Bozell Column: Jesus Is Not a Serial Killer
This fall, the Showtime movie channel will air its sixth season of "Dexter," their show glorifying a just serial killer. They recently finished a fourth season of a show called "Californication," which debuted in 2007 with a dream sequence in which the lead character receives oral sex from a nun in a church. So it might seem surprising (or....perhaps not) that Showtime's new promotional package for the fall wraps Showtime characters around...Christianity. The new slogan is "Showtime Saves."
The low point in this perverse campaign is the visuals of the murderous Dexter character with golden-sunshine rays of holiness. Their St. Dexter the Just Serial Killer routine matches the trailer for Season Six, in which Dexter beats in the head of a man with a Jesus tattoo on his chest. This Christian (smirk, sniff) killed his wife rather than undergo a messy divorce, which makes Dexter the righteous judge and jury. Before he's whacked with a hammer, the wife-killer screams "God is a mighty fortress! And I have been washed in the blood of the Lamb! And He will protect me!"
In Hollywood, or at least at the CBS Corporation, which owns Showtime, it seems the only good Christian is a dead, hypocritical Christian.
As the website MediaReallyMatters.com proclaimed to CBS: "the God you describe is not the benevolent and loving God millions of us know and worship - and your sacrilegious promotions twisting his words to promote your lowlife shows are not at all clever or funny to millions
of Americans."
The trailer also features clips of Dexter with the soundtrack of the old Depeche Mode pop song about "your own personal Jesus, someone to hear your prayers, someone who cares." Next to blood splatters, the red text on screen reads "This fall, he'll make you a believer."
Underneath the official Showtime promotional video on YouTube, it promises "Get ready for the most rapturous season yet." While that pop song lyrically proclaims "reach out and touch faith," that's not exactly what "Dexter" is about. In Season 2, Dexter proudly proclaimed his atheism in a narration at a church: "If I believed in God -- If I believed in sin -- this is the place where I'd be sucked straight to Hell... if I believed in Hell."
In a second Showtime promo, as the Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah" plays, Dexter walks past religious statues, including the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and wonders (or teases): "Maybe it's not a need, but a calling. After all, I rid the world of evil people. If they didn't exist, neither would I. Is it possible I serve a higher purpose?"
At that point, the camera frames Dexter with angel wings behind him. It is blatant anti-Christian (and especially anti-Catholic) bigotry. And for those at Showtime with the smug looks on their faces, allow me to show what cowards you are: never in a million years would you mock the prophet Mohammed like this.
Showtime is taking their pseudo-biblical slogans on the road. Take "Comic-Con," the annual comics and popular art convention in San Diego, which has become quite a marketing event for TV programming.
Their slogans are splashed across buses and splattered in convention programs. The "Dexter" slogan was "Do Unto Others." That's a bad case of turning the Golden Rule upside down.
Over at "Californication" the slogan is "Love One Another." When you're on a roll mocking Jesus Christ, you're on a roll. But then, from the beginning, this show was never religious. In fact, the lead character Hank Moody's fictional novel, titled "God Hates Us All," was turned into an actual novel (complete with the character's byline) and published by CBS-owned Simon & Schuster in 2009.
The show "Weeds" is about a suburban mom moonlighting as a crooked marijuana dealer. Here's their slogan: "Glory in the Highest." The seventh season began with Nancy the Pot Dealer getting out of prison, and her cellmate (and lesbian lover) Zoya gave her a key to the trunk of a car. In the trunk were explosives which Zoya stole from her brother. Nancy sells them to the brother for marijuana. So much for glory, or prison rehabilitation.
And the new series "Shameless," about a "fearlessly twisted, absolutely, wildly, unapologetically shameless" dysfunctional family, drew the motto "Feel the spirits within you." This is probably a reference to the alcoholic single-dad lead character, who’s often drunk and therefore not caring for his six children, which in the real world constitutes felonious abandonment, but on Showtime it's a subplot.
You think of the hundreds upon hundreds of people involved in this Showtime enteprise - the actors, producers, promotional and marketing staff, the blue-suit executives in New York, the advertising agencies. And of those hundreds and hundreds, not one will stand up to defend Our Lord? How sad.
- Brent Bozell's blog
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Comments
I will repeat again...
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:05am.
...Just turn it off, but if I may add... call up these networks and TELL THEM why you are turning them off.
