Dexter, A Bit Disturbing
I watched an interesting and disturbing television show last night called Dexter. The hero is a serial killer who plies his gruesome trade only upon those who truly deserve such fate. In the singular episode I viewed, his target was a loathesome couple who gained their considerable riches by abusing and killing illegal aliens. Dexter methodically pursued until the evidence was clear. Then he captured the evil criminals and true to his exacting nature tortured them to death. Perhaps mercifully, the camera left details to the imagination, although it was pretty obvious that at least one victim was dismembered. And except for his dark side, throuhout the show Dexter was presented as a sympathetic character. He is like by his colleagues. He works a steady job and does good deeds for others. I guess he is sort of the likeable serial killer next door.
So, why do I find this so disturbing? I think it is because the lines of right and wrong, good and bad, become not just blurred but actually crossed. The viewer is brought to like the anti-hero, to hope he prevails and does not get caught. His dismemberment and murder of such despicable characters is justified. The message is that it is alright to cross the lines of morality and the law if to do so can be justified in your own mind. Is this a dangerous message? Perhaps. I am sure most of us readily recognize the difference between fantasy entertainment and reality. However, I am also sure that most who commit gruesome crimes do so with a sick sense of justice and even righteousness, uncomfortably akin to the mindset of Dexter.
What I think should be done with this show? Obviously CBS is not going to discontinue the show simply because it offends my sense of morality. There is no legal basis to force regulation of violence or corruption. Hypocritically, the censors happily allow Dexter to decaptitate a villian, as long as he or she is fully clothed. And I am convinced that almost all who are involved in producing and presenting any show on television are foremost driven by economics. More than a social statement or insult upon my social sensibilities, Dexter is a vehicle to make money. So if I do not like it, then my most powerful way to shorten it lifespan is to not watch it. And if enough do not watch the show, then it will be canceled, and perhaps replaced by something more morally helpful like....The Simpsons?
Of course, by writing about Dexter I have likely encouraged some to check it out. Should you be a viewer, then perhaps you could help me with a question that emerges: Is the sociopath mostly a victim himself of a life irreparably scarred by bad parenting and overwhelming life events? Or, does he make choices and responses within life for which he should be held accountable?
As I think about this episode, I truly believe there are some persons who approach life with a quite different set of reasoning skills and moral compass. Their minds work in a different manner. Most are not dangerous sociopaths, but rather troublesome persons who make life more difficult and painful for others. And if the minds of such persons are wired so differently, then maybe conventional reasoning and preaching will not work?
Perhaps that will be the subject of a future blog- how to deal with the milder version of Dexter who happens to live next door, sit in the next pew, or gaze at me in the mirror.
03.17.08 (12:19 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
nightbreed (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (10:15 am)
there is a "dexter" in every city and every town in every nation... scary isn't it..
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (10:56 am)
As you'd expect, I love the show and I love, love, love, love the "anti-hero"! In some ways, Dexter's practices a very Yahwehian form of justice ;-)
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (10:58 am)
You wrote:
"As I think about this episode, I truly believe there are some persons who approach life with a quite different set of reasoning skills and moral compass. Their minds work in a different manner. Most are not dangerous sociopaths, but rather troublesome persons who make life more difficult and painful for others. And if the minds of such persons are wired so differently, then maybe conventional reasoning and preaching will not work?"
Hey, thanks for noticing and giving we "troublesome" anti-heroes some love!
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (11:00 am)
I'll send $5 to your church if you feature Doc Savage as an example of the sociopathic blogging anti-hero as the subject of your next blog!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (1:22 pm)
I love the show too. It is actually a Showtime production and I've seen the entire two seasons. The monster within may have been shaped in part by a traumatic episode in his childhood, as viewers new to the show will soon discover.
posted by:
Barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (1:58 pm)
Remember the Executioner books? this guy goes around killing Mafia guys, bad guys you want to see killed, but is he any better than they?
It's the kettle calling the pot black!!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:29 pm)
Reply to: nightbreed
A Dexter in every city? Hopefully it is a milder version this guy. Personally I know "Dexters" who do annoying and even evil things in the names of their own perverted senses of reality and justice. I try to stay away from such persons. The problem- for some reason, the church has more than it's share of them.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:32 pm)
Reply to: docsavage
"Yahwehian form of justice..." I'm coming to believe you are a "recovering ex-Baptist" of the kurtmaddox variety! I'm not sure I can handle two of you around here.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:36 pm)
Reply to: docsavage
Actually, I think of the lady in church who is highly righteous in her own eyes, yet causes much pain for others because she cannot compromise one iota with her plans and her view of the rules. She feels so holy, but in my estimation she is so unloving. She's the "Church Dexter". There are many of them around. Now, let me study you a bit more; consider your comments. If you are quite willing to kill others in the name of your high sense of righteousness, then indeed you are a Dexter. We shall see...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:38 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
And, what was this traumatic episode? Let me guess- he witnessed the gruesome murder of a parent or sibling?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:39 pm)
Reply to: Barnabus1
I'm not familiar with these books, but I do remember the old Charles Bronson movies with the same general theme. Indeed, I remember liking his character.
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (10:29 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Ah, yes, kurtmaddox... what a chump! Oh, my daughter did this and my son did that and I'm all in love and I'm so happy and I want everyone to be so good like me and to be so interesting like my family! Vomit bag please!
Kurtmaddox wishes he were Doc Savage or even had a single ounce of Doc Savage in him. Doc Savage doesn't have the time of day for his type, I assure you!
Maybe he'll drown in his little river! lol! (Gags & vomits!)
posted by:
tarroc (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (12:50 am)
Guten Tag PastorDave.
It is recogonised that people are attracted to the negative.It's what sells.In Social Psycholgy it can even be seen as the Bystander Effect.The approach that " I'd rather not intervene in the whole drama of conflict,so that I can let it steam out" is prety magnetic.It killed one Kitty Genovese four decades ago.There are also two sides of a blade.In terms of balance ,though I think CBS thought this one out accurately.On ethical matters though,maybe it reflects the dynamic character of our world today.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (4:33 am)
I hadn't even heard about this series. Sounds disturbing enough that I don't think I'd subject my psyche to it.
I might get some ideas.
posted by:
ggirl (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (9:57 am)
I have so much to say about this that I think I'll have to write you an email, which you're welcome to cut and paste into comments, if you wish. I just hate to eat up all you comment space, you know.
I find the Dexter character fascinating in the way that it reflects our culture, though I don't exactly see it as you do.
Sending an email, Pastor. In the meantime, have an excellent day.
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (11:18 am)
Reply to: Barnabus1
Yes, but, I bet Dexter liked your last post!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (12:13 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
I don't want to spoil it for anyone watching the series. I don't condone vigilante justice, but Dexter is sick, and if people like him do exist, I'd prefer them focusing on sinister people.
posted by:
nightbreed (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (6:06 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
the punisher comic book series was based on the same consept...
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (6:21 pm)
Really you watched this show..Never would have thought you would even look at it... Iv seen it twice maybe...
