(no subject)

[trinityvixen]

It has been brought to my attention that, if the WGA strike persists much longer, CBS has decided it will show edited versions of the first season of Dexter.

If you have any interest in seeing this absolutely phenomenal bit of television, take my advice and DO NOT WATCH THE CBS VERSION.

Look, I want you all to watch and like Dexter. It's beautiful, well-acted, well-written, and a total mindfuck. When it comes to making you react to what you're seeing in ways that aren't always comfortable, this is the best show on the planet, hands down. There are some folk who might be tempted by tamed version of the show, which will allow them to see the fabulosity without the gore. I've got news for those people: an edited version WILL NOT MAKE THE BAD STUFF MORE PALATABLE. In fact, it will do exactly the opposite.

It's not just that this is a show explicitly about a serial killer. It's about the fact that you cheer on a serial murderer with no sense of compassion for anyone. The point of seeing the brutal murder process up close and personal is to remind you that, while he seems the fluffy puppy most of the time, Dexter is FUCKED UP. The show makes you question your own morality, your ability to see in black and white or even very definite shades of gray. If you take away the violence and mercilessness of the character, you lose a whole level of audience involvement. And if you don't see the monster, you won't appreciate that.

Moreover, I can imagine that the series would just be very boring and humorless without the murders as counterpart. So much of Dexter's humor is in the juxtaposition of this smooth, confident, unblinking killer and the bumbling, inept, damaged every-day Dexter. No, I suppose the graphic violence isn't necessary, but then I never felt that Dexter was all that graphically violent. Oh, there's plenty of blood in places, but most of the kills are disturbing enough without gore as to make any editing of them for content nearly impossible. Either you edit nothing as there's no literal "problematic scene" to edit out, or you edit everything and ruin the tone because you've had to leave it completely out.

Bottom line: if you know me even tangentially, I'm willing to donate my DVDs to you for a time to appreciate this series uninterrupted, unfiltered, and untainted by commericial TV rules--the way it should be, damn it.

Comments

[moonlightalice.livejournal.com]

I need to watch this show.

The psychological thing you're describing sounds to me an awful lot like what Nabokov is doing in Lolita. The horrific part isn't what Humbert's doing--not in the least!--it's that he makes you root for him. You *want* him to get this little girl, she's being a tease, she's being unfair, just one little touch...and you walk away feeling disgusting but astonished that he could twist you so.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

If that's your thing? THIS IS COMPLETELY THE RIGHT SHOW FOR YOU. Because you do root for the serial killer. You cheer on the guy who causes inexplicable terror and pain and gets off on it. It's so, so sick.

My theory is that the whole show could be considered an examination of the death penalty, with how Dexter chooses his victims and all. I'll say no more, but that's how I see it.

[montisello.livejournal.com]

Oh, this makes me laugh. This makes me chortle in my Sam Adams Winter Ale.

The affliate of CBS here in good ole family values Utah refuses to show Saturday Night Live. It turned its nose up at Coupling. It deemed Cavemen too vulgar for the likes of Utahns everywhere.

So while I'm desperately intrigued by Dexter, and probably would have watched it despite the editing, the affiliate here is not gonna let me see it. I'm not sure why this tickles my sense of ironic cynicism so much -- its just -- you know. Good old CBS, looking out for my morales.

So I think I'll do the books first, then jump to the DVDs this summer.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that sucks in a way, though. I mean, it's one thing to have the edited versions be the only game in town, but not to even have that! Sheesh.

Definitely try out the DVDs. This is the sort of thing DVD-by-mail services were invented for. You could get and cancel a free Netflix account in the time it would take to order the whole series. Of course, Netflix is itself addictive and you'd likely end up keeping it, but if only to have Dexter, I'd recommend it.

[decidedly.livejournal.com]

As a point of interest: I got hooked on Dexter through On Demand, which showcased the entirety of season one - and it was edited. Having seen the unedited since then, the edited version really did nothing to quell the big, fat love that followed. Sure, it's not ideal, but I think you can glean the crazy good from the edited version. It's that good of a show. And even the unedited version doesn't go overboard with the violence. I really don't think you're missing that much. (All the *cough* in season 2, on the other hand...) Well, except Deb's and Doakes' potty mouths...

ANYWAY. I'M JUST SAYIN'. I think it's a good thing, if only to turn people onto the show that may not otherwise have the inclination. Because premium channels are stupid expensive. (Speaking of, time to cancel Showtime until season 3!)

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

All right, I conceive that it's possible (although I could have sworn the On Demand services didn't edit), but I don't find the same complexity could possibly be there. And I wouldn't dare deny anyone the hilarity of every curse word that comes out of Eric King's mouth. The man has the funniest way with "Motherfucker" since Samuel L (maybe funnier!).

Premium channels are stupid expensive. Don't use them! I know I don't ::cough::

[hslayer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hate gore and I didn't even mind the unedited season one. (To have said "uncut" would've been TOO cute.) It was graphic, sure, but all pretty sterilized as far as what was shown; most actual action (which is what I find distasteful) was off-screen, if only just.

To be honest, considering what else has been on prime-time network television, I'd be surprised if they edited more than the swear words and occasional partial nudity. Are you sure they are doing more than that?

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

To be honest, considering what else has been on prime-time network television, I'd be surprised if they edited more than the swear words and occasional partial nudity. Are you sure they are doing more than that?

They haven't even said that they are for-sure doing this, just that this is an option they're interested in pursuing. I don't know what deal CBS has with Showtime, but I'm sure it benefits them both to draw people to Showtime for the third season (if the WGA strike ever goes away) and to make CBS seem more "edgy."

As for what they'd edit? Well, the swears and nudity would certainly go, but CBS' affiliates have a reputation for being prudish--more so than even other stations (even ABC, which is friggin' owned by Disney). My guess is that there would be absolutely no blood where they could avoid it, too. I've been told that some editing doesn't take away appreciation for the show, but I think it would definitely alter the mood to have even the swear-words edited. If they'd never been there in the first place, fine. But how jarring would it be to jump-cut around them or replace them like movies that air on cable? "Fudge that!" They might as well edit Doakes right out of the show.