Young Jung

Young Jung
Background information
I did my observation on the 40 min segment from the HBO TV show Dexter. The show is
about a Blood splatter Analyst named Dexter that has an alter ego as a serial killer during his free
time. The episode that I am covering episode 12 of season 1 where Dexters sister Debra goes
missing after everyone in the Miami Crime department finds out that the man that she was dating
was a notorious serial killer. This is where Dexter finds out things about himself and his family
and affects in and changes him throughout the TV show.

Figured World: The place and the rules that the people of that location have to follow
The figured world that I am covering is the TV shows Dexter and how a child named
Dexter was born in the blood of his deceased mother and grows up with his foster father Harry
Morgan. When Dexter grows up He works as a blood splatter analyst acting normal during the
day but deep inside is something darker that he needs to fulfill and in order for him to do that he
hunts down criminals that have escaped from the law and kills them. Throughout the show it is
apparent that Dexter is a sociopath that is able to fake emotions and fit in with the outside world
that is known as Miami. But on the inside there is a darker desires that he have to control before
he loses it. While in the outside world Dexter acts normal in the police department and when he
is out with Rita (Dexter's girlfriend) acting like a normal person by doing normal things such as
going out with his work buddies or going out on dates with Rita. This is completely different to
when Dexter is alone in his kill room where social norms seems fly out the window as Dexter
ties people down with plastic wrap and gets very personal with the victim. While breaking social
norms Dexter is also breaking law in Miami by murdering people as well as ordering very strong
sedatives using a false identity as well as using it to knock people out. Some other social norms
that Dexter doesn't seem to follow is that he is always lying to the people that he loves there is no
one that knows about Dexter's double life as well. This is something that Dexter will take to his
grave or is it?

Actors: The people that is apart of the figured world
Dexter Morgan - The main character of the TV show the main protagonist as well as a antagonist
to some of the other characters within the TV show.
Debra Morgan -Debra Morgan is the stepsister of the main character Dexter Morgan and is
usually the motive for Dexter to remain normal and sane throughout the TV series
Harry Morgan - Harry Morgan was the father of Debra Morgan as well as the stepfather of
Dexter Morgan and is the person that teaches Dexter to channel his urges in a more acceptable
way.
Lt. Laguerta - Is the lieutenant of the Miami Police department that watches Dexter though out
this career working for the Miami police department. She persuades people that Dexter is normal
to people that doubt him.
Sgt. Batista - Is one of Dexters friends from work that is actually close to Dexter that depends on
Dexter to help him out with everyday normal issues that he has at home.
Rita Benntt - The girlfriend of Dexters and one of the people that Dexter seems to care about and
depends on to sell that his life is normal to others.
Sgt. Doakes - Is a detective working in the Miami Homicide department that always suspects that
Dexter seems off and that he was hiding something. Later on Doakes finds out about Dexters
secret and tried to pursue Dexter and convict Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher

UNC Student 9/20/2014 6:00 PM
Comment [1]: I think you could give a
little more background information on the
show. I think it would help the reader get
a better grasp on what is going on in the
show. Just some more information about
Dexters relationships or normal activities
would be helpful. (Zack Darnell)
Comment [2]: The background
information provides a lot of good info. I
never would have known what the show
was about without that part. It also gives a
very good description of who Dexter is and
what he does. (Jared Yantosik)
Comment [3]: I like your background
information but I think you could expand it
to show all of the episodes that you are
observing. Right now it just covers the first
observation. I wouldnt even consider it
going above and beyond but something
that needs to be in there. (Andrew Dahl)
Comment [4]: Your summary of the
figured world does a great job of depicting
Dexters double personality. I like how you
gave examples of both sides like saying
how he acts in the police department and
with Rita. Then the example of tying
people up with plastic wrap represents his
other half of his personality. (Jared
Yantosik)
Comment [5]: I liked the way that your
paper peeked my interest in the
show. Your descriptions were well stated
and descriptive. I actually began watching
the show after reading your observations.
(Zack Darnell)
Comment [6]: You do a good job giving
insight into how Dexters mind works. It
helps the reader understand the idea
behind the show. It gives the reader a
viewpoint from which they view all other
aspects of the show. (Zack Darnell)
Comment [7]: I think that giving more
information about the relationship between
Dexter and Harry Morgan would help
people understand Dexter a little
better. How Harry taught him to control
his urges and only use them for
good. Also, how that Harry taught him to
get away with killing. I think it would be
good to add this under Harry Morgan in
the Actors section. ( Zack Darnell)
... [1]
Communities of Practice: groups of people that is usually known as a single group that
group together for a single interest or cause.

