Dexter Review: An Addictive & Masterful Thriller Series That Flatlines In Its Later Seasons

Dexter had the potential to be an all-time great but fumbled in its latter half, which never should have been made in the first place. Dexter stars Michael C. Hall as the titular protagonist who, across eight seasons and 96 episodes, doubles as a forensic specialist and blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department and a methodical vigilante serial killer. Dexter breaks the convention of traditional serial killers because he is guided by a strict rulebook that prevents him from killing innocent people — most of the time – based on his adoptive father Harry Morgan's code.

While the Dexter series finale is widely considered one of the biggest points of controversy for the original show, Dexter remains one of the most celebrated thriller series ever made. The 2021 sequel series Dexter: New Blood saw Michael C. Hall reprise his role as the notorious titular protagonist nearly 10 years after the events of the original finale. The Dexter prequel series Dexter: Original Sin, meanwhile, is off to a promising start. Another upcoming Dexter series, Dexter: Resurrection, is expected to be released in the summer of 2025 with Hall also slated to return.

Dexter Seasons 1-4 Are Some Of The Best Serial Television Ever Made

Michael C. Hall Was Perfectly Cast As One Of The Most Fascinating Anti-Heroes On TV

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When Dexter was first released on Showtime in 2006, it had one of the most simple and intriguing premises of any series about a serial killer before it. Hall was perfectly cast as the friendly neighborhood serial killer who just so happened to be a blood spatter analyst, which provided a perfect cover. What's more, Dexter was given an elaborate backstory involving his deceased mentor and adoptive father, and a firm code to become a morally guided vigilante. Using his eye-for-an-eye philosophy mixed with his charming personality and good looks, Dexter became an instantly intoxicating and fascinating anti-hero protagonist.

After an intriguing first season in which Dexter was on an enthralling search for the Ice Truck Killer, Dexter only got better in the seasons thereafter. Season 2, featuring Jimmy Smits, eliminated any doubt that Dexter was top-tier premium television, while season 4 with John Lithgow's Trinity Killer is by far the greatest of the series​​​​​​, with an unforgettable twist ending.

While Hall's signature MO was still as intoxicating in later seasons, the story began to unravel after season 4 simply outdid itself.

Dexter season 4 – which was nominated for eight Emmys and won Lithgow Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2010 – was so outstanding that the series essentially set itself up to fail from that point on. While Hall's signature MO was still as intoxicating in later seasons, the story began to unravel after season 4 simply outdid itself.

Dexter’s Later Seasons Failed To Capture The Brilliance Of Its Impressive First Half

Dexter Seasons 5-8 Live In The Shadow Of Season 4

Following the stunning impact left by the Trinity Killer in season 4, Dexter season 5 had extremely high expectations, which it unfortunately couldn't live up to. Despite the strong efforts of season 5 and season 7, season 6 and season 8 were far less engaging, convincing, or up to the same caliber as previous installments.

Most of the frustrations about Dexter's later seasons have to do with the highly questionable decisions made by certain characters, particularly Dexter and Deb, who appear to be the result of the writers' room running out of steam and living in the shadow of their own creation​​​​​​.

That said, Dexter has such a palpable and immersive quality that even the worst seasons and episodes of the series still have a uniquely magnetic pull. Dexter is one of those characters with a dedicated audience who will follow him anywhere, as evidenced by the recent development of three separate Dexter prequel and sequel series. Dexter: New Blood may not have provided a more satisfying ending than the original series, but the tremendous appeal of Dexter is something that few shows have even been able to accomplish.

Dexter has such a palpable and immersive quality that even the worst seasons and episodes of the series still have a uniquely magnetic pull.

Dexter's controversial lumberjack scene at the end of season 8 certainly left us hanging. However, now that Hall has returned in all three of the modern series, it's time to acknowledge the original ending was not as bad as its initial reception made it seem. The introduction of Dr. Vogel was an intriguing late addition in season 8, although the eventual villain is the least developed of the series. While the Dexter series finale was certainly disappointing, it shouldn't discredit the first four incredible seasons, which, alone, have a strong case for being some of TV's best seasons to air.