Dexter
English 102
Barton Owen
Professor: Louis Eaton
Just imagine sitting at your dinner table and your teenage daughter says that she is infatuated with a vigilante serial killer. Well, it’s happening across America and across the world. Showtime’s Dexter is rocking pop culture to its very roots. While the majority of people enjoy watching shows like Criminal Minds where an FBI team is constantly apprehending serial killers, Dexter is exactly the opposite. He is a vigilante serial killer, and somehow he has made it ever so appealing to a vast audience base.
Dexter is a mini series on Showtime, based a series of novels by Jeff Lindsey containing the fictional antihero vigilante serial killer who everyone knows as the calm, cool, collective, Dexter Morgan, forensic blood splatter analyst who enjoys his job more than expected by day as a member of the fictional Miami-Metro Police Department. (Lindsey, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, 2004) But by night he delivers a cold, calculated, justified, death, to those that have earned it, on a table wrapped in plastic, from a knife cloaked in leather.
Although Dexter appears to the public to be a quiet man that is only part of his well maintained disguise. A
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disguise, that he was trained to obtain by his adopted father Harry Morgan a retired Miami- Metro Police Officer that knew from the very beginning that Dexter was different in so many ways. Harry saved Dexter at the age of three from the inside of a locked shipping container where a murderous drug dealer had left his brother to die along side their mutilated mother’s body. Harry noted, that Dexter’s early trauma produced the tendency for him to kill neighborhood animals, realizing that it was only a matter of time until he started hunting larger prey humans; Harry knew he had to do something. Since Harry knew there was no way to cure Dexter’s urge to kill, channelizing his urge to support the better good through the use of “The Code” or “The Code of Harry” (Lindsey, Dexter By Design, 2009)is what he did. Harry laid out very specific set of rules for Dexter to satisfy his urge to kill the first of which was that the victim had to be guilty of a crime of which law enforcement either did not know about or was unable to prosecute due to the many loopholes that criminals can utilize. Other parts of the code though unwritten cover somewhat of how not to get caught but he also learned a good bit about that during his classes in forensics. Although Dexter refers to most people as just humans, he does hold a special spot in his world the Deborah Morgan “Deb” (Lindsey, Dexter in the Dark, 2007). Deb his adopted sister is the only person who means anything to Dexter, until his son is born later in the series. However, Dexter goes to extremes to protect and promote Deb in her career as a Miami-Metro Police Officer. She will eventually be one of the only people to know the real truth about him. Vigilante justice is not new to the United States, in fact the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp was tried and acquitted of vigilante murder at the OK corral; there has been a increase in vigilante justice as of late.
(Monaghan, 2004) Upon acquittal, Wyatt kills many more members of the notorious gang to avenge his brother Morgan’s death before the end of his campaign. Vigilante murders occur frequently today primarily due to lengthy trials and numerous well-developed, publicized loopholes in the legal system allowing criminals to walk freely. Vigilante killers are commonly acquitted depending on the situation due to some of the same loopholes, whether it’s a father shooting the drunk driver that has just killed his two sons or a mother shooting her daughter’s admitted
rapist. Often Dexter’s victims will walk out of courtrooms due to a mishandled piece of evidence or a witness refuses to testify. Even though other evidence surely ties them to the crime or other similar crimes allot along the lines. Once vetted by Dexter for guilt according to “The Code”, it's not long before the wrongdoer is on the table for dissection and disposal. By serving as judge, jury and executioner, Dexter adds an element to justice that the American public has earned for since the days of Wyatt Earp and the Wild West. Since stricken here with so many issues in the United States and of course the government must appease everybody wouldn't it almost be better to eliminate some of the burdens placed upon the general public by the legal system? Why should the taxpayer pay more than a million dollars to prosecute and then almost a million dollars a year to house, feed, heat and cool a convicted murderer? A bullet costs $1.45, a lethal injection about $300, a trip to the electric chair $500, a well trained guy like Dexter free it leaves some pondering where is the real justice. A murderer in New York City kills four people at the age of twenty and lives the rest of his life in the state penitentiary at the cost of the hard working tax paying citizens. While the victim’s family members go to bed every night knowing that the murderer is living an easier life than they are for the most part. The fact of the matter is in some countries like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia for instance if one is caught stealing a hand is cut off, lying the tongue and raping well