10 TV Detectives Who Could Catch Dexter

Dexter is experiencing a renewed surge in interest within the cultural landscape, largely due to the debut of the prequel Dexter: Original Sin, which has concluded its first season, and also due to two more series currently in development. One of these new shows is titled Dexter: Resurrection, scheduled to continue from where his apparent demise at the end of Dexter: New Blood left off, and another series that will delve into the origins of one of the original show’s most beloved antagonists – the Trinity Killer, masterfully portrayed by TV icon John Lithgow.

In the television series, Dexter Morgan, portrayed by Michael C. Hall (and Patrick Gibson in the prequel), operates somewhat like a detective himself. Once he detects a serial killer, he diligently hunts for solid evidence that would indisputably prove their guilt. Raised and trained by his father, Detective Harry Morgan, and guided by a code for survival, Dexter’s analytical abilities are unparalleled within the fictional world of his show. However, unlike conventional detectives, Dexter does not arrest or imprison his targets upon capture. Instead, he envelopes them in plastic and dispatches them to the next realm using sharp instruments.

Over time, various investigators have uncovered clues about his real persona and cornered him, with Detective Sergeant James Doakes arguably getting closest (before “New Blood”), but none were able to permanently halt his actions. Given that he’s the protagonist of the series, this isn’t surprising. However, let’s imagine a scenario where he encounters other primary characters who share similar intelligence, reasoning, and plot protection – how would they fare?

In this text, we’re listing 10 well-known television detectives who could presumably apprehend Dexter and ensure he faces justice permanently.

10
Adrian Monk

‘Monk’ (2002 – 2009)

Monk and Dexter have a notable characteristic in common: they both exhibit tendencies of obsessive-compulsive behavior. However, there’s a significant difference between them. While Monk’s OCD is so severe that it can negatively impact his job performance (even causing him to lose his position as a detective), Dexter employs his compulsions to meticulously cover up his crimes, though he frequently falls short in this endeavor.

One Mistake Is All It Would Take

Dexter is a character who is usually smart, but he occasionally makes mistakes and sometimes relies on luck to avoid being caught. He might not fare well against Adrien Monk, whose meticulous attention to detail would easily detect any inconsistencies in Dexter’s escape plans.

Dexter is often clever, but he can make mistakes and get lucky at times to evade capture. However, he wouldn’t stand a chance against Adrien Monk because of his extreme focus on details, which would quickly spot any flaws in Dexter’s escape attempts.

9
Robert Goren

‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’ (2001 – 2011)

Among Vincent D’Onofrio’s notable yet underestimated characters, Robert Goren from Criminal Intent is a tenacious and compulsive detective and behavioral analyst who set Criminal Intent apart in the lineup of Law & Order spinoffs. His unique tactic was to relentlessly interrogate suspects until they were reduced to tears and confessions, even among the toughest criminals.

Goren and Dexter Would Try To Break Each Other Down, and Goren Would Win

Instead of merely identifying discrepancies in Dexter’s crime scenes, Goren would delve deeper, examining Dexter as if reading a book. He’d scrutinize his actions, speech rhythms, and subtle cues until he had pinned him down. Dexter might strive to deceive Goren, as he has done with other investigators before, but Goren is no ordinary detective; he possesses the skill of a master manipulator, capable of reducing even the most self-assured suspects into tangled puzzles. In a mental duel between these two minds, Dexter would not emerge victorious.

8
Jake Peralta

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013 – 2021)

Despite Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s quirky and sometimes over-the-top style, it can appear unusual compared to other shows. Interestingly, Dexter too has moments where it delves into comedic, exaggerated, even absurd situations. Regarding Jake Peralta, he might come across as a bit of a fool with a memory like a goldfish, but there’s no denying his exceptional detective skills and ability to always bring the culprit to justice – he’s more like a skilled hunter of men.

Not To Be Underestimated

Over the course of eight seasons, Peralta managed to crack several seemingly impossible cases, such as the enigma of a murder committed in a locked room and one where the supposed victim was actually the killer. Interestingly, his quirky personality often proved beneficial against Dexter; Dexter might have underestimated him as a harmless simpleton. However, Captain Holt would certainly agree that Peralta is exceptionally intelligent.

7
L

‘Death Note’ (2006 – 2007)

In numerous aspects, the characters Light Yagami from Death Note and Dexter Morgan share similar traits. They both pursue wrongdoers with what seems to be a twisted sense of justice, and their intellectual abilities far surpass the norm.

L Is Quite Simply Out of Dexter’s League

Reflecting on the masterful detective work of L from “Death Note,” I can’t help but marvel at how swiftly he unraveled complex mysteries with minimal physical evidence. From a seemingly endless list of global deaths, he managed to pinpoint the source to a single city in Japan in record time. Once there, it was only a matter of moments for him to expose Kira’s true identity.