If enough of us stop watching THE NETWORKS ALTOGETHER (not just the specific shows on the networks), advertisers will get the hint, and so will the networks. Then we'll see what these Manhatten blue suits do next.
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
Yes you can also join Mr Bozells PTC
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:21am.
...........which does exactly as you suggest.
They have been super successful on getting shows they don't like off the air so far.
Shawn...right on cue
Submitted by sentry_99 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:37am.
To bring up the PTC.....again.
Ah come on sentry
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:48am.
Dumbcanuck is suggesting doing exactly what the PTCs objective is. I guess deep down I am afraid of the PTC and If they were taken seriously more and more shows I like will be yanked or watered down, so for now l like to enjoy how little influence they have.
Do shows ever get
Submitted by Boudin on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:56am.
To violent or permissive for you? Where is your line?
That is not a yes or no answer
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:06am.
Dexter is a Cable show so that is different. Shows like Saw are disgusting to me. I hate most torture genre movies.
We know shawn
Submitted by sentry_99 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:01am.
nuff said
Okay
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:10am.
Okay. Just don't forget how much power and influence the PTC had after the Janet Jackson nipple. The airwaves were afraid to put anything good on tv.
Oh and Dumbcanuck.
Submitted by shawn. on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:51pm.
You had better get to work on your letter writing campaign because the vast majority of Amazon reviews gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
He's not?
Submitted by JackandMarilyn on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:36am.
Who even hinted that He is? How many murderers and serial killers have claimed to have killed in the name of the Lord? I guess I can see why you might be upset by someone screwing a nun, but what might be inside Dexter's head is what drives him to kill, perhaps even the confusion over his own misguided faith. But it's fiction. Why not Mohammed? Gee whiz, you think maybe it's cuz Mohammed means nothing to most Americans? Also to add--------------the Gaypeche Mode song is titled "Personal Jesus." And doesn't Leonard Cohen have a beautiful voice? I could listen to him sing the alphabet. Weeds shouldn't even belong in this story. Obviously you've missed every episode dating back to the first season, otherwise you'd know the main character isn't just moonlighting as a pot dealer, she's a full time drug kingpin. But you might be right---------would have been a good way to end the series----------she gets out of prison rehabilitated. Story over. Why? Because the show is called WEEDS. No weed, no story. No comment on Shameless. Although I also wonder what it has to do with the title "Jesus is Not a Serial Killer."
J&M
Submitted by sentry_99 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:16am.
You missed the point.....by a mile. I'd attempt to explain it to you but based on the incoherence of your post, it wouldn't do any good.
99
Submitted by JackandMarilyn on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:34am.
Aren't you just a wealth of knowledge!
Depends JM
Submitted by sentry_99 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:36am.
Compared to you, that would be just about everyone.
JandM ? A little gender
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:03pm.
JandM ? A little gender confusion perhaps?
I'm Speechless!
Submitted by NC Boy on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:39am.
But not wordless. I didn't even know this show existed. So many of us have tuned out the networks and cable entertainment. It's fine for us to stay away from this pollution, but there are consequences when our fellow citizens are feeding on this stuff every day. I don't know how this story will end . . .
Me too!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:52am.
This show is in its 6th season? Never knew it existed. Pathetic.
We cancelled HBO and Showtime in our house 15? years ago, glad we did.
Let me start by saying that, I am a Christian.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:46am.
Probably not a great Christian, but I believe in Jesus Christ and what He stands for.
I also believe in our Constitution and ALL of it's amendments. If someone wants to mock Christians, let'em have at it. Jesus, and Christians can take it and do just fine. If we can survive all of the "evangelical" preachers who rob from everybody in the name of Jesus, we can surely survive these idiots who mock us in fictional TV shows.
Dexter is a great TV show. It is about a stone cold killer who doesn't even pretend to be a Christian. That beats the hell out of real life politicians who pretend to be "good people" who will screw anything they can get their hands on (do I really need to list them all?).
If the show bothers you, or you want to make a statement, turn it off, stop buying from any sponsors, boycott, or do anything else you think is proper.
Mr. Bozell did what he does so well. He wrote this blog stating his opinion.
So don't whine, bitch, moan, or complain about Christians being shown in a bad light. After all, we know who is going to hell. As my momma used to say, "Sooner or later, God will get you if you're bad."
