Starring Michael C. Corridor because the titular assassin with a code, Dexter is a killer franchise that is nonetheless going robust as we speak. Together with the unique collection, there is a prequel, Dexter: Authentic Sin, and two sequels, Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection, the latter of which simply aired its first season finale. Whereas issues ended on a excessive for Resurrection, infamously, that hasn’t all the time been the case for Dexter.
From random story decisions that gave the impression to be pulled from a hat to character arcs that wrapped up completely, viewers by no means knew what to anticipate from Dexter’s finales. Whereas these episodes have given viewers a few of the finest, most memorable moments of the franchise, they’ve additionally showcased a few of the lowest moments in Dexter’s historical past.
Throughout all 4 collection, listed below are all 11 Dexter season finales, ranked.
11
“Bear in mind the Monsters?”
‘Dexter’ Season 8, Episode 12
The unique ending of Dexter has gone down as one of many worst collection finales of all time. Season 8 was already a tough season, with many followers dissatisfied by the primary antagonist (portrayed by Darri Ingolfsson), and a few disliking the inclusion of Dr. Evelyn Vogel (Charlotte Rampling) much more. Worse, already established characters corresponding to Dexter and Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) skilled big, inexplicable persona and motivational shifts, whereas the general plot lacked suspense and coherency. However even these points may have probably been salvaged by the ultimate episode; as a substitute, issues simply received even worse.
A Monstrous Episode
It is exhausting to pinpoint the strangest factor about Dexter‘s Season 8 finale. Possibly it was Deb’s demise, which wasn’t only a disservice to the character, but additionally the followers who cherished her. Possibly it was Dexter abandoning Harrison with Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) in Argentina. Or perhaps it was Dexter randomly winding up in Alaska to turn out to be a lumberjack… Truly it was positively that Alaska half. However the level is, the underside of this checklist was a simple decide.
10
“Do You Take Dexter Morgan?”
‘Dexter’ Season 3, Episode 12
Season 3 of the unique Dexter targeted on Dexter’s relationship with Assistant District Lawyer Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), a person who seemingly befriended Dexter however was actually utilizing him for his personal acquire. After by accident recognizing Dexter post-murder, Miguel wished to kill alongside him. Nevertheless, Dexter was reluctant to show him his methods, and with good motive, as Miguel later went on to focus on innocents. In episode 9, Dexter killed Miguel in an intense scene that delivered a few of the finest and most memorable strains of the collection. Sadly, this episode’s greatness would stand in stark distinction to the season’s following, ultimate episode.
Ending With a Whimper
As an alternative of going out with a bang, Season 3 of Dexter ended with a whimper. Certain, it was good seeing Deb get her defend and celebrating Dexter and Rita’s marriage, however the remainder of the episode was fairly lackluster. Dexter squared up in opposition to the season’s secondary antagonist, The Skinner, nevertheless it paled compared to his battle of wits in opposition to Miguel. Briefly, this finale wasn’t dangerous, nevertheless it actually wasn’t all the things it may have been.
9
“Sins of the Father”
‘Dexter: New Blood’ Season 1, Episode 10
When Dexter: New Blood first got here out, followers have been cautiously optimistic, viewing the brand new collection as an opportunity to proper the franchise’s earlier ending. To start with, it appeared like their hopes may come true: episode after episode, New Blood continued to impress, incomes acclaim from each critics and followers. However by the point episode 9 got here round, viewers started to fret. What would Dexter do to wreck its ending this time?
Very Sinful
Sadly, “Sins of the Father” lived as much as the unique Dexter’s legacy, that includes nonsensical choices, out-of-character behaviors, and only a usually unusual storyline. From Dexter killing Logan to Harrison capturing Dexter, it was actually high-stakes, nevertheless it additionally felt like a retcon of a lot of what got here earlier than. That is doubtless why Dexter’s demise itself was later retconned in each Authentic Sin and Resurrection, with Logan’s homicide being casually brushed apart.
