40 replies to this topic

[Joe R]

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

[darkestboy]

What can I say, I love Michael C Hall and Dexter intrigues and creeps me out at different turns.

Then I see him with Rita and her kids and my heart melts.

[ScarlettLynn]

I like how darkly funny he is. He's so sarcastic and sometimes snarky when we hear his voice-overed thoughts. I think that humor is what allows the viewer to be on his side, even when we probably shouldn't. What can I say? I'm a long-standing member of Team Sociopath.

[darkestboy]

You hit a nail on the head there. Dexter does the best voice-overs on TV.

[Fiammetta]

I enjoy how detached from humanity he thinks he is, versus the way he reacts whenever his friends or family are threatened. One can be brilliant and rational to a sociopathic extent, but still be susceptible to that worst of failings, emotion. That whole "I kill because I can't feel" thing isn't 100% true in his case.

MCH is such a talented and subtle actor, too. I think it would be hard to find another who could make Dexter nearly as likable.

[bluenote123]

Hi, everyone! I never commented on the old thread, but I'm so excited that TWoP decided to recap the show that I decided to drop in and join the party. Nice to meet everyone!

Before I get started, though:

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

What does that mean? (I'm not being snarky, and I can guess well enough based on context, but I'm simply interested in knowing the precise translation. Thanks!)

As for Dexter himself, I agree that one of the most compelling aspects of his character is the humanity that is attached to his sociopathy (is that even a word?). I love the fact that Harry (who I ADORED on Sex and the City, until they turned him into a disgusting, aging lech) taught him a code, and that Dexter had enough humanity left to internalize it. Moreover, I really appreciate the fact that he can love other people, even if he doesn't believe that he has the capacity for it (and even if he shows it in really peculiar ways!). Dexter is such a fantastically well-written character, and Michael C. Hall plays the hell out of him. If I didn't already love him from Six Feet Under, I would definitely love him now.

[IWgal]

Dexter is such a deep, complicated, unusual character - he is so intriguing and so damn scary at the same time.

MCH is such a talented and subtle actor, too. I think it would be hard to find another who could make Dexter nearly as likable.

Oh yes.

[phoebebennet]

I can't wait for the new season. I stumbled on "Dexter" while channel surfing--I did not even know that I had Showtime or whatever network it's on. Anyway, I watched it any chance i got. I even checked out the books on which the show is based. They are also great, and Michael C. Hall is playing the hell out of Dex.

I hope TWP continues to recap this show when it restarts in Sept/oct. I sort of wish I had not discovered it until, like season 4, so that I could have rented it like I did House.
Oh well!

[My Iron Lung]

What does that mean? (I'm not being snarky, and I can guess well enough based on context, but I'm simply interested in knowing the precise translation. Thanks!)

Qu'est-ce que c'est = What is it?

And for the uninitiated, that's a reference to the uber-catchy Talking Heads song, Psycho Killer: "Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est, fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa...

(And I'm kind of hoping it gets added to the thread title!)

[sneaky1079]

Better run, run, run, run, run, run, run awaaaay.......
And now that song is in my head for the rest of the night.

Moreover, I really appreciate the fact that he can love other people, even if he doesn't believe that he has the capacity for it

In the season finale, when he refused to kill Deb, and he said, "I can't. Not Deb. I'm actually quite fond of her," that sealed it for me. That, and when he's crying as he has Brian on the table, and Brian says that he was trying to set Dex free and Dex just explodes, "I know that!" The depth of emotion shown in those two scenes (and I give Michael C. Hall all the credit in the world for this) totally gives the lie to Dexter's claim that he can't feel emotion.

I love the Dexter voice-overs, because he is so matter of fact about everything. It doesn't matter if he's talking about lunch, relationships, or dead bodies, he's just telling it like it is, and it cracks me up. Also, I think the ultimate proof that Dexter is crazy is that he thinks pulled pork sandwiches are an excellent food to eat while driving.

[Giuliettonzola]

OMG I love Michael C. Hall!! He deserves more awards nominations for his role in "Dexter"!!
I love to see how his character changed during the first season... Michael was so amazing!!

Edited by Giuliettonzola, Aug 20, 2007 @ 7:07 AM.

[darkestboy]

I'm seven episodes through the season and MCH continues to excel in what could easily have been a more simplistic role. Hall adds so much depth to Dexter that you do feel for him in spite of yourself.

[Green Eyez]

MCH is unbelievable. I was a faithful Six Feet Under watcher, so of course when I heard he had a new series and the subject matter intrigued me, I knew I was in for a real treat. I was wrong. It's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. Usually with actors you can see certain expressions and mannerisms in each role they inhabit, but in his case, I see someone totally different. He really becomes the characters he plays. Gives into it completely.

Nobody else could have given him this much complexity.

I can't wait to see what happens to him now that he found out the guy he thought was perfect, isn't. The look on his face when he found out Harry lied...wow.

Oh, one of my favorite lines was something like "oh sure, you say that NOW". His voiceovers make me giddy.

[youcangoyourown]

Hall adds so much depth to Dexter that you do feel for him in spite of yourself.

It also doesn't hurt that he is incredibly hot.