He does make one really great point; these chicken Shiite TV writers and producers would NEVER mock Islam this way. They don't have the stones to do that, or the inclination. That's really funny, because they have more to fear from those they don't have the nerve to mock than from Christians whom they do mock. They' will find that our too late, I'm afraid.
Sooner or later God's gonna get you.
Submitted by Red Jeep on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:55am.
That could be the start of a good song.
It would definitely be a country song!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:59am.
.
where you boys been?
Submitted by Rackie on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 1:07pm.
http://www.last.fm/music/Blondie/_/One+Way+Or+Another
You can bet your sweet a$$ ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 2:55pm.
... I haven't been listening to any stations that would play Blondie!
Besides she's talking about she's "gonna get you." With enough to drink, and getting close to closing time, that might be interesting, but otherwise, nah.
It's not really a good point...
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:04am.
I'm tired of everyone saying "they wouldn't make fun of Muhammad that way"... it wouldn't make sense! It almost never would. Almost all shows, movies, music, comics, literature, etc. coming from the US include Christian imagery and the like because we are a predominantly Christian nation!
The viewers/readers/listerners have a frame of reference. And with predominantly white characters, it would make sense that they'd be dealing with issues involving Christianity. Take, Dexter, for instance. He probably went to church as a kid-his family was probably Christian of some stripe, practicing or no... so he has a relationship with Christianity, positive or not. That's why it only make sense for him to have a Christian frame of reference.
Obviously, I can't make this assumption about ALL media-but almost every time someone has invoked the "they-wouldn't-say-that-about-Muslims" argument on this site, it would not have made any sense contextually.
Anyway, I understand being offended by the use of Christian imagery and phrases to sell shows you don't jive with ethically-but don't make the claim that they're only using Christianity because they're too scared to make fun of Islam. They're using Christian imagery and phrasing because that's what most of America knows.
Anyway . . .
Submitted by NC Boy on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:40am.
When the Muslims become the majority, this won't be an issue. No one will WANT to offend Allah or his Prophet. Instead, they will WANT to stay alive.
Well let's give a try before
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:06pm.
Well let's give a try before we dismiss it. Maybe something about mohammed runs a kiddie porn ring.
well...
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:54pm.
if you can work that story line into any current narrative, more power to you. Maybe I just need more context...
Though I also wanted to add
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:11am.
That I agree with everything else you said... I, too, am a Dexter fan AND a Catholic
Dexter is a good show. I
Submitted by redfish on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:07pm.
Dexter is a good show. I disagree with the views of the writers, who have suggested things in interviews like everyone secretly wants to be like Dexter, but its too hard to do right so we don't do it. Or, that we have impulses that we can't control (although though in the books this is explained by a malevolent spirit controlling him). They're also clearly writing from a liberal perspective -- there was an episode which promoted euthanasia. But the writers have a right to their opinion, and that doesn't bother me.
What bothers me is the marketing and promotion, which is downright sleazy. The ads Mr. Bozell talks about here are a good example. "The most rapturous season yet". "Dexter saves". Come on.
Its also clear that Showtime's whole programming slate is very progressively oriented, I don't know if that suggests a bias problem at the network or not. It may be just an indication of the fact their shtick gets ratings.
It's not at all
Submitted by okie-pastor on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:46am.
It's not at all surprising:
"but mark this, there will be terrible times in e last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, Boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to parents, Ungrateful, unholy, Without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, Not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -having a form of Godliness but denying it's power. HAVE NOTHING TO WITH SUCH PEOPLE.". They are the kind who worm their way into homes And gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires. Always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth". - 2 Timothy 3:1 - 7
"woe unto them who call good evil and evil good, who put light for darkness and darkness for light, bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." - Isaiah 5:20
What is this "Showtime"
Submitted by HockeyKid on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:15am.
of which you speak?
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Turn off the TV and the
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:08pm.
Turn off the TV and the sponsors, easy enough
Dexter's great and certainly
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:19pm.
Dexter's great and certainly one of my favorite TV series.
I've always found it deals with emotion, and Dexter's perceived lack thereof, than any particularly religious themes.
That and VENGEANCE against bad people who go after the innocent.
That's pretty therapeutic for us coach potatoes. Watching Dexter's character arc has been fun.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
I like Dexter too...
Submitted by adamsmith on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:24pm.