The Miami Metro Homicide - They lean about homicide cases and tries to figure out ways to
prevent the murders from happening in the future.

Domain: Is the goal that everyone is trying to achieve.
The domain is to learn the mentality of a killer.

Artifacts: Special things that has meaning in the figured world.
Dexters blood slide collection - The blood slide collection that Dexter has in his air conditioning
unit is a trophy that Dexter collects in order to remind him self about all the evil people that he
is removing from the world. To Dexter this was proof that he was helping the world and that
what he did was morally justified and the right thing that needed to be done.
Dexter tools - Dexters tools are also something that Dexter finds really important to him as a
killer because like most serial killers Dexter has a ritual that involves every tools from his set
that he uses on every victim. These tools are how Dexter differentiates himself from other killers
because this is something special that he only does
Jobs that everyone holds - Everyone holds their job titles very close to him or her in the TV show
Dexter. Dexter relies on his job to cover for him so that no one suspects him as a serial killer.
Also Lt. Laguerta holds her job very close to her as it is evident when someone steps in to take
over her job she loses her cool and throws a tantrum.

Practice of the community: The things that people do that are part of the community of
practice, this is also something that the people of the community believe in.
People trying to understand the mentality of sociopaths and how the function in the normal world
that is known as Miami in the figured world of Dexter.

Literacy Practice: types of communication that people use in the figured world
Police conference - In the police conference meetings the discuss killer and the motives and how
they commit the murders. This is where Dexter finds out about some of his victims to learn about
what type of crimes they committed.
Secret messages - Within the episode that I observed the Ice truck killer would send Dexter
subtle messages that only Dexter would understand. These secret messages are usually target
towards Dexter from another killer to get his attention.
Verbal communication - The characters communicate their ideas between each other through
verbal communication and usually spread some important information through the word of
mouth.
Press conference - The lieutenant usually deals with the press conferences but this is a way that
the Miami police department communicates their finding towards the general public.

Observation 1: Season 1 Episode 12
14:00 mins - Dexter is breaking into a shipping cargo bay in order to find the cargo container that
his mother was murdered in. This is because The Ice Truck Killer sent him a subtle message
through music and pictures to meet him there. While inspecting the cargo container Dexter gets
confronted my sergeant Doakes because he suspects that Dexter is up to something.

Comment [8]: I would like to see a more
interesting layout. Maybe something
easier to read. It seems to much like a
report or paper right now, and the read
wasnt as fluid as I think it could be.
(Andrew Dahl)
Comment [9]: I think that all of your
definitions can be expanded upon. An
example would be for artifacts define what
things mean by giving examples. Another
example would be in domain by defining
who exactly would be achieving the goal
instead of just saying everyone. (Jared
Yantosik)
Comment [10]: I would like to see your
examples of Communities of Practice,
Domain, and Practice of the Community
be as thorough as the rest of the
examples. It would be good to give the
reader more insight into these areas. This
would improve the overall understanding
of the show. (Zack Darnell)
Comment [11]: Great job on the actors
and artifacts. There is plenty of information
there, much more than I put in mine. I
need to expand mine to something along
the lines of this. (Andrew Dahl)
Comment [12]: I think the practices of
the community and domain could use
some revision. The only thing about the
domain is the definition. But in the
practices of the community I would like to
see more and maybe a better way of
presenting what it already there. (Andrew
Dahl)
Comment [13]: I like how all of your
observations go very in depth. I think it
really helps the reader to understand what
the show is about much better. I learned a
lot about a show Ive never watched just
by reading the observations. (Jared
Yantosik)
18:00 mins - Brian (Dexters lost brother) kidnaps Debra Morgan and has her in the trunk of a
car he is trying to lure Dexter in using Debra because she is one of the people that Dexter
actually feels compassion for. Dexter is preoccupied with Debras situation that it interfering
with his police work.

