Dexter: The First Season | 
| Directors: Michael Cuesta, Tony Goldwyn
Actors: Michael C. Hall, Erik King, James Remar, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter
Studio: Showtime Ent. / Paramount
List Price: $39.98
Buy Used: $14.98
as of 3/19/2010 18:49 CDT details
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Rating:  515 reviews
Sales Rank: 461
Format: AC-3, Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 650 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.5
MPN: 851364
UPC: 097368513648
EAN: 0097368513648
ASIN: B000Q6GUW0
Theatrical Release Date: November 2006
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Movie DVD
Amazon.com
An interesting and original idea that's very skillfully executed, Showtime's Dexter is never less than watchable, often quite compelling, and sometimes thoroughly riveting. As the 12 episodes from the show's first season (packaged here in a four disc set) reveal, it's also the epitome of "high concept," a kind of Silence of the Lambs for the C.S.I. generation. Creator-executive producer James Manos Jr.'s title character, one Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall of Six Feet Under renown), works for the Miami Police Department as an blood spatter analyst, visiting crime scenes and helping figure out what happened. He has an avocation, too: during his off hours, he tracks down some very, very bad people who for various reasons have eluded the proper authorities. Seems his adoptive father, a cop himself, taught the kid how to channel his dark side in a "positive" direction; and so, having captured these evildoers (including a child molester-murderer and a recidivist drunk driver with a trail of bodies in his wake), Dex dispatches them with clinical precision, thus making him a serial killer who snuffs serial killers. But there's more--much more, as it turns out. By his own description, Dexter is "a monster," an empty shell who fakes all human interactions and admits to no real feelings for anything or anyone, including his foster sister (Jennifer Carter) and his nominal girlfriend (Julie Benz), a former crack addict and battered spouse who's as uninterested in sex as he is. There's an explanation for Dexter's weirdness, of course, one so deep and traumatic that even he isn't aware of it. It's gradually revealed over the course of the season as he and the cops (who include Erik King, Lauren Velez, and David Zayas, all first-rate) track down the so-called "Ice Truck Killer," a fellow monster whose grisly m.o. both fascinates and taunts our hero, leading to a genuinely shocking and squirm-inducing finale. Dexter can be a bit arch, with an ironic, too-hip-for-the-room tone that get a little old. Still, it's a safe bet that anyone who views this first season will be salivating for the second. Extras include audio commentary on two episodes, a featurette about real-life blood spatter analysis, and a variety of DVD-ROM items. --Sam Graham Beyond Dexter 
More TV Head-cases on DVD | 
The Book that Started It All | 
More from Showtime | Stills from Dexter: The First Season (click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 515
 I was hooked from the first episode March 18, 2010
James Duckett (St. George, Utah)
I love a good, entertaining, smart show. I had heard people commenting on Dexter and how brilliant it was and thought I would check it out for myself.
I did have some concerns because I usually am not a fan of anti-hero stories. However, most anti-hero stories drive me nuts because I can't stand selfish people. So, I thought I would get into this series and be turned off by Dexter -- a serial killer -- and then end up abandoning the series knowing I at least gave it a fair shot.
Boy, was I wrong! Dexter isn't selfish; well, he is no more selfish than most "normal" people, anyways. One of the first scenes was Dexter catching a man who had murdered a handful of kids and before Dexter killed him he said that, while he was also a killer, he at least had standards. I found that interesting.
But it isn't just standards. What I find intriguing is that Dexter kills to saves lives. Before he kills somebody they must fit a certain code that is distilled on Dexter from his adopted father, Harry. The code both protects Dexter as well as makes the streets of Miami safer for everybody. So this is more than vengeance as Dexter won't go after somebody who is not likely to kill somebody else again. Dexter is a proactive protector of the streets.
What also fascinates me is his relationship with other people. Dexter is, despite his intentions, a serial killer himself. And he is concerned that he has an inability to connect with other people, or relate to them, or to experience true feelings of emotion. But part of "Harry's Code" is that he needs to hide in plain sight. He must act the part of being a normal person while being far from normal so as not to cast suspicion on himself. Therefore, he has a girlfriend who is just as damaged as he is, but that actually works best for him. His sister swears like a sailor and his co-workers are just as kookie as Dexter is on his worst day. One characters I really, really liked was Sgt. Doakes who sees through Dexter's facade. Doakes knows there is something wrong with Dexter but doesn't know to the full extent what that something is. Side note: that does get resolved in season 2. (I spent the last two weeks enjoying the first four seasons)
But here is what I found the most interesting about Dexter. Dexter does not kill others because he enjoys it. He does it because he has a built-in need for violence. The first season does a good job of exploring this need and where it comes from, but he channels this need in order to do ultimate good instead of just going out and doing it for fun, which is what separates him from his victims. So what I found is that there seems to be a little Dexter in all of us. We all have our imperfections and I love how Dexter handles his. Not in a so much a selfish way, but in a way that helps other people and those he cares about. And, yes, despite his lack of real emotional experiences, he really does care for those around him.
Anyways, this isn't for the weak of heart. There is a lot of blood, a lot of killing, a lot of swearing, and some nudity. If you can stomach that, then you may find this series as fresh and invigorating as I did.
In this first season, we are quickly introduced to the characters that make up the show and those involved in Dexter's life. Each season has a story arch and in this one Dexter is helping to track down a serial killer named the Ice Truck Killer. As Dexter gets closer and closer to him he starts realizing that the Ice Truck Killer may be more closely connected to Dexter than he originally thought.
Of the four seasons, I think this one was actually my favorite, even though I give the entire series a 5 out of 5 stars.
 Disgusting March 12, 2010
Paul R. Reilly
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is not a nice program. There is nothing about it to enjoy. Dexter, the main character, has the eating manners of a dog and is disgusting to watch.
The acting is below the level you see in High School plays and the story lines are even lower quality. If this program is what America is about, we are in trouble.
Usual smooth amazon transaction March 10, 2010
Kathleen Cooney
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
this DVD set arrived more quickly that I anticipated. It was new and I loved the story. I bought all 3 seasons. I will buy the 4th, when it becomes available. thanks, amazon.
 boing March 5, 2010
beth (nh)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
thought the show was rather boring...not very "edge of my seat". definitly an original show idea i must say! i prefer, by a high mark, criminal minds...
Only series I have ever bought March 3, 2010
J. S. Gilman (Vermont)
I am not into series and will not buy series, but I bought this one. The only other series I have ever boughten is Band of Brothers and that was really a mini-series.
This is good stuff. It is intelligent, sarcastic, sexy, vulnerable, justifiable and you laugh at the narrative and some of the dry humor that goes on. There are very contrasting characters set up. A good guy serial killer series basically in a nutshell.
I watched the second series too and enjoyed that enough to buy the 3rd season.
For me, I rent other movies on the weekend and when I was watching the 2nd season, I would not take the time to watch my rented movies because I wanted to watch Dexter instead. It will suck when I run out of episodes to watch.
Highly recommended.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 515
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