DEXTER is an American television crime, drama, mystery series.

Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who disguise as a Miami forensics. He spends his day solving crimes and nights committing them. His job is to hunt down murderers who slipped through the crack of justice system.

Denotation and Connotation of Dexter opening credits






Micro-elements are used to create connotations.

Sound

In every scenes, diegetic sounds are amplified to emphasis the actions. This was clearly heard in the scene where Dexter slices the egg with his knife, creates a sharp sound of slicing and tearing. It gives us a chills when we hear it because it has suggested the idea of being stab to death.

Editing

There are lots of jump cuts which represent inner conflict of the main character and since the story line is about murdering, jump cuts help make the scene going in fast pace. It also build up tension by creating curiosity in the audience.

Camera

Use of extreme close-up shot emphasises actions making the audience attracted to splattering sauce (blood), also close-ups shots of daily objects has suggested a different perspective of seeing things like how the killer thinks murdering is a usual thing.

Mise-en scene

eating breakfast --> actual killing
tying his shoes --> strangling his victim
putting on the shirt --> wrapping up corspe

why morning routine?

Everyone has their own morning routine,using morning routine as an opening scene makes the audience feels relatable and brings them as close as possible to the character. It is also used as an entrance to a new reality of Dexter's world as every mornings are a new start. Furthermore, it gives us an enormous information about protagonist.

age-->skin texture
gender
culture-->choice of food

building of power between Dexter and viewer

Enclosed space (shower,bathroom) which has no immediate escape away from our gaze, putting the character in a very vulnerable position and make us feel empathise.