From the opening note's of Dexter's theme music, the viewer is made aware that they are in for a dark, yet somehow funny tale. Starring Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under) as the titular Dexter Morgan, the show focuses on Dexter, a blood-spatter expert who works for the Miami Police Department. Beyond just working for the police though, Dexter happens to be a serial killer.
Don't worry though, Dexter only kills bad people - he has a code. The code, created and instilled by adoptive father, Harry (James Remar), is what Dexter uses to avoid getting caught by the police. Though more rules to the code may be uncovered in the future, the few cardinal rules that are explored in season one deal with the aforementioned only killing bad people, and fully planning the capture of the individual. It is an intricate process, and Dexter is usually meticulous in his planning.
After introducing Dexter and explaining who he is, the season quickly introduces the "Ice Truck Killer," a serial killer who is exsanguinating hookers and cutting their bodies into pieces. The killer also seems to know who, and what, Dexter is. For his part, Dexter is fascinated with the killer both admiring and being disgusted by him.
The show is able to handle the darkness inside Dexter's soul with ease, quickly moving from some of Dexter's darker deeds to lighter moments. Perhaps one reason for this is that however much Dexter might tell us in his voice over that he feels nothing, he is not being truthful. Dexter's actions and attitudes, his reverence for Harry and his wanting to see justice done belie the notion.
Numerous complications exist in Dexter's life, from trying to keep his sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), close without revealing who he is, to trying to have a "normal" life with his girlfriend, Rita (Julie Benz). Both of these women have numerous issues in their own lives and Dexter is constantly brought in (either by his choice or theirs) to help them out.
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