8
“This Is the Manner the World Ends”
‘Dexter’ Season 6, Episode 12
Season 6 of Dexter adopted the Doomsday Killer, Travis Marshall (Colin Hanks), as he dedicated a string of religiously motivated murders. Towards the tip of the season, after trying to kill Dexter, he kidnapped Harrison for his ultimate tableau. Fortuitously, Dexter survived the assault and stopped Travis earlier than he may hurt his son. He then turned the tables on Travis and killed him as a substitute—just for Deb to stroll in as he delivered the killing blow.
An Okay Ending
To be honest, the ultimate scene involving Deb strolling in on Dexter is iconic. Nevertheless, the remainder of the episode is fairly underwhelming. That is partly due to how conveniently Dexter escaped drowning/being burned alive within the “Lake of Hearth” Tableau solely to then simply trick Travis into pondering he’d injected himself. Add to this that it was exhausting to consider Harrison was ever really at risk, and minus the second with Deb, the episode is pretty forgettable.
7
“The Large One”
‘Dexter’ Season 5, Episode 12
Lumen Pierce (Julia Stiles) and Dexter joined collectively in Season 5 to take down the sinister Barrel Lady murderers. Every episode had the victimized Lumen coping with her newly created demons whereas Dexter’s personal tried to help her. Through the season finale, Lumen and Dexter tracked down and killed Jordan Chase (Jonny Lee Miller), the pinnacle of the murderous group. However in so doing, Lumen’s demons have been satiated, leaving Dexter alone along with his personal.
A Large Change
Season 5 noticed Dexter reeling from the lack of Rita whereas attempting to determine the right way to preserve his private life separate from his Darkish Passenger. In the end, Lumen represented an opportunity for him to be understood and actually put his darkish facet to good use. All of those themes have been addressed within the season finale, and with just some adjustments, it may have served as an honest finale to the whole collection. In that sense, there is not actually something flawed with “The Large One;” the one issues working in opposition to it are that it adopted one of many weaker seasons and that a couple of finales have been merely higher.
6
“The British Invasion”
‘Dexter’ Season 2, Episode 12
Season 2 of Dexter noticed the killer-of-killers attending rehab after a (considerably lucky) misunderstanding with Rita. Right here, he met Lila Tournay (Jaime Murray), an actual addict who was harboring a Darkish Passenger of her personal. All through the season, the 2 would embark upon a romantic relationship that was as fiery because it was unstable, all whereas Doakes (Erik King) tried to reveal Dexter’s Darkish Passenger. Come episode 12, Lila’s true colours have been revealed when she murdered Doakes, kidnapped Rita’s kids, and set her personal residence on hearth with them in it. Nevertheless, Dexter and the kids escaped, and Dexter would later observe Lila to Paris to actual his revenge.
A Wild Journey
“The British Invasion” has a few of the collection’ (and season finales’) greatest highs and lows. For instance, Doakes’ demise and framing because the Bay Harbor Butcher went on to have a profound impact on the franchise. Nevertheless, having Lila kill him felt somewhat like a cop out, stripping Dexter of the duty to determine what to do with him. Equally, Dexter monitoring Lila down was type of unbelievable. Nonetheless, it is an ideal finale, if you will get previous a few of the plot conveniences and logical leaps.
5
“Code Blues”
‘Dexter: Authentic Sin’ Season 1, Episode 10
After the unlucky ending of New Blood, many viewers have been skeptical to listen to that Dexter was getting a prequel. However that skepticism quickly pale when a youthful Dexter, performed by Patrick Gibson, got here on display screen. The collection adopted this new Dexter as he tried to grasp Harry’s Code, typically arising quick and nearly getting caught a number of occasions. On the finish of the season, Dexter confronted off with Police Captain Aaron Spencer (Patrick Dempsey), who had kidnapped his personal son and threatened to homicide him with the intention to get again at his ex-wife. On the identical time, Harry (James Remar) discovered extra in regards to the murders of Dexter’s brother, Brian (Roby Attal), whose need to reunite with Dexter solely appeared to develop.
Viewer Blues
Initially only a season finale, “Code Blues” has turn out to be the de facto collection finale of Authentic Sin, given its cancellation earlier this yr. This makes the ending go from good to slightly-less-good, because it concludes with a whole lot of free ends. Mockingly, these free ends, corresponding to what Brian would do subsequent and whether or not Harry’s demise was really a suicide, have been precisely what made it work so properly as a season finale. Hopefully, viewer makes an attempt to get the present renewed will succeed and provides us these a lot wanted solutions.
4
“Shock, Motherf***ker”
‘Dexter’ Season 7, Episode 12
After studying about Dexter’s murderous urges in Season 6, Deb was understandably shaken. Whereas a few of the following season targeted on Dexter’s battle with Isaak Sirko (Ray Stevenson) and his curiosity in Hannah McKay (Yvonne Strahovski), a big chunk of it was dedicated to the siblings’ new relationship dynamic. Because the season progressed, Deb continued to wrestle with what Dexter had achieved and who he was, all culminating in her capturing Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) with the intention to preserve his secret.
Filled with Surprises
Season 7 was in no way an ideal season, however this ultimate episode nearly makes up for its lows. Moreover, in contrast to Season 6, this episode has loads of memorable scenes past the final one, corresponding to Dexter being publicly accused of homicide. Arguably, nevertheless, LaGuerta’s demise is what the whole collection has been constructing as much as: the second when Dexter’s two lives got here collectively and induced irreparable injury to somebody he cared about.
3
“Born Free”
‘Dexter’ Season 1, Episode 12
The primary season of Dexter had a whole lot of floor to cowl, because it was trying to introduce followers to Dexter and his Darkish Passenger, Miami Metro, and naturally, the Ice Truck Killer. This Season 1 villain was later revealed to be Dexter’s brother, Brian (Christian Camargo), who was going by the alias Rudy Cooper and relationship Deb. In reality, Brian was simply utilizing their relationship to try to get nearer to Dexter and persuade him to totally embrace his darkish facet. Nevertheless, within the ultimate episode, Brian went too far by threatening Deb, and Dexter in the end selected his adoptive sister over his organic brother, killing Brian and orchestrating it to appear like a suicide.
The Delivery of an Superb Sequence
If viewers weren’t already satisfied of Dexter’s potential, Season 1’s finale confirmed simply how surprising and emotional the collection might be. Dexter’s choice additionally cemented his extra human facet and proved that the “heartless killer” may, indirectly, really feel. Plus, the episode completely closed the Ice Truck Killer’s arc whereas additionally setting the stage for Dexter’s interior turmoil come Season 2.
2
“And Justice For All”
‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Season 1, Episode 10
Following the success of Dexter: Authentic Sin, viewers have been as soon as once more assured within the franchise’s course and longing for its subsequent installment, Dexter: Resurrection. Their belief in Dexter paid off, with Resurrection being each a resurrection and a return to type. Introducing viewers to a membership of murderers, Season 1 adopted Dexter as he took out his new frenemies, one after the other, all culminating in him going through off with the membership’s terrifying founder, Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage). Throughout the identical episode, Harrison (Jack Alcott) and Dexter’s relationship can be put to the take a look at when Harrison turned Dexter’s solely hope of survival.
One thing For All to Take pleasure in
“And Justice For All” was in no way an particularly shocking episode, nevertheless it did not should be. As Dexter says on the finish (whereas trying on the digicam), “I’m Dexter Morgan. I’m precisely who I should be. Precisely who you need me to be.” For as meta as that second was, we’ve at hand it to the writers: they have been proper. Resurrection has been an ideal addition to the collection, and this finale has us excited to see who Dexter tracks down subsequent in Season 2.