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Running Head: DEXTER

Dexter the Serial Killer

Jordan A. Thayer
Madonna University

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Abstract

When is the last time that you watched a TV show that had blown you away?
What were some of the qualities of that show that made it so exceptional? To me, a show
must have excitement and moral arguments. You need to be at the edge of your seat with
nervousness and also wondering why the characters made that life choice. Showtimes
TV series Dexter has that all. One episode is about blood, guts, and gore and the next is
an in depth hour inside the mind of a serial killer. A rollercoaster of emotions that won
four straight Primetime Emmy nominations for Best Drama.

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Dexter the Serial Killer

Thrilling, nail-biting, suspenseful All adjectives to describe the Netflix series

aired by Showtime, called Dexter. The main character, Dexter, was adopted by a police
officer, Harry Morgan, who was called to the scene of a bloody crime where Dexters
mother was brutally murdered in front of him. Dexter now works with a police
department in Miami, Florida as a blood spatter pattern analyst helping to solve crimes.
Although he may seem like a normal citizen, Dexter himself is a vigilante serial killer
who murders the lowlife people who slip through the cracks of the justice department.
Harry realized at a young age that Dexter had a passion for killing and helped channel
Dexters urges in a constructive way.
When thinking of great TV shows, they all have two common criteria that make it
exceptional. The first criterion is that the show must be exciting. Merriam-Webster
(2015) states that excitement causes feelings of interest and

We need your
enthusiasm. Whendefinition, not the
dictionary's

watching a show, it has to be interesting. There has to be some aspect of the program that
you like or can relate to. Also, you should be enthusiastic about the show. Meaning you
should care what happens next and eager to see. A great show has me sitting on the edge
of my seat, taking in every aspect of the situation at hand. Also, every episode
grabbing
As is
you've
defined it I
can't tell the

my attention. There should never be a point in the show that I get bored or want
to turn it between one
difference
show or another,that is
comedy
or drama both
off other than complete exhaustion. Excitement is one aspect that a great TVa show
must
could be interesting
but they are completely
have.
different in so many
ways. What is
The second criterion that makes a TV show exceptional is a moral argument.
'interesting' anyways?

Morals are defined by Merriam-Webster (2015) as what you think is right or wrong
human behavior. When there is a moral argument in a TV show, it allows for the

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audience to relate to the show better. It shows that the characters arent perfect and even
in a scripted TV show, people make mistakes. Also, moral arguments are made towards a
higher power; whether someone believes in the existence of a God. The Christian faith
Need a clearer
explanation here
believes in the 10 Commandments, or the Laws of God. These laws are set up so people

can follow them and live a morally correct life. Moral arguments and excitement are two
criteria that an exceptional TV show must possess to be considered great.
The Netflix episode, Dexter, has all the qualities of an exciting TV show. First,
it is about a police department, blood spatter pattern analyst, and a serial killer. There are
many exciting aspects that people can relate to like crime and drama. Dexter has many
plot twists throughout each season and episode also. This means that anything could
happen like a flip of the switch. Murder is in every episode, but who gets murdered is
what keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. The episodes also never seem to
become boring. As soon as you think you know what will happen, something goes
Unclear why the murder
oftrying
his to
wife
terribly wrong. For example, a serial killer that Dexter was tracking and
kill is
exciting unless you
connect excitement in
murders Dexters wife. Something completely unexpected and a gut wrenching.
These
your definition
to
unexpectations

are just some examples of what makes Dexter an exciting TV episode.

A moral argument is going on every single episode in Dexter. As Dexter started

to grow up, Harry noticed that Dexter was not normal. He would experiment on
neighborhood animals and was very socially awkward. Dexter didnt know how to blend
into society because he didnt know what correct behavior was. The traumatic event that
Dexter witnessed at such a young age scarred him in ways that couldnt be fixed. So
Harry decided to implement his own type of 10 Commandments. Dexters adopted father
taught him Harrys Code. This code taught Dexter how to be a serial killer without

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getting caught. Harry taught Dexter to only kill the worst of criminals that would slip
through the justice system such as child molesters, mob assassins, and serial killers who
hurt innocent people. As the seasons go on, you can witness Dexter change as a serial
killer. He no longer gets the enjoyment from the kill that he use to. Dexter starts to
become more human and develops actual feelings.
One major battle that Dexter experiences throughout the seasons is his own moral
blindnesss. The only family that Dexter has left is his sister, Deborah. With her help,
Dexter learns to stop lying in ways that hurt his family and put them in danger. These
moral blindnesss help the audience experience the flaws that Dexter has. It also helps the
audience to experience the battle that Dexter has to become a better version of himself for
his family. These moral arguments that are experienced in Dexter make this TV show
great.
From murder to love, the TV series Dexter is a great show. It is great because of
the excitement and moral arguments that set it apart from all other TV shows. You may
be crying on minute, to screaming at your TV the next. A great show that you can witness
actual changes in the characters and even give insight into your own life.

A good draft. Check my markings.

I tried to emphasize the need to
make your criteria clear in each
case.
The next step it to explicitly
state how your description connects
to the criteria. Shall we talk?
B

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Reference Page

Merriam-Webster. (2015). Exciting. Retrieved 4 February 2016 from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exciting
Merriam-Webster. (2015). Moral. Retrieved 4 February 2016 from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/morals