In this, the debut episode of the 'Dexter' series, the highly engaging Michael C. Hall introduces the character of Dexter Morgan, an offbeat forensic detective (specializing in blood spatter) manages to channel his impulse to kill and do it for the greater good. Those he murders are very much those who've earned their demise, by doing horrible things, and in some cases, by having eluded justice.
We see Dexter busy at both jobs, working to solve the crimes of other killers by day and dispensing his own brutal brand of justice by night. He helps out his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) by offering her his expert opinions on a series of killings. Secretly, he's admiring the work of this madman, and figures out the secret behind their ability to avoid blood loss. Before long, this killer presents Dexter with a grisly gift.
What makes this episode a good deal of fun well establishes the traits of the series, such as a macabre sensibility and a dark sense of humour. Hall is excellent in the title role, delivering a disarming performance that you can't help but like. And the rest of the cast is solid, from Julie Benz as Dexters' sweet girlfriend Rita to Carpenter to Erik King as the hostile Sergeant Doakes to veteran James Remar as Dexters' loving foster dad, seen in flashbacks. We learn a little bit about Dexters' past, how he got started killing, and are treated to his witty narration throughout.
This viewer is just sorry he's taken this long to get around to committing to checking out this series. 'Dexter' just whets the appetite for more time with these characters and situations.
Eight out of 10.
We see Dexter busy at both jobs, working to solve the crimes of other killers by day and dispensing his own brutal brand of justice by night. He helps out his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) by offering her his expert opinions on a series of killings. Secretly, he's admiring the work of this madman, and figures out the secret behind their ability to avoid blood loss. Before long, this killer presents Dexter with a grisly gift.
What makes this episode a good deal of fun well establishes the traits of the series, such as a macabre sensibility and a dark sense of humour. Hall is excellent in the title role, delivering a disarming performance that you can't help but like. And the rest of the cast is solid, from Julie Benz as Dexters' sweet girlfriend Rita to Carpenter to Erik King as the hostile Sergeant Doakes to veteran James Remar as Dexters' loving foster dad, seen in flashbacks. We learn a little bit about Dexters' past, how he got started killing, and are treated to his witty narration throughout.
This viewer is just sorry he's taken this long to get around to committing to checking out this series. 'Dexter' just whets the appetite for more time with these characters and situations.
Eight out of 10.