15 Best Dexter Episodes, Ranked

Throughout the series, the best Dexter episodes helped the show experience incredible heights with standout storylines. In 2006, Dexter began airing on Showtime, where the show quickly achieved critical success. Michael C. Hall's performance as Dexter Morgan, which explored the dark duality between a man with a strong moral code and his self-proclaimed dark passenger, was a tense and gripping crime drama that pioneered antihero stories on TV.

The series was initially inspired by a series of novels Dexter Dreaming Darklyby Jeff Lindsay. However, when the second season was put into production, the series began to create more independent stories with little to no connection to the novels. While there were a few seasons that didn't live up to the series' typical pattern and tone, Dexter largely featured a brilliant and intricate set of stories with several episodes that were particularly memorable.

15

Dirty Harry

Dexter Season 4, Episode 5

The best serial killer Dexter Morgan hunted was The Trinity Killer, and in the Season 4 episode, “Dirty Harry,” the series went a long way to show how Dexter compares to this evil man. Both are serial killers and Even though Dexter has always only killed the people he thinks deserve it, he's still a monster despite that. In this episode, Dexter believes that the Trinity Killer is the person who shot Deb, so he takes matters into his own hands and sets out to find the man, while also watching The Trinity Killer in action.

What makes this episode stand out is that it shows The Trinity Killer murdering a father of two using the same preparation that Dexter Morgan uses to carry out his crimes. This shows both men using the same tactics, but then seeing the innocent father die, leaving two children without their parents. It's easy to see that Dexter might be doing things for what he considers the right reason, but he's not much different from The Trinity Killer. That Dexter The episode also has him decide not to kill The Trinity Killer, who comes back to haunt him.

14

My mistake

Dexter Season 5, Episode 1

Dexter Morgan's Heartbreaking Breakdown Gets Season 5 by Dexter debut stands out. In season four, Dexter Morgan had the chance to eliminate The Trinity Killer before killing anyone else, but he didn't because he wanted to learn more about how this man could keep his two lives separate. However, as fans saw in the Season 4 finale, The Trinity Killer murdered Rita and destroyed Dexter's life. This episode goes a long way showing how Dexter sees himself after this tragic event.

Dexter pretends to have emotions for the first four seasons and believes he cannot express any basic human feelings. However, when comforting Rita's children, Cody (Preston Bailey) and Astor (Christina Robinson), after her death, he begins to show cracks and make comments he would normally have kept to himself. However, what stands out is when Dexter beats to death a man who says something rude about Rita, and he realizes that he loves her, which is a revelation that changes the course of the show.

13

Nebraska

Dexter Season 6, Episode 7

Dexter Season 6 began to falter and lose its narrative, and many fans consider it the weakest of the entire series. However, a Dexter That season's episode stands out as one of the series' best. In “Nebraska”, Dexter goes on a road trip when he discovers that authorities believe The Trinity Killer has returned.. Of course, Dexter killed Arthur Miller, so he knows this is a copycat killer, but things get more complicated when he discovers that Arthur's wife and daughter are also dead.

This is a situation where Dexter must take his actions into account. Although The Trinity Killer murdered people and left grieving families behind, now Dexter sees that he did the same thing to Arthur's wife and son. That's because the killer is Jonah, Arthur's son, whose sister took her own life after their mother blamed them for their father's crimes. Dexter realizes that the way he acted to kill a serial killer had much greater ramifications and caused other unnecessary deaths, increasing Dexter's growing guilt.

12

Living the dream

Dexter Season 4, Episode 1

The season 4 premiere was a highlight Dexter episode for one big reason. This episode showed what Dexter's life would be like if he didn't have the Dark Passenger leading him to commit murders. Season 3 ended with Dexter marrying Rita and now the two live in the suburbs with a new baby, Harrison, and Dexter no longer seeks out victims, instead focusing on being the best father he can. However, being an exhausted father of a new baby, he makes mistakes.

It all starts with him messing up a case, which allows a killer to go free. When he decides to rectify this by killing the killer, that doesn't work out either. However, what really makes this season so great is The Trinity Killer. He first appears in this episode, committing a gruesome murder. He has his own Dark Passenger, and his deaths are much more gruesome than Dexter's. This particular episode shows how Dexter struggles to navigate his new life as a family man while Trinity keeps him in check.

