best episodes of Dexter poster

Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police also leads a secret life as a serial killer, hunting down criminals who have slipped through the cracks of justice.

8 Seasons
96 Episodes
Ended
Crime Drama Mystery
episode image The Getaway
9.8/10 (22210 votes)

#1 The Getaway

S4:E12

Dexter and Arthur find themselves on a collision course, as Debra unearths a shocking long-hidden truth, Rita admits her marriage to Dexter is troubled, and Batista and LaGuerta face the consequences of an ethics breach.

episode image Born Free
9.6/10 (17120 votes)

#2 Born Free

S1:E12

Dexter figures out who the Ice Truck Killer is, along with a dark secret from his troubled past. Meanwhile, La Guerta is replaced with a new boss and Angel figures out a way how to track the killer while he's still in hospital.

episode image Hello, Dexter Morgan
9.5/10 (10326 votes)

#3 Hello, Dexter Morgan

S4:E11

Miami Metro is just one step away from discovering the identity of the Trinity Killer. And Dexter can't let that happen. Dexter must take drastic action to buy himself time to deal with Trinity in his own fashion. Arthur, who still can't understand why Dexter didn't simply turn him in, begins his own bloody investigation into Kyle Butler.

episode image Resistance Is Futile
9.4/10 (9742 votes)

#4 Resistance Is Futile

S2:E9

Dexter realizes it won't be easy to end things completely with Lila. Dexter tries to stay ahead of the investigations as the manhunt for the Bay Harbor Butcher intensifies. An enemy of Dexter figures out his secret.

episode image Hungry Man
9.4/10 (9642 votes)

#5 Hungry Man

S4:E9

For most people, Thanksgiving is a time for traditions and family. But for Dexter, it’s an opportunity to get closer to his most dangerous adversary yet. As Dexter gains insight into Arthur’s psychology by studying those closest to him, he finds himself drawn into a bizarre and twisted world.

episode image Are You...?
9.4/10 (11814 votes)

#6 Are You...?

S7:E1

After witnessing her brother kill Travis Marshall, Debra attempts to reconcile with Dexter while struggling to cover up their involvement with the murder. Meanwhile, Detective Mike Anderson has an unfortunate run-in, Quinn and Batista begin to make amends, and LaGuerta finds evidence that causes her to re-think the closed Bay Harbor Butcher case.

episode image Surprise, Motherfucker!
9.3/10 (9847 votes)

#7 Surprise, Motherfucker!

S7:E12

Dexter must protect himself when LaGuerta closes in on his secret.

episode image Truth Be Told
9.2/10 (10194 votes)

#8 Truth Be Told

S1:E11

The Ice Truck Killer sets a trap for Dexter by kidnapping someone close to him; Dexter's increasingly odd behavior piques Doakes's interest.

episode image The British Invasion
9.2/10 (9543 votes)

#9 The British Invasion

S2:E12

Lila Tournay finds Sgt. James Doakes imprisoned in an Everglades cabin and learns from him that her object of affection, Dexter Morgan, is the serial killer known as the "Bay Harbor Butcher". She decides to help Dexter and kills Doakes by setting the cabin on fire. Meanwhile, Dexter's sister Debra questions whether her career is more important than her relationship with FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy.

episode image Dex Takes a Holiday
9.2/10 (7819 votes)

#10 Dex Takes a Holiday

S4:E4

Dexter gets some much-needed R&R time with Rita and the kids out of town, leading to his stalking of a new victim until he unexpectedly begins to empathize with his target, a cop that murdered her family.

episode image Lost Boys
9.2/10 (7975 votes)

#11 Lost Boys

S4:E10

Dexter finally believes he understands the beast known as Trinity. But when a ten-year old boy goes missing, Dexter is forced to question everything he’s learned up to this point.

episode image Seeing Red
9.1/10 (9805 votes)

#12 Seeing Red

S1:E10

The Ice Truck Killer prepares a crime scene for Dexter: a hotel room all covered in his previous victim's blood. But Dexter does not appreciate this gift, because his childhood memories hunt him.

episode image This Is the Way the World Ends
9.1/10 (8772 votes)

#13 This Is the Way the World Ends

S6:E12

Dexter and Homicide race against a lunar eclipse to catch the Doomsday Killers before their final gruesome act; Debra struggles with a new emotional reality.

episode image Morning Comes
9.0/10 (8034 votes)

#14 Morning Comes

S2:E8

Dexter is attacked by the man who murdered his mother. Meanwhile, Lila wants to get closer to Dex, and Debra and Lundy close in on the Bay Harbor Butcher.

episode image Left Turn Ahead
9.0/10 (7840 votes)

#15 Left Turn Ahead

S2:E11

Dexter must make a massive decision that will have an effect on all those he holds close. Lila meanwhile is back with a secret to blackmail Dexter.

episode image Go Your Own Way
9.0/10 (7053 votes)

#16 Go Your Own Way

S3:E10

A series of chess-like moves ensues when Dexter and Miguel vie for the upper hand, with Miguel winning Rita's affection by presenting her with a lavish wedding gift. Elsewhere, Debra wonders if her relationship with Anton is worth the trouble.