I'm a Catholic and have watched every episode from the beginning. It's got some of the best writing on TV. As someone above had written, Brent's got a point with some of the advertising for the new season. I got it, but didn't think it's overly objectionable. Not to me anyway. There's a lot worse out there, particularly Bill Maher or that Communist who writes "Family Guy"....They outright target Christians and Catholics. I'm assuming Dexter will stay much the same as it's been, and hopefully they get off the God kick they seem to be on. His atheism has never been objectionable to me. Dexter doesn't strike me as a guy that would want "God" off of our money. He's too busy trying not to get caught cutting up rapists and murderers. Well, just murderers I guess. Looking forward to the new season...
As a quick aside though....I used to watch that show "Californication" with David Duchovny. A LOT of it was pretty eyebrow raising before, enough that I wouldn't invite my mom(76 years old) over to watch. It was getting to be embarrassing to watch with her in my presence. The last few episodes of that were so filthy and vile, I vowed not to watch any of the new season which starts I think in January. That show went from pretty racy to outright disgusting, and I am certainly no prude. "Dexter" is studying the Catechism compared to that Sodom/Gomorrah fest.
Surely the whole six seasons
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 8:12am.
Surely the whole six seasons of Dexter have been about his gradual realization that he does have a "soul" when both he and his dad assumed he did not.
I have never even been aware of religion as a major theme.
In the PILOT, in the first 15 minutes he dispatches a TEACHER who has raped and murdered young boys.
I don't think we were meant to assume that all teachers were pedophile killers.
Seriously, I am as appalled as anyone at the easy Christaphobia assumed by most leftists, who will defend ANY religion whilst attacking Christianity.
Maybe the cuddly serial killer Dexter is not your cup of tea -- but that should be on other grounds than this one.
It's a stretch.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
So Long, Dexter
Submitted by WhatTheHuh on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:31pm.
I've watched Dexter in the past and saw the promo for this upcoming season and sighed. I sighed because I realized this was another show I had to take off my watch list. I'm just so tired of the Christian-bashing from these shows, and the images in the promo told me all I needed to know in terms of what to expect from the show's new season. My guess is this season is going to contain a storyline in which a priest (or another type of religious head - not a Muslim, of course) will be a killer who Dexter will eventually "take care of." So tired of the cliche Christian-bashing storyline. I should have seen it coming. Last season, in a brief scene, one of the bad guys was in a truck, and in the background you could hear on the car stereo him listening to right wing talk radio.
On a larger note, what is happening to cable networks like HBO and Showtime? They are going left in a very extreme way.
Dexter and Weeds are two of
Submitted by bob loblaw on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 12:52pm.
Dexter and Weeds are two of my favorite shows, and if I had to guess Mr. Bozell hasn't watched any of them. Get off of your soap box, and watch the first season of both of these shows (Weeds season 1-6 instant streaming on Netflix).
Johnny Cash does a pretty good version of "personal Jesus" by the way.
First season of Dexter?
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 1:56pm.
Heck, all you have to do is watch the first 15 minutes of the pilot for Dexter and you'll learn everything you need to know about the character. It's not about Christianity at all, but about Dexters own struggle with his identity.
And the fact that the show is going into its 6th season means a lot of people are watching.
There is a reason for that Mandrake*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 2:53pm.
I saw one episode of this show several years ago. That was enough for me. Though drsamherman would do a much better job, I will try to explain what I see in this show. Dexter is a socio-path, which btw, covers a multitude of dysfunctional personalities. It is generally a detached individual with no respect for life or humanity and has difficulty functioning in any environment so begins to develop his own rules and justifications for his existence and his views of the world. Probably was emotionally neglected or abandoned as a child. Abandoned may also mean that he may have lost his parents at a young age.
He has lost all sense of his place in society so he has anointed himself as Judge and Jury. Having met a number of individuals exactly like Dexter, he can find justification for his actions using any ideology for support. Be it Christianity, perversions such as pedophilia, based on my rules, he deserves what he gets, he asked for it, blah blah or his return to caveman behavior where bludgeoning someone to death is a righteous thing.
The reason Dexter has become so popular among certain segment of society is because he represents the decay in a moral orderly society. Many people may silently agree with him not understanding fully the true meaning of his psychotic behavior representing that decay, detachment. He has become "GOD" to himself giving himself the authority and the power to do as he wills. Only GODLESS people can do that. A trend in this country to demean and dismiss Christian beliefs is essential in creating the "theatre" for that trend to continue. Once great numbers of people are detached, lost, and self absorbed, it becomes much easier to destroy an orderly society. May I suggest a closer look at Philadelphia, Wisconsin, London recent events.
The guy who writes this story is a lot more talented and aware than you think. The fact that it is a highly rated show has me greatly disturbed. It means to me, that many people who watch this truly do not understand the message of Dexter.
Lord of the Flies may have inspired this "talented" group of people.
However, a better thought provoking book was called Propaganda, written by a man named Edward Bernays in 1928. He writes of the myriad ways to influence and manipulate the public. A great admirer of his was Goebels. That frightened Bernays and so he changed the name of the book to Public Relations. Here is a small exerpt from that book
Oh and to add, Mr Bernays was the nephew of Sigmund Freud.
So what if leadership, a democratic society is "manipulated" by EVIL, that evil view of the world then changes that orderly society to one of barbarism and chaos. Yes that is a stretch from Dexter to chaos many of you will demise, but read this book and give thought to the current events and ideology around the world as well as here at home.
One episode eh?
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:00pm.
So you base your entire analysis on one episode. Guess you missed the part where he gets married and has a child. Yes, he has issues with early abandonment..something I can relate to. But he struggles to become something else than a sociopath.That's what interests me.
And nice try to link leftest rioting on London.etc to Dexter.
cajun aplogizes to Mandrake*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:19pm.
Based on my education, my career, and life experiences, I attempted to share an opinion on a public forum. My greatest mistake was assuming that you would be able to comprehend the complexities of our society and the fragility of said society compared to historical events. Mankind doesn't change much, politics, technology, and society does. You may now return to regular scheduled programming.(propaganda)
Was that you being facetious?
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:30pm.
I can never really tell..being a sociopath and all. ;)
Nah, Uncle, that was cajun lucidly---
Submitted by matthewdean on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 5:53pm.
making some points .
Good points.
A nice job, indeed.
MD
edit - never mind. I should have read Doc Sam's post before I commented.
Doc Sam is tops!!
Great analysis, Caj!
Submitted by drsamherman on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:23pm.
I have seen several interviews with the cast, writers and producers and they reflect your observations. Dexter's pathology is, as you pointed out, complex in the way his character is constructed. Though the writers really should have invested a few weeks shadowing true sociopathic schizophrenics, they are about 60% with the typical forensic presentation of a manipulator like Dexter. As you no doubt know, the most violent sociopathic schizophrenics usually are very charming. They are also so detached from reality, and not in the way that Hollywood typically displays them. What makes these types so truly dangerous is their ability to be true societal chameleons, otherwise living what seems like a normal life but committing horrifying acts. Add in the narcissistic component and we dial up the horror of their actions. In many ways, Dexter is based on a modified version of Ted Bundy, who by all accounts was charming, intelligent and self-educated to the point where he was able to strike selectively at whatever victims he chose. Another mirror of the Dexter character was Ted Kaczynski, who was extremely intelligent but lead a quiet, lone life in his cabin while getting along on a neutral to friendly basis when he came into contact with people. The worst part of the sociopath with schizophrenia with narcissism triangle is the violence happens in such a way that people will know instantly that it was a crime committed by a dedicated killer, but the narcissism often is fed by the killer's delusion that he/she is smarter than others and thus will continue killing without remorse.
Mandrake, I believe Cajun is a social worker, and I am a psychiatrist. We often only need to see something once, along with supporting materials like interviews with the stars, producers, directors, writers, etc. to know what the character and message are. It is called forensics, and it is something that everyone who works in mental health will do at one point or another in their career and will never forget what they saw. We see the worst humanity has to offer, so before you question Cajun's viewpoint based on seeing a single show, keep that in mind.
Thank you drsam*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 3:43pm.
A compliment from you makes the cajun blush...;-)
Ted Bundy, He was good looking, Gals flocked his way.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 4:32pm.
I lived in Glenwood Springs when he escaped jail there, a few years later he was caught again in Aspen where he jumped out of a second story window, doing research on his case.
Never seen Dexter, however Ted is whom I thought of while reading this thread. There is a power in looking handsome, hitchhiking gals just loved jumping in his VW.
In many ways, Dexter is based on a modified version of Ted Bundy, who by all accounts was charming, intelligent and self-educated to the point where he was able to strike selectively at whatever victims he chose.
