Dexter Morgan is the affable if sometimes slightly distant blood spatter analyst of the Miami Metro PD. He's also a serial killer, though one who follows a strict set of rules about who he murders: all his targets are killers themselves.
These targets aren't chosen out of sentiment, though. Dexter has uncontrollable urges. He has to kill someone, and these are simply the safest targets. This is a rule instilled in him by his deceased foster father Harry, who also taught Dexter the best techniques to avoid detection: something the older man knew since he was himself a police officer. Dexter has kept his homicidal life a secret from everyone other than Harry, including all his colleagues, his foster sister Debra and his girlfriend, Rita.
As you might imagine, Dexter's life is pretty complicated. And it's going to get moreso with the arrival of Miami's latest serial killer, the macabre "Ice Truck Killer", who seems to know all about Dexter's secret activities ...
These days, I suspect Dexter is mostly remembered for its notoriously disappointing eighth season and bizarre lumberjack ending. But re-watching season one for the first time since it originally aired, I was impressed by how well the show establishes and maintains its rather far-fetched premise and narrative. While I'd certainly hesitate to use the word "realistic", the writers make it feel at least plausible, no doubt helped by strong performances across the cast.
A show has to be doing something right to get an eight year run, and if you're at all intrigued by the premise, season one of Dexter is most likely worth your time.
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