A reflection of America?

I like watching the show "Dexter" on Showtime. It doesn't, in any way, reflect my world view. It's sometimes quite violent. It's a cable show, so they explore all the ways they can push the limits. And it's a dark show.

It's also got some incredible acting, especially from Michael C. Hall in the title role. I am fascinated by the storytelling, enjoy the dark comedy, and am fascinated by the different ways they try to explore the social and moral constructs of this character. Those who have seen the show will know that's no easy feat.

That being said, I was nervous about this season. Coming into the season, the writers said the focus of season six would be on Dexter's exploration of religion. Whenever a secular show covers Christianity, I get nervous. Even more so with a show as worldly and a-religious as this show. But I've been pleasantly surprised with what I've seen. Watching this last episode, I think that this show has somewhat perfectly captured the state of our world right now.

First to the example of Christianity. The show, to its credit, has captured the good and the bad. The season-long villains, portrayed by Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks, are the bad. The pair believe they are the two witnesses referenced in the book of Revelation and are on a mission, however misguided, to jump start the apocalypse. Sadly, too often this is the way "Christians" represent our faith to the world. Consider Marshall Applewhite, the leader of the Heaven's Gate cult, who also claimed to be a witness from the book of Revelation, using that "authority" to control the hearts and minds of his followers.

But that's portrayed in the show as misguided faith, not real faith. The real faith is seen in Brother Sam, played by Mos Def, a convicted felon who found Jesus and dedicated his life to helping others do the same. This last episode featured a most powerful and profound example of his faith, and of what real faith looks like. After being fatally shot by one of those gang members he tried to save, Brother Sam asked Dexter to forgive the man and to convey his own forgiveness to the man. He didn't want retribution or punishment, he wanted to let his light shine in the hopes that it would overcome the darkness in Dexter and his attacker. It was a profoundly moving example of the concept of Biblical justice and forgiveness.

Which is why I think this show perfectly represents America in 2011. Dexter is a consummate representation of America's notion of heroism, morality, and justice. We are a nation that worships at the alter of the anti-hero, and it's hard to get more anti-hero than a serial killer who is a hero because he only dispatches other criminals and killers. It's a variation on the ends justify the means argument. Of course Dexter planned to dispatch the man that shot Brother Sam, that is justice to most people in this country, whether they feel comfortable boldly declaring it or not.

But it's not real justice. Brother Sam told Dexter he saw the darkness in him, but he also saw the light. He told him the light can overcome the darkness, but the path toward that happening begins with forgiveness. Dexter recognized the truth of that, wanted to seek it out, and tried to follow those words of wisdom. But, in the end, he couldn't. He gave in to the darkness and it began to consume him.

That is our world. That is our nation. We know the difference between light and dark. We know, deep down, that the light can overcome the darkness. We know we need to turn toward the light, but most of us simply can't do it. That is why I worry for the future.