The BEST episodes of Dexter

Every episode of Dexter ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Dexter!

Dexter Morgan is a Miami-based blood spatter expert who doesn’t just solve murders; he commits them too. In fact, he’s a serial killer — but he only murders the guilty, so he feels justified with his lifestyle choices. His policewoman sister and his cop co-workers have no idea Dexter lives a double life; however, adoptive father Harry knows his secret, and does, in fact, help Dexter hone his “skills.” It’s a unique brand of justice for which charming Dexter feels a psychological hunger.

Last Updated: 8/31/2024Network: ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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The Getaway
star
8.72
8350 votes

#1 - The Getaway

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/13/2009

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.

Directors: Steve Shill
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
This is the Way the World Ends
star
8.54
7966 votes

#2 - This is the Way the World Ends

Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2011

In the season 6 finale, 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.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Are You...?
star
8.43
7368 votes

#3 - Are You...?

Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/30/2012

Deb tries to cover up involvement in Travis' murder; Detective Mike Anderson has an unfortunate run-in; Quinn and Batista make amends; LaGuerta rethinks the Bay Harbor Butcher case.

Directors: John Dahl
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Born Free
star
8.38
6165 votes

#4 - Born Free

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/17/2006

Dexter follows clues left for him by the Ice-Truck Killer in an attempt to find the hostage. Paul tries to convince Rita that she and the children are not safe around Dexter.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The British Invasion
star
8.34
5386 votes

#5 - The British Invasion

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/16/2007

The Task force believes the Bay Harbor Butcher case is closed, but Dexter still has some trouble to deal with.

Directors: Steve Shill
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Big One
star
8.31
8710 votes

#6 - The Big One

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/12/2010

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.

Directors: Steve Shill
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Surprise, Motherfucker!
star
8.30
6799 votes

#7 - Surprise, Motherfucker!

Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/16/2012

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

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hello, Dexter Morgan
star
8.26
8009 votes

#8 - Hello, Dexter Morgan

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/6/2009

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.

Directors: S.J. Clarkson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hop a Freighter
star
8.22
9719 votes

#9 - Hop a Freighter

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/5/2010

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

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Resistance Is Futile
star
8.17
5840 votes

#10 - Resistance Is Futile

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/25/2007

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.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Truth Be Told
star
8.17
6296 votes

#11 - Truth Be Told

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/10/2006

The Ice Truck Killer puts Dexter in a life changing position when he takes someone close to Dexter hostage. Doakes begins to suspect that Dexter's odd behavior is something darker than he originally thought.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
star
8.14
6389 votes

#12 - Do You Take Dexter Morgan?

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/14/2008

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.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Get Gellar
star
8.13
8106 votes

#13 - Get Gellar

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/27/2011

Dexter receives help from an unexpected source while hunting the Doomsday Killers and staying one step ahead of Homicide; Debra discovers something new about herself in therapy.

Directors: Seith Mann
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Go Your Own Way
star
8.13
6268 votes

#14 - Go Your Own Way

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/30/2008

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.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Teenage Wasteland
star
8.13
9548 votes

#15 - Teenage Wasteland

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/21/2010

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

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
In the Beginning
star
8.13
9387 votes

#16 - In the Beginning

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/28/2010

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

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Horse of a Different Color
star
8.12
8406 votes

#17 - A Horse of a Different Color

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/23/2011

Much to his own surprise, an emergency with Harrison and a new tableau from Gellar and Travis has Dexter leaning on Brother Sam and an unexpected winged messenger for support as he questions the idea of faith; with proof of a religiously motivated killer, Homicide hunts for a zealot, with Debra giving her first official press conference.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Take It!
star
8.12
9364 votes

#18 - Take It!

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/14/2010

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

Directors: Romeo Tirone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Morning Comes
star
8.07
5759 votes

#19 - Morning Comes

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/18/2007

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.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Argentina
star
8.06
6560 votes

#20 - Argentina

Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/18/2012

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.

Directors: Romeo Tirone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Left Turn Ahead
star
8.06
5888 votes

#21 - Left Turn Ahead

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/9/2007

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.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Do You See What I See?
star
8.06
6824 votes

#22 - Do You See What I See?

Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/9/2012

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.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lost Boys
star
8.05
7389 votes

#23 - Lost Boys

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/29/2009

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.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
There's Something About Harry
star
8.05
6002 votes

#24 - There's Something About Harry

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/2/2007

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.

Directors: Steve Shill
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Run
star
8.05
6948 votes

#25 - Run

Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/21/2012

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.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV