The Voice-over...why?

[thetaoist]

Dear All,

Someone please tell me why, oh why, the lovely people who create Dexter make me listen to his voice-over every damn emotion that comes into his mind?

In literature, this breaks the whole show, don't tell rule. But in the case of Dexter, it just seems so unnecessary. And more importantly, it detracts from the flow of the show. It's a cheat. Do I need to hear Michael Hall telling me that Dexter is in existential pain? NO. I can see it.

Isn't that the point? The acting is good, generally. So then why do I need a reminder, a verbal cue to the obvious?

The Taoist

[lost_grrl]

Have you read the books? There is a very good reason why there is a voice over, that Dex must tell rather than show...He is living behind a mask, trying very hard to appear to be 'normal'. In order for us to know what Dexter is actually thinking--which is part of the appeal of the show, get inside the mind and life of a serial killer--we have to hear it in the form of a V.O.

The VO is the real Dex, what we are seeing it the mask. And in literature, you are very often privy to the private thoughts of a character. The "show not tell" refers to something that is happening, not something that someone is thinking. You can't "show" what someone is thinking without having a dozen "dream sequences" per episode. In a show like Dexter, what he is thinking is just as important as what he is doing.

[novnelson]

I must say..the creators have done a fantastic job. I, for one, appreciate the VO. It keeps me from having to be a mind reader. Many of the little things Dex thinks aloud to us all are quirky and funny. I enjoy this. I dont believe he can tell the cute little sarcastic jokes with his face. C'mon.

"Through the voiceovers, the viewer becomes Dexter's confidant, and that's part of the reason, I believe, that we welcome him back each week, because it's a tall order to invite a serial killer into your home on a regular basis, but by going inside his head, we think that he earns some entrée and trust."

That's from Dexter showrunner Clyde Phillips' conversation with E! Online. Read more here!

[SatelliteTVGuru]

I'm not usually a big fan of VO either, but I understand why Dexter needs the VO, and as Novnelson and and Lost_grrl pointed out, it's pretty much essential for Dexter. As for other TV shows such as The Starter Wife, I'd prefer not to have the voiceover.

[serenasaurus]

I agree with you, lost_grrl. Since Dexter's exterior self is the one he's created to protect him real inner-self, we would not otherwise be privy to what's really going on in his head. The VOs are a necessity and I don't find them excessive at all. Most of the time they make me chuckle.

[sisko95]

Originally Posted by thetaoist

Dear All,

Someone please tell me why, oh why, the lovely people who create Dexter make me listen to his voice-over every damn emotion that comes into his mind?

In literature, this breaks the whole show, don't tell rule. But in the case of Dexter, it just seems so unnecessary. And more importantly, it detracts from the flow of the show. It's a cheat. Do I need to hear Michael Hall telling me that Dexter is in existential pain? NO. I can see it.

Isn't that the point? The acting is good, generally. So then why do I need a reminder, a verbal cue to the obvious?

The Taoist

The voice-over is quite annoying at times but i guess its part of the show. I love the show and I hope it continues for another 5 seasons.

[mo500]

It's the psychological aspect to the character. People like Dexter have no ability to feel emotion or have a conscience. They imitate what they see around them so that they blend in with everyone. They have to do voice-over for Dexter b/c he would never say things like that out loud. He looks and sounds like everyone else when it comes to interacting with people. It's what goes on in his mind that makes him Dexter.

[hezio2]

I agree with Serenasaurus. the vo's make me chuckle. It's difficult to despise a serial killer who can make you laugh. In fact, that's what got my parents turned on to the show. They thought it'd be disgusting and questioned how I could like a killer, but hearing his thoughts they could understand his motives and they too laughed at one of his lines. (The one about Rita's Husband being abusive and her dating a serial killer... something like it would hard on her self esteem if she found out about him.)

[Joanie_thunderbolt]

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

Have you read the books? There is a very good reason why there is a voice over, that Dex must tell rather than show...He is living behind a mask, trying very hard to appear to be 'normal'. In order for us to know what Dexter is actually thinking--which is part of the appeal of the show, get inside the mind and life of a serial killer--we have to hear it in the form of a V.O.

The VO is the real Dex, what we are seeing it the mask. And in literature, you are very often privy to the private thoughts of a character. The "show not tell" refers to something that is happening, not something that someone is thinking. You can't "show" what someone is thinking without having a dozen "dream sequences" per episode. In a show like Dexter, what he is thinking is just as important as what he is doing.

I haven't read the books, but it's obvious that this comes from a mystery novel,where first person narrative is standard fare. Honestly, without the insight into Dexter the show would be boring or just creepy. Imagine taking the VO out and you just have a guy creeping around, occasionally killing people, and listening to his sister's stupid problems--- who he's DATING in real life.