My Lovely Wife and I are 8 episodes in to the first season of Dexter on DVD. This whole business of watching TV shows on DVD is a little odd--I find myself getting completely wrapped up in it, obsessed in a way taht you can't be when you have to live your life for a week between episodes. We've watched 5 episodes this week, and I'm just trying to think about when we're going to be able to carve out time to watch more.
I suppose I should say at the outset that this is not a show for everyone. I guess this is true of most of my favorite shows. I'm not sure what to make of this other than the fact that this is life in the 500-channels with nothing on universe, and maybe it's okay. Maybe the days of shows that are for everyone are over, and as long as it means I can get my foul-mouthed comedy (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and VH1 Celebreality (Well, some of it, like Celebrity Rehab, and Celebrity Fit Club. Question--why is it that I can watch and enjoy Celebrity Rehab without guilt, but just seeing the promos for Rock of Love 2 makes me want to take a shower? Is there a difference in the type or quality of exploitation going on here, or is it just that I have a higher tolerance for watchign actual celebrities humiliate themselves, or have I just salved my conscience with the idea that at least something good could come out of Celebrity Rehab, whereas the best thing that could possibly come out of Rock of Love 2 would be to get cut on the first episode--otherwise you're in for many episodes of degradation and humiliation with only the promise of "love" with Brett Michaels or the fleeting, pathetic fame of the reality tv star.).
Where was I? Oh yeah, the benefits of the 500-channel universe include the fact that I can get a show about a serial killer who only kills bad guys who works as a blood-spatter expert for the Miami Police that is simultaneously the best cop show, family drama, and comedy I've seen in years. Yes, the humor is very dark, (I guess this is where the not for everybody part comes in--either that or all the severed body parts) but it is a really funny show. The cast is top-notch from top to bottom, and the writing is amazing. I'm in awe of the way the serial plot unfolds and the way little things about the supporting cast are revealed along the way. Thus heartless bitch Lt. Laguerta turns human, helpless mouse Rita grows a backbone, Angel's happy marriage turns out to be a lie, and, best of all, Dexter, who constantly proclaims his emptiness, isolation, and lack of emotion, turns out to be more human than he thinks he is.
I don't know if there's just an extraordinary amount of talent on the staff of this show or if this is what you're able to do when you're not trying to reach everyone, just freaks like me.
