There aren’t many shows that can elicit as much of a ionate response from critics and viewers as Dexter. The Showtime series depicts the titular serial killer’s activities, with Dexter coming across other, similar killers over the years. With nine seasons to watch, Rotten Tomatoes scores might be the best way to know which ones are the best to check out.
Since these are based on a number of critical reviews, the ratings reflect the quality that viewers can expect from the series. Whether it’s the gripping story of the Trinity Killer in the fourth season or a psychological battle between Dexter and Doakes in the second, the show’s Rotten Tomatoes scores indicate where the series was at its peak in quality.
Season 8 - 33%
Many feel that Dexter is one of the TV shows that got progressively worse, and critics agree where the eighth season is concerned. Originally the final season, this one saw Dexter take on the threat of the Brain Surgeon but the latter only showed by the end of the story for a rather tame reveal as Oliver Saxon.
It also didn’t help that the season had Dexter become a shadow of his former self, being more of a sad loverboy who pined after Hannah than the stone-cold killer whom fans preferred. The negative reviews primarily come from the finale that killed Debra off and had Dexter become a lumberjack.
Season 6 - 38%
There’s little doubt that Dexter is one of the most beloved TV anti-heroes, but fans weren’t sold on the idea of an evil counterpart. The sixth season attempted to make the Doomsday Killer such an antagonist, who also had a dark enger as Dexter.
However, the season carried a meandering pace and suffered from the fact that Dexter had no personal antagonism with the Doomsday Killer. Another major factor for the bad reviews comes from the wildly unpopular story of Debra falling in love with Dexter, which fans considered to be inappropriate given that Dexter was her adoptive brother.
Season 3 - 72%
The show took a creative turn in the third season when Dexter became best friends with Miguel, who ultimately started assisting him in his dealings as a serial killer. Miguel’s calculating personality was such that he fooled Dexter into trusting him and this psychological battle was entertaining to see.
The downside of the season was the subplot of the Skinner, as Dexter had no involvement in the case against him despite the Skinner being the main killer for the season. Still, watching Dexter get played by Miguel and then for Dexter himself to gain his revenge was a good bit of storytelling.
New Blood - 77%
The revival did a good job in reeling fans in once more, with Dexter now living in snowy Iron Lake. The thematic qualities and change in style were well-received, as was the arc of Dexter having to deal with the return of his son. Kurt Caldwell also made for a worthy final villain whose M.O. of trapping innocent women even freaked Dexter out.
The negative aspect of the season comes from the finale, where Dexter acted out of character to save himself before he was killed off. Some reviewers also felt that the climactic episodes were rushed and would have benefited from a few more episodes. Overall, though, New Blood made big improvements from the eighth season.
Season 7 - 79%
The seventh season was a return to form for the show after the lows of the sixth, characters that fans liked. This included villain Isaak Sirko, who was after Dexter for the latter’s killing of his love, while Hannah and Dexter’s twisted love story also had an immersive quality.
Maria LaGuerta’s investigation into Dexter’s background revived the Bay Harbor Butcher storyline for a riveting climax that still remains among Dexter’s best. While certain stories like Louis’ petty antagonism of Dexter weren’t that great, there were a lot more positive points than negative ones in this season.
Season 1 - 82%
The first season was the perfect start to the Dexter saga, depicting the chase for the Ice Truck Killer. It simultaneously portrayed the mysterious villain’s kill streak while establishing Dexter’s dark enger. The season also contains quite a bit of dark comedy that makes it well-rounded in depth.
The reveal of the Ice Truck Killer as Dexter’s brother is a twist that the show seldom exceeded in later seasons and managed to make viewers sympathize with a pair of serial killers. While the characters weren’t as fully developed as they were later, the first season remains a quality viewing.
Season 5 - 84%
Dexter firmly made the main character a protagonist in the fifth season, where he assisted Lumen in her mission to kill the Barrel Girl gang. The story is divided into points where Dexter and Lumen hunt down each member as their relationship progresses into romantic territory.
It doesn’t have hard-hitting moments as in other seasons, but the story is far more heartwarming. With Lumen’s presence enabling Dexter to move on from Rita’s death, the season had the main character in a far more human spotlight than the show ever dared before or since.
Season 4 - 88%
Trinity has the highest kill count among all TV serial killers and is considered the greatest foe Dexter ever encountered. The fourth season is as much about him as Dexter, with viewers watching Trinity conduct his M.O. that essentially involves killing fathers, mothers, and sons in separate families.
Dexter and Trinity’s chemistry is one for the ages, as the former initially befriends him in an attempt to learn how he can juggle his family with his life as a killer. The finale has the biggest emotional gut punch the series brought, with Dexter realizing he killed Trinity far too late as the villain had already killed Rita by then.
Season 2 - 96%
The Dexter-Doakes dynamic remained at peak quality throughout the series and was best shown in the second season. Here, Doakes figured out Dexter’s secret, and the chase between the two makes for an intellectual match-up to watch. In addition, the Bay Harbor Butcher case remains looming at large, as fans wonder if Dexter might finally be caught.
In a change from the norm, the main villain, Lila, isn’t a killer and is dangerous for the way she corrupts Dexter’s mentality. There aren’t any real negative points in the season since everything from character development, creative kills, and an intense climax can be found here.