"Dexter" (2006-2013) | Sam Gall TV Review Issue #9 Gem Mint 10.0

“Dexter“ (2006-2013)

Creator: James Manos Jr. (developed for television by)

Director: John Dahl, Steve Shill, Keith Gordon, Marcos Siego, Ernest R. Dickerson, Romeo Tirone & many more!

Writer: Jeff Lindsay (author of novel), James Manos Jr., Laurren Gussis, Scott Buck, Scott Reynolds & many more!

Starring: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Davis Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Luna Laurern Velez, Desmond Harrington, Julie Benz, Christina Robinson, Geoff Pierson, Keith Carradine, John Lithgow, Aimee Garcia, Erik King, Yvonne Strahovski

Rated: TV-MA

Runtime: 53m

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Country: United States

Language: English | Spanish

Available: Showtime

"He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor. He's Dexter Morgan, everyone's favorite serial killer. As a Miami forensics expert, he spends his days solving crimes, and nights committing them. But Dexter lives by a strict code of honor that is both his saving grace and lifelong burden. Torn between his deadly compulsion and his desire for true happiness, Dexter is a man in profound conflict with the world and himself. Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall stars in the hit SHOWTIME Original Series."

You might like this if you like: Crime Shows, Dramas, Mysteries, Thrillers, Horror, Superheroes, Psychology, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Davis Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Luna Laurern Velez, Desmond Harrington, Julie Benz, Christina Robinson, Geoff Pierson, Keith Carradine, John Lithgow, Aimee Garcia, Erik King, Yvonne Strahovski

Michael C. Hall in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

Dexter was a show that changed my life and opened the doors to so many exciting roads for my life ahead. It was a show that connected me with family, friends and more. This is easily my favorite and most respected television show of all time. With a final, unexpected season airing tonight (hours away from premiere I am writing this) I thought it felt proper to let the world know how much I love this character, this story and how it revolutionized my way of thinking.

I was never that big on crime shows like Law & Order or CSI, nothing against them, I just didn’t follow them religiously like I do other shows. I enjoyed The Wire (but I didn’t see that until after Dexter) and caught a few episodes of Criminal Minds that I really loved. Dexter flys above all of these shows in a surreal fashion. Many props to Jeff Lindsay, author of the original book series, for coming up with such a fascinating starting point and character. A serial killer who only kills serial killers. Who works for the Miami Police Department. I f***ing love it.

Michael C. Hall (left) & Julie Benz (right) in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

My friend Alex introduced me to the show around the time season 5 was premiering and I quickly caught myself up. I probably recommended it to every single person I’ve encountered at some point or another. I’m obsessed.

Michael C. Hall became my favorite living actor. The way he was able to play so many different roles and styles within one character was fascinating to me. His background in theater adds so much to his performances, he’s hilarious to outright terrifying. And within seconds of each other both firing at the highest caliber of talent within him. He’s a force of acting nature that I have never quite seen before.

Jennifer Carpenter in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

The show would be nothing without Dexter’s sister; Deborah Morgan played by the incredible Jennifer Carpenter who I wish was in more things! She’s the star. My god she’s the star. Dexter Morgan, Michael C. Hall, this show does not work without her. She’s everything you could want in a character and actor. She’s got a ferocity of talent that cuts right into your heart.

From James Remar, Julie Benz, C. S. Lee, Keith Carradine, and so many more outstanding talents fill the show with color and equally intriguing stories that surround Dexter’s and the way they all connect is the juice of it all. Everything about this show I could praise. From the writing, the music, cinematography but every actor that came through that show was just an awe to watch and listen to.

Lauren Velez (left) & David Zayas (right) in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

I was into superheroes before I even knew I was into them. Dexter being the crown jewel of them all. The Dark Crusader episode explores that idea more literally in a really wonderful way. Though in a world much closer to home than most of those caped figures we associate with. I think as many know now, I’m a massive comic book fan but wasn’t necessarily as big when Dexter first started.

C.S. Lee (left) & Keith Carradine (right) in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

It deepened my love for philosophy, psychology, and helped me understand people and myself in so many ways. It inspired me to actually take classes on the subjects, and the irony of it all, I hate blood in real life. It makes me nauseous. But I can’t get enough of Dexter. I can’t watch surgery shows usually because I don’t want to watch surgery stuff, it’s hard for me to pin point why I can watch Dexter so easily. But there are piles of psychology books around because of this dang show! I’ll never forget how many times my mom would say “I can’t believe this show is getting me to care about a serial killer!”.

Erik King (left), Michael C. Hall (middle) & Jennifer Carpenter (right) in "Dexter" (2006-2013)

I think this show suffered in the shadows of Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones coming out, which everyone flocked to, which I get, but not at the cost of Dexter. I still favor it over the both, and that was a really exciting time for television as True Blood was premiering as well, among many others. Comparing it to Breaking Bad, which was about a human becoming a monster, I found Dexter’s version of a monster trying to become human much more interesting to me. Not putting down breaking bad, but when seeing that comparison, it really is what I love about this show. Seeing that evolution. Because we all have that monster inside, and the question of; can we be a better human?

Written by Sam Gall on November 7, 2021

CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0

Official Trailer:

Behind the Scenes:

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