11

Sins of the Father

New Blood, Episode 10

One of the great things that Dexter: New Blood What we intended to do was make up for the fact that the series finale disappointed so many viewers. The last episode saw Dexter fake his own death and leave to live in the desert, a self-imposed exile to free himself from the temptations to continue killing. This means that Dexter never faced any real punishment for his crimesand although he punished himself, it wasn't a satisfying ending for a character who had done so many bad things in eight seasons.

In “Sins of the Father”, Dexter finally has to answer for everyone he hurt with his actions. After his arrest, Dexter escapes by killing a good person in Logan (Alano Miller), and this crosses the line, with Dexter becoming the thing he fought his entire life to avoid. Harrison finally understands that Dexter is not a good man and an avenging dark angel, but a killer who found an excuse to kill people and only cared about himself. After blaming Dexter for the deaths of Rita and Deb, Harrison finally kills his father and ends his tormented life once and for all.

10

The British Invasion

Dexter Season 2, Episode 12

The final episode of season 2 is a prime example of the tension and drama this series evokes. Dexter has his longtime rival, Sgt. James Doakes is trapped in a cabin in the Everglades, and events are converging in a way that could reveal his secret. Doakes knows the truth, FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy is close to uncovering the truth, and Dexter is struggling to keep all the plates spinning.

However, Dexter's new spark, Lila, finds Doakes and, in a shocking turn of events, she chooses help Dexter by setting fire to the cabin and killing Doakes. The characters' questionable morals and intentions are a defining part of the series, and positioning Lila as a passionate killer against Dexter's compulsive and calculating moralistic killer is an interesting comparison. The episode is a highlight in a brilliant season, showing exactly what makes Dexter unique and engaging.

9

Lost Boys

Dexter Season 4, Episode 10

“Lost Boys” features some standout performances from Michael C. Hall and the Trinity Killer, Arthur, played by John Lithgow. The episode shows many of the events of Season 4 and previous seasons finally starting to come together after a long build-up. Arthur's identity as the Trinity Killer was already exposed earlier in the season, but the reality of his cycle containing four deaths instead of three is explored here.

Lithgow is incredible as a vicious villain who seeks to repair his own trauma by taking the lives of others in a controlled, repetitive cycle. At the same time, Dexter's sister Debra is on the trail of someone who appears to be connected. THE reveals and tension of the episode are excellent and clearly define this episode as one of the most compelling of the series.

8

Dexter

Dexter Season 1, Episode 1

The first episode deserves a spot in the top 10 for its solid foundations and smart storytelling. Dexter is introduced as a blood spatter analyst who works at the Miam Metro Police Department. However, unlike typical lab technicians or those involved in law enforcement, Dexter hides a much darker secret. His double life as a serial killer is quickly revealed, and the episode builds on this drama and tension.

At the same time, the Ice Truck Killer is introduced as a potential rival to Dexter. The comparison between these killers, with their different styles of committing their crimes and choosing their victims, is a complex contrast that is immediately intriguing. By the end of the episode, Dexter Morgan seems like a fully formed character with more secrets to delve into, inviting the audience along for a wild ride.

7

Turn left straight ahead

Dexter Season 2, Episode 11

In the penultimate episode of Season 2, the stakes reach an all-time high when Dexter confronts Doakes, considers turning himself in, and Lila's obsession spirals out of control. This episode is full of twists and turns, with Dexter coming closer to revealing himself than ever before. Simultaneously, events happen to the unstable Lila, who has some of her secrets discovered in this episode.

This episode benefits from having an extraordinary cast. well-developed characters, all pursuing similar goals, while most remain unaware of their interconnected paths. Dexter's double life is wreaking havoc and he struggles to balance what he does and the future he wants. However, although the episode deals with complex issues and the antihero's self-reflection, the episode comes to a devastating conclusion that could change everything before the season ends.

6

Surprise, motherfucker

Dexter Season 7, Episode 12

Although later seasons of Dexter occasionally lost sight of some of the aspects that made the show great, Dexter season 7 and its finale were a spectacular exception. At this point, Debra discovered Dexter's secret, and LaGuerta became extremely suspicious of Dexter. The episode features several flashbacks that tie it back to the early seasons and to Doakes' suspicions about Dexter, in contrast to LaGuerta's. The episode also introduces Hannah, Dexter's latest lover, as she prepares her own grand escape.

