Dexter - TV Series, Review and Analysis

Dexter is about a blood spatter pattern analyst working for the fictional Miami Police Department who also leads life as a serial killer. This serial killer has a definite code with which he struggles, questions and complies through out the series which occasionally interferes with his personal (he has got one that excludes everyone else in the universe), married and official life. Though the aesthetic effects you get differ with every season (which will be detailed below), it surely is one of the best TV series, I have seen.

First of all who is Deter? What's he like? Well, Orphaned at the age of three due to the murder of his mother, Dexter is adopted by Miami police officer Harry Morgan. After discovering that young Dexter has been killing neighborhood pets for several years, Harry tells Dexter that he believes the need to kill "got into" him at too early an age, and that he believes Dexter's need to kill will only grow. To keep Dexter from killing innocent people, Harry begins teaching 'The Code' to Dexter which becomes a part and parcel of his life: The code

1)Dexter's victims must be killers themselves who have killed someone without justifiable cause.

2)Dexter must also always be sure that his target is guilty

3)Dexter must never get caught.

With this back ground, we are in a position to review the seasons now.

Season 1:

Being at the age of 3 when his mother was murdered, Dexter grows up not knowing about his brother (Brian) who was also present  at his mother's murder crime scene. Brian who also becomes a serial killer later famously known as the ICE TRUCK Killer appears all of a sudden in Dexter's life. The difference between both the killers is Brian doesn't have a code. Brian who is the only one who knows Dexter and accepts him as it is has two tasks left. First to remind Dexter with his serial killings that he is his brother. Second, to destroy the code (in a way Harry and Deb) and embrace Dexter as his True Brother. Dexter, though it's a tough decision, decides what he needs the most. The code (Debra, Harry) or his brother Brain.


Extremely interesting plot, apt diologues, wonderful music and breath taking suspense. The way Brian makes Dex remember his childhood is simply superb. Parallel love track with Rita who seems to be the perfect match for Dexter is great. Dexter (leading 2 extremely contrasting lives), though in a negative role has the capability of becoming the role model in view of the character's struggle with his conscience which in a way reminds one's own dark passenger (various addictions and the need to maintain it) with whom he/she would be struggling all through his/her life.

Conclusion: Serial killers are very particular about their code.

Season 2:

The bodies of Dexter's victim's are uncovered and investigation is launched. Dexter who realises the impending danger upon him has to find a wayout of the situation. This problems apart, he has to deal with the Psychotic Lover Lila.

No doubt, season 2 lives up to the expectations of season 1 but in view of the extremely straight forward acclaimed approach in season 1, I feel there are some minor ploys. Plot taken up is great and seems to be the perfect sequel. After the ICE TRUCK killer drama, the thrill and excitement should be even more as the killer is Dexter now. No-doubt, the way the kills are identified, FBI team is deployed and Srgnt Doakes has been framed is exemplary. But the way, Lundy has predicted that the killer is one among them is not very intelligent. Atleast not expected from this acclaimed series. The hunt could have been better and more stress laid upon rather than the focus on the drugs program, Rita's ex husband and her mom. Though Lila's role (Dexter cant kill innocent Doakes. Hence, Lila) in the belief that Doakes is the Bay Harbous Butcher is very much required, I feel Lila's role is also very deviating. I mean, Dexter should have been intelligent enough to sort out the problem himself rather than being favored by fate and luck in the form of Lila. If you forget about the plot, Lila's character is great though. Deb as usual is screwed up again :P

Conclusion: Never trust a Killer. Possessive Love and Kill go parallel.

Season 3:

The extent to which one (infact Dexter) should rely on friendship. The focus of this season is the friendship between Dexter and Miguel Prado, brother of a guy whom Dexter accidentally kills. Friendship blossoms to such an extent that it starts messing up with Dexter's code. Very soon, it is the Clash of the titans and Dexter lands up killing his so called best friend. Intelligent plot, flow is good where mind game and manipulation assumes center stage. I didnt know why but right from the start, I didn't want the friendship to blossom.I wanted Dexter to do his deeds himself.

Conclusion: Serial Killers shouldn't have friends :-)

Season 4:

This season focuses on another serial killer famously called The Trinity Killer who kills in a very specific interesting sequence. Agent Lundy arrives in search of the killer. Rita gives birth to Harrison and Dexter finds it difficult to manage family and his killing urges together.

