Dexter: The First Season [Blu-ray]

Posted on July 19th, 2010 by Blu Ray Players Reviews

Genre: Television: Series
Rating: NR
Release Date: 6-JAN-2009
Media Type: Blu-RayAn interesting and original idea that’s very skillfully executed, Showtime’s Dexter is never less than watchable, often quite compelling, and sometimes thoroughly riveting. As the 12 episodes from the show’s first season (packaged here in a four disc set) reveal, it’s also the epitome of “high concept,” a kind of Silence of the Lambs for the C.S.I. generation. Creator-executive producer James Manos Jr.’s title character, one Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall of Six Feet Under renown), works for the Miami Police Department as an blood spatter analyst, visiting crime scenes and helping figure out what happened. He has an avocation, too: during his off hours, he tracks down some very, very bad people who for various reasons have eluded the proper authorities. Seems his adoptive father, a cop himself, taught the kid how to channel his dark side in a “positive” direction; and so, having captured these evildoers (including a child molester-murderer and a recidivist drunk driver with a trail of bodies in his wake), Dex dispatches them with clinical precision, thus making him a serial killer who snuffs serial killers. But there’s more–much more, as it turns out. By his own description, Dexter is “a monster,” an empty shell who fakes all human interactions and admits to no real feelings for anything or anyone, including his foster sister (Jennifer Carter) and his nominal girlfriend (Julie Benz), a former crack addict and battered spouse who’s as uninterested in sex as he is. There’s an explanation for Dexter’s weirdness, of course, one so deep and traumatic that even he isn’t aware of it. It’s gradually revealed over the course of the season as he and the cops (who include Erik King, Lauren Velez, and David Zayas, all first-rate) track down the so-called “Ice Truck Killer,” a fellow monster whose grisly m.o. both fascinates and taunts our hero, leading to a genuinely shocking and squirm-inducing finale. Dexter can be a bit arch, with an ironic, too-hip-for-the-room tone that get a little old. Still, it’s a safe bet that anyone who views this first season will be salivating for the second. Extras include audio commentary on two episodes, a featurette about real-life blood spatter analysis, and a variety of DVD-ROM items. –Sam Graham

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User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Dexter season one
I don’t know what happened with the shipping from Amazon but I didn’t get the Dexter Season One when they said i would it got lost in the mail. So Amazon sent it to me over night to Alaska and it was here for christmas.

5 Stars Great watch!!!!
This is a fantastic watch. I had not been introduced into the dark and twisted world of Dexter Morgan. The wife and I watched th entire season over the corse of two days. Both evenings, like clockwork as soon as we both set down for dinner it was Dexter and Dexter alone that kept our company. I have just ordered season 2 and we are ready for it to arrive so that we may continue in our disturbing journey of murder and discovery.

5 Stars The Best!!!
This is one of the BEST shows on Showtime, Just when you think you know the plot it turns!! I’m working on Season two right now and can’t wait to start season 3!

5 Stars Best Show since Lost
Everyone at my office has been watching Dexter, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I’m obsessed; already into the third season! The cinematography is admirable, the characters and charming and three dimensional, the plots are enticing, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The last time I felt this way about a series was when I bought the first season of Lost.

5 Stars Should you watch it?
First a little background, I got Dexter season 1 for my birthday in December of ‘09. I hadn’t seen any episodes but the premise seemed intriguing and I had heard some good things from a few relatives (although that’s usually more of a warning sign than anything good). Anyways, I haven’t seen season 2 and I just finished watching all of season 1, so you get an opinion solely based on if season 1 was a “keeper” in my opinion.

Yes, Dexter lived up to the hype. Obviously, it’s about a serial killer with a code who feeds his “monster” by slaughtering other folks who are up to no good. Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall is the most interesting character ive seen in a long time. You want to know what he’s thinking (and he often narrates exactly that) and you want him on the screen at all times. He is the reason to watch. The writing was good enough to support his acting and I really got a kick out of the Miami Nights themed soundtrack. It also has it’s retinue of former Oz players (some good and some mediocre) but this show clearly has a lot of depth and I won’t be surprised if this series gets even better as time goes on. Dexter’s girlfriend played by Julie Benz could have been an annoying character (she is almost cloyingly sweet), but she is not! I don’t know if any other actress could have pulled it off and been as likeable. All the kids are adorable too, including young Dexter.

My only minor quibble is that Dexter’s sister may be the most annoying character I’ve suffered through since the lady that played Dr. Lewis’ sister on ER (I think she plays Luke’s brother on my wife’s favorite show Gilmore Girls as well.) As annoying as Dexters sister is, she is equally unattractive which wouldnt be a problem except that I think we are meant to believe that she is “hot”. She seems out of place with the rest of the folks on this show when it comes to acting ability…Almost distracting.

I think anyone would like this show if they can get through the gory stuff which is really not all that bad. Heck, my mom even watches this show and she fast forwards everything she watches…Enjoy!

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