let's just say that death is probably preferable. It's this type of justice that deters injustice not the simple pampering the United States provides its nations rejects, at a rate of seven million a year incarcerated, tolling 167 billion dollars per year to keep them. (Office of Justice Programs) Regardless of whether the judicial system is too lenient or not the simple fact remains that if the life sentence were replaced with death by hanging as it was in the days of Wyatt Earp we would save approximately 84 billion dollars a year. That is part of what attracts the audience to Dexter is the immediate justice and the relief of the burden upon the people. But here in present day just about everyone outside of Texas has to be kept alive until they die of old age no matter the crime or how incriminating the evidence. On the other hand Dexter is a serial killer just as there are and will continue to be serial killers with motives and selection processes, Dexter’s method of selection by verifying that his victims have committed a crime against society is slightly different than most but even he could select the wrong victim. Some serial killers for instance will just kill streetwalkers, or just blondes, and can make mistakes inherently just based upon clothing or hair dye. Serial killers have varying degrees of success at evading law enforcement while completing, which is almost always a ritual with their victim. (Rhodes, 1999) Perhaps the most riveting, nail biting, and addicting part of Dexter is his close brushes with law as he steals some collars right out from under them, while remaining seemingly invisible. The only officer he refrains from stealing collars from is Deb, his adopted sister, he actually feeds her tips to help her capture criminals, but if they fall through the gaps of justice he is quick to sweep them up and dispose of them. It is often said that crime related television inspires related criminal activity. Dexter probably inspired the Internet hoax about body parts being found in the Ohio River near Henderson, Kentucky. However it seems that there may be a belief that people are getting the urge to go kill others by watching television, it has been argued that the urge is already present; the means or the method may be gained from anywhere in today’s highly publicized world. As a result of my research into Dexter and our criminal justice system, I’m left with the opinion that Jeff Lindsey is well worth reading, Dexter the mini series will make one appreciate Netflix and our criminal justice system needs a complete reconfiguration. Works Cited Lindsey, J. (2004). Darkly Dreaming Dexter. New York, New York, United States of America: Vintage Books. Lindsey, J. (2009). Dexter By Design. New York, New York, United States of America: Vintage Books. Lindsey, J. (2007). Dexter in the Dark. New York, New York, United States of America: Vintage Books. Monaghan, P. (2004). Hot Type. Chronicle of Higher Education , 51 (14), A18. Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 20, 2014, from Bureau of Justice Statistics: www.ojp.usdoj.gov Rhodes, R. (1999). Why They Kill. New York, New York, United States of America: Alfred A.Knopf, Inc.
Dexter, although he could have attended a state university, chose to attend an older and more prestigious university in the East. However, he struggled with his limited funds while studying there. After college, he invested in a laundry business, which he grew and eventually became very wealthy. He returned to the golf course to play with the wealthy old men he once caddied for.
When Dexter Haven came back into his ex-wife’s home unannounced would very much compare to the Anomie theory. As stated by Jack Levin, “a social situation in which the traditional rules of everyday life have broken down and individuals became confused as to how to behave.” (Levin, 54) I believe this is very noticeable in Dexter’s behavior when he comes back into Traci’s home attempting to introduce Macaulay Connor and Liz Imbrie as family friends of the family so they can report on the wedding for their tabloid Spy Magazine. Dexter became confused as the person who he is when he learned about Traci’s wedding. He was an old employee for Spy, and that is when he decided to intrude into the wedding with his plot. `
Though his killings occurred over thirty years ago Clifford Olson is still knows as one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers. Active through the years 1980-1980 he was responsible for eleven gruesome murders in that short span of time. The shocking nature of his crimes ensured nobody would forget his notorious deeds. To build on that, Olson is loathed because he extorted authorities into paying $100,000 for the locations of his victims’ remains, an agreement that haunted the survivors of Olson’s crimes, and ruined the careers of the officials who buckled under Olson’s outrageous demands. Furthermore, his crime spree led Neighbourhoods that once claimed to be “so safe you could leave your door open” to secure their doors; hitchhikers were seldom found on highways, and telephone poles were covered with posters warning that nearly a dozen adolescents were missing and a killer was on the loose. Had he not been apprehended by the authorities on August 12th, 1981 his spree of brutal slayings may have continued for much longer, as he showed no remorse for his ruthless crimes.
