Dexter (on Showtime)
Is anyone else watching this new series on Showtime called "Dexter"? It started last Sunday (October 1st) and it is not generally the type of show that I would watch but I've already become hooked. Dexter is played by Michael Hall who was the gay brother on "6 Feet Under" and is a blood forensic expert working for the Miami Metropolitan Police. From the blood on the crime scene, Dexter can recreate the crime so the police can solve it. Dexter was a foster child and his foster sister is a policewoman working in vice but she wants to move up into homicide. Their foster father was a renowned policeman. The photography on this series, in Miami, is breathtakingly beautiful and it catches the heavy Hispanic ambiance of south Florida. The catch is that Dexter has a secret: he himself is a serial killer but he only kills killers who have somehow evaded the justice system. His killing urges are thus channeled only against murderers/killers. From his job, Dexter has access to all police records and he goes to meticulous lengths to make sure that he has all the information needed to convince himself that these murderers deserve their fate. And, since this is cable TV, that fate is awful and it makes you almost feel sorry for the murderers he is "dispensing justice to". Very chilling scenes. The early reviews for this show stressed that the main character, the character that fans usually like and rally around in any series, in this case is a serial killer (Dexter). What is so scary is that Dexter is very llikeable and so normal-seeming. He has a girlfriend and is tender and loving with her two children. He is very good at blending in with people, but we the audience hear his thoughts outloud and there are flashbacks to his childhood and teenage years. So has anyone else watched "Dexter" and, if so, what do you think of it?

I don't get Showtime or any of the other premium channels. It's too bad because Dexter sounds like something I would like.

I don't know how long it's continuing but, as of last night, Showtime was free, one of those free showings for a weekend or so that all cable stations occasionally run to attract new viewers. Dexter, if I'm understanding correctly, is to be shown every day/night this week although there have only been 2 episodes so far. One thing I forgot to add: there is an unknown serial killer who preys on prostitutes. He completely drains their blood and then chops their bodies up and then arranges them in various positions. Dexter, and all the other police, are mystified but especially Dexter since he's wondering how the killer can completely drain blood from the body. Then, in Dexter's apartment, Dexter finds a doll all chopped up just like these murder victims. In his thoughts, which the audience hears, he says this is a message to him from the killer: "Come out and play". Dexter says "And I do want to play." So obviously this serial killer knows a lot about Dexter and is maybe toying with him like Dexter does with his own victims. It's really a dark show but it's very riveting. Pika, if you have VHS (and not just DVD), I can tape Dexter for you (I'm sure they'll repeat the show at some point, a marathon viewing or whatever) and send it to you if you'd like... Let me know.

I don't get Showtime, either. I wanted to check that show out.

The free Showtime showing is definitely still on, as of now Monday night, and that episode of Dexter was on tonight as well. I'm assuming that this free showing is nationwide...