Throughout its eight seasons, Dexter launched viewers to varied characters past the titular serial killer, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). Due to the truth that showrunners Clyde Phillips, Chip Johannessen, and Scott Buck had been conscious to fill every episode with all kinds of various personalities, the hole between the very best Dexter characters and the worst within the present is huge. One of the very best traits of the present is its number of characters and the psychology behind them — though not each Dexter character felt like a worthwhile (or, in some circumstances, mandatory) addition to the narrative.

Some Dexter characters had been higher than others when it comes to psychology, dialogues, storyline, characterization, and so on, and they’ve certainly been an important addition to or an integral a part of the present. Meanwhile, others had been extra of a let-down or a poor selection that did not serve the present’s long-term improvement properly. Breaking down the 5 finest and 5 worst Dexter characters pulls up some memorable names and others that almost all followers need to overlook, although all of them converse volumes for the range offered by the present.

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Worst Characters

Miguel Prado (Played By Jimmy Smits)

Miguel Prado was the third fundamental antagonist of the sequence, first showing within the Dexter season 3 episode “Our Father”. For some time, he had been Dexter’s finest buddy (in crime). However, their relationship quickly soured, and the explanation Miguel Prado may be thought-about one of many worst Dexter characters is that his at-first-intriguing narrative arc didn’t ship. The preliminary thought of giving Dex somebody who matched him and who he may construct an attention-grabbing dynamic with appeared begin, besides that Miguel Prado turned out to kind of fizzle.

As a Dexter character, Miguel Prado’s psychology as his character was seen extra regularly turned extra complicated quite than mysterious, and he did not match his finest good friend’s killer vitality in any respect. Moreover, the present had already tried to provide him a psycho-and-psycho dynamic within the earlier season the titular serial killer’s closest individuals solely.

Paul Bennett (Played By Mark Pellegrino)

One of the earliest characters to be launched in Dexter who was outright loathable was Mark Pellegrino’s Paul Bennet, who debuted in season 1, episode 6, “Return to Sender”. Paul Bennett was Rita’s first ex-husband and the daddy of Astor and Cody. He was additionally some of the unlikable and on the similar time badly-written characters within the present. Paul, sadly, was a presence throughout till Dexter season 2, showing in 8 episodes earlier than he was killed off throughout a jail brawl.

The fundamental drawback with the function of Paul Bennett in Dexter, and why he is thought-about one of many worst characters on the present, is that he was randomly inserted there to provide Dexter and Rita some issues to beat as a pair. He performed this half properly, however then he did not appear to serve every other goal to the present, and the truth that they made Rita sympathize with him in any case he did to her was simply inappropriate.

Vince Masuka (Played By C.S. Lee)

One of the worst Dexter characters who was a longstanding presence on the present was Vince Masuka, Miami Metro’s lead forensic officer. C.S. Lee’s Dexter character was a presence from the pilot throughout to the season 8 finale, “Remember The Monsters?” Vince Masuka by no means turned out to be a necessary or unforgettable character, however he wasn’t an completely clean slate or missing potential.

However, herein resides the true purpose that Vince was by no means a fan-favorite character regardless of offering some comedian reduction. The incontrovertible fact that Dexter by no means appeared to make the most of him correctly is what has him thought-about as one on the bottom-end of the present’s characters general. The present gave him a number of episodes during which he “shined” greater than regular, however he remained somebody who saved making largely unhealthy jokes and annoying individuals all through the entire present. Not that he was fully unlikeable, however he by no means added something related to the present.

Lumen Pierce (Played By Julia Stiles)

Julia Stiles’ Dexter character, Lumen Pierce, solely appeared in 10 episodes of the present, being launched and written out of the present in season 5. The incontrovertible fact that she’s thought-about one of many worst Dexter characters appears a bit of shocking at first. However, when checked out within the wider context of Dexter from seasons 1-8, the justification for her placement turns into far more obvious. Lumen was extremely attention-grabbing when first launched, and her arc was charming at factors, but it did not attain a satisfying conclusion.

Lumen Pierce wasn’t a very unlikable character, however she may have been far more. She was used as a rebound relationship with Dexter, whereas he helped her get revenge on the unhealthy individuals who harm her. Their relationship wasn’t unhealthy, though possibly inappropriate, however Lumen’s persona was handled extra like a damsel in misery and rebound lover when she may’ve been the primary one to make the killers-together dynamic work.

Jordan Chase (Played By Jonny Lee Miller)

Jordan Chase was the primary antagonist of the fifth season of Dexter (one of many gang of torturers who harm Lumen Pierce). Much like most of the worst Dexter characters, the primary criticism of Jordan Chase is that his storyline hinted at one thing promising early-on, just for his to be a considerably two-dimensional character by the point he left.

The character of Jordan Chase wasn’t properly explored, and he was depicted as nothing greater than an animal with man’s masks on. What’s extra, viewers did not truly get to see a lot of him, which made his character really feel unessential. Season 5 of Dexter targeted on Dexter’s way of thinking, actions, and processing part after Rita’s demise, which could clarify why he appeared so momentary and nearly rebound-like from the beginning (similar to Lumen).

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Best Characters

Maria LaGuerta (Played By Lauren Velez)

Maria LaGuerta may need been some of the unlikable characters, particularly initially of the present the place she was depicted as nothing greater than a crafty, shrewd, and narratively heavy-handed risk to Dexter’s secret identification because the Bay Harbor Butcher. However, by the point she was killed off within the Dexter season 7 episode “Surprise, Motherf****r!”, her legacy was intact as one of many finest characters to ever have been within the present.

