As someone who watches a lot of TV (it's impossible to clearly communicate how much, but a lot really doesn't do it justice) I often get asked by people the very same question. And I mean that, the wording rarely varies from:
"So I've just finished all of Breaking Bad, what do I go for next???"
In a time where Game of Thrones is probably the biggest thing in people's lives, let alone in their viewing schedule, I usually answer with the same response.
"Have you ever watched Dexter?"
It's often met by a no, and this surprises me, as it is a show which has earned a large following both on it's home Showtime network over in the US, and over here in the UK, wherever it was aired. I think it was a late night slot on ITV a few years back? Anyway, with the rise of readily available box sets and every other person having a Netflix account, I thought it'd be a widely known about and heavily consumed show, but apparently not. I've often had to describe the premise to people too (incredibly easy: Miami forensic analyst who also enjoys a bit of dismemberment in his spare time, often investigates his own crimes).
As someone with a very questionable attention span with new things at times (I had to force myself through series 1 of Breaking Bad for example) the opening title sequence usually need to grab me. And Dexter did that. It did that extremely well, and year on year I continued to enjoy it.
Oh go on then, have a watch.
See, this to me is pure, full on, attention to detail, edity, soundy, TV goodness. And in a way epitomises everything I enjoy about the show.
I'm not sure which way to do this now, if I should ask you to watch that video over and over about 5 more times, or explain away about what exactly gets me so worked up and excited. So I reckon I'll explain that conundrum, and allow you to make your own mind up.
With me again? Good. Can you understand why I'm raving about a title sequence yet? Well if not, here come the answers. Hang on, I've already given the answer away. Two paragraphs up, you can't miss it. Attention to detail.
Each and every shot choice and visual cue is geared towards that (rather excellent) theme (thank you Rolfe Kent). Until you notice it once it's easily missed, and once noticed, I reckon it's forever admired.
26 Seconds in - the slow rub up the face, followed by the slow razor down the face, both in time with musical phrases, both the same length of time.
33 Seconds in - the drop of blood followed by the camera punch ins, in time with the music.
37 Seconds in - Notice that symbol crash? Notice that swell of blood? Perfectly in sync with each other.
42 Seconds in - See all that bacony goodness all close up, slices and cuts in time.
47 Seconds in - Don't tell me that bacon in the pan action is on the off beat? Oh stop it.
Now I could bore you like this for ages, going through each and every one of these points individually with proper timecode and a video that showed off numerical values to the frame, but I think I'd rather leave you with the option to go back and watch the entire thing again with a new view of it. And turn the volume up and enjoy it! (Hint: watch out for the spray from the fruit about 1.08 in, very possibly my favourite moment out of everything).
Now for the kind of argument bit I guess, which is essentially this, if that's the thought and care that the creators will put into less than 2 minutes of a title sequence, just imagine what's to come in the next hour. This 1 minute 46 seconds (I subtracted a few seconds from that youtube link) shows off both the skills and the story telling ability of the creators.
There is blood everywhere. From mosquito slap to shaving to ketchup it outlines the obsession we're dealing with, all in a way that teases the main character, and shows off both sides of the personality we have before us. Obvious insanity wrapped up within a normal life. Oh and it gives you a payoff with seeing the guy at the end, breaking the 4th wall and smiling at you and everything. Top bloke eh?
The sound design for this little intro scene is rather lovely, incredibly clean, fitting the images, and matching the intimacy of the way it's been shot. Everything is accentuated to cut through the music, well, play along with the music, and provide people with a diegetic theme to match. This for me is why the edity, shot choicey achievements are nowhere near as appreciated as that recent, in-your-face, look at me, please god don't let the TV sound be out of sync Marks & Spencers advert. Is that a thing in the US? I mean I highly doubt there's any US viewership, but might as well check either way.
Well in case they dont have it, or someone reading is without a TV or can't remember, here it is!
Yeah I know, decent effort, but lacks 8 years of serial killer based entertainment drama at the end of it if you ask me. You didn't? Ah well you got an opinion anyway. But it's nice to imagine that the minds behind this particular ad campaign got the idea while watching Dexter take a drill to a drug dealer or something. Family friendly ideas yaaay!
I've completely lost track of where I was, and may just finish up here, but I hope that the main part of what I set out to achieve has been reached. Watch these things closely, and try and appreciate more of what people are trying to put out for you to enjoy en mass. Put the smartphone down, and properly watch what you're watching. Unless you're on a train or something, watching on a smartphone, in which case invest in a decent set of headphones and replace the earbuds you got with it. You can thank me later.
What do you mean that was never part of the original premise of the blog? Well it's in my head and I'm adding it now. Go now and forever enjoy these things to the max. I like this making up rules thing.
Oh, and watch Dexter. It's all over now, and people complain about certain aspects of the show, but everything is flawed, run with it. I hope that the 1.46 that I presented and based everything on appears as frequently in your life as it has mine.
No idea what's up next, can't teaser. Damn. Have the Blood Theme instead. Often plays as the credits roll. Enjoy!
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