Nailed it Doc.. So did you Cajun.
You Didn't Build That.
A piece of the puzzle upcountry*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 5:28pm.
There are some good shows on television. One of them was a show called "Numbers". Here is an interesting book. Notice Chapter 10 page 290. My "forensics" training became clear to me with this case. Ted Bundy with a cajun accent...
Thought you might find this case interesting because of your professional background. I did....;-)
Up -- actually, I've seen
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 8:19am.
Up -- actually, I've seen every episode of Dexter and can say you are quite wrong.
Dexter is NOT based on Bundy and his ilk, except in the sense that he KILLS people.
For starters Dexter is NOT socially charming -- though his character has grown. At the beginning he was socially inept, and unable to connect to people emotionally.
That was a problem it took him 4 seasons to tackle. And when he finally did, his wife was murdered.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
I'm with Mandrake on this one...
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 5:35pm.
I understand that you often make judgements of character based on an eclectic range of sources... but the same rules don't apply to narrative critique.
Especially since you're making judgements about a fictional character-all of which has been addressed over the course of a series. I know you're coming from a place of experience and knowledge, but the same just doesn't apply to fictional narrative... you shouldn't judge a body of work from a single example of said work
Also, I'm not sure what your analysis even means... even if you're correct in what you're saying about the character-much of which is accurate, that doesn't mean he wouldn't make for an interesting protagonist in a narrative. I guess I'm confused by your analytic breakdown-is this cause not to watch Dexter-just because he's a sociopath? Because that has never been a hidden fact on the show...
Let's make it simple to understand*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:56pm.
I am retired. MLB all over my tv.
EDIT:" I understand you often make judgments of character based on an eclectic range of sources"....
Since I have no idea what you meant by that , let me just state that my particular job as a social worker in a specialist field was to analyze behavior not character. And they paid me well to do that. If it shows, it tells me, though I am retired, I still got it..;-)
Sorry!
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 7:11pm.
I realize now that may have sounded snarky-I did not mean it to sound that way at all. I was referring to the job you were speaking of-I wasn't trying to claim you were judgmental or any such. I was just referring to your job as a social worker and your analysis of behavior. Sorry for the confusion.
~I believe the main point
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 5:58pm.
is that 'Dexter' glamorizes a sociopathic killer, thereby normalizing and glorifying a highly abnormal and dangerous psychological disorder.
While to a psychologically mature, healthy adult the show may simply be a gratifyingly entertaining depiction of "The Bad Guy Gets What's Coming To Him", an impressionable young person, especially one with budding psychological issues, may become emotionally warped by watching it.
Nobody on the show
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:04pm.
is trying to normalize or glorify sociopathy. Not only would that be dangerously irresposible, it's clear you haven't seen a single moment of the show if you think they're trying to normalize serial killing.
Also, I don't really want to tackle your claim of "emotionally warping" the youth-that's an ancient claim that holds very little water.
~Read more slowly
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:17pm.
By making a sociopathic killer a likable guy that the viewers root for, they're making it acceptable.
I was very specific about what kind of young person "may" be influenced by it.
They really aren't.
Submitted by BosTarus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 7:02pm.
narrative fiction has long dealt with protagonists with questionable motives and actions. If all characters were straight arrow, perfect citizens, we'd have some boring fiction on our hands.
I'll grant you that Dexter has stretched this narrative technique near to the breaking point-much of which is the fundamental drama of the series-but never are we to assume that the creators of the show, the actors, nor Jeff Lindsay (the author of the book series on which the show is based) are actually endorsing vigilante justice in any shape or form.
Storytelling does not always translate into endorsement.
~You're still not getting the point
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 7:31pm.
What part of "glamorizing" is incomprehensible to you?
Winner! - Winner!! - Winner!!!---
Submitted by matthewdean on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:25pm.
Bos T, for typing out the most vapid and clueless comment deconstructing a television show, ever seen during my time at NewsBusters.
If "emotionally warping" the youth is an ancient claim that holds no water, then I have finally found the perfect place for the question "How old are you?"
MD
Dexter and Showtime are interesting ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 2:51pm.
... but nothing on TV, and I mean nothing, comes close to "Rescue Me" on FX for "dramedy" entertainment.
It's the best show ever on TV.
Tremendous show. I'm behind
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 2:38pm.
Tremendous show. I'm behind on my episodes, but it's always great.
