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 have slipped through the cracks of justice.
Top Episode Highlight
The best episode of "Dexter" is "The Getaway", rated 9.8/10 from 15888 user votes. It was directed by Steve Shill and written by Melissa Rosenberg, Wendy West, Scott Reynolds. "The Getaway" aired on 12/13/2009 and is rated 0.2 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Born Free".
9.8/10 15,888 votes#1 - The Getaway
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 2009-12-13
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, Wendy West, Scott Reynolds
9.6/10 12,257 votes#2 - Born Free
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 2006-12-17
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: Melissa Rosenberg, Daniel Cerone
9.5/10 7,495 votes#3 - Hello, Dexter Morgan
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 2009-12-06
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: Scott Buck, James Manos, Jr., Lauren Gussis
9.4/10 6,973 votes#4 - Hungry Man
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 2009-11-22
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
9.4/10 9,801 votes#5 - Are You...?
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 2012-09-30
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
9.3/10 6,798 votes#6 - Resistance is Futile
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 2007-11-25
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
9.3/10 7,907 votes#7 - Surprise, Motherfucker!
Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 2012-12-16
Dexter must protect himself when LaGuerta closes in on his secret.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
9.2/10 7,390 votes#8 - Truth Be Told
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 2006-12-10
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
9.2/10 6,993 votes#9 - The British Invasion
Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 2007-12-16
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: Melissa Rosenberg, Daniel Cerone
9.1/10 7,193 votes#10 - Seeing Red
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 2006-12-03
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
9.1/10 5,874 votes#11 - Dex Takes a Holiday
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 2009-10-18
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
9.1/10 5,815 votes#12 - Lost Boys
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 2009-11-29
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: Charles H. Eglee, Tim Schlattmann
9.1/10 7,009 votes#13 - This is the Way the World Ends
Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 2011-12-18
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
9.0/10 5,982 votes#14 - Morning Comes
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 2007-11-18
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
9.0/10 5,735 votes#15 - Left Turn Ahead
Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 2007-12-09
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: Scott Buck, Tim Schlattmann
9.0/10 5,301 votes#16 - Go Your Own Way
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 2008-11-30
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
8.9/10 7,213 votes#17 - Return to Sender
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2006-11-05
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
8.9/10 7,350 votes#18 - Shrink Wrap
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2006-11-19
Dexter appears to be connected to a psychiatrist suspected of murdering a suicidal patient.
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Kevin Maynard, Lauren Gussis
8.9/10 5,730 votes#19 - There's Something About Harry
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 2007-12-02
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
8.9/10 5,280 votes#20 - Dirty Harry
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 2009-10-25
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
8.9/10 4,937 votes#21 - Teenage Wasteland
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 2010-11-21
Dexter and Lumen hunt for their next victim; Debra uncovers new evidence in the Barrel Girl case
Director: N/A
Writer: Lauren Gussis
8.9/10 4,920 votes#22 - In the Beginning
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 2010-11-28
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
8.9/10 4,948 votes#23 - Do You See What I See?
Season 7 Episode 11 - Aired 2012-12-09
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
8.8/10 5,104 votes#24 - I Had a Dream
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 2008-12-07
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: Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis
8.8/10 5,436 votes#25 - Do You Take Dexter Morgan?
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 2008-12-14
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