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The Best Episodes of Dexter Season 1

Every episode of Dexter Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Dexter Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 46m•Peaking at 9.6/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Dexter Season 1 Episode 12 - Born Free
    9.6/10(33130 votes)

    S1:E12

    Dexter follows the clues left for him by the Ice Truck Killer, in hopes of finding his lost sister Debra. Paul tries to convince Rita that Dexter is dangerous.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writers:Daniel Cerone, Melissa Rosenberg

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  2. Dexter Season 1 Episode 11 - Truth Be Told
    9.3/10(18789 votes)

    S1:E11

    The Ice Truck Killer takes extreme measures, forcing Dexter into a trap that will forever change his life, while Doakes begins to harbor suspicions about Dexter's odd behavior.

    Director:Keith Gordon
    Writers:Drew Z. Greenberg, Tim Schlattmann

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  3. Dexter Season 1 Episode 10 - Seeing Red
    9.1/10(17656 votes)

    S1:E10

    When Dexter is sent to investigate a bloody crime scene, deeply suppressed memories from his childhood begin to resurface.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Kevin Maynard

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  4. Dexter Season 1 Episode 6 - Return to Sender
    8.9/10(17142 votes)

    S1:E6

    The Ice Truck Killer leaves Dexter a surprise at the scene of one of Dexter's recent kills, placing him firmly in the cross hairs of his own Homicide Division colleagues.

    Director:Tony Goldwyn
    Writer:Tim Schlattmann

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  5. Dexter Season 1 Episode 8 - Shrink Wrap
    8.9/10(17153 votes)

    S1:E8

    The strange suicide of a powerful woman leads Dexter to suspect her shrink of murder, but he gets a shock when a visit to the suspect opens up dark secrets from Dexter's past.

    Director:Tony Goldwyn
    Writers:Kevin Maynard, Lauren Gussis

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  6. Dexter Season 1 Episode 1 - Dexter
    8.7/10(25316 votes)

    S1:E1

    Dexter Morgan, a forensics expert who leads a secret life as a killer of unconvicted criminals, is impressed by the work of a new serial killer.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:James Manos Jr.

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  7. Dexter Season 1 Episode 4 - Let's Give the Boy a Hand
    8.6/10(16595 votes)

    S1:E4

    The Ice Truck Killer begins leaving body parts from his victims at sites that relate to memories from Dexter's childhood, forcing him to confront his dark personal history.

    Director:Rob Lieberman
    Writer:Drew Z. Greenberg

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  8. Dexter Season 1 Episode 7 - Circle of Friends
    8.6/10(15666 votes)

    S1:E7

    The Ice Truck Killer is finally identified, but something about the suspect doesn't sit right with Dexter, who must also deal with the menacing return of Rita's paroled ex-husband.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Daniel Cerone

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  9. Dexter Season 1 Episode 9 - Father Knows Best
    8.5/10(15474 votes)

    S1:E9

    Dexter is joined by Rita, Debra and Rudy for a weekend away when he learns that his biological father, whom he was told died thirty years ago, has just recently passed away and left him everything he owned, including his house.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:Melissa Rosenberg, Kevin Maynard

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  10. Dexter Season 1 Episode 5 - Love American Style
    8.3/10(15992 votes)

    S1:E5

    The Homicide Division is buzzing after the Ice Truck Killer's latest victim is found mutilated but alive, while Dexter gets in over his head when he stalks a murderous human trafficker.

    Director:Rob Lieberman
    Writers:Melissa Rosenberg, Kevin Maynard

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  11. Dexter Season 1 Episode 3 - Popping Cherry
    8.2/10(17012 votes)

    S1:E3

    Dexter and Debra try to dissuade their boss from pursuing a security guard they believe he has wrongly identified as the Ice Truck Killer; Dexter's girlfriend receives an unwelcome visit from an associate of her imprisoned husband.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Daniel Cerone

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  12. Dexter Season 1 Episode 2 - Crocodile
    8.1/10(18162 votes)

    S1:E2

    Dexter's world is rocked when a rival serial murderer, dubbed the Ice Truck Killer by the media, privately contacts him and reveals that he knows Dexter's grisly secret. Meanwhile, Dexter's sister Debra is transferred to Homicide.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Clyde Phillips

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Born Free" is the best rated episode of "Dexter" season 1. It scored 9.6/10 based on 33130 votes. Directed by Michael Cuesta and written by Daniel Cerone, Melissa Rosenberg, it aired on 12/17/2006. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Truth Be Told".