Trinity killer's character was shown in a very intriguing manner initially. The way he reconciles his family life with his killing urges, at the same time being a very social person attracts Dexter also towards him. However, very soon it disappoints you (Reconciling family life and killing urges is not a small thing. Atleast I was very eager to see how he could manage but soon he too was found to be a psychopath). The family is not happy but act so. His past is dramatically not so interesting. Everything ultimately boils down to Rita's death as a result of Dexter's messing with him. Rita's death surprised and moved me greatly.

Over all, a nice glimpse in to the fate of serial killer's lives and the effects on their families. It definitely lives up to the expectations though for me it's not as interesting as the 1st season.

Conclusion: Serial Killers shouldn't have a family :-)

Season 5:

Shocked and Guilt Dexter (Due to Rita's death),  helps Lumen Pierce one of the rape victims find peace by helping her kill all the rapists who assaulted her. Quinn on the other hand becomes suspicious of Dexter (Yeah, it is Quinn..Strange right?) and seeks help of a fellow police officer to investigate Deter. And he tracks down Dexter and Lumen finally concluding that Dexter is a criminal but Dexter takes care by killing him thereby burying the truth with him.

Though the series doesn't bore you and maintains the thrill, I feel the connection the viewer makes with Dexter in the initial seasons gets deteriorating. I personally didn't like it much for my own reasons. Like the Miguel case, I couldn't digest Dexter partnering with Lumen. Partly because of Rita (The connection highlighted with her in season 1 looses importance if he can easily find the solace in someone else) and partly because I could sense him become emotional too. WTF Dexter!! You aren't supposed to be.

Conclusion: The viewers still care for you Dexter :-)

Season 6:

This season focuses mainly on two characters known as the Doomsday Killers, Professor Gellar & his student Travis who seek to bring about the end of the world through killings based on the Book of Revelation. There is also Brother Sam (interesting character), a former drug addict and murderer, a changed person now whom Deter befriends.

Not very interesting plot. For the first time, Dexter might bore you. Debra must probably know Dexter's dark passenger and that probably is what drove this season (that probably is the reason why Dexter goes for killing Travis in the church with out covering up. Sounds very much unlike Dexter right?). 

Conclusion: Even religion cannot mess with Dexter :-)

Season 7:

OMG! Deb now knows who Dexter really is. Dexter, as usual is cool, confident and impressive. My favorite character Hannah, a serial killer assumes greater role in Dexter's life. So far, Hannah is the only character who seemed to have the ability to compete with Dexter. What an amazing role she has been given :-). The season focuses the best thing that can happen between Deb and Dexter. Much of the things going on in this episode can only be discussed after the next season.

Conclusion: Hannah Hannah Hannah :-) 

Some characters except say Masuka are conflicting. I could never understand why the world is so small and connected in Dexter's Miami. The attorney whom Miguel kills turns out to be a friend of Laguerta. Career minded Laguerta who seems to be so obsessed with the results of the department and who stops Deb from investigating cases which doesn't belong to dept, investigates Dexter's case at the expense of everything else. The soul less creature all of a sudden appears so soulful for Doakes. This apart, Laguerta alone (so intelligent??) solves Dexter's case, a case which FBI couldn't solve. Some character like Lundy should have been used for this purpose. That would have made more sense. The same Laguerta fires Quinn when he assumes Dexter for Kyle Butler.

Extremely honest and sincere Angel becomes a ploy in case of Lila only for the purpose of showing her extreme possessiveness for Dexter. Quinn who also seems to be so irresponsible becomes very sincere and honest officer occasionally (though he doesn't get extra money for that) especially with Kyle Butler i.e Trinity Killer case and recruits someone else to investigate Dexter.

Dexter who seems to be so lonely  (and supposedly be activated only by very few characters like Rita & Deb) get moved/touched/affected by many characters. "She is the one who understands me and accepts me as Iam" is very often heard. It was very logical incase of his brother. It again continues with Laila, Miguel, Lumen etc.. With this, all the special attributes he has got seemed meaningless.

On the whole it appears, the season compromises a lot on the characters . The characters are tuned as per the requirement of the respective season which I feel shouldnt have been done inview of the importance of each and every character has got. These minor issues apart, Dexter is no doubt one of the best TV series created. The thrill is maintained and the characters are so lovable. Special mention about Masuka's character is required. Masuka and his awesome pervert one liners rock :D