One of the discussions I know we’ve had in the comments section of this blog is the idea that one of the key anti-online-piracy weapons is simply to release shows over here within a short time of their US airing.  Primarily Sky One have been the main ones doing this, and making good use of it as a marketting tool (Lost and Prison Break specifically).

So its good to see this announcement from the Beeb, that they’re going to be doing the same thing with season 3 of Heroes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7499980.stm

Looking forward to season 3.  Season 2 was patchy, but still enjoyable and it’ll be interesting to see what Sylar does next (and if we’ve seen the last of Adam).

Well, Apple put the Application Store for iPhone/iPod Touch live yesterday as part of the iTunes 7.7 update.

Its a heck of a strong launch for them.  Although the initial aim had been to have 200 applications available at launch, the store actually has over 500, spanning multiple categories, and with a healthy amount of free applications, as well as inexpensive ones, going for only 59p or so.

Admittedly, personally speaking, from a quick look last night, there wasn’t a lot that I think I’ll nab.  I have grabbed the Facebook app to try out, but I’m not looking to spend a lot of money on games or applications, so I was mostly interested in the free applications.   I can especially however, see the benefit of a lot of those applications to iPhone owners, with their ability to access the web via Edge or 3G networks while on the move (whereas I’m limited by whatever free wifi I happen to be around).

Hopefully the 2.0 software update will be out tonight.  That’s what I’m really looking forward to, and I’m really hoping that it addresses some of the issues I’ve mentioned here before.

The problem with their being so much good sci-fi around these days, is that I find I hit my “TV saturation point” quite quickly now.   Once I’m religously watching 4 or 5 shows a week, I find I have to start dropped other shows I might be interested in.

This year, one of those shows was Dexter.  Season 1 has sat on my Sky+ since FX aired it, and with me now finding a lull with very few new shows I’m watching every week, and season 2 having just started on FX, now seemed like a good time to blitz the first season.

I’m really glad I did.  This is a great dark show from the states.  It follows Dexter Morgan.  A blood-splatter specialist working for the forensics department of the Miami PD.  However Dexter is also a serial killer.   Adopted by the Morgan family at a young age, has adoptive father and Cop Harry, quickly recognises that Dexter is not like other little boys, and instills in him a code.   He acts normal to hide his true identity, and finds release in targetting those criminals who have escaped the justice system.    However Dexter’s world gets turned upside down when he’s called to the crime scene of a new serial killer on the block.

The joy of this show is the internal monologue from Dexter.   We get to see right inside his head, and his reactions to normal human situations, which he just can’t relate to.  Emotionally the only thing that affects him is murder, and the sight of blood.   This lends itself to some dark comedy throughout the show.

Michael C Hall is brilliantly cast.   He manages to make Dexter likable, when you’re completely aware of just what a monster he can be, and how the “Code of Harry” is the only thing between him and a killing spree.  Its an interesting idea as well, that a police officer would care so much for his son that he would teach him how to avoid being caught, and to focus on those victims where there is a sense of justice to their deaths.

Season one deals with the plot of the Ice Truck Killer, and the cat-and-mouse game he plays with Dexter throughout, which builds through the episodes and reaches a really great conclusion that became gripping TV for me.  Its quite telling that at the start of the series, my focus was on just how damaged Dexter was, and by the end of the season you really feel sympathy for the character.  He’s under no illusions as to what he is, and is leading a life in which he’s trapped by that truth.   He’s not a monster though, and while he may deny it, there’s a core of humanity to him.

Great series.  Really looking forward to season 2.