[fieryphoenix]

I cannot remember the dialogue. (In case someone hasn't seen this ep yet) But Hall's facial reactions, there are several examples, but I was just watching this one again!

But when Doakes and Laguerta tell Dex that the ITK has Deb. Dex startes to fake being upset. Covers his face and says Oh my God...Deb..no. And Doakes yells at him to knock it off. Hall has this look on his face, like yeah I knew you weren't buying that.
And the scene later when Dex and Doakes scuffle at the port. Dex grabs him by the neck, Doakes says his classic, "lab geek my ass!" line and Hall again has this look, tongue hanging out, glaring at Doakes.


ETA: spoiler tags for those not done with Season 1 yet

Edited by TWoP Dietrich, Aug 25, 2007 @ 5:26 PM.
Untagged Nonspoilers.

[Temis the Vorta]

Oh, one of my favorite lines was something like "oh sure, you say that NOW". His voiceovers make me giddy.

His one-liners aren't too bad either. "I couldn't find the remote." :)

And the scene later when Dex and Doakes scuffle at the port. Dex grabs him by the neck, Doakes says his classic, "lab geek my ass!" line and Hall again has this look, tongue hanging out, glaring at Doakes.

That was one very scary look - times like that, I really buy the idea that Dex is a predatory animal. That's the most impressive part of MCH's performance. It's easy for us to think of Dex as cute, funny, sympathetic - but to be able to snap right into something that reminds us of his inhuman side - wow!!

Edited by Temis the Vorta, Sep 23, 2007 @ 6:07 PM.

[rowanceleste]

It's easy for us to think of Dex as cute, funny, sympathetic - but to be able to snap right into something that reminds us of his inhuman side - wow!!

Definitely! That look in Dexter's eyes just showed that he'd be willing to go head to head with Doakes and not only would he enjoy every minute of it (if his sister wasn't missing), but making sure no one found the body afterwards would not be a strain and Doakes could see he wasn't just fighting with some lab geek.

We know Dexter enjoys killing and it's not just a need, but that was the first time it was shoved in our face since his teenage flashbacks. Teenage Dexter actually creeps me out way more than adult Dexter because his pleasure in the kill is much more apparent.

Edited by rowanceleste, Sep 23, 2007 @ 9:25 PM.

[Auntie Maim]

Doakes in that little dust-up, was completely overmatched. Port security guy coming around saved Doakes from at the least,getting his arm broken.

But I think the scene in Born Free explains why Dexter was frozen with uncertainty when Paul's "friend" came around and stole Rita's car. Dexter only thinks in terms of expressing himself physically when he is killing someone. There is no intermediate set point between slice and dice and do nothing. He is so disconnected from himself as a physical being, outside of his murders, that he could only believe that Rita would see him as a complete freak job when he did show physical passion in Shrink Wrap. I imagine that he must have been amazed not to have been rejected by her as either an ice cube(which he most definitely wasn't, their night together!) or an animal. As unaccustomed as he is to having physical pleasure, except through "fun with power tools."

Edited by Auntie Maim, Sep 24, 2007 @ 3:31 AM.

[xtreme]

But when Doakes and Laguerta tell Dex that the ITK has Deb. Dex startes to fake being upset. Covers his face and says Oh my God...Deb..no. And Doakes yells at him to knock it off. Hall has this look on his face, like yeah I knew you weren't buying that.
And the scene later when Dex and Doakes scuffle at the port. Dex grabs him by the neck, Doakes says his classic, "lab geek my ass!" line and Hall again has this look, tongue hanging out, glaring at Doakes.

And then Doakes following him. Only to get a jaunty wave from Dex. I think those two are far from done. As for the emotions thing, it's possible that while Dex is able to feel he has always been afraid to. So he simply forces himself to not feel. Despite the positive effect of Rita, Deb, and the juniour members of his fan club.

[miniglik]

Doakes in that little dust-up, was completely overmatched.

I have the suspicion that if they fight again Doakes won't be overmatched (or, at least, not by much). Obviously, Dexter got the upper hand in that exchange. But, I think Doakes was more going for an angry tussle and Dexter was going for all-out lethal/subduing force. Dexter only knows how to fight in a life and death situation, so immediately went for the throat and broken bones. Like you say:

Dexter only thinks in terms of expressing himself physically when he is killing someone. There is no intermediate set point between slice and dice and do nothing.

Doakes was angry and wanted to fight, but it wouldn't have entered his mind or fighting style that they were going to kill each other. Doakes has probably boxed and/or been in many non-lethal fights with guys (where the combatants wouldn't even consider the possibility that they might kill each other). I imagine if he had known Dexter was willing to defending himself in that way he'd have been a little more cautious and ruthless in his own approach. It made the scene even more fun though, because not only did Doakes notice that Dexter could defend himself, but the way he did it was pretty creepy. No punching back, just immediate ruthlessness -- and done with a kind of wild-eyed excitement.

I find it interesting that in the DVD commentary they say it was originally supposed to be a long, more involved fight. But they rechoreographed it. (And this way is better, in my opinion.)

Edited by miniglik, Sep 24, 2007 @ 9:45 AM.

