So I’m watching an episode of Dexter, and it’s the Thanksgiving episode in Season 4. Debra Morgan, beloved sister of the titular character, being the obsessive workaholic, says she’s not coming to the Morgan Family Thanksgiving dinner, because she’s still trying to crack the Trinity Killer. So being the conniving, calculated individual he is, Dexter resorts to the dirtiest, most effective trick in the book – kids.
He orchestrates his adoptive family to make a plea to their aunt to come over for Thanksgiving, record it, and then send it to Debs, who would no doubt, be unable to resist the invitation from her step-niece and nephews. But when it comes time for action, Dexter pulls out, of all video equipment in the world, his cell phone.
In the very next scene is Debs, at the station, watching the video, eyes glazed, partially with remorse, partially with disdain that her brother would sink so low as to use his children as a prop. But it works. Debra agrees to come to Thanksgiving dinner after all. Here’s the magic of (television) fiction – Debs is using a 17″ Apple Powerbook, which has a screen resolution of 1440x900px. I’m guessing the video she’s watching is like 1350x820ish. But the bottom line is that, that video, shot from a cell phone, is still looking like HD quality shot on a DVW 790WSP Digi-beta.
Let’s take out the magic of fiction, and replay the scene:
Debra watches the indecipherable video clip, and immediately calls Dexter.
“What the fuck was that, Dex?! I love you BRO, but I don’t have time for this shit. I have to work on the Trinity case, not watch your crappy YouTube videos. Tell Rita and the kids that I said ‘hi’ and I’m sorry I couldn’t make it for dinner, bye *click*”
Much like the cars in the Fast and Furious, with their 12-speed transmission Supras, and the exacerbation from Superman Returns, it must be nice to live in the land of fiction.
Good god, do I have too much free time on my hands.
