Dexter

Dexter is a brilliant show that is a cut above standard TV shows on every level. The production is well-done, from the creepy solo violin theme, to the acting, the story, the dark humour, as well as incorporating crime drama into the show. But the show goes even deeper, looking intensely into the psyche of Dexter, and what it means to be a moral killer. Is there such a thing?

The first insight into killing the show explores is that of nature versus nurture. Dexter experiences events early in his life that trigger natural genetic urges to kill - but he is raised by a good cop to release these urges in a constructive way, by killing only bad people and knowing how to not get caught. By the end of the first season Dexter has a choice to release his inner killer, to be free and not confined by ideas of 'goodness', or stay to the code with which he was raised. (spoiler) Dexter chooses to stay good, by not killing his 'fake' sister through adoption, but instead killing his murderous blood brother. He sacrifices a brother that he could truly connect with, for a sister that he is close to caring about (if he could). (end spoiler)

The second insight is the issue of whether it is right to kill people at all, ever. A pre-law friend I was talking to said how she hated the show because it tells people that killing is good. But these aren't innocent people - they are evil people, and some people have done such bad things that a Biblical eye-for-an-eye form of justice would be embraced by the families of victims and the rest of society. As well, there are numerous incidences where Dexter has a chance to prevent someone from dying, in which he becomes a sort of avenger. For example, a gang leader named Little Chino murders people who give information about his gang, and Dexter was able to 'intervene' before a child was next. This also happened in the most recent episode where a car salesman was zeroing in on a new single female friend to rape and kill.

Dexter proclaims that he cannot really care about anyone in this world and has no feelings, the typical symptoms of a psychopath. But the show repeatedly shows evidence to the contrary. He constantly makes sacrifices to be closer to his girlfriend Rita. He has an awareness of morality, to help the good and kill the bad. And he reflects on the death of his mother with great sorrow and angst. The closest Dexter is to being mentally unhealthy is having multiple personalities, because it seems the only time when he's cold and calculating is when he's about to kill. It's strange because Dexter fits the bill as a moral killer - most people seem to think he's good (about 85% according to the promo site that asks if he is good/evil), yet if he lived in real society there would be a need to categorize him as mentally unhealthy.