I was going to write out a play-by-play of the pilot episode of "Dexter", Showtime’s new hour long about a serial killer who daylights as a forensics officer with a love for blood splatter analysis. But since there are sites specifically for episodic recaps, I’ll take the easier route and pluck just a sampling of the show’s successful traits.
- Charming and funny: You may not break a rib laughing, but the humor hits with great precision.
- Dexter is a vibrant serial killer: Even when his kills aren’t you unique, his buildup is and Hall’s power switch is admirably instant.
- Dexter’s envy of the superior killer’s originality: The first time Dex sees one of the sectioned, bloodless bodies, the seething jealousy inside him is almost infectious. I don’t think it was quite the psychotic envy perfected by the business card scene in American Psycho, but it certainly deserves the comparison and sets the mood for the rest of the show.
- The Ice Truck Killer: Miami’s other resident serial killer ups Dexter’s ante in a truly morbid way and, by the pilot’s end, throws down the murder gauntlet. The climax will give you a rush, craving to see a body count battle between the meticulous Dexter and the unknown, fetishistic truck driver who throws a severed head at Dexter’s car.
It’s a show about the most likeable serial killer ever that features a fun cast, sick makeup effects and a tightly wound plot - it’s certainly the best genre oriented show I’ve seen on TV in a while.
It airs Sundays at 10, but if you don’t have Showtime, the premium network is having a free weekend October 6th - 9th. This gratis promotion of their new shows will also be available online until the 13th. If you have Showtime or broadband, you owe it to yourself to at least watch the pilot, even if you can’t catch the first season in full until DVD land.
Saw the first episode, and liked it. However, the police work in particular leaves a lot to be desired. The one cop who doesn’t like Dexter needs his blood splatter expertise in order to consider the boyfriend as a suspect in a murder? Isn’t that always at the top of the list anyways? Silly.
(I also think that guy’s acting was played too heavily. We get it. You really don’t like Dexter.)
The Ice Truck Killer vs. Dexter dynamic looks extremely promising, and that’s what really counts. Not gonna subscribe to the channel, but I’ll definately be taking a look at it when it comes out on DVD.
Yeah, the actual mechanics of the procedural portion of the show are a little dry, but everything with Dexter and the Ice Truck Killer is a hoot.
Just finished episode 2 and I’m happy to say that it hasn’t lost any draw.
Finally saw the pilot.
Awesome.