Dexter denies his background as coming from the middle class and wanting to have more in life. He started as a fourteen year old golf caddie and was the best one around. Dexter one day while working thought to himself that he could have so much more than just being a golf caddie. Then and there he decided to quit his job and move on with his life. As Dexter grows up and moves out west to fulfill his dream, there is a duality inside of him that ultimately is his own downfall.
Little did Dexter know that Judy was going to play him like she has played every other man in town, dinner, dates, and get booted to the curb when she got bored. Judy preyed on Dexter’s so-called love throughout his childhood, adulthood, and his engagement with Irene. Dexter and Judy’s relationship was based off Dexter’s dream to have the prettiest girl even if she couldn’t be
The similarities between Jay and Dexter are quite apparent when reading each story. They both come from the Midwest and although Dexter’s family has some money, both are similar in the fact that they did not start out as wealthy, upper class men from rich families. Their hard work and determination to make their own wealth and acquire the luxuries and social status that come with it are completely by their own doing. Both men achieve their goals of the American dream at a relatively young age and are able to be a part of the high society they once observed from a distance. Their desire to amass wealth and the perks associated with it come with an ulterior motive, to win back the girls they desire that will only be with them if they have the wealth and status to bring to the table.
American serial killer, Richard Ramirez was born on February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas. Ramirez was known for being a satanic worshiper and for going on a two-year raped and torture rampage, harming more than 25 victims and murdering more than a dozen. Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker," turned to satanic worship at an early age by his cousin, a soldier who had recently returned from the war in Vietnam. Following a four-year trial, in 1989, Ramirez was convicted of 13 killings. Ramirez received the death penalty and was sent to San Quentin Prison in California. He later died on June 7, 2013, at the age 53.
Serial killers are everywhere! Well, perhaps not in our neighborhood, but on our television screens, at the movie theaters, and in rows and rows of books at our local Borders or Barnes and Nobles Booksellers” (Brown). When people think of serial killers, names such as Dahmer, Gacy, Bundy, and Gein are cited. During the time Jack the Ripper was executing his victims in London, Holmes began his gruesome career in Chicago (America’s Serial Killers). “Despite being America’s first serial killer, Holmes is hardly a familiar name and until now we haven’t had any popular visual record of his crimes: (Spikol). Why is it that people only think of the more popular killers with higher known profiles? They are all very similar to one another because they share characteristics. H.H. Holmes was a successful serial killer because he was well educated, cunning and charming. Those are just a few traits Holmes ...
...career ahead of you, Dexter showed us that if you work hard enough you can end up at the top, but you have to be willing to do the work, and everyone has an equal opportunity to be successful it is just the people who are willing to make sacrifices and want to be successful in life. I think that this story has a really good message in it especially because we live in such a small town and reading this makes it more inspiring because it shows us that we can do something with our lives. Even if the odds are against us in being someone important or being super rich we know now that it is possible to achieve this. Dexter shows the American Dream perfectly he demonstrates how you can start from the bottom of the food chain and make your way to the top, but it is going to have to take some work and sacrifices. You never know what is going to happen unless you take risks.