She was additionally one of many characters who found out Dexter’s identification, and though it’d’ve occurred late, she was maybe the one one to determine his involvement with Doakes’ demise. As Dexter progressed, Maria LaGuerda proved to be extra than simply an empty character with grasping targets, but additionally a determinate and good character who has performed an vital function within the present.

James Doakes (Erik King)

James Doakes is likely to be maybe essentially the most unlikable Dexter character, however he performed his function as “antihero” fairly properly. It wasn’t that he was good, powerful, and difficult, however that his persona may also have been nearer to Dexter than anybody else’s within the present. Doakes solely appeared in 25 episodes general, regardless of being a major presence within the present’s earliest seasons, however he undoubtedly left his mark on each the primary character and wider narrative.

In truth, along with his potential, Doakes and Dexter may have had an excellent longer and extra intriguing dispute. Many followers really feel that Doakes was killed off considerably prematurely, although this does not detract from his standing as one of many the very best Dexter character. His psychology was well-written, that means that his flaws and qualities as an entire related properly and formed him as this difficult, although at instances problematic, good-hearted persona.

Arthur Mitchell (Played By John Lithgow)

Many followers will embody a number of of Dexter’s rival serial killers when itemizing their favourite on-screen personalities, although few need to be thought-about among the many finest Dexter characters fairly as strongly as Arthur Mitchell (Jon Lithgow). Arthur Mitchell, often known as the Trinity Killer, was one of many scariest and most vital serial killers and antagonists of the entire sequence.

In Dexter season 4, after two seasons of getting two psychotic characters obsess over Dexter (Lila and Miguel), the tables are turned with the introduction of the Trinity Killer, and Arthur Mitchell made for a refreshing change of tempo. Unlike attracting different serial killers, Dexter is the one who begins obsessing over the Trinity Killer to “learn” from him. Arthur MItchell challenged Dexter in new methods, and he actually was some of the efficient and harmful villains to seem within the present.

Brian Moser (Christian Camargo)

There’s maybe just one serial killer extra memorable than the Trinity Killer in Dexter, and that is Brian Moser, additionally know as Rudy Cooper or The Ice Truck Killer. Brian Moser solely appeared in season 1 of Dexter, and served as the primary multi-episode antagonist. However, it wasn’t simply Brian Moser’s character that ranks him among the many finest Dexter characters, but additionally the various twists in his story throughout his 10 appearances.

In a surprising reveal that the present subsequently struggled to prime, audiences discovered that Brian Moser is Dexter’s long-lost brother. His psychology, characterization, and backstory had been creepy, fascinating, and altogether tragic. He challenged Dexter’s morals and his few human feelings as he turned Miami into his murderous playground. Brian has undoubtedly been one of many scariest and most harmful serial killers of the sequence, and the present undoubtedly began on a excessive along with his introduction in Dexter season 1.

Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter)

The finest Dexter character was launched within the season 1 pilot, and is, after all, Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan. Debra Morgan is essentially the most underrated character in the entire sequence, and few have such a fancy and charming relationship with the titular killer. Debra is tenacious, sturdy, and on the similar time susceptible. Few, maybe even none, of the opposite characters in Dexter are fairly as vital as Dexter’s sister Debra, and the present dealt with her narratives and improvement near-perfectly.

Unlike a number of the worst Dexter characters, who can seem as one-dimensional and over-simplistic, Debra commonly shows many various, and typically conflicting, sides to her character as a result of she has been via a lot. Throughout Dexter, she’s proven to be an environment friendly detective, an environment friendly tenant, an environment friendly sister, lover, and good friend. Her complexity and her psychology had been at instances complicated, however that is simply because she’s some of the human characters on the present.

Dexter

Based on the character created by writer Jeff Lindsay, Showtime’s Dexter follows Miami Metro Police Department’s most expert blood spatter analyst, Dexter Morgan, as he makes an attempt to fulfill his Dark Passenger’s must kill by searching down criminals who’ve escaped justice. However, utilizing the principles his adoptive father taught him to stay undiscovered, Dexter should stroll the advantageous line of seemingly mixing into society whereas repeatedly feeding his darkish urges. Dexter faces a number of serial killers as his facade slowly crumbles round him; with each drawback solved by his Dark Passenger, one other one arises for his suburban fatherly life. When Dexter takes issues personally or feels that the legislation is failing, he takes issues into his personal arms and even compromises the investigations of his co-workers. Dexter aired on Showtime for eight seasons earlier than receiving a mini-sequel sequence known as Dexter: New Blood, which picked up ten years after the present’s occasions. You should purchase every season for simply $9.99 for Prime Day. 

Cast

David Zayas , Michael C. Hall , Lauren Velez , C. S. Lee , James Remar , Jennifer Carpenter , Desmond Harrington , Julie Benz

Release Date

October 31, 2010

Seasons

8

Writers

Jeff Lindsay , Scott Buck , Scott Reynolds , Tim Schlattmann , Karen Campbell , Melissa Rosenberg , Kevin Maynard , Wendy West , Manny Coto , Daniel Cerone , Jace Richdale , Drew Z. Greenberg , Chip Johannessen , Adam Fierro , Jim Leonard

Directors

Clyde Phillips

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