episode image Return to Sender
8.9/10 (9648 votes)

#17 Return to Sender

S1:E6

The Ice Truck Killer leaves a clue at the scene where Dexter has dispatched his latest victim, and Dexter is worried that someone might have witnessed his killing. Rita is trying to deal with her ex-husband.

episode image Shrink Wrap
8.9/10 (9763 votes)

#18 Shrink Wrap

S1:E8

Dexter appears to be connected to a psychiatrist suspected of murdering a suicidal patient.

episode image There's Something About Harry
8.9/10 (7772 votes)

#19 There's Something About Harry

S2:E10

Doakes follows Dexter to his next crime scene and shocks him with a revelation about Harry. The Bay Harbor Butcher task force feels they are zeroing in on their man.

episode image Dirty Harry
8.9/10 (7090 votes)

#20 Dirty Harry

S4:E5

Recent events spur Dexter into his own investigation of the Trinity killer. His motivations are now personal, and the clock is ticking. But the closer Dexter gets, the more he realizes that Trinity is unlike any monster he’s previously encountered. Meanwhile, Debra blames herself for events that were out of her control, and in so doing pushes away those closest to her. As LaGuerta and Batista close in on the Vacation Murderers, Batista realizes he can use Quinn’s relationship with a certain reporter to his advantage. And when Rita discovers a secret Dexter’s been keeping from her, she begins to realize just how little she knows about the man she married.

episode image Teenage Wasteland
8.9/10 (6355 votes)

#21 Teenage Wasteland

S5:E9

Dexter and Lumen hunt for their next victim; Debra uncovers new evidence in the Barrel Girl case

episode image In the Beginning
8.9/10 (6305 votes)

#22 In the Beginning

S5:E10

Homicide uncovers some key evidence linked to one of Dexter's and Lumen's prior victims; Debra identifies two more suspects in the case.

episode image Do You See What I See?
8.9/10 (6254 votes)

#23 Do You See What I See?

S7:E11

It's Christmas time, and Debra learns it may be better to receive when she gets a tip from Hannah's father... one that could lead to incriminating Dexter in a crime. Meanwhile, Dexter discovers that the man behind his mother's death has been released from prison.

episode image I Had a Dream
8.8/10 (6786 votes)

#24 I Had a Dream

S3:E11

While preparing for his big wedding day, Dexter has to figure out a way to remove Miguel from his life for good. In the meantime, Rita has troubles of her own, when Syl reveals that Miguel has been seeing one of his old flames. Debra finds a new clue that brings her even closer to catching the Skinner.

episode image Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
8.8/10 (7273 votes)

#25 Do You Take Dexter Morgan?

S3:E12

It is the day before Dexter's wedding and Dexter must deal with two people targeting him, while preparing for his special occasion. Meanwhile, Angel tells Deb he's put her in for a promotion, but after he finds out some information her shield may be gone before she gets it.

episode image My Bad
8.8/10 (7962 votes)

#26 My Bad

S5:E1

Dexter must make a choice; Quinn stirs up trouble for Dexter but supports Deb.

episode image Take It!
8.8/10 (6078 votes)

#27 Take It!

S5:E8

Dexter and Lumen vet and stalk a violent killer; Debra gets into some unexpected trouble from the fallout of the Santa Muerte case

episode image Hop a Freighter
8.8/10 (6036 votes)

#28 Hop a Freighter

S5:E11

Dexter must do damage control; Debra's speculation begins to take shape; Quinn becomes involved in a homicide.

episode image The Big One
8.8/10 (7135 votes)

#29 The Big One

S5:E12

Dexter's situation grows desperate when he discovers that Lumen's been set up. Despite knowing he's being baited into a trap, Dexter risks everything to make sure he doesn't fall into the same mistake again. In the Barrel Girls case, Debra lets her personal feelings lead her instincts once she concludes that vigilantes are more than just a theory. Quinn finds himself in a troublesome situation, which only Dexter can help him out of.

episode image Run
8.8/10 (6941 votes)

#30 Run

S7:E4

After capturing a deadly killer, things go awry for Miami Metro, sending Debra into a tailspin. In an effort to help his sister, Dexter enters into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, while the Ukrainian mob continues to seek revenge.

episode image Argentina
8.8/10 (6818 votes)

#31 Argentina

S7:E8

Fresh out of jail, Isaak renews his pursuit of Dexter while Quinn continues his power struggle with the Koshkas. Dexter tries to keep Debra in the dark about his relationship with Hannah, but a surprise visit from Astor, Cody and Harrison throws a wrench into his plans.

episode image That Night, a Forest Grew
8.7/10 (7549 votes)

#32 That Night, a Forest Grew

S2:E7

Dexter manages to get Doakes off his back. He devises a plan to get the police in another direction. Lila and Dex's relationship intensifies, and he has some interaction with Rita and the kids.

episode image About Last Night
8.7/10 (6610 votes)

