Many people have a morbid fascination with the bizarre and unusual when it comes to movie and book choices. It is always a joy to read about characters that refuse to follow the normal societal rules when it comes to dealing with the evils in the world.

A couple of friends who are aware of my interests in revenge type movies (Death Wish, The Mechanic, and Law abiding citizen etc.) and the characters like John Wick, the Punisher, Jonah Hex) kept telling me about the Dexter Show time character who is a thinking psychopath, who only kills those who are guilty but society cannot seem to gather enough evidence to put behind bars.

Once a decision to finally find out what this Dexter series was all about Amazon had a bargain price on the entire first season (12 episodes) of Dexter. I was not that impressed after viewing the first 2 episodes of the 12 episodes, but a strange thing happened after viewing the entire first season of the series. YES, I grew to actually love this psychopath who follows a set of rules given to him by his deceased police officer foster father.
Granted, it is a bloody series and not for the weak of heart; however, it is an interesting and unique series for anyone who is fascinated by the psychopathic personality.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The most effective Combative Systems)

Good show and worth your watching. Wasn't impressed with the final show (ending), but I looked forward to every show as he is such a likeable guy! Kind of a different twist on the morbid between his day and night job, and his sister is just icing on the cake (good actress). I'm glad I don't have his schedule ... dont think I could keep up!

I was so addicted to this show that its been 3 weeks since I finished the 8 seasons and I am still in mourning. I know I know. Its pathetic. I just loved it. People told me for years I should watch it and I would say " I am not watching a show about a seriel killer". ( I work in psychiatry so I figured I needed a little comic relief time). Finally this year a friend offered me 10 bucks to watch 2 episodes. That was all it took and I was off and running and never looked back. I fell in love with all the characters , even the crazy ones . Yup - me! If you want some great binge worthy TV - DEXTER is the show for you.

Dexter is a character that is easy to fall in love with. Both well-written and well acted, this may be the first serial killer you have ever rooted for. This series is about a vigilante serial killer who chooses to use his "darkness" for good...killing only people who do bad things (usually people who have somehow gotten away with murder). The story line over the entire series is about Dexter's quest to fit in and feel "normal" despite his unusual secret. He is a blood splatter analyst for the Miami police department, where his sister is also a homicide detective. Both of which make for an interesting show.

All of the writing and acting is exceptional in this series for both lead and supporting characters. It has action, suspense and comedy, and one of the characters uses alot of profanity (which strangely enough is an endearing part of her character and part of the comedic aspect). It is not derogatory or offensive to any certain group, but if you are unable to appreciate artfully strung together four-letter words and other combinations thereof, you may not like at least a line or two of the scenes that character is in.

Considering this series is about a serial "killer" who is obsessed with blood, it really isn't a gory series at all. I would say that the suspense and drama are balanced with a light-heartedness that makes it easy to watch. Not so much for the kiddies, obviously, but most adults will find this show enjoyable.

We thought Michael C. Hall was through after Six Feet Under. Got a little squirmy with those smooching scenes. BUT, he's back in a show that breaks new ground again. Who doesn't like a serial killer killing serial killers? What a plot point.

The best part of the show is the narrantive that runs continuously through Dexter's head during the show. It is easily some of the best written dialogue for thought processes ever. The show is not about shootings, slashings, or hackings. You are treated to only small tidbits of violence, because the violence is secondary to the characters and Dexter's mind. So don't be fooled by the cover, yes, there is blood, the aftermath of mayhem, but not the actual act, usually. Violence is very understated here. Like viewing Nagasaki two days later.

Dexter Season One is excellent, and should be given every opportunity to play on your Home Theater machine. Oh, as a last note, on this BluRay version I did notice that this was not the best quality at times, which was usually the darker scenes of the show. Not a deal buster, but at $5 for BluRay, who cares. HBO shows are getting better now with their Qfactor. The old 4:3 HBO DVD shows were absolutely horrible "Q", which looked less than 480i. Get Dexter and try a new cheap BluRay from other sellers for a big savings.

Dexter is amazing. There are a lot of profanity, nudity, sex, and violence - things I usually don't enjoy watching. But I am fascinated by the character of Dexter. What is he? A psychopath is born without a conscience or empathy, so even if he (or she) is raised in a happy and loving family, he is still a psychopath, but not necessarily a killer. A sociopath is created by years of abuse. But Dexter was born normal, suffered a horrifying tragedy at the age of three, and then was adopted into a loving family. His adoptive father was especially understanding and supportive. Dexter seems to be psychopathic, but not really. He sometimes seems to be sociopathic, but not really. So what is he? Later seasons show him developing a full range of emotions, as if he is finally healing. Whatever else he is, he is brilliant, creative, deceptively strong, courageous, very likable, and even heroic. The other characters are perfectly cast, believable, varied, and interesting. I like the unique and intriguing stories, I like the music, I love the scenery, and altogether this is an amazing show, in spite of the vulgarities.

