Representation

     I'll discuss representation in one of my favorite series, Dexter. The show may not seem to have much representation, but it does include its fair share.

    The show Dexter known mainly for its portrayal of a dark vigilante serial killer also shows exploration in representation through characters and setting. The story is set in Miami, a city in Florida normally known for its culturally rich diversity. Dexter uses various elements of diversity, psychological disorders, and representation of family issues. By examining two major characters, Dexter Morgan and Maria LaGuerta we can understand the representation this series shows.

    Dexter Morgan, the series' main protagonist exercises so much complexity and moral ambiguity. Dexter is a sociopath, with a code to only kill others who've killed. Dexter Morgan explores themes of
mental health, identity, and morality. The series uses techniques like "othering" to delve into his psychological state, revealing the struggle between his murderous lifestyle and trying to appeal to normal. Dexter's internal monologues and use of diegetic sounds allow for insight into his mind, providing questions about whether is the right thing to do. This type of representation shows audiences the challenge between issues of justice, and ethics, and represents the overly complexity of his life.

A little audio snippet showing Dexter's problems to appear normal  (the audio might be laggy, but just give it a few seconds)

    Additionally, another significant character that adds representation to the show is Maria LaGuerta, a high-ranking officer at the Miami Metro Police Department. This already adds representation to gender AND ethnicity as she remains high-ranking as a female Latin in a male-dominated field. She shows her strength, by navigating workplace politics, sexism, and expectations from her high-rank. This provides a glimpse into the real-world challenges that women, especially those of color face in hard professional work-places. Although she shows a representation of the strength of women, she steps away from typical stereotypes as she's portrayed as an intelligent, strong, and professional figure.

    In conclusion, the show Dexter expresses its characters and setting to explore ideas of representation, from the complexity of mental health and overall morality to the challenges of gender and cultural diversity. Using these characters the show challenges stereotypes, exploring identity and ethics. Ignoring the idea of the dark, suspenseful nature of its plot, Dexter stands out by provoking the idea of the complexities of human morality and societal structures.