Overview / Story: This show starts off with a bang and never stops. It very quickly snaggles you up in it's web of really great story telling almost immediately. So the plot goes a little something like this... Dexter is a fucked up individual, he's not quite sure why.. But for one reason or another, he kills people who deserve to die, rather than just killing random people.. You know, he kills people who get away with crimes and things like that. He was raised by a step father who taught him how to harness his killing prowess and put it to good use. He follows very closely and always refers to his father's "code". He has rules in which he follows, rather than just killing blindly. This plot element is very similar the Punisher. This makes you become a fan of his work, and almost puts him in sort of a good light as a hero rather than a crazed killer. Even though, he is obviously crazy and has problems, he uses his problems for good. Throughout the show you figure out what exactly made him the way he is and the background of the man who is known as Dexter. It is spectacular story telling, some of the best in a tv show, period.
Story Rating: 10.0
Special Effects / Stunts: The special effects and stunts in this show are done quite well for a tv show in general with most likely a limited budget. It is very real and gritty, the blood always looks genuine and there are quite a few times when there will be some generic fight scenes which really look true to life. But for the most part, it's a tv show, and especially with a show of this particular drama, the special effects and stunts are pretty much irrelevant.
Special Effects/ Stunts Rating: 8
Sound / Music: The soundtrack to Dexter is very eerie, moody, and mysterious.. Which is exactly as it should be considering the type of show that it is. For a little taste of the music check out the show intro featured below. The show really has some great voice over work done by Dexter himself, and some really great musical pieces which truly pull you into the whole story and experience. I can't say one bad thing about it. My only complaint is that after a while you will start to hear the same tracks throughout the series quite a bit, but that goes along with any show I suppose.
Acting / Casting: The acting and casting in this show is phenominal. There isn't another person in this world who would play Dexter any better than the man himself, (Micheal C. Hall). The accompanying cast is also spectacular, making you really come to care about these characters as the show goes on, as good actors should. Every person on this show really does a great job of putting you there, and making you feel involved in the story line. Way to go Showtime for assembling a great cast of really unknown talent for the most part.
Acting/Casting Rating: 10
Summary: In conclusion, Dexter is quite easily one of the best shows on television ever. And most likely the best television show on right now for it's time frame, especially with all the CSI's out there. This show crushes every law and order show, every CSI show and really puts those shows to shame. If you like or watched those shows at one point or another and thought they were the best at what they did you thought wrong. This is easily the best of it's class and isn't going anywhere any time soon as more and more people are becoming hooked to it as it has recently come to CBS. I highly recommend you go out and buy the season DVD box sets of this show immediately, and get caught up in time for the third season.
Overall Rating: 9.5 (MUST SEE / BUY)
*Six Feet Under (2001)
*American Pyscho (2000)
*Butterfly Effect (2005)