23:30 mins - Dexter notices a doll that is left at the apartment of Brians apartment and knows
that the doll is left for him. On the doll it had the words Home sweet home Dexter is able to
make the connection of a home that he grew up in before he became Dexter Morgan.

29:00 mins - Dexter imagines him and his little brother playing when they were little when he
enters their childhood home this is when he is first confronted by his biological brothers and he
wants Dexter to kill Debra.

33:00 mins - Dexter has a conversation with Brian and learns whats really happens that night. he
learns that since he was 3 Harry took him in because he assumed that it wouldn't affect Dexter
because he was such a young age. But Brian was old enough that he would remember so Harry
left Brian to be taken to a psychiatric ward where he grew up with one goal that was to reunite
with his family aka. Dexter.

38:00 mins - Dexter finds out that he had grown attached to Debra and when Brian tell Dexter to
kill Debra he isn't able to do it and instead he fights back and stops Brian from killing her.
During this time Debra wakes up to see Dexter fighting off Brain but does not see him talking to
him and doesnt know that Brian is Dexters brother. This scene is where the police also show up
and chase after Brian but end up losing him in the end of the chase.

48:00 mins - Dexter is able to get Brian on a table where he can kill him and end his murder
spree. Here Dexter doesn't follow his ritual of drawing blood from the cheek and placing it on a
blood slide. And instead of stabbing a knife through the heart he cuts his throat in order to make
it seem like a suicide. Dexter is very emotional at this point because he had a connection with his
brother but in order to keep Debra save he had to kill him.


6:00 mins - Dexter has Doakes in a cage within a cabin in the woods because he finds out about
Dexters dark secret. One of Dexters stalkers finds Doakes in the cabin and questions Doakes
into telling her about Dexter. After finding out the truth about Dexter she understands that Dexter
is in trouble and decides to kill off Doakes and to get rid of the evidence that links Dexter to the
scene of the crime.

14:00 mins - Dexter is questioning what happened within the crime scene because he knows that
buildings do not randomly combust into flames but that seems to have happen during this
situation. He then thinks of this an extremely lucky moment and has a moment of relief.

20:30 mins - This is when Lt. Laguerta is trying to cope with Doakes being accused as a serial
killer because Laguerta and Doakes have a history together as cops before becoming detectives
and the chief of police for the Miami homicide department. She is still trying to understand the
reasoning bend Doakes killing and is currently in denial.

Comment [14]: I think you should add a
background section or note section to
each observation. It would help to know
some background on each episode that
you observed like what happened in
previous episodes. You could also put a
short description of some important
characters in this section. (Jared Yantosik)

21:30 mins - Dexter is pretending to be surprised that Doakes is the killer after evidence is
collected from the rubble of the cabin in the woods. This is where Dexter has his fake persona as
a geeky lab tech. Here he also learns that this wasn't an accident and that Doakes was murdered
this is where he also knows who is responsible for the death of Doakes.

38:30 mins - Dexter understands that his obsessed stalker is going to go for Ritas kids after
confronting his stalker Dexter understands that she is a problem for Rita and the kids. so he
makes the decision to kill her so that Rita and everyone close toe Dexter can be save.

