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SecretMethod70 · 12-07-2007, 10:01 PM

Dexter's Nov 18 episode had higher ratings than any other show in Showtime history. Spoiler: I don't think it's going anywhere.

I'll save discussion of the ending for after it airs, but I figured I'd comment on the recent episode where Dexter makes a kill with Doakes in the room. I think that episode, and especially that scene, is one of the most significant the show has had so far. While he may be a serial killer, Dexter is such a fun character that it's easy for the viewer to forget how screwed up he really is. This episode really served to remind us of that and bring us back into the "reality" of Dexter.

First, there's the fact that every time Dexter speaks to Doakes, he sounds totally unhinged. Already, there is more time spent showing Dexter acting a little crazy in this episode than there has been in any past episode I think. Also, there's the matter of Dexter's ritual. Part of his ritual is that he talks to his victims before each kill and reminds them of the terrible things they've done. Not only does it fit into the story, but it also serves a storytelling purpose to remind us how terrible these people are...make it easier for us to accept that the character we like is about to murder them and chop them up into little pieces. Except... he didn't do that this time. All we got, as the audience, is "he's on the run for murder." We never even see the victim conscious, which only emphasizes the brutality of Dexter's killing. And then, of course, there is Doakes' reaction afterwards, which really drives the point home.

I really enjoyed how they did that episode, and I think they did an excellent job of reminding the audience...we're cheering for a brutal serial killer.

Great stuff!

12-07-2007, 10:01 PM	#28 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Dexter's Nov 18 episode had higher ratings than any other show in Showtime history. Spoiler: I don't think it's going anywhere. I'll save discussion of the ending for after it airs, but I figured I'd comment on the recent episode where Dexter makes a kill with Doakes in the room. I think that episode, and especially that scene, is one of the most significant the show has had so far. While he may be a serial killer, Dexter is such a fun character that it's easy for the viewer to forget how screwed up he really is. This episode really served to remind us of that and bring us back into the "reality" of Dexter. First, there's the fact that every time Dexter speaks to Doakes, he sounds totally unhinged. Already, there is more time spent showing Dexter acting a little crazy in this episode than there has been in any past episode I think. Also, there's the matter of Dexter's ritual. Part of his ritual is that he talks to his victims before each kill and reminds them of the terrible things they've done. Not only does it fit into the story, but it also serves a storytelling purpose to remind us how terrible these people are...make it easier for us to accept that the character we like is about to murder them and chop them up into little pieces. Except... he didn't do that this time. All we got, as the audience, is "he's on the run for murder." We never even see the victim conscious, which only emphasizes the brutality of Dexter's killing. And then, of course, there is Doakes' reaction afterwards, which really drives the point home. I really enjoyed how they did that episode, and I think they did an excellent job of reminding the audience...we're cheering for a brutal serial killer. Great stuff! __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 12-07-2007 at 10:03 PM..