Premise: Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is a forensics expert for the Miami Metro Police Department, specializing in blood splatter. He's also a serial killer. Like Robin Hood or the proverbial hooker with a heart of gold, however, he has the best intentions in mind. He has a "code," instilled in him by his adopted father, that allows him to kill only those who really "deserve" it -- specifically, murderers who've slipped through the fingers of the justice system. He doesn't remember much before he was adopted or why he has the need to kill, but his adopted father recognized it and honed it for "good." Now, he lives a double life, solving murders in the daytime and committing them at night, all the while trying to maintain a family life while avoiding capture and unraveling the mystery of his early years.
Stars: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz, Erik King, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, C.S. Lee, James Remar
Years Active: 2006 - present
Network: Showtime (Reruns on CBS)
Running Time: 60 minutes
Season 1
Episode #: 1
Title: "Dexter"
Summary: We're introduced to Dexter and his double life, including his cop sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), and his girlfriend, Rita (Julie Benz). As he kidnaps and kills two bad guys on his free time, he helps the police investigate a new serial killer whose precise methods of dismemberment and cryptic messages seemingly aimed at Dexter intrigue the killer with a heart of gold.
Episode #: 2
Title: "Crocodile"
Summary: Dexter and Debra's investigation leads to the discovery of the serial killer's refrigerated truck, thus earning him the nickname "The Ice Truck Killer." It becomes more clear to Dexter that the killer knows his own homicidal alter ego. Doakes (Erik King) meanwhile investigates the murder of a cop that has secret ties to his personal life.
Episode #: 3
Title: "Popping Cherry"
Summary: As the police investigate an Ice Truck Killer victim found in a hockey rink, Dexter stalks a young murderer who triggers memories of his youth. Rita's abusive ex-husband, Paul (Mark Pellegrino) gets out of jail and pays her a visit, to Dexter's chagrin. Doakes gets in over his head in avenging the murder of his colleague.
Episode #: 4
Title: "Let's Give the Boy a Hand"
Summary: More Ice Truck Killer body parts turn up, but only Dexter realizes that they are being used to recreate scenes from his childhood. Doakes is being tailed by the mobster who killed his colleague.
Episode #: 5
Title: "Love American Style"
Summary: As one of the Ice Truck Killer's victims is found alive, Dexter hunts a human trafficker but gets more than he expected.
Episode #: 6
Title: "Return to Sender"
Summary: The Ice Truck Killer surprises Dexter by returning the body of Dexter's latest kill to the scene of the crime to be discovered by the police. Things get worse when a small boy comes forward, claiming to have seen who killed the victim.
Episode #: 7
Title: "Circle of Friends"
Summary: Batista (David Zayas) and Debra's investigation leads to the capture of a suspect who confesses to the Ice Truck Killer crimes, and Dexter is disillusioned by the outcome. In his personal life, Dexter must deal with Paul's return to Rita's life, while Debra begins dating a new man.
Episode #: 8
Title: "Shrink Wrap"
Summary: Dexter hunts a murderous psychologist but realizes that the doctor may be of more use to him alive. Meanwhile, doubts arise as to the validity of the suspect in custody for the Ice Truck Killer crimes.
Episode #: 9
Title: "Father Knows Best"
Summary: Details about Dexter's childhood surface when he discovers that his biological father died only recently and left Dexter his house. Paul begins to display his abusive tendencies toward Rita, while Dexter gets to know Debra's new boyfriend, Rudy (Christian Camargo).
Episode #: 10
Title: "Seeing Red"
Summary: After the Ice Truck Killer creates a crime scene that triggers a repressed memory from Dexter's past, Batista gets too close for comfort to discovering the killer's identity. At home, Dexter must intervene as Paul threatens to take the kids away from Rita.
Episode #: 11
Title: "Truth Be Told"
Summary: Dexter uncovers connections between himself and the Ice Truck Killer, but as he gets closer to the truth, so does Doakes, who suspects that Dexter knows more than he's revealing. Rudy proposes to Debra.
Episode #: 12
Title: "Born Free"
Summary: Dexter follows a series of clues to track down the Ice Truck Killer before he targets someone Dexter loves. However, Doakes is hot on the trail as well and becomes increasingly suspicious of Dexter. The truth is finally revealed about the killer's ties to Dexter and his childhood.