40:00 mins - Dexter confronts Lila (Dexters stalker) in order to save the kids. She tells Dexter
that she was his soul mate and proceeds to sent the room on fire while trapping Dexter and the
kids inside. He breaks the window to save the kids first but is unable to get out himself. luckily
the fire department arrived and saves Dexter from the flames.

18:00 mins - Dexter is completely avoiding the fact that Rita is now pregnant with Dexters baby
just like a normal human being this is scary to him. This is something that he never thought he
had to go though with having a family that he will provide for.

30;00 mins - Dexter opens up with sgt. Batista and tells him that he is worried and confused
because Rita is pregnant. And Batista embraces Dexter telling him the joys of fatherhood and
that he should be happy and he made his day.

30:30 mins - He starts to daydream of how he will be if he is a father. and he i pushing his own
child on the swing set and notices Rita and her kids in the distance and notices how happy they
could be as a family. But something terrible happens and the day dream becomes a nightmare.
This is where Dexter figures out that he wants a family but he's trying to convince himself that
its not a good idea.
40:30 mins - Dexter is on his way to fulfill his dark desire during the night but Rita knocking at
the door interrupts him. Rita comes in to tell Dexter that she is keeping the child and that she
wants to keep the child with Dexter. He starts to question if he will be a good after or now on the
way to kill someone. I think this is a turning point for Dexter and will affect his outlook on his
whole life.

48:00 mins - Dexter runs into one of the victims family members and the family member thanks
Dexter for killing the killer that killed his brother. This is a start of something new for Dexter
because there is someone that accepts Dexter for his deeds.

Dexter
How do you blend into a social environment?
- After 30 years of hiding behind this mask that I set for myself it gets easy. It becomes a a like a
natural instinct but this is of course if I can satisfy the dark passenger that follows me around.
How do you communicate to others with a fake persona?
- Well I just follow what Harrys code. He taught me how to blend in with normal people he
taught me how to think, how to act, and how speak. I try to follow what Harry taught me and talk
about family and other things that matter to normal people.
Tell me about the relationship between your family.
Comment [15]: I really like your
interview. I personally did not see how it
was possible to interview a character from
a show, as to why I only interviewed a
fellow viewer. But I feel like you did a good
job with it. And also there are more than
one. (Andrew Dahl)
- Right now I have my sister, Debra, and my girlfriend Rita and of course there is Aster and
Cody but those are Ritas kids. Honestly those are the only people that I would do anything for
they are the only ones that I have feeling for.
Explain how your relationship with your sister has changed you.
- After working with my sister and after the situation with Brian I realize she's the only family I
have. I feel like she taught me compassion I'm not sure if thats what I feel for her but its a
emotion I dont know this is all new to me.
How do you think your coworkers view you?
- So far they just see me as the Lab geek Dexter Morgan there hasn't been much questioning
around here. Except Doakes but he didn't stay long enough to reveal what I really am.
Michael C. Hall
How do you prepare to play a sociopath?
- Well there are things that I do such as study how sociopaths act and try to put on a emotionless
face. The key thing that you have to do is remember that the type of sociopath that Dexter is one
that doesnt feel compassion or any emotion for that matter so I try to embody that when playing
as Dexter.
How do the other actors view you after playing this role?
-Most of the time the acting doesn't really affect the relationship between the other actors.
Explain your opinion about Dexter as a character.
- Hmmm, Dexter is an interesting character to say the least. He has this thing about him even
though he's a serial killer there is something that makes him such a lovable character. He's
interesting because even though he's very disturbed character you want that from Dexter because
thats who he is and thats what makes Dexter so entertaining to follow.
Tell me about your first thoughts when they gave you the role of Dexter.
- I was intrigued because before this I played a gay mortician. But the next role was something
completely different because being a sociopath isn't something that as humans we fully
understand but I had to personify that through Dexter and I knew as a actor if I can play a gay
mortician I can play a sociopathic serial killer

Young Jung

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