When my brother first told me the premise of Dexter, I thought there was no way I'd be a fan. I'd rather do my laundry than a watch serial killer's dirty work. But one night I was bored, and it was on and of course I watched. I haven't stopped since.
Dexter is a dark character, whose "code" (he only kills killers) keeps him from running amuck in a world of law and order (or in his case the police station where he works). Though his madness should make you dislike him, his strangely lovable.
The Dexter cast of characters is a hoot. Dexter's sister is the epitome of a dirty talking tom-boy. She's full of love for her brother and likely the only person that Dexter truly cares about. Rita (Dexter's girlfriend) is sweet, vulnerable and completely smitten with Dexter despite the fact that she has massive trust issues, two children, and an abusive ex-husband. She definitely seems to have a habit of falling for the "wrong guy".
Though Dexter feigns normal human emotions, he doesn't have the same feelings of love, hate and fear that most people do. Throughout the episodes, we watch as he slowly learns to emulate the reactions of the people around him. It is hysterical to watch him be thoughtful to his girlfriend, say the appropriate sweet-nothings and even the dreaded "I Love you" when he admittedly doesn't know what love feels like. Dexter's attempt to fit into normal society is what makes his character and the show so intriguing. He is a cultural anthropologist and a serial killer packaged up as an attractive forensic specialist (what a plot!). And so far, no one has any clue what his does at night.
For the viewer it's no mystery that he kills... the suspense is in the question: Will he get caught? Watch a few episodes and you likely find that you're actually rooting for him against the "bad guys".
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