When Dexter made its debut in the Fall of 2006, audiences and critics were completely blown away. Based on the novels by Jeff Lindsay, the series followed a blood-spatter analysis expert from the Miami Metro Police Department named Dexter Morgan, brilliantly played by Michael C. Hall. The irresistible catch of course is that Dexter is also a serial killer, who only kills other killers.
The series focuses mostly on the double life that Dexter leads and the conflict that comes from that. For several years, Dexter was appointment television, and you tuned in every week to see what was going to happen because the suspense, drama, humor, and horror blended seamlessly into a gratifying television experience. However, as Dexter has just finished its seventh season, the series is starting to show its age. All of the warning signs of a television show that has gone past its expiration are not only present, but glaringly obvious.
This article will countdown the top five reasons why Dexter needs to end. It hurts me to write this as I used to be one of the many, many Dexter fans who cancelled all plans Sunday night to see what was going to happen next. However, I think it’s time to indulge my Dark Passenger and put the series on my table.
Also, please bear in mind that spoilers will follow. You’ve been warned.
Click next to reveal all…
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24 Comments
I’m guessing you don’t realise that they announced that Season 8 would be the final season before season 7 even began.
Season 8 was already announced as the final season before season 7 aired on TV.
I’m aware that they said season 8 would be the last. However, Season 7 did huge ratings so I would not be surprised if they tried to get another season or 2 out of the show. Also, we are about two seasons past the expiration date. Thanks for reading!
Season 8 is the last dude.
And with a quick Google search…
http://screenrant.com/dexter-season-9-discussion-preview/
Showtime does not want their cash cow to run dry of sweet, sweet money.
I agree that the plot has become FUBAR’ed. But it CAN be repaired. Dexter needs to be put back on track, a lean, mean psychopathic serial killer of killers, who was just toying/imagining what it would be like to be normal and now realizes that fact when Deb is killed/almost killed and he feels little. So, regrettably, Deb must suffer an accident or shooting by some criminal and either die (or better) be left as a potential threat to Dexter by being put in a coma, or suffering some major brain injury that leaves her with massive amnesia about Dexter’s true serial killer nature. I like Deb, but the fatal mistake of her acceptance of Dexter as killer must be corrected. Dexter needs to kill Hannah McKay to protect his identity and restore his “sanity” as a killer of killers, and to show he IS incapable of true love and will protect his secret. Finally, a real potential threat to Dexter needs to be a new lieutenant. I vote that his new boss is slowly identified to the audience as a serial killer, unbeknownst to Dexter, who begins to suspect Dexter’s true nature, but who never kills anyone connected to his job. And stop all the cute “Dexter being Daddy” scenes. Psychopaths don’t value humans that much. In short, Dexter needs to restore his hard edge, with his identity protected, and the suspense reinstated.
I agree that the plot has become FUBAR’ed. But it CAN be repaired. Dexter needs to be put back on track, a lean, mean psychopathic serial killer of killers, who was just toying/imagining what it would be like to be normal and now realizes that fact when Deb is killed/almost killed and he feels little. So, regrettably, Deb must suffer an accident or shooting by some criminal and either die (or better) be left as a potential threat to Dexter by being put in a coma, or suffering some major brain injury that leaves her with massive amnesia about Dexter’s true serial killer nature. I like Deb, but the fatal mistake of her acceptance of Dexter as killer must be corrected. Dexter needs to kill Hannah McKay to protect his identity and restore his “sanity” as a killer of killers, and to show he IS incapable of true love and will protect his ID. Finally, a real potential threat to Dexter needs to be a new lieutenant. I vote that his new boss is slowly identified to the audience as a serial killer, unbeknownst to Dexter, who begins to suspect Dexter’s true nature, but who never kills anyone connected to his job. And stop all the cute “Dexter being Daddy” scenes. Psychopaths don’t value humans that much. In short, Dexter needs to restore his hard edge, with his identity protected, and the suspense reinstated.
I would absolutely watch this. However, I’m not so keen on the new Lt. being a serial killer too. I often find the amount of serial killers living in Miami at any given time to be a little too convenient to the plot. However, I do agree that Deb needs to either die or have the stakes significantly raised on her. And they should never, ever address the whole Deb/Dexter love angle ever again.
Thanks for reading!
Well said.
Thank you, sir.
Nice article! I unfortunately agree with most your points. Hopefully season 8 will redeem the show!
I can’t generate hate mail if you agree with me lol! Thank you for reading, and I too hope that the show is redeemed with season 8.
Hope season 9 brings them to a new area like 24.
New York, California, Canada, Asia?
Those would be fun to watch.
That’s cute.
I have to admit that I’ll forgive a lot for characters I love. It wasn’t until this article that I realised I was letting Dexter away with the issues raised here. I also really didn’t realise how much it had changed. The focus used to be firmly on looking through the eyes of a serial killing anti hero and watching him balance his life and try to appear normal. Now it’s kind of like we are shown a main villain at the beginning and we just wait to see how Dexter is going to kill this one with, as you said, superfluous sub plots along the way. Kind of disappointed now.
Good read though.
I agree with your points. Dexter must be reinstated as the serial killer. I understand that his character development is trying to show him accept and lead a ‘normal’ life but it has taken away from the fundamentals of the show: a serial killer of killers trying to not get caught.
As for the Deb situation. There is every chance that she may get caught due to the phone call that was placed just before she went after LaGuerta and Dexter. She called asking for the location of LaGuerta’s car. It could be cleverly explained but I must admit this little piece is what’s holding my attention. Will she/won’t she sort of thing.
And yes the Deb/Dexter love thing must be forgotten about forever more.
But yes good read and hopefully Dexter is redeemed to the Gold Standard season 4 in the next one!
Agreed. I love the show but I haven’t even touched the last season for fear of hating it.I want the old Dexter back with no weird love interests and him striving to fit in again.
Agreed with the points. I am surprised of the high rating given to the recent seasons. The early seasons contained so much wit, dark humor and it was such a delight to see how Dexter can act like a normal person given his dark passenger condition.
Now the killing is getting mindless, sloppy, … and the Deb loves Dexter plot is just simply icky.
There was the time when my pulse racing when watching the show, but recently I just feel strangely uninvolved.
I agree with most of your comments. The fact that Dexter can fall in love now spoils the show since one of my favorite things about the show was that he was this emotionless serialkiller who put on this brilliant cover.
However, as said before season 8 will probably be the last season. Until this happens all plots can still lead to some spectacular ending where everything comes together. Maybe even an explenation why he can suddenly love or where he realizes he can’t love. Also, Deb finding out and killing Laguerta together is how the books actualy go.
I will never understand why they dumbed Quinn down this much lately. He used to be my favourite character and nowadays I’m shocked to see how badly written his storylines are.
And yes, there is no more suspence left in this show anymore.
Just end it.
I stopped watching the show after season 4. I loved Rita.
If you want a taste of the old Dexter, read Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter novels. There are six out so far, with a new one scheduled for spring 2013. They take a different plot direction from the series and it’s almost like another, separate Dexter universe. Some of the same characters, many different ones, and not everyone who lives or dies in the TV show experiences the same fate in the novels. Much more suspense and no outside love interests. Linsay keeps the literary Dexter much closer to the character we enjoyed in the opening season of the show. I definitely recommend them!
I hope it ends on season 8 but I don’t want them naking it so it is open ot a season 9 which they may never happen