Dexter's Laboratory

Michael C. Hall's follow up to 'Six Feet Under' is Showtime's adaptation of Jeff Lindsay's novel 'Darkly Dreaming Dexter'.The production values are high and the actor's ensemble respectable. In addition to Hall, Julie Benz and James Remar turn in intriguingly complex performances in the pilot episode (available via link here, the passcode is 'sneak peek'). The show is uneven, good where it could be great, often sloppy where it should be sleek. Just for the record I had the same problem with the book, but in both cases, despite my critiques I enjoyed the experience.


So Dexter, nice guy, forensic blood spatter expert working for the Miami PD. Oh, and he's also a sociopathic serial killer. But there's a catch, he only kills bad people. Dexter has to navigate between these two worlds, he maintains 'normal' relationships both professional and personal but his only love is murder. When a serial killer whose style out paces Dexter's goes to work in Miami Dexter has to balance his fascination and attraction to the case with his duty to support the investigation. Additionally his foster sister (played by 'Emily Rose' herself, Jennifer Carpenter) is a vice cop trying to make the leap to homicide by solving the case and is relying on Dexter's preternatural insight to get her there.


So here are the problems, the commitment to the concept is totally inconsistent. This is a brilliant idea and clearly, in order to make this show, you understand that you are going to have to transgress social and literary conventions in order to convey both the black comedy and the true horror of the story. The daytime world of the police is portrayed as wrongheaded, clumsy and chaotic, in contrast to our hero's logical reserve. Fine, cool, but the strokes are so broad, these scenes play like foulmouthed Keystone cops. Without giving away too much, I found the murders, the coke head crimescene, and the crab smashing scenes all had the potential for both humor and pathos that just got discarded. It's so weird, because there are visual echoes to films that should have pointed the director in the right direction. How are you going to reference Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer, Taxi Driver, Frailty American Psycho, even Katiebird, (I could go on but think I've proven my nerdy point) and yet not seem to 'get' it. Kinda makes it feel less like referential homage and more like biteage of style.


As previously stated, despite my smack talk I did like this show. However, there is a sloppy subplot that made me go crazy(er). One of Dexter's 'victims is a murderous rapist. Dexter breaks into his home to find evidence to support his hunch, fine. Dexter is pointed in the right direction by the discovery of a bondage magazine. CALLED 'BONDAGE MAGAZINE.' I would have fired the entire art department! However, it's really more a symbol of the instances where the director has no faith in the intelligence of his audience. Inside the magazine is an ad for 'the Internets most extreme site' called 'Scream Bitch Scream'. Dexter logs on and finds his victim starring in a real rape/snuff film. Just like that. I understand the necessity of a conveniently placed literary device but, I mean come on now. I come to your party and you do me like that? For shame.


The good news is Michael C. Hall is great as Dexter, absolutely breaking away from his SFU character. Displaying pathos tinged subtlety and wit, Hall really inhabits each of Dexter's various personas. I hope the show will support his performance.