the blog: tag= dexter

Dexter dos

Date

1/22/2008 09:18:00 PM [permalink]

Author

yahooza

Entry

Dexter the season-long sequel is faster, less dark, and less satisfying than the first. Events and action scenes are more frequent. Plenty of new characters and relationships develop to explore morality, ethics and the existence of good and evil (minus that God fellow).

For example, Dexter is torn between his "soulmate", the addiction sponsor who sees him for what he truly is, substituting his desire to murder w/ a selfish love and understanding, versus his straighter-edge girlfriend and her two darling children. It's a tug-o-war: easy comfort and empathy for his dark, condemned soul or the force of something righteous and good that offers opportunity to move forward from the dark that eats at his being.

Another explores the relationship btwn he and the obsessive cop who insistently tails him, digging for everything that Dexter desperately keeps hidden. The cop, Doakes, is a 'Nam veteran who has killed many as well, albeit behind a military uniform and police badge. So, who is more justified in the act of murder? The serial killer who mutilates criminals or the soldier who kills to protect the law and defend his / her country? Who knows. Notably, both characters exhibit no emotion when they kill. Nary a tear and it's frightening.

Towards the middle of the season, I became less sympathetic towards ol' Dex. His character is growing up and questions less about the ambiguity of right and wrong. He's losing his grounding and just reacting. To him now, there just is and in the season's latter episodes, it's just cover-ups for self-centered misdeeds.

According to m' confounded theory, if there is a third season, his journey will continue by exploring his new-found freedom from morality. And you know what can happen to any person w/ no moral boundaries, especially a mass murderer.

Maybe I feel less satisfied, because the protagonist, the serial butcher w/ a conscience, ain't good after all, his path not crossed by redemption ....

Overall, I love the series and all art that delves into the dark corners of the human psyche. It's much more interesting than, let's say, how pop music makes the individual bop his head =)

Labels: dexter, television

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