Dexter’s Integrity: “The Code of Harry”

Here is another example of integrity in pop culture. The wildly successful Showtime series, Dexter, portrays a serial killer that everyone loves, a righteous killer of sorts. The show refers to Dexter’s youth many times and the “code” his father taught him. Dexter struggles with his father’s strict code, but knows it is ultimately what keeps him alive and free. I think you can see the parallels here, “the code“, is essentially a form of integrity. However, this is a slightly different sort of integrity at work here. The integrity that I have been writing mostly about is the virtue, the one that makes us great. But this one, is the survival integrity, the one can keeps things in balance, in control, a more meaningful sort of discipline. Similar to the steps in an AA program, a certain structure is needed for those who struggle with control of themselves. It is more of a defensive integrity, compared to the offensive integrity that is more commonly known and found. Because this is a show and not real life, I am again asking for the permission to sidestep the obvious morality debate here and  use the example, principles, the code and the fact that Dexter’s following it gives him strength, conviction, and ultimately is the reason the audience respects and admires him. If he didn’t follow the code, and succumbed to his destructive urges his perception by the viewer/audience would change dramatically. They do show his weakness and at times he will break the code and walk the line. Usually, these are the story plots that get him “oh so close” to being caught and vilified. However, this is part of writing that makes it so compelling, they show him as vulnerable and human , so that we can relate to him. This is where integrity and human nature coincide. Integrity by definition can be interpreted as perfect, but we as people are not. Therefore integrity, or being integrious, in a personal sense, is a scale of subjectivity, similar the old adage “be the best you can be”. And the only person who can truly evaluate this is you.