TV’s Favorite Killer Dexter And His Top 5 Kills

“There are about 6 liters of blood in a human body. I know this because Dexter knows this.” As I have a narrator’s moment much like the lead character on the show, I can’t help but marvel at the quality of writing at display on the smaller circuit. Creative writing has long moved away from Hollywood and found a new home on cable TV. Dexter is one of the many shows that stand out for its raw narrative, gritty dialogues and stellar performances. And although the show has taken a turn for the worse after peaking in season 4 (one of the best seasons ever on TV), it remains, by far, one of the most entertaining programs on television.

Starring Michael C. Hall in his award winning performance as the title character, Dexter is as bent as it gets; half man, half monster. He masquerades as a simpleton forensic expert (blood spatter analyst if you can believe it) during the day only to become a cold-blooded serial killer at night. But wait…he is not the bad guy. In fact, he has been trained by his foster father to abide by a code; a code which allows him to succumb to his “dark passenger” rather than trying to subdue it. Dexter is out to get the scum of the earth who wander unpunished for their sins due to an imperfect justice system. Though the dark passenger certainly provides the action, it is Dexter’s balancing act of keeping up his façade while tending to his gory needs that provides the drama.

The character has more than 100 kills (confirmed and unconfirmed combined) to his merit making him worthy of Hall-of-Fame status in the industry of psychopaths. This article looks at the top five kills by Dexter (SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T SEEN THE SHOW!)

“Little Chino” (Season 2; Waiting to Exhale)

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Dexter has fallen off the bandwagon. The monster has the shanks. And to make things worse, his favorite underwater dumpsite has been discovered which is more than a little inconvenient for him. He has been branded as the “Bay Harbor Butcher” with a massive manhunt underway to capture one of the most elusive serial killers ever. Dexter needs a challenge to get back into the game; which is more than what Little Chino has to offer.

At 6’8”, 315 lbs, Little Chino is the living personification of “size matters”; and he gives Dexter a run for his money when he outmuscles his way from the shrink-wrap restraints and throws him across the room with just one hand. He is prepared for Dexter the second time around with his gang members ready to ambush him; a trap which he barely escapes from. But third time’s the charm. Little Chino is out to get a little kid who has given information about his gang to the police. Little does he know that Dexter is out to get him with a tranquilizer lance used for alligators. And this time, there would be no escape.

With his hands still, nerves calm, vision amplified, he kills Little Chino with his own machete. The dark passenger has returned.

“Rankin” (Season 5; My Bad)

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Rankin is a classic case of someone in the wrong place at the wrong time -- a deserted boat shop with Dexter and his wife had just been killed. And to make things worse, he chooses to pick on the grieving psychopath. Not only is he rude to him, he also insults his wife. Needless to say, he had awakened the beast and it wasn’t pretty. His demise: bludgeoned to death by a small anchor.

Paradoxically, this was one rare moments of Dexter where he reveals his human side; he actually breaks down after unleashing the monster, crying over the doom he had brought on his family. We all grieve in different ways. Dexter takes it out by making a mess out of people.

Dr. Emmett Meridian (Season 1; Shrink Wrapped)

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Dexter is good at mind games. After all, he couldn’t have pulled off what he does if he isn’t composed. He is also good at keeping up appearances. He has a brass-armor to protect his true self. There wasn’t much anyone could throw at him that would ever get to him.

Dr. Emmett Meridian was supposed to be an easy mark; a psychologist who liked to play God and influence his patients into committing suicide. Little did Dexter know that during his undercover reconnaissance, the suggestive shrink would get under his skin and make him confront his repressed past. Still he was unable to deter the determined psychopath from collecting the evidence needed to prove the doctor’s guilt. 

The dark passenger is able to put it all behind him after a first-of-its-kind intimate night with his girlfriend. And he is back in the game. The shrink would then be undone in typical Dexter fashion; a tranquilizer needle followed by shrink wrap, an admission of guilt and a nice clean stab to the chest.

Brian Moser aka “The Ice-truck Killer” (Season 1; Born Free)

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Dexter had been in awe of Brian’s work throughout the first season. Brian, who was later discovered to be Dexter’s lost long brother, revealed the origins of the dark passenger to him and asked him to step into the light for he was not alone. But he takes it one step too far when he sets up a kill room for Dexter with his foster sister Debra as the kill. But he couldn’t do it for she was his one real connection to the world he knew but didn’t belong to. ,

This was perhaps one of the few emotional kills Dexter has had throughout the series, one after which he felt remorse, hurt and a deep sense of loss. He had just killed his brother, his protector from childhood; one who was not rescued by a cop and taught to hide in plain sight, one who was just as damaged as he was, one man who knew exactly who he was and yet accepted him for it. This was a life altering kill.

Arthur Mitchell aka “Trinity Killer” (Season 4; The Getaway)

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…and then the hunter became the hunted. After what was a rather dull third season, the writers thought to juice up the storyline and raise the bar for our friendly monster Dexter. Enter John Lithgow’s character Arthur Mitchell aka “Trinity” – perhaps the most successful serial killer ever. Infact he was so good that his murders remained unsolved for decades.

The whole build up was quite extraordinary. It started off with Dexter juggling between his work, marriage, being a father and his dark side; unable to find the right balance. Dexter’s paths crossed with Arthur Mitchell who is quite literally his mirror image. Suddenly Dexter had a mentor. But like all good things must end, Dexter had to put an end to Trinity’s never-ending cycle. What Dexter did not realize is that two can play this game. In what was perhaps the best showdown on screen in ages, the best monster won…or did he?,

This season has been the most successful of the series thus far with multiple awards at Golden Globes including “Best actor in a lead role in a TV series” for Michael C. Hall and “Best supporting actor in a TV series” for John Lithgow.

Killer Ending?

“Dexter” as a program has had its ups and down much like the title character. Each season explores a new facet of the serial killer’s persona with lackluster seasons 3 & 5. And after the failed attempt of season 6 to bring back the grit and gore to the show, mostly because of a weak season arc and Debra’s “weirdness”, there is a glimmer of hope. It ended on a much anticipated cliffhanger with Debra walking in on Dexter as he kills the main villain. Lots of hope is being pinned on season 7 to revive the show’s original success and setup a killer final season 8. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t disappoint.

Dexter Season 7 premieres on 30^th September 2012.