out yet, but it appears his foster Dad is the one who guided him, taught him how to cover his tracks and taught him some sort of code. The guy actually nurtured his homicidal tendencies somehow. Right now, it seems as if he'd allow him to kill and possibly butcher animals under his supervision when the urge became unbearable. There's also been talk of some people ...those who cops can't catch...deserving to die, so if Junior absolutely felt the need to kill....

One of his bosses at the cop shop is onto him big time and makes no bones about it. I like him as the protagonist, but his schtick could get old quick and it may be one of those "Yeah, right!..." situations if they drag the suspicion out too long for reality. It looks like the maniac is going to off his girlfriend next week, too. She wants sex from him and he can't do that.

I love the main character, for the most part. He could play some of the straight lines better, but it's one show so far. And I couldn't fine one trace of his Six Feet character in him at all. It could get gratuitous, it could become really deep. There's another serial killer on the loose, one who KNOWS this guy's secret. I just don't know how they're going to sustain the suspense.

Sounds interesting. I wish I had Showtime. Between this and Weeds, I feel I'm missing out.

I have to say, yes, you are. This one had a few "WHOA!" moments. It's just going places TV doesn't normally go. And Weeds is so different. I'd get cable for it alone.

I just read about this show in my latest Entertainment Weekly. What a wacky premise. Luckily, he kills people that deserve it.

I thought he was a "serial killer" in name only and he was more of a "Punisher" like character that killed anyone he deemed criminal or evil etc etc. But he's actually just a straight up killer? I would have no interest in watching that. If he was a judge, jury and executioner then sure I'd be interested to see how and why he does it and if he'll get caught, but with him just being a straight up killer... nah. Maybe if it was a mini-series, but an ongoing nah.

I don't know what you mean by "straight up" killer. He's a serial killer. He's sadistic, he tortures. But he is judge, jury and executioner, too...?

What I mean by a "straight up" killer is an evil and/or insane person (depending on your beliefs I guess) that is just walking around and picking people to kill. You mentioned he was going to off his girlfriend etc etc. I have no interest in seeing that, unless it was a mini-series or something... Se7en is one of my favorite films in the serial killer genre afterall. But if he was a serial killer that just killed criminals AND was a "CSI" or whatever he is to boot... then that'd be interesting to me.

Well as long as they didn't go pure Punisher with it. They could throw in some insanity ontop of the already insane notion of being judge, jury and executioner... like stalking a litterbug, only to see him then jay walk, only to see him at another time run a red light etc etc... and then bam! The Jury is in CRIMINAL! [cuts his head off with a frozen swordfish] That type of perversion of Justice could be interesting.

K, don't wtach it then

I don't want to see a punisher, vigilante, walker texas ranger programme.

If they are going to make a show about a serial killer let's see the things that make it a rational decision for that character and let's not bother trying to convince the audience that what he is doing is almost 'the right thing to do in that situation'.

I want to see a character study of a serial killer not just another rent-o-drama about a cop with his own sense of justice.

Oh I agree, DD. But see... classic serial killers pick certain targets and stick to it. That's why they are serial killers and not just some murderous punk on a killing spree. That's why I figured it was more interesting if this serial killer chose just to kill criminals. It would be an interesting way to explore the topic. A broader audience would watch rationalizing to themselves that he's "doing justice", but beneath the "hook" you could really explore the mindset. It's what Gene Roddenberry did with Star Trek. Gene wanted to explore social issues of his time, but dressed it up as a Space Opera so people would watch. The concept of Dexter, to me, is more interesting with that hook. Explore the mindset of a serial killer, getting deep into the psychology of it... but dressing it in a way that gives the audience a relation, an "in" with the character. But if he's just killing anyone that strikes his fancy, if you will, then where is the smarts in that? To me that is a copout setup and makes his profession as a "cop" a gimmick ('specially with the series being an "on going" and not a mini-series with a definitive end in sight). By the way I was mostly joking about the Swordfish kill earlier. lol In case anyone wondered where the "smarts" is in that.

