Is Dexter a Monster?

[BillyBobUSA]

Yes, I am refering to the character 'Dexter Morgan' on Showtimes serial killer show who only kills other multiple murderers.

He has a tight code, usually, and always makes sure for himself that the target is guilty and will murder again before executing them.

So, is Dexter really a monster, or just a strongly motivated vigilante?

[traditional_woman]

Yes, I am refering to the character 'Dexter Morgan' on Showtimes serial killer show who only kills other multiple murderers.

He has a tight code, usually, and always makes sure for himself that the target is guilty and will murder again before executing them.

So, is Dexter really a monster, or just a strongly motivated vigilante?

He's too fine to be a monster. Oh boy, did I just sound like a man?

[Gray]

Kind of difficult to put a label on him. But I would say yes, a monster with a purpose.

[SarahG]

He's just as scarey as the monsters that he kills. I won't watch the show anymore. I can't even stand the previews of the show. When I record something on Showtime, his mug shows up on promos and that smile of his is so freaky.

I used to think he was very good looking as well but now, ick.

My daughter loves the blood and guts movies in fact, she asked me if I wanted to go see My Bloody Valentine, 3D this weekend. :lol:

Why do people love this stuff? I've tried looking at it, scrutinizing the special effects to desensitize but it is too dang real looking. :sick:

[noose4]

a monster, he says so himself.

[Vaard]

a monster and a vigilante.........

[JediMindTrick]

Absolutely a monster because he takes a very perverse sexual thrill from the kill. He doesn't (or at least at the beginning of the show) enjoy sex as thats why he picked an emotionally damaged woman like Rita to be with as she wouldn't want sex. And thats why he was so freaked when she did her naughty Tomb Raider bit for the first time. Its because he gets off on killing. A vigilante would just want the revenge, a monster has deeper and more perverse reason. A vigilante would also care about the victims whereas Dexter just cares about finding someone who fits his code.

[uncledoom]

Murder is murder is murder....

[Samm]

The poll makes it difficult to select an option. He is a monster... a self professed monster... but he channels his proclivity (thanks to his father) to take life (normally a bad thing) to serve a greater good for society. He rids society of human vermin who themselves have taken or undoubtedly will take innocent life. He knows he is bad; he knows that he would kill regardless of his code; his murders save lives and are in effect redemption.

[mwevans1234]

Loved Michael C. Hall on Six Feet Under - basically the complete opposite character from Dexter:

Shy
Rule-Abiding
Rather Conventionally Moral
Gay

Fantastic Actor - hope he gets some starring movie roles at some point.

[zerk]

I never got into this show. I just bought 3 seasons of Showtime's weeds (a gardening show?) on Bluray for $59.98 (buy 2 get 1 free @ $29.99 a piece).
it seemed like a good deal and lots of people said it's a real good show.

[nick21ia]

Dexter is awesome, best show on TV. He is a monster, no doubt there. I see him as more of a vigilante though.

[Gray]

I never got into this show. I just bought 3 seasons of Showtime's weeds (a gardening show?) on Bluray for $59.98 (buy 2 get 1 free @ $29.99 a piece).
it seemed like a good deal and lots of people said it's a real good show.

Housewife who sells pot, I think.

[MrCapitalism]

Haven't watched the show, but I did read the first two books. He is absolutlely a monster, just one that was caught early. He is a serial killer no matter what. He just had a father figure that aimed him towards other bad guys instead of random victims. Sure, it makes for an interesting moral quandry. But the man is a serial killer all the same.

[BillyBobUSA]

Is it wrong to kill in defense of anothers life?

I think we all agree that it is not murder if we take life to prevent the murder of an innocent.

Dexter is only killing people who have killed innocent people AND whom he knows will kill again.

That, IMNSHO, makes him a vigilante at worst, and a hero with the right moral lighting.

As to being a monster; why is it monstrous for someone to enjoy their work?

[Samm]

Is it wrong to kill in defense of anothers life?

I think we all agree that it is not murder if we take life to prevent the murder of an innocent.

Dexter is only killing people who have killed innocent people AND whom he knows will kill again.

That, IMNSHO, makes him a vigilante at worst, and a hero with the right moral lighting.

As to being a monster; why is it monstrous for someone to enjoy their work?

I agree; Dexter is an angel without wings; an Avenging Angel of Death.

[BillyBobUSA]

I agree; Dexter is an angel without wings; an Avenging Angel of Death.


And some people *need* to be killed for the good of all the rest of us since they will not let us live in peace with them.

Dexter is a good man and I cant but imagine how many lives he has saved.

[sgtmac_46]

Yes, I am refering to the character 'Dexter Morgan' on Showtimes serial killer show who only kills other multiple murderers.

He has a tight code, usually, and always makes sure for himself that the target is guilty and will murder again before executing them.

So, is Dexter really a monster, or just a strongly motivated vigilante? Without a doubt he's a monster.....or course sometimes it takes a bit of a monster to fight monsters.

[BillyBobUSA]

Without a doubt he's a monster.....or course sometimes it takes a bit of a monster to fight monsters.