The entire episode is filled with suspicion and tension and leads Dexter to make a choice that seems to go against his own code. However, the show once again plays with the idea of ​​morality, good and evil, as Debra's role as an accomplice to her murderous brother becomes a bigger obstacle. The episode has an incredible climax that changes the game for the series and sets it on a strong path ahead of the final season.

5

Hungry man

Dexter Season 4, Episode 9

“Hungry Man” is an expertly told story that explores Dexter's double life in the context of Thanksgiving. At this point in the Season 4 finale, Dexter has connected with Arthur, who Dexter knows is the Trinity Killer. However, he admires Arthur's seemingly perfectly balanced life. Arthur is a family man and a respected individual in his community, while living a double life as a murderer who has eluded FBI detection for decades.

However, the episode moves beyond this surface-level idealistic life, and Dexter is given insight into the sadistic underbelly of Arthur's home life. The episode does an incredible job playing with duality, revealing dark secrets and exposing Christine as Arthur's secret daughter. The tension and high stakes this episode creates is definitely brilliant.

4

You are…?

Dexter Season 7, Episode 1

Dexter Season 7 promised a return to form after the show struggled to generate engagement since Season 4 ended. At the end of Season 6, the cliffhanger sees Deb finally come face to face with the truth about her brother, but it wasn't until Season 7 that her reaction and subsequent response were fully revealed. This episode changed the dynamic of the rest of the show.

After Dexter managed to live with his secrets at a fairly comfortable level, his sister discovered his secret and got in the way of work. Furthermore, in the confusion of trying to hide his murderous actions, he makes a rare mistake that causes LaGuerta to become increasingly suspicious of him. Debra chooses to help her brother, but the truth and the terrifying scene of his murder bring back haunting memories of her own near-death experience with the Ice Truck Killer in a moment that brings the series full circle.

3

Hello, Dexter Morgan

Dexter Season 4, Episode 11

Coming into the top three, these episodes embody the frightening tension and tantalizing mysteries that are slowly exposed throughout the series. In the penultimate episode of Dexter Season 4, Dexter and Arthur are growing closer as they try to outdo each other. Up until this point Dexter had the upper hand with Arthur while he kept his true identity a secret behind the false identity of Kyle Butler.

However, in one of the most chilling and satisfying moments in the entire series, Arthur tracks his stalker to the Miami subway and discovers Dexter's true identity. In the episode's spectacular finale, Arthur comes face to face with his rival and takes back control with three simple words: “Hello, Dexter Morgan.” The episode is a perfect example of the tension and build-up the series is best known for, and sets up a perfect cliffhanger before the season finale.

2

Born Free

Dexter Season 1, Episode 12

Going back to the debut season, “Born Free” was a defining moment in the show’s history in many ways. Dexter comes face to face with the ice truck killer, Brian, who is revealed to be Dexter's biological brother, which opens a key to Dexter's mysterious origins. Furthermore, the episode sees Dexter's adopted sister Debra captured and prepared to kill by the man she thought loved her, also Brian, giving her as a gift to Dexter ready to kill.

Dexter The exploration of morality, family, love, and how the past can define a person collide in a remarkable final chapter. The show went from being interesting and nuanced to being deeply emotional, challenging viewers' beliefs and exploring deeper meaning for complex characters. In many ways, this episode defined the show and proved Hall's talent for the role would continue for many years to come.

1

The escape

Dexter Season 4, Episode 12

However, nothing can top the season 4 finale. When Dexter and Arthur have their final encounter, Dexter manages to gain the upper hand, and it isn't long before the Trinity Killer is lying naked and afraid on Dexter's cold metal table. Although this concludes an epic battle between titans, the Dexter the season finale wouldn't be complete without a final twist, and season 4 eclipses any other in the series. Dexter kills the Trinity Killer and prepares to leave his life of duality, duplicity, and murder behind in an effort to protect his marriage to Rita and his beloved children.

His biggest fear is becoming like Arthur, and luckily, Rita and Dexter have reached a new level in their relationship with honesty and love. He returns home, ready to embrace this new life, but is faced with his own reflected trauma when he discovers his wife's lifeless body in the bath, and his son Harrison in a pool of blood in a scene that is eerily similar to that. who gave birth to her dark passenger. By far, the duality, impact and shock of this emotional episode stand out as the best of Dexter.