Jesus CHRIST, you guys are putting WAYYYYYY too much thought into this. It's JUST a TV show. I only posted here to see if anyoen else had seen it. I'm not trying to get anyone to watch it, I don't care if you do or not.

They refer to him as a serial killer in some promos and reviews. I don't know or CARE if he fits the clinical definition of one. We DO see the things that "make it a rational decision for that character". I assume we'll see more of this as the series goes on. See, it's the basic premise of the whole series, so they DO address it.

PERHAPS YOU COULD WATCH IT ONCE TO SEE IF YOU LIKE IT FOR YOURSELF rather than analyze the living **** out of it before you know.

I'm sensing that you are not in your happy place, MG.

ELLLL OH ELL

TRUE. I'm having a cranky day. Sorry about that. But serious. You guys should either check it out for yourselves to see if you'll like it or not. You really are thinking too much for a TV show.

AND you really should watch the MEERKAT MANOR SHOW ANYWAY. It's on Animal Planet at 8 tonight

Actually he has no interest in killing her. I get what you are saying Torch, totally.

We all know that I am pretty morally ambiguous-- I've written stories myself about serial killers. There is a fine line when yout tell stories like this, in my opinion. Did anyone watch that already-cancelled show SMITH? They were thieves, and in the first episode they killed a security gaurd trying to stop them. Anti-heroes are cool, but they need SOME sort of code. i had no problem with them beng thieves, and if they were put up agaisnt by other mobsters, kill away1 But an innocent security gaurd just doing his job? That puts you're anti-hero into villian territory, you know?

Now-- I'm all for the anti-hero who isn't above killing. Not every hero needs a Batman code of ethics to be a hero. Killing is fine and dandy in stories like say, the X-Men, where Wolverine slices and dices his way through villians, even if the x-men are against killing. Nut he only goes after villians, OR the stories ar told to show him struggling with his reflexive killing.

Dexter is more like that. What is fascinating is that psychologically, he IS a serial killer. The writers did their research. he has the correct psychology and outlook on life to be the sociopathic archetype most real life serial killers tend to be. The interesting twist is that he was raised by a cop who figured out what he was turning into at an early age. So his cop-foster father teaches him it is okay to go after those who deserve it.

So YES, Dexter is a serial killer-- and his victims are OTHER serial killers, or people who get away with sick murders. The first victim we see him take is a rich ol white guy who kills little kids. Dexter has no interest in hunting and stalking women, children or "innocent" people. he only haunts down other psychopathic killers. After he kills the child killer, he takes out a serial rapist.

YES it is a fuzzy line, but that's what makes it interesting. I just watched the first episode off the TiVo and I loved it. It might be my favorite new show of the season. The ONLY thing that excuses his killing, is that his victims are people who deserve it.

Tank, thank you for clearing that up. How you described Dexter is EXACTLY what I was trying to say I would be interested in. My whole confusion about Dexter was because of MG's comment about his girlfriend.

monkeygirl means well, and i love her dearly, but the sad truth is-- she has smoked herself retarded. We're looking into homes for her.

The girlfriend situation is an interesting one because where Dexter strays from most serial killers is that he doesn't derive sexual pleasure from what he does. Most serial killers do for some reason. In fact dexter i so UNinterested in sex he doesn't want to have it at all. he likes his gf because she was raped and beaten by her former BF and has no interest in sex. There is no pressure for him to sleep with her.

He seems to genuinely LIKE her, but he is certain he is incapable of actually loving anyone. After seeing a corpse killed in a rather unique fashion, Dexter is aroused and without thinking comes onto her strongly. She refuses at first, but later decides she should get over her issues thinking she might lose Dexter.

The episode ends with him pondering the fact that he has to fix the situation. I don't think this implies he is going to kill her at all. I think this will be more of a place for dramatic tension in the story.