Ramirez had many characteristics that could be similar to a typical serial killer. There are a great number of traits that can make a serial killer who they are. There are also upbringings that can make a serial killer act a certain way. Experiences and certain events can cause them to become the serial killer they are. Serial killers can also become who they are not just because of their surroundings, but because they want to. Sometimes they want revenge on somebody and then it just continues on because it becomes a habit. Characteristics of a serial killer include: alcohol and substance abuse, psychological abuse during childhood, sexually stressful events in childhood, bed-wetting, growing up lonely and isolated, fantasies, preferring auto-erotic activities, developing voyeurism and fetishism in adulthood, acting out fantasies on animals, and physical injuries (Gerber 2). There are quite obviously more traits that are typical of a regular serial killers, but these ten appear to be the most common amongst them.
Dexter is a television show that was made from the years 2006 to 2013. It stars many talented actors such as: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayes, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Julie Benz, and many others. The characters that were just mentioned are just the main characters of the television show. The premier of season 3 was released in September of 2008 and attracted the eyes of 1.22 million people, making it the most viewed TV drama since 2004 (IMdB).
...ens should have more faith in the established institution’s ability to deliver justice over that of a vigilante serial killer, but for many, that is not the case. Second, Darkly Dreaming Dexter demonstrates that there is not as clear of a barrier between what is morally right and wrong as North American society sometimes believes, seeing as murder, which is usually regarded as undeniably wrong, can sometimes be justified and placed in the spectrum of acceptable behaviour. Blindly dividing actions up into right and wrong, then, is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous, as it can lead individuals to inappropriately oversimplify complex situations. Ultimately, then, a society that unwaveringly opposes all forms violence can be just as problematic as one that condones them.
He lives a double life as a vigilante-serial killer type killing criminals guilty of heinous crime such as rape and murder, and are free from consequences of their actions. Dexter follows a strict code known as the code of Harry created by his father. These codes prevent Dexter from killing those that aren’t deserving. Producer Cerone uses Dexter's past to create a way for a viewer to become emotionally invested in the main character. Kayla Upadhyaya, a columnist for Michigan Daily (2013), believes that creators of shows like Dexter commonly force the character to push the envelope for their villainous ways and then creating a moment where the character switches to a more vulnerable and compassionate state. These states of vulnerability and compassion makes it easier for one to sympathize with Dexter. An example would be that in the first season, viewers learn that not only did Dexter witness his mother’s murder when he was very young, but he was stuck at the scene for many days before he was found. This emotional and traumatic moment not receives pity from viewers, but it shows what exactly may be a cause for Dexter’s character. Dexter eventually grows into man fascinated with blood and the urge to kill. With this code of Harry Morgan finds solace through the merciless killing of criminals. Even
A serial killer is defined in Webster's Dictionary as someone who murders more than three victims one at a time in a relatively short period of time. There is no one generic profile to identify a serial killer. They usually are people seeking for a sensation, a lack of guilt or remorse, a need for control, impulsivity, and predatory behavior. These traits make up a psychopathic personality disorder. Psychopathy is a disorder manifested in people who use a mixture of charm, manipulation, manipulation, and occasional violence to control others, in order to satisfy their own wants and needs. There are four main types of serial killers; thrill seekers, mission-oriented, visionary serial killers, and power and control killers. There may be other
The series starts up inviting its viewer to dark scenery through the downtown Miami night life with the main character’s chilling narrative, when the main character (Micheal C Hall) exposes some of its back-story and certain first person views on how he sees and compares the world around him as a playground where he could choose the next victim that can satisfy his thirst for blood hence demonstrating its character complexity and multifaceted components. Dexter Morgan, the principal protagonist, lives a double life were on day time he is a forensics blood spatter analysis expert for the Miami P.D while on night he leads he’s life as a “good” serial killer, who kills by being fateful to a set of vigilante like principles implanted by his father, were he should only kill people that deserve it, for the sake of controlling his unnatural violent need to kill (“Dexter: Season 1: Episode 1:’Dexter’ Review”). Taking in mind, that Dexter contains such a disturbing concept and presence, it is impressive how well did the main cast executed through its first episode, especially Micheal C. Hall case, since he does a magnificent act as Dexter, due to he’s ability to flesh out such a well written yet biased character.