I want to reach out to people that experience anxiety, or feel confused in life. This is a self-reflection not for my own vanity, but to reach out to others like me, and say maybe your choice of television show can affect how you feel on the reg. I dumped Dexter because I think so much in my everyday life, that this show made me criticize who I am.
Just remember that T.V. is a choice. I watch T.V. to let my mind sit on cruise control while hard at work. If you’re watching a show that you feel puts you down more than it interests you, reconsider your choice.
IFC network’s Portlandia is funny and Showtime’s Dexter is dramatic. Portlandia‘s featured actor dresses as multiple characters (both male and female), and Dexter‘s protagonist kills serial killers. Episodes of Portlandia are collections of comedic sketches that barely make sense in the end. One episode of Dexter is reminiscent of a therapist session with a contemplative and emotionless man.
I dumped Dexter, for Portlandia because Dexter reminded me of how I think in my own head. My inability to sit still, the fact I constantly talk to myself in my head, and frequently doubt my decisions-making skills related too much to the show’s main character. I started to feel as isolated and lonely as the main character Dexter did, each time I watched the show. Instead of enjoying my me-time, I entered a dark headspace that I metaphorically was already sitting in, with or without Dexter. The show just made it worse.
It was the creator’s addition of the narrator as the main character, that drew me away from the show. From the first episode, Dexter opens-up to the audience in a very raw fashion that can be off-putting for some, but very intriguing. Overtime, he delves into deep topics, about “Why I am the way I am,” being unable to prevent his urges and tendencies, and always feeling out of place. The act of Dexter speaking to himself in such a drawn-out tone, and drawn-away perspective had me not reflect, but criticize my own insecurities and weaknesses. Being able to reflect would be one thing, but the fact that I began criticizing myself was another. The fact that a serial killer shared thoughts that many people do, about always having work to do and questioning your own judgement, was off putting for me. It made me believe who I am now is a destructive person. And that was the last thing I wanted to think of in the 50 minutes I took off from doing my work. Because I felt this way, I thought me sharing my feelings could help a few people out there be more intentional about their T.V show choices.
Dexter sported an 8.7 on IMDb, which is 0.1 points higher than Parks and Recreation and 0.1 points lower than The Office (IMDb). The story of a serial killer hunting serial killers, the ensuing plot, and not to mention the carefully chosen side plots makes Dexter a wildly addictive and entertaining show. It just isn’t for me.
We all enjoy a good laugh. As opposed to fear and suspense, comedy incites endorphins, which naturally make us happier. Watching Portlandia will make you laugh, and is so haphazard, you will eventually learn to love the lack of organization. Fred Armisen is a former SNL favorite, and he brings the aspect of several sketches to the show. Co-creator and actress Carrie Brownstein is a trick of all trades. For some perspective, she is not only a writer, comedian and actress, but one of Rolling Stone’s Top 25 Underrated Guitarists Of All Time (Rollingstone.com). The show takes place in the mellow Pacific Northwest community that is Portland, Oregon. The problems they face each episode would never seem like problems to us, but in Portlandia, the world feels like it has already met its end.
Hey! Connect with me on Twitter and Instagram, and feel free to reach out for personal advice.
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