Serial killers have their fixations, and Dexter's is directing the evil in him he knows exists at other evil in hopes of cancelling it all out. There is nothing about his gf that will make him want to kill her. The problem is, if she persists, he will leave her, and his appearences with her is something he needs to keep up the visage of a "normal" human being.

HAY! GOOD GODDAMMIT!!!!!!!!!

HA!

Last night's episode was just as good as the pilot. I really love the beauty that the production design team puts into designing the blood splatters at the crime scenes. It makes me love them them the way Dexter does.

I really think this show is my favorite of the new season.

COOL, I recorded it but haven't watched it yet.

Do you think they can sustain the guy who knows Dexter's not "right"? He's pretty sure of himself. I hope they can keep the tension going without making him look like a moron.

Some of those spatters are Pollock-like art.

The guy who suspects Dexter will have to go or something. There is only so long "Lois Lane Syndrome" can be used and stomached in a series like this.

The second episode established that while he thinks Dexter is off, he is far more interested in being a super cop. He overdoes EVERYTHING. He's got a gut instinct about EVERYTHING. He's willing to cross the line, etc etc.

He thinks Dexter is creepy, but he isn't staking him out or anything. He's just the type of guy who likes to follow his gut. I don't think he's a big threat to Dexter mainly because he will always be distracted by catching crime figures.

If there is anyone the Dexter needs to worry about catching him (and the previews for future episodes confirms this) it's his sister. The serial killer knows what he's up to, and he starts to let his own evidence lead back to Dexter.

Episode 3 was awesome. This is my favorite new show of the season.

Full season order. And the show keeps getting better. Anyone watching?

My favorite show of the new season by far.

Hello, Dex.

I was wondering when someone would post that.

Anyone see Sunday's episode?

HOLLEEEEE COW!

whoa. ICK!

I'm only 2 episodes in so far, but I was instantly hooked. ****ing great show, for sure. Very, very dark humor hat I'm so far digging.

Michael C. Hall is a fantastic actor. Between this and Six Feet Under, I will be following his career carefully.

So...is another season starting up soon? If so, when? I'll be through the first season by then no doubt, so I can actually follow this week-to-week! W00t.

next week. better hurry.

I got to get Showtime.

I'm downloading the first season as we speak.

Jesus, I'm only 6 episodes in. I plan on marathoning the remaining 6 this weekend (hopefully) so all may be good. If I don't get caught up, I'll just stock up the Torrents until I am, so no big deal.

On another related note; **** this is a fantastic show. Absolutely genius concept! If I didn't have class all the time, followed by work I know I'd already be done with the first season. Damn obligations!

How did I not know about this show sooner??

Come on TANK! You know how much I love serial killers. Now I have an entire season to get caught up on before the new one begins.

Loved the first series, and have started to read the books as well. A mate of mine is downloading the second series (you guys a couple of episodes in?), so I'll hopefully be watching that later this week. Michael C Hall is excellent, but I think the rest of the cast is also spot on.

I'm half-way through the first season, and I gotta say I love this so far. I wish I had showtime.

Finally all caught up with the show; finished the first season the other night and watched the second season premiere this morning.

Oh. My. Gawd. so good! I don't know how this show slipped under my radar for so long, but I'm just glad I caught it before TOO long.

The character of Dexter is probably the most interesting character being explored out of anything I'm watching on TV that is running currently, he's fascinating.

Spoilers for season 1...



I can't get enough of this show; in a way I'm almost sad that I'm now at the point where I have to wait a week before seeing the next installment

Yeah-- anyone who HASNT seen season 1, please don't watch season 2 yuet. you will be super spoilt.

Anyway, love the new season so far.. with the exception of Rita.

I know they were building towards her being more assertive, but everything about her seems different. She's TOO take charge now. All her cute mousy qualities are gone,. and she just swears like everyone else. Also, the actress looks different. Something abouty her eyes or nose. I think she had some work done over the some. They're even dressing her differently.

