Dexter : Investigating Cutting Edge Television

Investigating Cult TV

by Douglas L. Howard (editor)

Based upon the successful Jeff Lindsay novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Showtime’s Dexter continues to raise the bar on television drama, as it chronicles the grisly exploits of a police blood spatter expert who moonlights as a serial killer. But unlike other serial killers, Dexter only kills the bad guys, a distinction that sets up one of the primary ethical conflicts of the show. For fans who want to delve deeper into the fascinating complexity of this hit show, this guide offers a wide range of topics that will give bloggers, tweeters, and aspiring spatter experts a lot to talk about.
Includes:

• A complete episode guide to the first three seasons

• An exclusive interview with Darkly Dreaming Dexter author Jeff Lindsay

•  A world-class group of critics offering the first lively investigation of the show’s issues

• Chapters on Dexter as a vigilante hero, Dexter and psychoanalysis, the politics of Dexter, the German "obsession" with Dexter, and much more

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at Dexter the TV show, and I'd recommend it to anyone who's interesting in looking at their favourite TV shows in more detail than just on screen. Particularly liked the deconstruction of the opening sequence. (genius!). ethics of a serial killer, and the humour in Dexter with a slight comparison to Dexter's Laboratory. The book only covers seasons 1 through 3; I can't wait for additional material to be published on season 4.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is totally for the literary philosophical dork in every Dexter fan. I found the analysis in it to be very interesting and was pleased to find that it touched on many of the things that I have thought about myself. Add to that my love for anything Dexter and we pretty much have a winning combination!

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly excellent collection of essays, just 3 that left me cold, which is an excellent ratio in a book of this sort.

I particularly recommend Howard's own essay, the collaboration between Stacey Abbott and Simon Brown on the art of splatter, and Michele Byers accomplished and insightful reading of neoliberal values in the series.