Dexter, a show that took over the Television scene back in 2006 and continued to do so until 2013, is still topping the charts. The show introduced us to Dexter Morgan, a seemingly harmless and innocent blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro. However, while he was helping the police catch criminals, he was running a side project of his own along with his Dark Passenger. Since Dexter ran on screen for 8 years, some seasons were peak while some were meh. So, here is a list of all 8 Seasons of Dexter ranked based on their Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
8. Dexter Season 8 (2013)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
While the show is indeed one of the finest you’ll ever watch, Showtime seriously messed up the final season of Dexter. First off, the story that spread across 12 episodes was far from interesting and had certain elements that felt unnecessary.
Other than that, the finale lacks the kind of stakes you would expect a show like Dexter to have, and by the last few episodes, the show simply becomes predictable, and the final episode just does not do justice to Dexter’s legacy.
The low Rotten Tomatoes rating for this one also factors in the final season of Breaking Bad, which was on air at the same time, and if you have watched it, I believe you will agree when I call it peak cinema. The lack of depth in the final season of Dexter made the finale a massive letdown.
7. Dexter Season 6 (2011)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 38%
Season 6 of Dexter was not exactly terrible, but it suffered the shortcomings of the previous season. This season brought us a series of killings that were rooted in religious texts and were not executed in the best way.
Even that would have been manageable, but the characters presented to us lacked the depth usually seen in the antagonists. Dexter decides to turn into a plastic burrito on his table. However, while most of the season just went by, the final scene where Dexter’s secret is revealed to someone who was never supposed to find out became the redeeming factor of Season 6.
6. Dexter Season 3 (2008)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
While the Rotten Tomatoes rating of Season 3 is lower than the first 2 seasons, it was not half bad as compared to them. This season introduced us to Miguel Prado, played by Jimmy Smits, a District Attorney whom Dexter becomes friends with, but not exactly a friendship where bros hang out and go fishing.
What started as something Dexter believed to be his first true friendship soon turned out to be a nightmare for him. While in itself, Dexter Season 3 brought us one of the most interesting character arcs we have seen and an insane screenplay by Jimmy Smits, however, the previous seasons were so incredibly well done that they somewhat overshadowed Season 3.
5. Dexter Season 7 (2012)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
Dexter Season 7 rests between two of the worst seasons of Dexter, and for good reason. This season circled back to the intensity and the constant question of “What if?” as seen in some of the best seasons of Dexter. In Season 7, we see Deb’s shattered faith in Dexter as she found out about him being the Bay Harbour Butcher.
On the other hand, Captain LaGuerta is also catching up to the truth to a point where she is certain that Dexter is the Bay Harbour Butcher, a revelation that eventually leads to her tragic death in the most heartbreaking way possible. While the concluding end of Dexter didn’t really land the ending so well, this season was a breath of fresh air.
4. Dexter Season 1 (2006)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Dexter Season 1 can be called the perfect opening season to a show. Since the very first episode, we are gradually told everything about Dexter. WE learn how he moves, thinks, what made him what he is, and most of all, we learn about the dynamic he shares with his friends and his sister. Season 1 also gives us a villain who, to date, is considered one of the best this show has to give.
Now, I would like to refrain from possibly one of the most insane reveals the show had to offer, so I’m not going to let you folks in on the identity of the villain. However, I assure you it will make you pause the show and take a breath. Rest assured, this is one of the best seasons of Dexter.
3. Dexter Season 5 (2010)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Dexter Season 5 brings us to what we can call the display of a serial killer’s coping mechanism. In this season, we see Dexter still, in his own way, processing the loss of Rita before circumstances cross his path with a woman named Lumen Pierce, played by Julia Stiles. She is on a mission to take down the guys who sexually assaulted her and kept her captive, and Dexter eventually takes her under his wing.
He starts helping her kill them off one by one and even develops somewhat of a romantic relationship with her. Now, while this season is a bit slow, every other aspect of it works just fine and brings us a side of Dexter which is true to his character but carries a deeper depth.
2. Dexter Season 4 (2009)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
If you ask me, Dexter Season 4 is some of the best this show has to offer. It brings in emotional depth, suspense, and nerve-wracking intensity. This season brings us a Dexter who is doing his best to be a good father to young Harrison, but things aren’t ever so simple with the life Dexter lives. Then, we meet probably the most titular villain this show had to offer with Arthur Mitchell, AKA The Trinity Killer, played by John Lithgow.
John Lithgow is praised worldwide for his screenplay even today. The constant stakes of this season make it the most binge-worthy of all, but let me warn you, after a certain episode of this season, you might feel like staying away from bathtubs for a while.
1. Dexter Season 2 (2007)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
While Season 4 has its own place in the hierarchy of Dexter Seasons, the crown sits on the head of Dexter Season 2, which is indeed the best Dexter season to ever come out. This season follows Dexter, who is on his toes since his part-time endeavors as The Bay Harbour Butcher are out in the open with the discovery of the bodies he disposed of.
The entire Miami Metro Homicide is out looking for the killer who, unknown to them, was lurking among themselves. The angle of James Doakes being framed as the Bay Harbour Butcher, the Laila arc, everything was absolute perfection. So, if you have just started watching Dexter, brace yourself because you’re not ready for what’s to come in Season 2.
