It might seem strange that an entire television show could be based around a serial killer, but Dexter proves that following along with someone evil can be incredibly entertaining, with the double-life of him also working for the police being a very fun concept.
Following along from the novel series, Dexter became an instant hit for Showtime and found a second life on Netflix, becoming incredibly popular amongst critics and fans.
While the ending of the show left a lot to be desired and disappointed many after so much commitment. There were some amazing episodes of television, and within this article, we will rank the 10 best episodes, according to IMDb.
Dex Takes A Holiday (9.2)
We kickstart the list with the episode ‘Dex Takes A Holiday,’ which has an IMDb rating of 9.2, proving just how high the standard became for the show with this only making the 10th spot on the list. However, it is a tremendous episode of Dexter which has all the tension that the show is known for creating.
This episode takes place during the fourth season of the show and sees Rita take the children away on holiday, leaving Dexter by himself. He takes the opportunity to try and do what he does best, without any distractions.
However, his decision to pursue a police officer only spells trouble and alerts other people to start questioning him, with a last-minute murder almost seeing him caught out by the returning family.
Truth Be Told (9.3)
Next on the list, with a slightly higher IMDb rating of 9.3 is the episode titled ‘Truth Be Told,’ which took place in the first season of the show. The episode saw the Ice Truck Killer continue his cat and mouse game with Dexter Morgan, capturing someone he loves in order to lure him in.
Dexter learns in this episode that he and Rudy are actually connected through an old bloody case that involved his biological mother, adding some real emotion and heart into Dexter’s pursuit of him.
But when he decides to kidnap Debra, that is when the tension really ramps up as it seems like Dexter’s sister might be murdered, leading to him having to do everything possible to locate and save her.
The British Invasion (9.3)
Just like the previous entry, ‘The British Invasion’ has an IMDb rating of 9.3. Although this episode takes place in the second season of the show and sees Lila make a very shocking discovery about Dexter Morgan, which she tries to take advantage of.
Her thought process is that she can use the information to win him back, forcing him to be with her through blackmail. Even though Lila finds out about him being a serial killer, it clearly isn’t enough to put her off.
But this season finale has more going on than that, with Sgt. James Doakes being killed in this episode, becoming one of the most talked-about and memorable episodes in history.
Surprise, Motherf (9.3)
Season seven was one of the best seasons of Dexter, and the episode ‘Surprise, Motherf,’ just so happens to be one of the best from that, with an IMDb score of 9.3. This was the final episode of the season, so it is no surprise that the quality was high, ending with a bang.
In this episode, Dexter quickly begins to realise that LaGuerta is closing in on his secret and is on the verge of exposing it and all of his past activity.
This leads Dexter to do what he does best, which is to protect himself and his family, including Debra who becomes aware of his behavior, by any means necessary.
Resistance Is Futile (9.4)
Season two’s ‘Resistance Is Futile’ episode is next on the list with a slightly higher score of 9.4 from IMDb which sees the serial killer begin to panic as he realizes that his blood slides have gone missing.
Unfortunately for Dexter, it is Doakes who gets his hands on them, and even though the department suspects him of being involved in the Bay Harbor Butcher case, he knows all of Dexter’s secrets and he catches him with the remains of a victim.
This leads to an incredible showdown between the two men, which is something that fans had been desperate to see up to that point, and thankfully, it did not disappoint.
Hungry Man (9.4)
Another Dexter episode with an IMDb rating of 9.4 is ‘Hungry Man’ which takes place in season four and brings Thanksgiving into the show, and everyone knows the importance of a strong Thanksgiving episode.
This one doesn’t disappoint, as Dexter decides to use the holiday as an opportunity to get closer to Arthur, his most dangerous adversary to this point as Dexter decides he doesn’t trust Arthur’s family, so goes for dinner to learn more.
‘Hungry Man’ shows just how good the dialogue of the show really is, with some fantastic exchanges taking place, especially during the Thanksgiving dinner, which has some great tense moments.
Hello, Dexter Morgan (9.5)
Debra becomes close to working out the identity of the Trinity Killer in season four’s ‘Hello, Dexter Morgan’ episode, which scored an IMDb rating of 9.5, which isn’t good news for Dexter who wants to kill Arthur all by himself.
This is a fantastic episode that has got a lot going on and is action-packed, with a real mix of focus on Dexter himself, and the police, which brings out the best of everyone. With the season almost drawing to a close, this episode really does ramp up the pressure and tension, making it a superb episode to watch.
Are You? (9.5)
Next up on the list is the episode ‘Are You?’ which was actually the opening episode for the seventh season of the show and features Deb trying desperately to cover up involvement in the murder of Travis, whose death she walked in on as her brother murdered him.
Dexter convinced her to cover it up, claiming that it was a one-off thing, without revealing his history about being a serial killer, while Dexter ends up killing again within this same episode.
The episode was highly praised by critics for changing up the pace of the show, which had become slightly repetitive by its seventh season, with this episode and this season in general, breathing new life into Dexter.
Born Free (9.6)
‘Born Free’ is the second-highest-rated episode in the history of Dexter, with IMDb scoring the season one finale 9.6, in an episode that really is a classic race against the clock. Dexter is forced to try and find his sister, who has been kidnapped by the Ice Truck Killer.
It is one of the tensest episodes of the entire series as fans are left panicking about whether or not Dexter will get to his sister in time. When he does, the tension isn’t over though as he has an incredible scene with his fellow serial killer.
The connection between the two men is finally revealed to Dexter in this episode as well, in what really is the show at its absolute best.
The Getaway (9.8)
When it comes to the best episode of Dexter, then you need to head to the season four finale, which is titled ‘The Getaway’ and has an incredible rating of 9.8 and sees Dexter go to great lengths to try and stop Arthur; who knows his identity
As well as that, Debra learns the real truth about Dexter’s biological mother and the homicide division close in on the Trinity Killer, but it is the ending that really makes this episode. In a show that is jam-packed with death, the finale of this episode shows how impactful death can still be.
With Dexter spending too much time elsewhere, he doesn’t focus at home as Rita dies in what is the most shocking and heartbreaking moment of the entire series.
