In 2006, TV viewers were introduced to a rather unusual serial killer in Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). Throughout Dexter's run of eight seasons, fans witnessed the titular character rack up quite the body count over the years. By preying upon Miami's most depraved killers, Dexter solidified himself as one of television's most interesting antiheroes.
With Dexter: New Blood premiering on November 7 on Showtime, it's fun to look back on the original show's best seasons. Possessing no shortage of memorable moments, deciding which season of Dexter is the best can be difficult. Whether somebody is a longtime fan of the show or a complete newcomer, now has never been a better time to watch this critically-acclaimed series.
8 Season 8
The stakes are always high when it comes to the final season of any popular show. Wrapping up a series is a delicate balancing act that isn't always pulled off successfully. At the time, the final season of Dexter proved divisive with fans and critics.
In this season, Dexter struggles to tie up the remaining loose ends of his double life. In the process, however, those closest to him end up paying the price. The finale episode itself drew a lot of criticism for delivering a sloppy ending to an otherwise complex and engaging series. Nevertheless, viewers can decide for themselves whether or not Dexter Morgan receives his just desserts in the end.
7 Season 6
Season 6 of Dexter revolves around a bizarre series of murders motivated by the "end times" described in the Bible. Dexter, naturally, takes it upon himself to discover the identity of this "Doomsday Killer." The ending to this season, in particular, is notable for its surprising cliffhanger.
Getting to the end of Season 6, however, can feel like a chore at times. The plot itself, although appearing interesting on the surface, is quite meandering in spots. Season 6 simply doesn't live up to its full potential and represents a weak link in the series overall.
6 Season 5
The fifth season of Dexter comes off the heels of Season 4's shocking finale. Haunted by the death of Rita (Julie Benz), viewers witness a new side to the otherwise cold and aloof Dexter. The plot of Season 5 also sees Dexter aiding a young woman, Lumen Pierce (Julia Stiles), with her own "dark passenger" as she seeks revenge on a group of assailants who left her for dead.
Arguably, Season 5 isn't the most captivating of the bunch. Still, it does provide its fair share of compelling insights into Dexter's character, notably his growing attachments to the people around him. Viewers are invited to feel sympathy for a man who regularly struggles to acknowledge his own disparate emotions.
5 Season 3
Some of Dexter's best moments can be found in the earlier seasons. In Season 3, an intriguing dynamic is established between Dexter and Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), a prominent lawyer who approves of the former's methods.
It's an unexpected relationship, one that forms into a genuine friendship. When the ties between the two men become strained, the result is an engaging conflict that can't help but be personal. Season 3's climax, therefore, certainly shouldn't be overlooked.
4 Season 7
After the somewhat disappointing nature of Season 6, the show's seventh season hit the ground running. The overarching conflict of Season 7 revolves around Debra's (Jennifer Carpenter) astonishing discovery of her brother's double life.
The show's deft handling of the altered dynamic between the two siblings is perhaps Season 7's greatest strength. Debra's struggle to accept Dexter as a serial killer culminates in a hard-hitting finale episode that serves to illustrate the strong bond these characters share......whether they like it or not.
3 Season 2
Even the best-kept secrets constantly find themselves under threat of discovery. That's the situation Dexter finds himself in throughout Season 2 when his professional colleague, Sgt. James Doakes (Erik King), suspects the killer's true nature.
What follows is an entertaining game of cat-and-mouse as each man tries to outsmart the other. The onset of an FBI investigation into Dexter's vigilante activities also threatens to undo his life's work. Plenty of twists and turns abound in Dexter's second season.
2 Season 4
Throughout the show's eight seasons, Dexter confronts a plethora of dangerous adversaries. Arguably the most dangerous of Dexter's foes is Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow), a serial killer in his own right who has managed to evade capture for decades.
John Lithgow's skillful performance as the deranged Arthur Mitchell is reason enough to list Season 4 as one of the show's very best. Seeing Dexter meet his match in terms of cunning and ruthlessness makes the fourth season a must-watch for sure.
1 Season 1
It's hard to beat Season 1 of Dexter. In it, the show adroitly establishes a character in Dexter Morgan that is both repulsive and yet immensely compelling at the same time. That, in and of itself, is no easy feat to pull off in a manner that's also captivating.
Season 1, which is directly based on Jeff Lindsay's novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, centers around a string of murders perpetrated by the mysterious "Ice Truck Killer." The revelation regarding the Ice Truck Killer's identity is one of the show's defining moments and sets the stage for Dexter's future growth as a character.