Hi all!

Today I am ranking all the seasons of Dexter! This dark comedy series follows a “lovable” serial killer, named Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), whose victims (in his opinion), deserve to die. Masking as a law-abiding citizen, whilst working as a forensic analyst at Miami Metro PD, Dexter spends his spare time indulging in his deadly addiction. He’s the antihero we cannot help but root for. I want to thank Jay for allowing me to use his artwork in this post. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Spoilers Ahead! 

1.) Season 1

In first place, we have Season 1. It sets up the entire show perfectly, giving us a taste of who Dexter is and how he became the adult we know. We learn how his mother was murdered right in front of him as a child, plus his adoption into the Morgan family. At an early age, he showed a propensity for murder, causing Harry (his late adoptive father), to teach him the “code.” He knew he couldn’t stop Dexter’s dark addiction, so he taught him to kill those who deserved it, without ever getting caught. Dexter uses his job in the police force to track criminals that either walked free, or were released from prison, only to resume their wicked ways. Each season tends to focus on one main villain that Dexter finds himself up against. In the premiere, we are introduced to the mysterious Ice Truck Killer, who dismembers women, arranging their limbs like a doll. Dexter becomes obsessed with uncovering their identity (believing the criminal is sending him a personal message), only to realise the murderer is his biological brother, Brian, who went into the foster-system, after Dexter was adopted. It is a mind-blowing twist that is also supremely sad. Although they are related, Brian meets the “code”, therefore must be eliminated. Aside from the incredible storyline, we are introduced to the colourful characters of the series that are so likable, even when they shouldn’t be. Who doesn’t love Dexter’s potty-mouthed sister, Debra? Or the wildly inappropriate Masuka? I think we can all agree however, that Dexter is the best narrator. His dry sense of humour and cool demeanor, immediately draws us in as his ally.

2.) Season 3

In second place, we have Season 3. It is so underrated! As we know by now, it is difficult for Dexter to make friends, given his addiction (or Dark Passenger as he calls it). However, he yearns for a connection. Somebody who sees him exactly as he is and accepts him anyway. Despite being in a relationship with the gentle and sweet Rita, Dexter knows he could never reveal his deepest secret to her. Enter Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), the Assistant District Attorney in Miami. Through work, Dexter and Miguel meet, learning they share a common value: justice. It isn’t long before Miguel discovers the truth about his new acquaintance, proposing they team up. As the District Attorney, he gets the criminals off in court and Dexter ends their lives. It seems like the perfect partnership at first, but as expected, the power corrupts Miguel’s. When he begins murdering people who don’t fit the “code”, Dexter realises their relationship was too good to be true. There are so many layers to this season. It truly cements that Dexter’s life is a solitary one.

3.) Season 4

In third place, we have Season 4. If you know, you know. It’s wildly traumatic. Nothing will ever prepare you for the ending. NOTHING. I’ve re-watched it many times and still get shocked. It has the most complex and captivating villain in the entire series: The Trinity Killer (John Lithgow). Dexter is now married to Rita, navigating fatherhood with the birth of his son: Harrison. Our antagonist lands on Dexter’s radar when he’s asked to analyse a murder, with a very particular, ritualistic pattern. Trinity recreates the tragic events of his own childhood over and over again, in a series of grisly killings. Dexter goes undercover as Kyle Butler, befriending Arthur Mitchell (Trinity), in order to gain proof. He learns that Arthur is a family man and a valued member of society. It gives Dexter hope he can balance the darkness with his reality, distracting him from stopping Trinity much earlier than he should. By the time Arthur winds up on his table, it’s too late. Dexter kills him, thinking he has won the battle, but ultimately learns, he has lost the war. Prior to Arthur’s capture, he murdered Rita, leaving Harrison in her blood – much like Dexter’s own childhood. This season proves that Dexter’s Dark Passenger is not safe from anybody, even those he loves. It’s heartbreaking.

4.) Season 2

In fourth place, we have Season 2. I know it’s a favourite amongst fans, but it’s lower on my list for one reason only: Lila West. After Rita suspects Dexter is hiding something, he lies, confessing he is a drug addict. She sends him to Narcotics Anonymous, where he meets recovering addict, Lila. She becomes obsessed with Dexter, forming a wedge between himself and Rita. Her character is extremely selfish, reckless and irritating. It unfortunately lessened my enjoyment of the season. At the same time, the bodies of Dexter’s victims are dredged up from the ocean, marking him the “Bay Harbour Butcher”. A special agent from the FBI (Lundy) is sent to work on the case. He ends up forming a romantic relationship with Debra. Dexter spends much of the season throwing the task force off his scent, dodging Lila and his colleague, Sergeant James Doakes, who has been convinced from the beginning Dexter was more than he seemed. The ending is literally explosive. We witness a heart-to-heart between Doakes and Dexter, worthy of an award. Not to mention the framing of Doakes as the Bay Harbour Butcher and his death at the hands of Lila, who gets her comeuppance. The writers took big risks, but they paid off!