Overcome by the High Definition
Submitted by Hausmaus on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 4:03pm.
A friend of mine who watches HBO and Showtime on a daily basis has been developing a personality disorder that even he can't realize it's taking a toll on his ability to relate to the real world. Everything that comes out of his mouth relates to one of those shows that depict christianity in a very bad way, and has the tendency to repeat the same script by verbatim. He said to me that these shows don't go far enough to satisfy his imagination. Rather, he would like to see some really raw, and I mean XXX Raw scenes between nuns, and priests in full high definition color. The more grotesque, the more down to the ground that you can put religion as a whole, would satisfy his deeper inner unfurgiving thoughts, and desires. But, there is one boundry which he wouldn't cross, and that is saying anything negative about Islam. The thought of getting his head handed to him on a silver platter would be the most pervese reality.
I like Dex
Submitted by dvdaughtry on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:04pm.
I and don't care if you don't. So THERE!
BTW, I'm dying (no pun intended) for season 3 to get on Netflix.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
~I've seen it
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:26pm.
CBS put on a sanitized version of the first season a while back. I've seen some of the original shows since then, and I'll just....stop there. :-p
(And they've made Dex a very likable guy if you go for the dark, brooding, bloodthirsty type;)
guilty
Submitted by dvdaughtry on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 6:49pm.
Hannibal Lecter's intellect intrigues me too.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
~Ever read Hannibal?
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 7:27pm.
You find out how he got started on the road to cannibalism. You have to wade through a lot of other stuff, but that part is interesting.
I have not
Submitted by dvdaughtry on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 8:58pm.
And he may be the perfect example of the difference between wisdom and knowledge.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
~You should read it
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 9:30pm.
The ending will completely blow you away; it's nothing like the movie.
OUR INTELLECT AGAINST EVIL
Submitted by Mary De Voe on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 4:52pm.
Lucifer, the Great Angel of Light, now, Satan has perfect intellect. Lucifer was a THRONE and sat at the throne of God. In fact, Lucifer thought he was smarter than God and because Lucifer thought he was smarter than God, Lucifer refused to serve God. An angel without God is a pretty poor role model. Test everything by saying: "Jesus Christ, true God and true man, Lord of all." The guardian angels twitter and smile, but the evil angels run like hell.
Your arms are too short to box with God, but your brains are too small to wrestle with the pure evil intellect of Lucifer, pure evil.
Question
Submitted by dvdaughtry on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 5:05pm.
Does Lucifier have his own show?
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Me too! I love the show
Submitted by equusarts on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 9:49am.
Me too! I love the show Dexter and am looking forward to the new season. The fact is, the liberals despise christianity and no big surprise Hollywood is cashing in on that distaste. Personally, I just ignore it as I know where I stand and I know what I do and am grown up enough to not be "brainwashed" by the media.
So as the left bemoans anything biblical, I say bemoan away......it doesn't change my faith whatsoever (just reinforces my belief that the left are a bit loose in the head) and I can enjoy my favorite show irregardless..........
Our God is a God of LIFE
Submitted by Mary De Voe on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 4:37pm.
Our God is a God of LIFE. When Saint Lucifer denied Jesus Christ, God let Lucifer live. Now, known as the Great Liar, Satan, lives.Little liars, slanderers and especially perjurers are also allowed to live, but this does not mean that their lies and slander and especially their perjury have no impact on their immortal soul. Most individual's sins are engraved on ther face. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a fine example of an individual's sins being written upon their face. If Dexter is the "Right Hand of God" , he needs to adhere to the Rule of Law. Jesus said: "I came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it." "Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one iota, not one jot or tittle of the law will pass away." because the law of God is written on our hearts. Those who rebell against God have sold their immortal soul to the devil, satan, the GREAT LIAR. Mary, Exterminatrix of Heresies has dispossessed the devil of his reproductive powers, and having no soul but that of the liar, the devil roams the earth seeking the ruin of souls.
"If Dexter is the "Right Hand
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 5:05pm.
"If Dexter is the "Right Hand of God" , he needs to adhere to the Rule of Law."
Dexter is a fictional character. Rules don't really apply to them.
I've been gone a while, but
Submitted by dvdaughtry on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 5:06pm.
I've been gone a while, but man it seems they have come out of the woodworks lately.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
~Migration is early this year
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 5:09pm.
Praise the Lord and pass the popcorn.