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The Best Episodes of Dexter

Every episode of Dexter ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Dexter!

Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police also leads a secret life as a serial killer, hunting down criminals who...
Genres:CrimeDramaMystery
Network:Showtime

Best Episodes Summary

"The Getaway" is the best rated episode of "Dexter". It scored 9.8/10 based on 19683 votes. Directed by Steve Shill and written by Melissa Rosenberg, Scott Reynolds, Wendy West, it aired on 12/13/2009. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Born Free".

  • The Getaway
    9.8/1019,683 votes
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    #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.

    Director: Steve Shill

    Writer: Melissa Rosenberg, Scott Reynolds, Wendy West

  • Born Free
    9.6/1015,071 votes
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    #2 - Born Free

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/17/2006

    Dexter figures out who the Ice Truck Killer is, along with a dark secret from his troubled past. Meanwhile, La Guerta is replaced with a new boss and Angel figures out a way how to track the killer while he's still in hospital.

    Director: Michael Cuesta

    Writer: Daniel Cerone, Melissa Rosenberg

  • Hello, Dexter Morgan
    9.5/109,175 votes
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    #3 - 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.

    Director: Michael Cuesta

    Writer: Lauren Gussis, Scott Buck, James Manos, Jr.

  • Resistance is Futile
    9.4/108,557 votes
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    #4 - 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.

    Director: Marcos Siega

    Writer: Melissa Rosenberg

  • Hungry Man
    9.4/108,604 votes
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    #5 - Hungry Man

    Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/22/2009

    For most people, Thanksgiving is a time for traditions and family. But for Dexter, it’s an opportunity to get closer to his most dangerous adversary yet. As Dexter gains insight into Arthur’s psychology by studying those closest to him, he finds himself drawn into a bizarre and twisted world.

    Director: John Dahl

    Writer: Wendy West

  • Are You...?
    9.4/1010,987 votes
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    #6 - Are You...?

    Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 9/30/2012

    After witnessing her brother kill Travis Marshall, Debra attempts to reconcile with Dexter while struggling to cover up their involvement with the murder. Meanwhile, Detective Mike Anderson has an unfortunate run-in, Quinn and Batista begin to make amends, and LaGuerta finds evidence that causes her to re-think the closed Bay Harbor Butcher case.

    Director: John Dahl

    Writer: Scott Buck

  • Surprise, Motherfucker!
    9.3/109,028 votes
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    #7 - Surprise, Motherfucker!

    Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 12/16/2012

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Truth Be Told
    9.2/109,097 votes
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    #8 - Truth Be Told

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/10/2006

    The Ice Truck Killer sets a trap for Dexter by kidnapping someone close to him; Dexter's increasingly odd behavior piques Doakes's interest.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg

  • The British Invasion
    9.2/108,558 votes
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    #9 - The British Invasion

    Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 12/16/2007

    Lila Tournay finds Sgt. James Doakes imprisoned in an Everglades cabin and learns from him that her object of affection, Dexter Morgan, is the serial killer known as the "Bay Harbor Butcher". She decides to help Dexter and kills Doakes by setting the cabin on fire. Meanwhile, Dexter's sister Debra questions whether her career is more important than her relationship with FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy.

    Director: Steve Shill

    Writer: Daniel Cerone, Melissa Rosenberg

  • Lost Boys
    9.2/107,113 votes
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    #10 - 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.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Tim Schlattmann, Charles H. Eglee

  • Seeing Red
    9.1/108,804 votes
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    #11 - Seeing Red

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/3/2006

    The Ice Truck Killer prepares a crime scene for Dexter: a hotel room all covered in his previous victim's blood. But Dexter does not appreciate this gift, because his childhood memories hunt him.

    Director: Michael Cuesta

    Writer: Kevin Maynard

  • Dex Takes a Holiday
    9.1/107,051 votes
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    #12 - Dex Takes a Holiday

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/2009

    Dexter gets some much-needed R&R time with Rita and the kids out of town, leading to his stalking of a new victim until he unexpectedly begins to empathize with his target, a cop that murdered her family.

    Director: John Dahl

    Writer: Melissa Rosenberg, Wendy West

  • This is the Way the World Ends
    9.1/108,020 votes
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    #13 - 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.

    Director: John Dahl

    Writer: Scott Buck, Wendy West

  • Morning Comes
    9.0/107,256 votes
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    #14 - 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.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Scott Buck

  • Left Turn Ahead
    9.0/107,038 votes
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    #15 - 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.

    Director: Marcos Siega

    Writer: Tim Schlattmann, Scott Buck

  • Go Your Own Way
    9.0/106,369 votes
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    #16 - 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.

    Director: John Dahl

    Writer: Tim Schlattmann

  • Return to Sender
    8.9/108,700 votes
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    #17 - Return to Sender

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2006

    The Ice Truck Killer leaves a clue at the scene where Dexter has dispatched his latest victim, and Dexter is worried that someone might have witnessed his killing. Rita is trying to deal with her ex-husband.

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: Tim Schlattmann

  • Shrink Wrap
    8.9/108,825 votes
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    #18 - Shrink Wrap

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2006

    Dexter appears to be connected to a psychiatrist suspected of murdering a suicidal patient.

    Director: Tony Goldwyn

    Writer: Kevin Maynard, Lauren Gussis

  • There's Something About Harry
    8.9/106,998 votes
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    #19 - 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.

    Director: Steve Shill

    Writer: Scott Reynolds

  • Dirty Harry
    8.9/106,379 votes
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    #20 - Dirty Harry

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2009

    Recent events spur Dexter into his own investigation of the Trinity killer. His motivations are now personal, and the clock is ticking. But the closer Dexter gets, the more he realizes that Trinity is unlike any monster he’s previously encountered. Meanwhile, Debra blames herself for events that were out of her control, and in so doing pushes away those closest to her. As LaGuerta and Batista close in on the Vacation Murderers, Batista realizes he can use Quinn’s relationship with a certain reporter to his advantage. And when Rita discovers a secret Dexter’s been keeping from her, she begins to realize just how little she knows about the man she married.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Tim Schlattmann

  • Teenage Wasteland
    8.9/105,776 votes
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    #21 - 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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Lauren Gussis

  • In the Beginning
    8.9/105,741 votes
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    #22 - 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.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Scott Reynolds

  • Do You See What I See?
    8.9/105,705 votes
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    #23 - 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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • I Had a Dream
    8.8/106,136 votes
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    #24 - I Had a Dream

    Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/2008

    While preparing for his big wedding day, Dexter has to figure out a way to remove Miguel from his life for good. In the meantime, Rita has troubles of her own, when Syl reveals that Miguel has been seeing one of his old flames. Debra finds a new clue that brings her even closer to catching the Skinner.

    Director: Marcos Siega

    Writer: Lauren Gussis, Charles H. Eglee

  • Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
    8.8/106,541 votes
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    #25 - 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.

    Director: Keith Gordon

    Writer: Scott Buck