I'm generally not one to tune in for shows. No DVR to speak of and no interest in scheduling my days around primetime sitcoms and dramas. Until Dexter. I can thank my wife for that. I'm a late arrival, but I'm working feverishly to make up for lost time. We got married in October. Her weekly tradition of sitting down at 9:00 on Sundays for Dexter moved in with her. I passively absorbed bits and pieces of several episodes in season 7. Then I started asking questions. Then I started to like it. Then I ordered season 1. And 2. And 3. And 4. This all in the course of two weeks no less. It was very not me, but mid way through season 1 I was officially hooked. I analyze, guess, and wonder. Some of the surprise is inevitably lost when you get your first taste in the 7th season, but there is no shortage of surprises. The premise is unique. The characters are intriguing. The writing, in my opinion, is quite good. The first season lays a wonderful foundation for all that is to follow. As a skeptic myself, I can say that there is a good chance you will be hooked by the 4th episode if you give it even half a chance. Then just enjoy the dark, honest, twisted yet curious ride to follow!

Dexter Morgan is good at his day job, that of a blood spatter analyst in Miami PD's forensics unit. But he's bloody brilliant at his other job, the one where he gets to murder. Whatever effed up sitch it was that caused Dexter's amnesia regarding his early childhood, it's left him dead inside, an empty shell, a calculating cold fish. He co-exists with something he calls a "Dark Passenger," essentially this urge that compels him to kill and kill. Recognizing the predatory beast inside Dex, his ex-cop foster father, Harry (James Remar), took the boy under his wing, reoriented his twisted appetites to a more productive cause. He instilled in Dex an elaborate code of ethics, taught him to target only other serial killers. He taught Dexter how not to get caught, how to blend in. Dads are awesome. And Dexter has steadfastly abided by the Code of Harry. His kills have been righteous kills.

This Showtime adaptation is based on Jeff Lindsay's riveting series of books, and if you haven't read them, well, what's the hold up? Dexter Morgan is so emotionally detached he makes Dr. Temperance Brennan seem positively warm and cuddly. Social cues to which we effortlessly respond are baffling puzzles for him. Perversely, there is something innately likable about Dexter. Michael C. Hall plays him with stunning complexity. It helps that, like in BURN NOTICE, we're privy to his inner musings. Dexter is often humorous and whimsical. The girlfriend (Julie Benz) he pretends to care for doesn't suspect a thing. Even Dexter's jittery, potty-mouthed cop sister, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), doesn't have an inkling.

DEXTER THE FIRST SEASON hooks you in straight away as Dexter finds his bragging rights as Miami's resident monster challenged by an innovative fellow serial killer whom the press eventually dubs the Ice Truck Killer. It's an edgy cat-and-mouse game that would span the entire season and cause Dexter to ask serious questions of himself. The lovely twist is that Dexter accepts the Ice Truck Killer's tauntings with glee, perhaps like calling to like. For Dexter, it's an opportunity to play with someone just like him. Never mind that it's readily apparent that this rival knows everything about Dexter Morgan. Dexter shrugs this off. He's having fun.

The Ice Truck Killer's modus operandi is eye-catching. He drains his victims completely of their blood and he freezes the corpses, amputates their limbs to a precise measurement. It's fun - and creepy - watching Dexter try to contain his excitement as each perfect frozen body part surfaces, each bit a gauntlet thrown in Dexter's mug.

Most each episode also features a "serial killer of the week" motif, some heinous repeat murderer targeted and eventually carved up by Dexter, and these lesser villains are required so that we don't lose faith in Dex as a badasss dude, given his inability to track down the elusive Ice Truck Killer. It's a pretty good supporting cast, too. It wasn't long before I was keen into what these other characters were up to. Jennifer Carpenter is my second favorite actor on this show. She is one sexy, combustible, never-stop-cussing cop chick. But I do question her instincts. She's Miami PD - an ex-Vice, newly minted Homicide Detective - and yet in all these years she hasn't caught a whiff of her adopted brother's true nature? And then she does something else which ends up absolutely mortifying. And then there's Erik King whose angry, loose cannon character, Sgt. Doakes, is the only one who gets the heebie jeebies from Dexter. Doakes bullies Dexter so much, I sort of wish Dexter would just disregard the Code of Harry for once. Except that Dexter remains as cool as the other side of the pillow. He's a monster who's got his priorities straight. You need to not miss this show. It's wicked funny, cleverly written, and terrifically acted (especially by Michael C. Hall). Rife with moral ambivalence, DEXTER rewards its audience with unexpected - and frequently unsettling - moments. And you're hooked before you know it.

The DVD set's bonus features:

- 2 Audio Commentaries by the Cast & Producers: "Return to Sender" (with Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, Lauren Velez, and Erik King) and "Born Free" (with producers Sara Coleton, Clyde Philips, & Daniel Cerone)
- "The Academy of Blood - A Killer Course"
- "Witnessed in Blood - A True Murder Investigation" - feature on a real-life police investigation in 2001 with particulars on blood spatter analysis
- 2 Free Episodes of Showtime's Hit series BROTHERHOOD
- A computer-compatible function which allows you to stream two episodes of THE TUDORS, to read the First 2 Chapters of Jeff Lindsay's newest novel DEXTER IN THE DARK, and play the newest CSI Video Game "CSI: HARD EVIDENCE"
- Cast Biographies