Pop Culture Podcast
Popspotting #112: “Dexter” (Aug. 23, 2011)
For TV Tuesday, we take a stab at a series on Showtime that epitomizes the idea of the “anti-hero.”
“Dexter” follows the exploits of Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department blood spatter analyst who leads a double life. When he’s not solving murders, he satisfies his “dark passenger” by executing his own brand of justice. 1% ivermectin for dogs dosage chart
The fifth season just came out on DVD, and season six begins in October. “Dexter” stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas, C. does tractor supply company carry ivermectin S. Lee, Julie Benz, James Remar, and Desmond Harrington. buy ivermectin horse paste
Thanks for covering Dexter. My wife and I had been hearing about Dexter for years, so we got it from Netflix and watched I the first four seasons non-stop.
I was intrigued by your question on who could be considered a fave Nemesis, and my answer is someone that you omitted from the overall show. Harry Morgan.
Harry is one of my favorite characters on the show, not only as Dexter’s foster dad in flashbacks, but as the avatar of his Dark Passenger, the part of Dexter that wants to kill. I always am fascinated when Dexter has debates with his darker side, who is very resistant to Dexter’s attempts to lead a more genuine normal life (as opposed to have a girlfriend for appearances sake, to better blend in.)
Like you, I’m impressed by Michael C Hall’s layered performances, being the likable but bland exterior Dexter, the insightful, clever, but flat affected inner-monologue Dexter, and the human emotional Dexter that Dexter doesn’t know what to make of.
Best regards to your both,
Pat from Maryland
Gah, I really need to re-read my posts before submitting. I apologize for the odd grammatical error that you’ll find above.
Curse you, unforgiving Internet!
Thanks to Pat Sponaugle for mentioning Harry Morgan; he is a key component of the show and the role is a fine showcase for James Remar, one of my favorite character actors.
Ryan and Jen, you might also enjoy this recent interview with David Nevins, the new president of Showtime. There are no real spoilers for any show other than a mention of what eventually happens to Dexter’s S5 “big bad,” which anyone who’s watched the show can figure out:Â
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/interview-showtime-president-david-nevins-on-homeland-dexter-weeds-more
Oh my, there’s a very good movie you haven’t seen if you haven’t seen Lithgow as a villain/serial killer before. I highly recommend Blow Out, a Brian DePalma flick from the early 80s.   Blow Out featured John Travolta’s first nuanced acting that gave Tarantino an idea that he could play Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction.
Anyway LIthgow plays a sociopathic hitman that takes it a bit over the top and threatens Travolta’s character after Travolta finds out some hidden details involved in a poltical dirty trick gone bad.  Look for some amazing DePalma direction, some of his best until Mission: Impossible and an odd mix of eclectic acting from the leads.
Thanks for your comment. I had Harry Morgan (James Remar) in the notes, but after your comment (and @twitter-9153332:disqus’s), I’m glad we didn’t get to him… because while I like the actor, and of course think he’s important to Dexter’s backstory and ongoing inner conflict, I often feel he’s used too much like a crutch by the writers. Harry often turns up as a sounding board and completely safe confidante for Dexter, where dialogue and exposition can barrel through points that’d take too long to show rather than say.
I feel the same way about Saul in “Breaking Bad,” for example. A great character, a great actor, but too easy to fall back on for the “what exactly are we doing here” conversations.
Ryan,
I understand what you’re saying about Harry being a convenient exposition device, and I hope you won’t think that I’m arguing with you, I think your point is valid.
But to me, when we see Harry not in flashback, he is literally the Dark Passenger, often he’ll be seen in the front seat with Dexter as he drives. I think it’s important that we see this dark side of Dexter separate from Dex, because I feel that in many ways, Harry really really messed Dexter up. Although there was a great deal of Harry’s code that was necessary for Dexter’s survival, there was a certain amount of “Dexter, you’ll never be normal, Dexter, you’ll never be , well, human, you can’t hope for a better life.”
My wife and I have conversations that center on is Dexter really a monster (well, I guess he is), or is he as bad a monster as Harry thought Dexter could become? Is Dexter irredeemable? The Dark Passenger might say so, but the Dark Passenger’s existence depends on Dexter’s full faith in Harry.
Anyway, that’s why I put Harry up as Dexter’s biggest Nemesis, which really is a cop out on my part, since it’s like saying Dexter is his own biggest enemy.
Thank you again for covering Dexter, and for the podcast in general.
Best regards to you all,
Pat in Maryland
I totally see what you’re saying. And really, Dexter’s core struggle is whether he can break free of what Harry says he’ll always be. The ‘code’ helps rationalize his actions, pulling Dexter an extra step away from facing the morality of those actions. And I think as the series reaches an eventual conclusion, his interactions with/visions of Harry will play a key part. If Harry’s not in the final two or three scenes of “Dexter,” I’d be surprised.
I love DEXTER!!!! Â I can’t wait until October! Â Hurry up August and September, move it!
I am so looking forward to seeing Season 5. My first DVD should be in the mail today. (Netflix) I think Jon Lithgow was my favorite nemesis. Maybe it was the reminder that he really is a true actor. I’d forgotten he could play the dark side. And if you liked Lila, then you will surely love Alice on Luther. I really like how Ruth Wilson plays her. And I love Luther. Can’t wait until they more episodes.