For eight seasons, viewers followed the saga of Dexter Morgan — a forensic analyst living a secret double life as a serial killer. He was taught by his adoptive father to act out his homicidal urges to kill other killers.
“Dexter” was a wildly popular show, winning four Emmys and broad critical acclaim. It is now being rebooted, with “Dexter: New Blood” slated to debut in November 2021 on Showtime. “Dexter” fans of the show will hope the new saga can live up to the heights of its early seasons, while avoiding the pitfalls of its universally-panned final season and finale.
To determine the worst episodes of Dexter, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on audience reception from the Internet Movie Database. All 96 episodes of Dexter were ranked based on their IMDb user rating as of November 2021. In the case of a tie, episodes with a greater number of votes were ranked higher. Data on original airdate and number of votes also came from IMDb.
“Dexter” fans broadly agree that the show started out very well, but tailed off in later seasons. Nearly all of the best-reviewed episodes on IMDb were in its first four seasons. These are the 20 best episodes of “Dexter.”
All but one of the least-liked episodes were in season five or later — including nearly every episode of the eighth and final season, including the series finale, which fans of the series felt left a lot to be desired. These are the worst TV series finales of all time.
Click here to see the 20 worst episodes of Dexter, according to IMDb
20. “Hello Bandit”
> Episode: Season 5, Episode 2
> Original airdate: Oct. 3, 2010
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,718
Dexter pursues a new victim, while leaning on Debra as he recovers from Rita’s death.
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19. “Smokey and the Bandit”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 3
> Original airdate: Oct. 16, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,641
A serial killer from Dexter’s past resurfaces, as Debra struggles in her new job.
18. “Are We There Yet?”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 8
> Original airdate: Aug. 18, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,124
Dexter and Hannah pursue a suspect, but realize he may have been framed.
17. “Every Silver Lining…”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 2
> Original airdate: Jul. 7, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,972
Vogel tells Dexter that she knows his secret, and the two form an alliance.
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16. “All in the Family”
> Episode: Season 3, Episode 4
> Original airdate: Oct. 19, 2008
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,875
Dexter struggles with his love life, as the brother of one of his victims seeks revenge.
15. “Scar Tissue”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 4
> Original airdate: Jul. 21, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,852
Dexter searches for “The Brain Surgeon” serial killer, while Debra struggles to come to terms with her past.
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14. “What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 3
> Original airdate: Jul. 14, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,834
Dexter continues his search for “The Brain Surgeon,” as Debra spirals out of control.
13. “Once Upon a Time…”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 2
> Original airdate: Oct. 9, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,763
Dexter thinks a minister as a serial killer; Debra gets promoted to Lieutenant and gets a marriage proposal.
12. “First Blood”
> Episode: Season 5, Episode 5
> Original airdate: Oct. 24, 2010
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,598
Dexters wonders if his baby son, Harrison, has been affected by watching his morder get murdered. Quinn, a detective who is romantically involved with Debram, hires a friend to look into Dexter.
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11. “Ricochet Rabbit”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 10
> Original airdate: Dec. 4, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,493
Dexter is close to solving the Doomsday investigation, Debra has a panic attack at a crime scene.
10. “The Angel of Death”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 5
> Original airdate: Oct. 30, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 8.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,573
Dexter thinks he may have seen someone involved in the Doomsday killings. Debra begins therapy after a shooting.
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9. “This Little Piggy”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 5
> Original airdate: Jul. 28, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,738
Dexter’s new mentor, Dr. Vogel, is approached by the serial killer the police are trying to find.
8. “Sin of Omission”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 8
> Original airdate: Nov. 20, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 7.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,509
Dexter may have a lead in the Doomsday investigation, around which season six revolves.
7. “Nebraska”
> Episode: Season 6, Episode 7
> Original airdate: Nov. 13, 2011
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,936
Dexter goes on a road trip to Nebraska and his sister, Debra, struggles with her new position as Lieutenant leading the Doomsday investigation.
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6. “A Little Reflection”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 6
> Original airdate: Aug. 4, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,741
Dexters starts following a young psychopath whom he thinks can teach the code and turn into a killer delivering vigilante justice. Dexter and his sister are back to having a brother-sister relationship.
5. “Dress Code”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 7
> Original airdate: Aug. 11, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 3,850
Dexter finds his former girlfriend back in Miami and takes on a protege.
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4. “Make Your Own Kind of Music”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 9
> Original airdate: Aug. 25, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 7.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,042
Dexter investigates a murder and finds out the killer is related to his new mentor.
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3. “Monkey in a Box”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 11
> Original airdate: Sep. 15, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,800
Dexter has to decide between fleeing the country with his son and girlfriend or getting rid of another serial killer for good.
2. “Goodbye Miami”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 10
> Original airdate: Sep. 8, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 6.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,513
With the help of his new mentor, Dexter tries to trick his archrival so he can kill him.
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1. “Remember the Monsters?”
> Episode: Season 8, Episode 12
> Original airdate: Sep. 22, 2013
> IMDb user rating: 4.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,735
The series finale in which Dexter plans to escape imminent arrest as a hurricane approaches Miami.
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