Dexter - 1.01 "Dexter" Pilot Episode Discussion Thread (originally aired 10/01/06)

Astra · 01-01-2009, 01:21 PM

As promised, we're beginning our 'Rewatching Party" of sorts and we will be starting Episode Discussion threads for Season 1 and then we'll move on to Season 2 also...

So hopefully you can find the time in the next week to rewatch the pilot episode of Dexter (Santa did bring you the DVDs right? ) and join in the discussion!

Dexter

Season 1 Episode 1

A Miami forensics whiz moonlighting as a vigilante dispatching murderers who've escaped justice searches for “a very neat monster” who's chopping up hookers and leaving no prints---and no blood.

from: tvguide.com

Astra · 01-02-2009, 08:02 AM

Okie... I don't know about you, but watching the first 5 minutes of this episode sealed the deal on my love affair with Dexter....

Though we quickly learned he wasn't a true hero, what he was doing seemed just....

I hope to rewatch this one (again) today

WBoverlay · 01-02-2009, 11:48 AM

I remember watching the start of this very first episode and feeling frightened. When Dexter sort of changes his voice when he tells the guy to open his eyes and look at what he's done to the boys or he'll cut off his eyelids was scary. In the next moment though, I chuckled when Dexter told the guy that he (Dexter) had standards and would never hurt children.

Dexter bringing in the donuts for the other people in his office was priceless. I didn't even know how to feel about that.

ride the lightning · 01-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Interesting fact about me (

) .. anyway, when I first watched Dexter I watched about 10 minutes and I couldn't watch anymore cause I felt sick after seeing the "bloodless" body in the drained pool

I thought there was no way I could enjoy this show.

Then a few months later I tried it again and I freakin' fell in love with it.

Astra · 01-03-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBoverlay (View Post)

I remember watching the start of this very first episode and feeling frightened. When Dexter sort of changes his voice when he tells the guy to open his eyes and look at what he's done to the boys or he'll cut off his eyelids was scary. In the next moment though, I chuckled when Dexter told the guy that he (Dexter) had standards and would never hurt children.

That is the exact scene! Ah... a killer with a code. Love it. I actually paused it on the DVR and yelled for hubby to come watch with me.... I knew he'd love it too....

Tomorrow's skies · 01-03-2009, 08:20 PM

I've loved Dexter from the start. Wish he was real. And I don't mean that lightly.

allybubba · 01-04-2009, 03:25 AM

I have a horrible memory, but I do remember parts of this episode pretty well.

You can't not fall in love with this show and Dexter in the first 5 minutes, seriously.

He's just absolute gold.

His delivery is perfect, and even though he's this murderer.. you are totally, 100% always on his side.
He makes you root for him, it's crazy.

Sacha · 01-04-2009, 04:11 AM

There aren't many shows on that are 'must-see' TV for me, but Dexter had me hooked from the first ep. Loved it

WBoverlay · 01-04-2009, 10:13 AM

It's also easy for me to feel sorry for Dexter. He is constantly in battle with himself. Everyday he has to fight his inner demons in order to show an outward appearance of normality. When he sees the bloodless, cut up body in the swimming pool, he's in awe of the unknown person who created this neatly displayed array of body parts. On the outside, Dexter has to do his job and find out who this fiend is. It's a tug of war between admiration for the killer and dedication to his job.

Astra · 01-04-2009, 11:40 AM

Dexter is quite adorable, no doubt, and endearing even, but only if you're not on his 'radar'...

Discussion Question:

When you first began watching Dexter, how conflicted were you about what he was doing? Explain why or why not....

allybubba · 01-04-2009, 09:49 PM

I wasn't at all, to be quite honest.

The whole 'It's a TV show' comes into play, but he also kills bad people.
Plus.. the way he's portrayed and how he acts around others just makes you want to be on his side.

I really don't have anything wrong with HIM doing what he does.

ride the lightning · 01-04-2009, 10:10 PM

I wasn't conflicted at all either

He was getting rid of the bad guys

WBoverlay · 01-05-2009, 08:33 AM

I was a little conflicted. The charming Dexter really touched my heart and the vigilante Dexter (who killed only those who seemed to get away with horrific and senseless murders) was OK with me as well. The Dexter who totally enjoyed the thrill of the kill with the overwhelming need and desire to kill did bother me a bit. Every episode I watched though, made me like Dexter more each time. I started to wonder about that and why I've tended to overlook the serial killer Dex in favor of the good guy Dex. It's something I really don't have an answer to.

I've read all the Dexter books and in those Dexter, in my opinion, is a little more ruthless and a little less charming. Watching the way MCH plays Dexter is probably what makes him more appealing to me in the tv series than in the books. I never watched MCH in Six Feet Under or any other show or film, so my reaction to Dexter and MCH is just what I've felt from seeing the Dexter tv show.

Sacha · 01-05-2009, 05:11 PM

Once we heard the backstory about why his dad did what he did, trained him the way he did, I kinda felt sorry for them both. His dad knew he had those tendencies and knew there was no choice (or he had a choice, but none of them would let his son lead a normal life).

But no, I wasn't really conflicted, although I knew I probably should be

Astra · 01-05-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allybubba (View Post)

I wasn't at all, to be quite honest.

The whole 'It's a TV show' comes into play, but he also kills bad people.
Plus.. the way he's portrayed and how he acts around others just makes you want to be on his side.

I really don't have anything wrong with HIM doing what he does.

I can understand your perspective...

I mean I knew what he was doing was 'wrong' but if he was going to 'have' to kill at least he was on 'our' side... ya know?

He is endearing and sweet, but like us all, he has a dark side, and also like us all he wears a mask to the world... He just happens to wear his all the time

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBoverlay (View Post)

I was a little conflicted. The charming Dexter really touched my heart and the vigilante Dexter (who killed only those who seemed to get away with horrific and senseless murders) was OK with me as well. The Dexter who totally enjoyed the thrill of the kill with the overwhelming need and desire to kill did bother me a bit. Every episode I watched though, made me like Dexter more each time. I started to wonder about that and why I've tended to overlook the serial killer Dex in favor of the good guy Dex. It's something I really don't have an answer to.

I've read all the Dexter books and in those Dexter, in my opinion, is a little more ruthless and a little less charming. Watching the way MCH plays Dexter is probably what makes him more appealing to me in the tv series than in the books. I never watched MCH in Six Feet Under or any other show or film, so my reaction to Dexter and MCH is just what I've felt from seeing the Dexter tv show.

I remember debating the whole killer with a heart of gold thing with my husband...

I felt Dexter's 'need/urge' to kill was stronger in Season 1 and S2, and I hope the writers continue to address & re-address its evolution a little better in the coming season...

And like you I tend to 'root' for Dexter... even when he wasn't clearly on the good side (especially in S2 w/ Doakes etc...)

I mean, it's a compliment to MCH's acting when I have to admit that he downright scares me sometimes...

I've not yet read the books, but very much look to seeing how it differs in feeling. It sounds like we have a warmer, fuzzier view of Dex in the TV series.....


Fan Forum > Archived Television Shows > Dexter > 1.01 "Dexter" Pilot Episode Discussion Thread (originally aired 10/01/06)