Top 10 Shocking Moments in Dexter

“The Big One”

The fifth season's story involves Dexter helping Lumen catch Jordan Chase, the man responsible for nearly killing her. Dexter and Lumen begin a partnership and take down all of Chase's cohorts until they get Chase himself. Debra, who deduced Chase's truth herself and is aware of two vigilantes moving against him, catches Dexter and Lumen after their act of retribution, although with their identities obscured behind plastic. However, Debra chooses not to capture them. Having been disillusioned by Chase's protection through legal technicalities, Debra offers the vigilantes the chance to escape. This moment is certainly adrenaline-pumping as Dexter comes so close to getting caught. Debra's need to prove herself made us think she'll snag the culprits, but her own sense of justice ultimately prevails.

“Dirty Harry”

The fourth season's arc revolves around capturing the infamous Trinity Killer, although Dexter gets involved halfway through. Debra is shot while investigating Trinity, and Dexter decides to find the killer to make him pay. Despite tracking Trinity down, Dexter is unable to stop the latest killing spree. He's still successful enough to follow Trinity back to his house but is completely unprepared to see what's next. As it turns out, the man who's killed hundreds of people across decades, has a family of his own. Dexter, who's faced marriage problems with Rita, is baffled how a killer like him can balance both lives. While Dexter's seen horrifying things, watching Trinity with his family scares him more than anything else.

“Resistance Is Futile”

Having never bought into Dexter's facade of being a normal man, Doakes relentlessly pursues Dexter to learn his secret. He finally finds success when Dexter scrambles to cover his tracks as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Confronting Dexter, Doakes looks to bring him to justice. However, he doesn't account for Dexter's killer instinct as the latter turns the table on Doakes to capture him instead. The shocking aspect here doesn't just come from the capture, but the potential consequences to follow. Since Doakes doesn't qualify for Dexter's kill code, watching him take down Doakes carries the possibility of Dexter breaking his oath. It also seemed as if this was supposed to be Doakes' winning moment after having been defied by Dexter so many times.

"Dex Takes a Holiday"

A key character in the second season, Frank Lundy began a romance with Debra that was cut short after the Bay Harbor Butcher case was closed. He returns in Season 4, and begins the search for the Trinity Killer. Things are on track for Debra for once as she gets back together with Lundy... which is when everything comes crashing down. Debra and Lundy are shot at by an unknown assailant, leaving Lundy dead and ending this short reconciliation. Lundy's death reinforced the idea that anyone can die in the show, as his return was initially set up as a big deal. The ambiguity behind the shooter spreads a sense of fear throughout the scene, making the Trinity Killer seem even more dangerous.

“About Last Night”

Assistant DA Miguel Prado witnesses Dexter killing Freebo, the man involved in his brother's death. He wins Dexter's trust after giving him his shirt stained with Freebo's blood that could be used as evidence. Their partnership reaches its peak when they kill together, but Miguel begins straying too far by breaking the code. Needing leverage, Dexter investigates the shirt, only to learn it was cow's blood all along. An incensed Dexter realizes Miguel played him all along to learn how to be a killer. Having been charming, and seemingly loyal, it turns out Miguel was so calculating he could even fool Dexter himself. This changes the entire context of the season, as Miguel is revealed to be far more dangerous than thought.

“The British Invasion”

Dexter's association with Lila proves to be a toxic influence, as she makes him alienate his family and friends. Lila becomes obsessed with Dexter even after he dumps her, following his whereabouts to the cabin where Doakes is being held. Although clearly a villain, Lila wasn't presented as a killer until here she decides to cover Dexter's tracks. Mercilessly leaving Doakes to die in a cabin explosion, we watch as Lila leaves Doakes to his pleas of mercy. Doakes was a main cast character and a parallel to Dexter, so it was unexpected to see him meet such a horrible demise. There's also the fact that Doakes was technically the hero here, and his death meant there was no justice to be found in this story.

“This Is the Way the World Ends”

During a widely disliked plotline, Debra's therapist convinces her she's in love with her adoptive brother Dexter. Meanwhile, Dexter tracks down Travis Marshall, the Doomsday Killer, and takes him to the church that operated as his hideout. Having been told by Dexter that he was running forensics at the church, Debra arrives to tell him her feelings, only to witness Travis' demise. The episode's focus was mainly on Dexter's hunt for Travis and Debra's arc, both of which are instantly shut down in this scene. With mere moments left before the end of the season, we're left with the reality that Dexter has finally been caught. Significantly, it's one of the few times that Dexter expresses pure terror, as Debra sees who he really is.

“Truth Be Told”

The Ice Truck Killer has the drop on Dexter the whole time and looks to recruit him. In the penultimate episode of the first season, Debra's boyfriend Rudy proposes to her, which she happily accepts. It's here when Rudy suddenly changes his attitude, going from a nice person into someone filled with malicious intent. Rudy reveals he only got close to Debra because of her status as Dexter's adoptive sister and captures her. In an even bigger shocker, he confesses to being Dexter's biological brother, Brian, and sees his identity as the Ice Truck Killer as a complement to Dexter's own killing nature. This revelation brings all the plot points of the season together, with an outwardly harmless man becoming the main villain.

“Surprise, Motherf***er!”

LaGuerta deduces Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher and arrests him. Although Dexter manages to wriggle out, he realizes she will never stop pursuing him or Debra and decides to kill her. Luring her into the kill room for another victim, Dexter successfully ambushes LaGuerta but is interrupted by Debra who tries to convince him otherwise. Debra is faced with the impossible choice of killing her brother or protecting him, and chooses the latter. This results in Debra killing LaGuerta, something that absolutely shatters her. In a truly overwhelming moment, we watch as Debra mourns her act of murder, with even Dexter feeling remorse. It signifies how far Dexter has gotten, clearly coming across as the true villain of the series.

“The Getaway”

In the fourth season finale, Dexter finally captures Arthur, the Trinity Killer. He even contemplates leaving his dark passenger behind for his family but comes home to find his world upside down. It's revealed that Arthur had tracked Dexter's home and caught Rita, who becomes the final tragic victim of the Trinity Killer. Dexter ultimately loses when he should have won, as Arthur gets the last evil laugh from beyond the grave. The moment breaks the foundation of "Dexter," as Rita's death means nothing will ever be the same. It gives Dexter a painful reality check, with his decision to let Arthur live earlier coming to haunt him. Rita's demise also represents the loss of innocence, as her son is left to weep in her blood.