[Temis the Vorta]

But, I think Doakes was more going for an angry tussle and Dexter was going for all-out lethal/subduing force.

Dexter definitely snapped right into Kill Mode. Doakes is an ex-Special Forces guy. He probably couldn't believe that Dexter could possibly get the upper hand. Psycho is one thing, but someone who can fight like that is entirely different. Doakes probably thinks of Dexter as a creep who stalks defenseless victims. Ironically, Dexter's fighting ability should be a hint that his victims are more than capable of fighting back, and why is that? Hmm.

It also raised a little logic issue: I know Harry must have trained Dexter to fight like that, in preparation for his "hobby," but he's gotta keep up the training on a regular basis to be that good. I'm sure Doakes does. No workout equipment at home? Or does he find enough victims that that provides enough "training"?

[wish liszt]

We did see him on that stationary bike (I think?) when he was reading over Jeremy's information. I guess he goes to the gym for weight training and we just don't see it. Probably he goes there before or after he goes to the grocery store/take out restaurant to get all of that food he eats!

Edited by wish liszt, Sep 26, 2007 @ 1:04 PM.

[Stormyweather]

Probably he goes there before or after he goes to the grocery store/take out restaurant to get all of that food he eats!

It isn't mentioned in the series but in the book he's described as having a very high metabolism rate. That's why he's always eating. It's touched on very briefly in one of the earlier episodes when he says to Deb (paraphrasing) "You know me. I'm always hungry" after Deb brings breakfast over to his place.

[DreamerM]

Dexter does excercize: primarily as a runner. We see him posing as a jogger when he goes to see Jeremy Downs at the park and get information from that nice gay guy while stalking the therapist. We've also seen him swim. And the stationary bike was something: he's in good enough shape that when Rita called him he wasn't even out of breath.

He's extraordinarily fit. He probably practices CQC and take downs as well. Doakes is hardly a couch potato, but he was caught off guard both by Dexter's strength and the ferocity of his attack. It's one thing to keep fit, it's another to reflexively respond to a blow. Dex is clearly a trained, and EXPERIENCED, fighter.

[Temis the Vorta]

It isn't mentioned in the series but in the book he's described as having a very high metabolism rate. That's why he's always eating.

And here I thought that was sublimation! I noticed all the eating during the early "no-sex" episodes, hmm.

But the metabolism explains why he isn't fat.

Dexter does excercize: primarily as a runner.

I think that in order to be able to take out an ex-Special-Forces guy, you have to do more than jog or lift weights. You have to continually and specifically train to fight against a highly skilled opponent. I'm sure Doakes does, the Miami Dade PD must have ongoing training classes and Doakes would be there for every one. It's a little logic glitch, but not a big deal.

Edited by Temis the Vorta, Sep 26, 2007 @ 10:06 PM.

[rowanceleste]

There's a separate thread for the comparison of the books to the show if you want. As for for making Dexter more 'heroic' on the show, than in the book, I can definitely see it. On the show, they need the audience to become invested in Dexter and find him likeable. That's not going to happen if they let too much of the monster show.

We would no longer be breathlessly hoping Dexter evades discovery, we'd want someone to take him down. In order for the show to be a success, the writers have to make Dexter still appealing, so we're that imaginary audience in 'Born Free', cheering Dexter on for murdering other serial killers. If Dexter becomes detached to the point where he could let LaGuerta die or even kill Rita's neighbor's dog or Paul in cold blood, then he starts to lose our sympathies and we're no longer rooting for him. I think it was an absolutely integral change between the book and the show.

Edited by rowanceleste, Sep 30, 2007 @ 11:32 PM.

[Randall Flagg]

You make some good points. I'm actually reminded a little bit about Tony Soprano; in the first season, producers were a little wary about having Tony strangle someone in the episode where he takes Meadow to college because they were worried that it would make him less sympathetic. Now in the later seasons, he does even more horrific things. Maybe once the audience becomes more comfortable with Dexter the writers can gradually show off his dark(er) sides.

[superkid]

the last episode showed that Dexter is no where near as dark as he wants us to believe. When he walked into the tent at the end and saw all of his "work" laid out on the tables, you could see he was somewhat hesitant and almost embarassed/disgusted to see what he has done. A truly dark person would have revelled in seeing their own handiwork presented to them like an art gallery.

[vallegirl]

Dexter wasn't dismayed or embarrassed by his seeing his victims, he was worried that there was something out there that would tie it all back to him. He's a forensic expert. He knows that the more raw evidence you have, the stronger the pattern that emerges. With that many of his victims laid out, there's a lot of trace evidence that he may not necessarily be aware of. And he knows it's a matter of time before someone finds it.

Dexter's always been at his most frantic or disturbed when he's in danger of being exposed. And having two law enforcement agencies chasing him could easily expose Dexter.

[Temis the Vorta]

As of the end of S3, I think the writers are going too far on the "nice guy" side of the pendulum. Dexter doesn't seem to be as big a threat/psycho/barely in control like in S1-2. In S4, I hope they bring the Dark Passenger roaring back. I would hate to see this show lose its edge!