Op-Eds Opinion

Dexter Embarks on Sixth Season

Matt Vaghi

Graphic Designer

A year after the unforeseen departure of the beloved Lu­men, perhaps the only character who truly understood Dexter’s “dark passenger,” Showtime’s raved serial killer show Dexter returns for its sixth season.

As with most of the sea­sons, this one begins fresh and introduces a new cast of vil­lains that Dexter hopes to ul­timately have sprawled out on his kill table. A Miami Metro blood spatter analyst by day and moonlighting vigilante serial killer by night, Dexter Morgan remains one of TV’s most oddly compelling charac­ters.

Season six takes a new ap­proach by having the role of re­ligion, specifically Christianity, serve as the season’s overarch­ing theme. The main antago­nists are two radical Christians (portrayed by Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks), who are referred to as “The Dooms­day Killers,” they utilize Biblical texts, specifically the Book of Reve­lation, as the base all their killings. They believe that the Apocalypse is coming and leave signs of this belief at the crime scenes of their vic­tims.

As Dexter becomes inter­ested in these murders, he be­gins to piece parts together in hopes of ultimately sinking his knife into these serial killers to end their killing spree. He also begins to contemplate his own faith, particularly through the inspiration of Brother Sam, a new character played by Mos Def, who is able to connect with Dexter on an inconceiv­able level.

Thus far, the season has been up to par with previous ones. Without spoiling any­thing, there have been several new wrinkles in the Miami Police department including promotions, new partnerships, new hires and even some in­terns. Additionally, Dexter’s son, Harrison, is starting to grow older. Although view­ers croon at his innocence and adorableness, they also mull over whether or not he will grow up with his father’s “dark passenger.”

On a lighter note, there is a significant increase in the amount of humor used compared to prior seasons. Dexter has evolved into more of a dark “dramedy” (compo­nents of both drama and com­edy). In particular, Quinn (Des­mond Harrington) and Batista (David Zayas) provide doses of comic relief that are juxta­posed by the grim Doomsday murders.

Michael C. Hall continues to portray the character of Dexter fabulously and teeters with our emotions as we feel obligated to empathize but also criticize his actions. As the end of Dexter’s airtime forbid­dingly looms in the back of our minds, the quintessential ques­tion remains potent: what will ultimately happen to Dexter? Will he ever be caught and re­vealed for who he truly is? It is a thought that is beginning to become more and more promi­nent as the seasons continue to roll out.

After being nominated countless times for Prime­time Emmy and Golden Globe awards, season six looks to be in the forefront once again. It remains one of the most lucra­tive and alluring shows on TV right now and continues to of­fer viewers a compelling, dark, odd, amusing and thought-pro­voking narrative.

Matt Vaghi may be reached at mvaghi@springfieldcollege.edu

Leave a Reply