Update: Here is where I would rank Season 1 of Dexter Resurrection. Read my review here. 

5.) Season 6

In fifth place, we have Season 6. It has the most jaw-dropping ending, you won’t see coming. In short, Debra catches Dexter in the act of murder. The moment we have feared, finally comes to light. But before all that, he finds himself stalking a new evil: The Doomsday Killer (Colin Hanks). This villain commits biblical-themed murders, he believes will bring about the Apocalypse. As an antagonist, Travis Marshall (Doomsday) is not particularly enigmatic. He’s quite nerdy and awkward. However, his victims are something to behold. He displays the corpses in unique, different ways – depending on how they are portrayed in the tableau. He also suffers from breaks in reality, giving us a great twist, when we realise his mentor, Professor Gellar, was murdered by Travis years ago. The whole time, he was hallucinating, speaking to nobody. I liked Season 6 because it had horror undertones. It was so dark and violent. The one thing I HATE about this season is the “incestuous” storyline. Debra is convinced by her therapist, that she’s in love with Dexter. Even though they aren’t technically related, there is still a significant “ick” factor. Why did the writers think this was a good idea? 

Update: Here is where I would rank Season 1 of Dexter Original Sin. Read my review here. 

6.) Season 9 – New Blood 

In sixth place, we have New Blood. It takes place 10 years after the finale of Season 8. Dexter is now living in Iron Lake – far away from Miami – as Jim Lindsay. Nobody knows about his former life. Furthermore, he has not killed in years. With a steady routine and a romantic relationship to police officer, Angela, “Jim” has been able to lead a relatively normal life. However, when a resident pushes him too far, he finds himself back in the throes of a cat and mouse game. But that’s not all. Harrison – his now teenage son – tracks him down, wanting to reconnect. Dexter finds himself up against a new evil, who threatens to undo the brand new existence he has created. He must not only protect his identity, but his child. What I loved about New Blood, was its ability to pick up right where we left off, after such a long break. It all felt so familiar. Nothing was forced. In this particular case, I’m not going to spoil the ending. Watch it and see for yourself. 

7.) Season 5

In seventh place, we have Season 5. It was difficult moving away from the intensity of the first four seasons, to a much more subdued one. Perhaps the writers wanted to give us a break after Rita’s shocking death? Either way, it’s not one of my favourites. Dexter, still reeling from the murder of his wife, is unable to process his new existence. When he kills a rapist named Boyd Fowler, Dexter stumbles across Lumen (Julia Stiles) a surviving victim, who tells him that Boyd is just one of many. Through shared trauma, they form a romantic (yet temporary) relationship, taking out the remaining men involved in the serial ring of rapes/murders. At the same time, Quinn (Debra’s latest love interest and fellow cop), is investigating the identity of Kyle Butler (Dexter’s alias when tracking Trinity). Honestly, not a lot happens this season. I did not buy the chemistry between Dexter and Lumen (terrible character name) and the main villains were a series of low-life sex offenders. It paled in comparison to what came before.

8.) Season 7

In second last place, we have Season 7. With Debra now aware of Dexter’s dark secret, she is forced to decide whether to protect her brother, or do what a law-enforcer should. Whilst she grapples with what she has learnt, Dexter meets and falls in love with another serial killer: Hannah McKay, who poisons her victims. He almost kills her because she meets the code, but they end up sleeping together instead. I like their chemistry, but it’s not something he would normally do. He had no hesitation murdering Lila, who was on par with Hannah. What I really struggled to get behind was the ending. Ultimately, in order to save Dexter, Debra kills the captain of Miami Metro PD, LaGuerta, who discovers he was the Bay Harbour Butcher all along. I know it seemed like she had no other choice, but it was really out of character for Debra to murder somebody in the force. It left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, the main villain is a Ukrainian mob boss, I always forget about. If anybody can convince me this season is amazing, please try. I’m willing to listen!

9.) Season 8

In last place, we have Season 8. Most fans will tell you this is the worst one. I didn’t hate the ending. I just really disliked all the events leading up to it. Debra’s death felt so unnecessary and pointless. After everything she suffered and sacrificed, she was killed by a gunshot. The villain, Oliver Saxon (The Brain Surgeon), was such a bland and boring antagonist. I did not care for him at all. After his sister passes away, Dexter fakes his own death, disappearing to a lumber yard. Harrison is left in the care of Hannah McKay and they also move, but to Argentina. I re-watched the show recently, skipping this season altogether. I wish some different choices had been made. What do you think?

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank this iconic franchise? 

Peace & Love xoxo