dexter, season 1, episode 1

In dexter, a lot of representation is present. In this essay, I will attempt to prove this.

The main representation of this episode is Gender. In this episode, the men are presented as the hardworking, determined and dominant gender. The captain, main officers and the main character are presented in suits and doing their jobs normally in this episode. However, most of the women in this episode are prostitutes, showing degradation towards women. The two women from the police force are discriminated against, for example, the main characters sister, Debra is a Vice City cop, and she is being forced to disguise herself as a prostitute, which shows lack of power to her and is degrading. The other main woman, Lieutenant Laguerta, is constantly beriddled and critizised about her job as team leader, thus shpwing the male dominant side of this episode.

Race is another main factor. Most of the charachters are predominantly white, but the other ethnic minorities are portrayed in a different way. Misouka,the asian character is portrayed as a comedic, and a perverted man. All the other races are portrayed in bad ways too. Sargeant Doakes is portrayed as Dexters enemy and a corrupt man. The latin characterN Lieutenant laguerta is portrayed as a bad leader of the homicide department. In conclusion of this, race is a representatipon of differentiallity as each ethnic minority shown has a problem it seems.

Age can also be factored in. Dexter is a 30 year old white male, so all the younger cops take notice of his advice, and older people like the Captain and Sargeant Doakes do not take notice of his findings. The main portrayal of age in this is the Captain. He is shown as a more bossy and intelligent man than everyone else, and critisizes the younger cops. Harry Morgan(the vision of dexters foster dad after he is dead) is much older than Dexter and always gives him wise advice. This suggests that age is represented as wisdom.

In this episode, class makes a brief representation. Dexter and the other homicide detectives are much more sophisticated than the lower class, as they are medium upper with high salaries. The lower class, Debra and the prostitutes and other vice cops, are portrayed as more vulgar(indulging in sex a lot and swearing and aggresive attitude), unlike most of the homicide detectives, who are more sophisticated throughout this episode.

Religion does not make and appearance in this episode, so I cannot comment on the representation of this,as it is not part of the episode I have focused on.