Madison McCulloch

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  So here it goes, I have an addiction. Don’t worry, Mom it’s not drugs or alcohol. I am addicted to Dexter. As a self proclaimed TV addict, I can fairly say that this show is the best I’ve seen in years.

For those who haven’t heard of the Showtime series, and if you haven’t you are really missing out, the show is about a man named Dexter Morgan. He was adopted by a cop after being found in the middle of a crime scene. Early on his dad, Harry, notices psychopathic tendencies in the young boy. Harry decides to teach him how to kill so he won’t get caught and instil in his son a moral code that ensures Dexter only kills those who have escaped justice. His main targets are murders.

Michael C. Hall plays Dexter to perfection. He does not feel remorse or love but makes every attempt to look human to the outside world. What makes the show so clever is the running commentary the audience hears of Dexter’s thoughts.  The comic relief is much appreciated after numerous bloody crime scenes.

This show, although entertaining, has sparked many debates between my fellow Dexter addicts. Is what he does expectable? How is it any different than the death penalty? As a person who is opposed to capital punishment you might be surprised to find that I agree with what Dexter does.  I find myself hoping that Dexter doesn’t get caught. The man is so damn lovable!

Years ago I came to the conclusion that it is worse punishment for a person to rot in jail than have the sweet release of death and I still stand by my opinion. During a heated conversation with a Dexter fan she brought up the point that two wrongs don’t make a right. Killing a killer does not justify your action. A valid point but in the year 2003, the most recent information available on Stats Canada, 105 people were convicted of homicide. The median length of those prison sentences was seven years. Which means murders would be roaming the streets due to a faulty justice system.

Is Dexter a hero for cleaning up the streets or just as horrible as the people he murders? This moral dispute is one to ponder and while you do I’m off to watch Dexter. I think I’m beginning to go through withdrawal.