Showtime debuts a modern Robin Hood

Because of corporate conglomeration and a shortage of programming, Viacom-owned Showtime series “Dexter” will debut on Viacom-owned CBS on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. The situation allows a wonderful opportunity for Showtime to introduce to network viewers an enthralling show.

In the dark and gritty world of television dramas today, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is a type of Robin Hood. Born with a psychological need to kill, Morgan chooses to channel his energies for a warped sense of good. He kills those whom he deems have escaped justice.

Of course, he only does this at night. During the day, he juggles working for the Miami Police Department, understanding his girlfriend, and placating his sister.

Flashbacks run throughout the show, detailing Morgan’s childhood and the lessons he learned from his father, a former policeman himself. His father is the one who initially redirects Morgan’s anger towards vigilantism.

“Dexter” is odd because its hero is less admirable than others are. The show never endorses Morgan’s actions. If anything, Morgan’s sometimes self-loathing thoughts lead the viewer to believe that he’s as much a monster as his victims.

Regardless, Morgan’s pathological illness coupled with his obsession with neatness and order lead to an interesting character study. Morgan feels the need to prove to himself (and subsequently to the show’s viewers) why each victim deserves to die.

Not only does Morgan have a passion for blood, but he also has an inability to care about many things in life. He struggles with going to the next level with his girlfriend, particularly. His thoughts and actions during romantic rendezvous are akin to those of a teenager.

The roundness of Morgan as a character comes out in Hall’s excellent portrayal. Hall’s expressions and reactions perfectly accentuate the complicated character. Hall manages to show deep empathy into a character who has an inability to feel. The crazed serial killer might sound two-dimensional on paper, but Hall plays up an internal struggle on trying to live a normal life with his abnormal malady.

Even though there is a compelling running storyline throughout the first season, “Dexter” is episodically effective. Each installment usually begins with an internal monologue from Morgan, introducing a central theme to the episode. Just when the viewer might have decided the episode formula, the show diverges off path to keep the viewer on his or her toes.

Television purists have said “Dexter” will be reduced to ruins on a network, but this is not true. While the network will certainly edit the show, the language, violence and sexuality does not reach “American Psycho” levels by a long shot. The task of toning the show down while maintaining the integrity of the product should prove easy. After all, if “The Sopranos” can receive syndication, so can “Dexter.”

Netflix subscribers need not wait until Sunday or watch the edited version on CBS. The entire first season is available on Netflix’s online viewing service.

It’s true what the critics say — “‘Dexter’ is killer.” Find out why the show, after only two seasons, has attracted a million viewers, breaking Showtime records in the process.