AGREE. And it's beyond not completely believable, it's like she was given completely different direction. I can see her becoming more assertive, but not the way she's doing it. She seems to have a bitchy undercurrent now, which isn't the least bit congruent. And there was zero development on this, like it happened overnight.

She's definitely had some plastic surgery, too. At first I thought it was just make-up. She's wearing more obvious make-up but it's also lighter, brighter, shinier colors. However, her eyebrows are a whole different shape and about a 1/2 inch higher. I'm guessing bletharoplasty and a Restylane/Botox combo OR a mini face lift.

Is Le Guerta setting up her new boss or just being nice? I'm guessing she's trying to rack up points by covering for her when she has problems with her fiance but it's going to work in her favor even more than that later. And I'm wondering what part the finace may eventually play.

I love Angel's adherence to "The Secret" and ADORE those bowling league shirts! Bowl Til You Bleed! HA!

I also love Doakes' tenacity. At some point he is going to catch Dexter... but I surmise he'll let Dexter go since he of anyone in he cast, understands the idea of justice taking precident over law.

I do, too, but I really thought they were going to just portray him as Mr. Conspiracy. Last season, he seemed to be doing this to everyone, not just Dexter. Now that he's super-focused on Dexter, this can't last long, unless he's going to be a really stupid detective.

I also really liked the scene in which young Dexter was found. TWO INCHES of blood in a tractor-trailer. whoa.

That was from last season. Did you miss that episode?

Saw the first episode last night of series 2. Interesting start.



Liked the build up with Dexter trying to recreate his dad's racing heartbeat. Nice characterisation. Looking good so far. Anyone know how many episodes there are this time? It was quite a short first series.

DAMN. I must have. I don't recall seeing anyone walking through 2 inches of blood last season. I rememebr some of the flashbacks to the trailer, but I don't recall specifics.

Dester recalled the whole memory of being in the storage bin sitting there in the blood. it was a pretty disturbing episode. I thought it was in the finale or second to last episode.

I smoked a LOT of dope last year. A REALLY lot.

I'm just absolutely loving this show still...currently the best thing I'm watching on TV.

I agree that this season has been great so far with the exception of Ritard. She's been a bit to aggressive.

On a related note, has anyone read the books? I was looking on Amazon for the first season DVD and thought about picking up some of the books too, but thought I'd check and see if anyone hear has read them or some of them?

I'm slit because if the seasons of this show are based on the books, I actually don't want to read ahead of the series and thus spoil future seasons of the show. Usually people say to read the books first, but I can't imagine this being one of those instances, because I'm enjoying the show so much. Another thing I thought about was just reading along with the show and not jumping ahead (Ie: reading the book the season was based on after the season finishes).

The first season is based partially upon the first book, but there were some pretty big changes for the finale.

Second season diverges completely from the books.

Awesome. Thanks, Tank.

I read the first, and am working on the second...I thought Dexter was a little bit more fun in the books, he lost a lot of personality in the translation to the series.

Last episode was a real dip in quality. They did a real smart twist by putting Dexter into therapy (it plausibly cuts off the thing with Doakes while giving some good story material) and now they've got Doakes in a Mexican standoff? Please. I get what's going on here with showing how the other supposedly 'normal' cops are just as capable of evil as Dexter but that was ridiculous. And this Marla ripoff with the crummy accent bores me to no end.

The one thing I really like is how they're avoiding keeping him from being too sympathetic. The daydream sequence from last year is slowly coming true but it's being emphasized that Dexter doesn't do this to save innocents and he's focused on not getting caught just to save his own skin rather than nobler reasons. The show never quite lets you forget that he's a serial killer who got carefully molded rather than some sort of Punisher/Batman hybrid.

I liked last night's episode, just like all the others. I like Dexter in therapy, and with his new sponsor to make things complicated with Rita. I think it will be interesting to see how Dexter can interact with Rita and her jealousy once it gets in full bloom, as apparently Dexter doesn't have any emotions, etc. so it will be interesting to see how he handles it.