10 Great TV Villains Who Totally Stole The Show

1. Arthur Mitchell - Dexter

Vi10 Remember when Dexter was good? I know I sound like I'm talking crazy, but it really did used to be a taut psychological thriller. There's no greater example of this than in season four ,which pits our once favourite serial killer head to head with his most sinister foe, Arthur Mitchell. Under the moniker of 'The Trinity Killer' Mitchell is one of the most successful serial murderers to have ever operated in the US. Not even supercop Frank Lundy, the FBI's serial killer expert, could figure out his pattern completely - he paid for it dearly. This was an interesting series of Dexter as it delved into whether it was possible to be a serial killer and a family man, something the protagonist had pondered since the very beginning. At first glance Mitchell appeared to have an ideal home life and thus a perfect cover for his crimes. Fascinated and a even a bit jealous, Dexter took the time to investigate this and learn from him instead of killing him which turned out to be the biggest mistake he ever made. Sure, he caught and killed Mitchell in the end, but he lost his wife in the process (and his connection to humanity). The multiple award winning performance from John Lithgow was a master-class of tragedy and insanity. You knew from the second he appeared on screen and climbed into that bathtub you had never seen anything like it before. The narrative he was in was some of the most tense viewing I've ever experienced and it makes you wonder where they hid the writing staff that created it during later seasons. Like this article? Who have we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.
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A pop culture mad writer from the North East who loves films, television and debating them with whoever will listen. Follow me on Twitter @Johno_Patterson