Some may very well know that the Showtime series Dexter is inspired by a novel, Jeff Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Although the second and third season would start to stray from the book, with the characters the only constants, the stamp of the novel remains very distinct. As for the book, well, it was followed by three more, released from 2005 onwards. But we haven’t really heard much from Lindsay. You never probably sensed that the series came from a book (but what do I know?).
So it must be interesting to hear that Lindsay—actually a pen name for Jeffry Freundlich—will be making a cameo on the drama series that he helped give birth to. Tonight’s episode, entitled “Go Your Own Way”, sees him take on a role that you’d probably not notice: that of a detective tasked to keep watch over a hospital room. I guess if we haven’t told you about it, you’d never notice. But Lindsay’s appearance on Dexter, he says, has a much bigger meaning to it. He’s there to prove that he loves the show.
“[The producers] really know what they’re doing,” the author thought. So why could it be that people are wary of a concept, that’s based on a book, being brought to the screen? “It’s Hollywood,” he said. “Everybody knows Hollywood gets hold of wonderful ideas [and ruins them].”
Judging from the show’s performance, the viewers think the same way. Or, perhaps a more plausible idea is that most of the viewers haven’t encountered the book, so there’s nothing to compare it to. Then again, there’s really no point in comparing; the newer seasons, as we pointed out earlier, do not follow the story of the later novels. But who are we to complain? What matters is that it works.
In tonight’s episode, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) and Miguel (Jimmy Smits) are going to be at it again. In an attempt to gain the upper hand, both will take on a series of manipulative moves. Would anybody get what they want? That’s on Showtime tonight from 9pm.
-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Showtime, San Jose Mercury News
(Image courtesy of Showtime)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