Well, in this case I would feed the monster with monsters most gladly.

[Samm]

And some people *need* to be killed for the good of all the rest of us since they will not let us live in peace with them.

Dexter is a good man and I cant but imagine how many lives he has saved.

Reminds me of the saying: "Some people are alive simply because it is illegal to kill them."

Dexter does not let such platitudes dissuade him...

[BillyBobUSA]

Reminds me of the saying: "Some people are alive simply because it is illegal to kill them."

Dexter does not let such platitudes dissuade him...


IT didnt slow down people on the frontier.

Would we ever have settled anything west of the Appalachians if the law then was as stupidly self-absorbed as it is today?

The point of law should be justice, not process.

[Traveller]

A few more Dexters in the world would be a good thing.
It takes a monster to kill a monster but with the rest of us, he's just a real a nice guy, weird but nice.
I love that character , great show.

[samurai7]

Sorry, never seen the show. So I can't really comment.

What network is it on?

[Gray]

Sorry, never seen the show. So I can't really comment.

What network is it on?

Showtime. You cannot watch it with your kids around.

[Samm]

Showtime. You cannot watch it with your kids around.

If they are like most kids... they have already watched it while mom and dad were not around. ;)

[BillyBobUSA]

If they are like most kids... they have already watched it while mom and dad were not around. ;)


:lol:

So true.

[Paul-w]

How can you not cheer for Dexter man? He rocks!!! :)

[Samm]

This was the only Dexter thread that came up in my search; time to get it going for the 4th season, unless there is a more appropriate one or someone wants to start another. ( I don't)

The opener was last Sunday... John Lithgow is the arch-villain serial killer. Should be good.

[JediMindTrick]

Has anyone read the books the series is based of? I've recently read the first and am going to read the next two soon. The first book was pretty close to the 1st season with a few major differences. In the book La Guerta gets killed by Brian, the Ice Truck Killer, and Deb discovers Dexter's true nature; however, Deb is okay with Dexter and what he does and decides to take on the role of Harry, i.e. Dexter's living code master. From looking at the back covers of the next two books I don't think they are going to match up with the series, except maybe the part about Doakes.

[Samm]

Has anyone read the books the series is based of? I've recently read the first and am going to read the next two soon. The first book was pretty close to the 1st season with a few major differences. In the book La Guerta gets killed by Brian, the Ice Truck Killer, and Deb discovers Dexter's true nature; however, Deb is okay with Dexter and what he does and decides to take on the role of Harry, i.e. Dexter's living code master. From looking at the back covers of the next two books I don't think they are going to match up with the series, except maybe the part about Doakes.

Yeah... I wonder why they chose to not have Deb in on it... I think it would have enhanced the story line, particularly when she was hooked up with the FBI man.

[JediMindTrick]

Yeah I'm not really understanding the whole direction the story with Deb is going in the show in regards to her looking for the CI her Dad slept with. The obvious end conclusion is that she's going to realize that Harry is in fact Dexter's biological father making her and Dexter siblings for real. I don't really see that being a bad thing once she gets over the shock. Unless this somehow also reveals to her that Dex and Brian were siblings.

[Mobulis]

A monster that preys on other monsters.

[Samm]

Yeah I'm not really understanding the whole direction the story with Deb is going in the show in regards to her looking for the CI her Dad slept with. The obvious end conclusion is that she's going to realize that Harry is in fact Dexter's biological father making her and Dexter siblings for real. I don't really see that being a bad thing once she gets over the shock. Unless this somehow also reveals to her that Dex and Brian were siblings.

I am not remembering... who is Brian? Was that Dexter's half brother that he killed?

[JediMindTrick]

I am not remembering... who is Brian? Was that Dexter's half brother that he killed?

Brian was the Ice Truck Killer from season one. He dated Deb and then kidnapped her all in an attempt to get under Dexter's skin.

[signcut]

Yes, I am refering to the character 'Dexter Morgan' on Showtimes serial killer show who only kills other multiple murderers.

He has a tight code, usually, and always makes sure for himself that the target is guilty and will murder again before executing them.

So, is Dexter really a monster, or just a strongly motivated vigilante?

Vigilantism is generally concerned with a specific occurence. Serial murder is not.

Dexter is a monster, he is not really a vigilante, as he is going to murder regardless. It is happy coincidence that there are plenty of those who, in the common eye, really do need to be killed, and have not been found by the law. If there weren't however, if he was living in a rural area, he would be killing the same innocents that he 'protects'. Therefore, unlike a 'true' vigilante, whose concern is what they perceive as justice, his concern is killing, and he is simply able to pretend it is a moral choice.

While a facile argument, it really doesn't hold water.

[Samm]

Brian was the Ice Truck Killer from season one. He dated Deb and then kidnapped her all in an attempt to get under Dexter's skin.

Ok... thanks. I missed most of season one. But as I recall, while he was Dexter's half brother, he was no relation to Deb so why should that revelation bother her? Of course she is a emotional freak... she is bothered by lots of things that should be no big deal.