#33 About Last Night

S3:E9

Miguel and Dexter's friendship is impacted when Rita confronts Miguel about his alleged infidelity. Believing Skinner has abducted Anton, Debra pulls out all the stops to find him

episode image Everything Is Illumenated
8.7/10 (6269 votes)

#34 Everything Is Illumenated

S5:E6

Dexter is drawn into a precarious situation; Batista discovers an interesting lead; Quinn gets information about Dexter from a questionable source.

episode image Sunshine and Frosty Swirl
8.7/10 (6661 votes)

#35 Sunshine and Frosty Swirl

S7:E2

Miami Metro sets out to unearth new evidence on a claim from a local convict that he has new information regarding a 15-year-old crime spree; Debra tries to cure Dexter of his killer tendencies.

episode image Dexter
8.6/10 (14455 votes)

#36 Dexter

S1:E1

Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department blood spatter analyst, is living a double life. After his day job with the police department, Dexter moonlights as a serial killer, hunting and killing criminals who slip through the justice system. Dexter's sister, Debra, a vice squad officer, pulls Dexter into her world when another serial killer is killing prostitutes and leaving their bloodless bodies dismembered in various locations around Miami. Meanwhile, Dexter hunts a man who made snuff videos and killed a mother of two.

episode image Let's Give the Boy a Hand
8.6/10 (9329 votes)

#37 Let's Give the Boy a Hand

S1:E4

The Ice Truck Killer leaves severed body parts from his victims at locations that are linked to memories from Dexter's troubled childhood, which begins to get into Dexter's head.

episode image Circle of Friends
8.6/10 (8784 votes)

#38 Circle of Friends

S1:E7

The squad identifies the Ice Truck Killer; Rita's ex-husband, an abusive addict, is paroled.

episode image It's Alive!
8.6/10 (8394 votes)

#39 It's Alive!

S2:E1

Things are really beginning to heat up for Dexter: Doakes' suspicions about him are growing, his victims are escaping, and his body dump site has been found. Meanwhile Paul is troubling Rita over the missing shoe and Debra is going through trauma over the Ice Truck killer incident.

episode image The Dark Defender
8.6/10 (7624 votes)

#40 The Dark Defender

S2:E5

Dexter finds out that the man who killed his mother, right in front of him, is still alive. When he tells this to Lila, she suggests he face the man, as part of his road to addiction recovery. But then as his sponsor she insists on tagging along.

Cast & Chracters

character image Dexter Morgan

Dexter Morgan

Actor: Michael C. Hall
character image Debra Morgan

Debra Morgan

Actor: Jennifer Carpenter
character image Thomas Matthews

Thomas Matthews

Actor: Geoff Pierson
character image Angel Batista

Angel Batista

Actor: David Zayas
character image Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan

Actor: James Remar
character image Jamie Batista

Jamie Batista

Actor: Aimee Garcia
character image Joseph Quinn

Joseph Quinn

Actor: Desmond Harrington
character image Vince Masuka

Vince Masuka

Actor: C.S. Lee

The highest rated episode of Dexter is "The Getaway" (S4E12) with a rating of 9.80.

This episode received 22,210 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Remember the Monsters?" (S8E12) with a rating of 4.80.

This episode received 25,207 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Born Free" (S1E12) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 17,120 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Crocodile" (S1E2) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 10,141 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Resistance Is Futile" (S2E9) with a rating of 9.40.

This episode received 9,742 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "See-Through" (S2E4) with a rating of 8.30.

This episode received 7,403 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Go Your Own Way" (S3E10) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 7,053 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (S3E3) with a rating of 8.00.

This episode received 6,630 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Getaway" (S4E12) with a rating of 9.80.

This episode received 22,210 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Blinded by the Light" (S4E3) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 6,550 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Teenage Wasteland" (S5E9) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 6,355 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "First Blood" (S5E5) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 5,950 votes.

The highest rated episode is "This Is the Way the World Ends" (S6E12) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 8,772 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Nebraska" (S6E7) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 6,425 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Are You...?" (S7E1) with a rating of 9.40.

This episode received 11,814 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Do the Wrong Thing" (S7E6) with a rating of 8.10.

This episode received 5,901 votes.

The highest rated episode is "A Beautiful Day" (S8E1) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 7,993 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Remember the Monsters?" (S8E12) with a rating of 4.80.

This episode received 25,207 votes.

Name Department Job
Charles H. Eglee Production Executive Producer
Chip Johannessen Production Executive Producer
Clyde Phillips Production Executive Producer
Daniel Cerone Production Executive Producer
John Goldwyn Production Executive Producer
Lauren Gussis Production Producer
Manny Coto Production Executive Producer
Melissa Rosenberg Production Executive Producer
Michael C. Hall Production Executive Producer
Robert Lloyd Lewis Production Producer
Sara Colleton Production Executive Producer
Scott Buck Production Executive Producer
Tim Schlattmann Production Producer
Wendy West Production Producer
Daniel Licht Sound Original Music Composer
Jeff Lindsay Writing Novel

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