Given L’s extraordinary abilities, I have no doubt that he would have identified the Bay Harbor Butcher’s killings as originating from the Miami Metro Police Department much faster than Special Agent Frank Lundy. And with Dexter’s dark and harrowing past laid bare before him (a task I imagine he would handle effortlessly), I am convinced that L wouldn’t have taken long to connect the dots and bring justice to the victims.

6
Jack Reacher

‘Reacher’ (2022 – Present)

Jack Reacher contrasts greatly with Dexter. A retired military detective who considers himself more of a wanderer, Reacher embodies the classic hero, similar to the rare, fading knight in shining armor from old tales. In contrast, Dexter, characterized by his extreme psychopathic narcissism, could easily be mistaken for a villainous slasher character.

Reacher Poses Both a Mental and Physical Challenge to Dexter

Reacher’s intelligence holds its own against, or even exceeds, Dexter’s, while in terms of physical prowess, they are not really comparable. Physically, Dexter is fit and trained, even capable of overpowering opponents larger than himself. However, his adversaries have never been as cunning as him, a trait that Reacher possesses.

5
DCI John Luther

‘Luther’ (2010 – 2019)

Over five television series and a subsequent film, Detective Chief Inspector John Luther has been instrumental in apprehending some of the most horrific serial killers ever conceived, criminals whose depravity would make them fitting adversaries for the likes of Dexter at the conclusion of his seasons. Additionally, Luther developed a notable bond with at least one such killer, but discussing specifics might spoil the plot.

John Luther Is the Only Detective on This List Who Might Give Dexter a Pass

Instead of debating whether Luther could actually chase down Dexter, it’s more reasonable to ponder if Luther might choose to overlook Dexter after learning everything about him. Although Luther frequently professes his respect for the law, he has breached it numerous times to reach his goals and has also let other lawbreakers go free as long as they didn’t interfere with future investigations. While it’s unlikely that Luther would feel the same romantic attraction towards Dexter as he did Alice, there is a possibility he might view Dexter as a necessary evil and offer him an escape route.

4
Jessica Fletcher

‘Murder, She Wrote’ (1984 – 1996)

Jessica Fletcher, portrayed by Angela Lansbury in 264 episodes of Murder, She Wrote (and four movies), has nearly matched Dexter’s count of victims in terms of solving mysteries. This tenacious mystery writer often stumbles upon gruesome crimes wherever she travels, and consistently seems to anticipate the movements of the local law enforcement agencies.

Just Another Case for Jessica

Although Dexter and Jessica Fletcher have faced their fair share of weekly antagonists, Dexter might seem more like a villain to Jessica Fletcher, barely surpassing the seriousness of some of her most well-known investigations. The detective who came closest to matching Dexter’s success in tracking serial killers was probably Frank Lundy; however, we all remember how that story ended.

3
Alex Cross

‘Cross’ (2024 – Present)

Detective Alex Cross, apart from being an exceptional detective who notices even the slightest details overlooked by many, is also exceptionally skilled at understanding people. This talent often proves to be Dexter’s weakness as many villains have sensed Dexter’s presence due to his inability to hide his social awkwardness around them at crucial moments.

An Emotional Showdown

In a potential confrontation between Dexter and Cross, it’s possible that whoever makes an unreasonable, fatal blunder first could determine the outcome, as both characters are prone to being swayed by their emotions. Since Dexter operates independently, often without the law’s backing, he might find himself at a disadvantage when compared to Cross and his partner, Detective John Sampson, who work within the system.

2
Batman

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992 – 1995)

It may seem obvious, but let me clarify: Batman is hardly susceptible to being outsmarted by Dexter. For practical purposes, we’ll concentrate on the Batman portrayed in The Animated Series, a fan favorite that accurately translated numerous Detective Comics tales for television during the ’90s.

Batman Would Be Appalled by Dexter’s Methods

The series introduced many prominent characters from Batman’s rogues gallery, gave a nod to lesser-known figures who continue to be obscure, and also produced some iconic characters, including Harley Quinn. All the villains in the show shared a common trait: they were usually apprehended and sent to Arkham Asylum at the end of each episode, thanks to Batman’s relentless pursuit.

Although some might argue that Batman could appreciate Dexter’s work and overlook it, recall that Dexter repeatedly disregards Batman’s fundamental rule – not taking lives. For the Dark Knight, Dexter wouldn’t be viewed any differently than his other mentally ill foes whom Batman seeks to reform rather than eliminate.

1
Sherlock Holmes

‘Sherlock’ (2010 – 2017)

In numerous adaptations of the world’s most renowned detective on TV and film, Benedict Cumberbatch’s contemporary portrayal, who opted for “Sherlock” over “Holmes,” disliked the famous deerstalker hat often linked to the character, and admittedly saw himself as a high-functioning sociopath with no emotions, has left a lasting impact on fans. This impression is so strong that many still eagerly anticipate a fifth season.

It Doesn’t Really Matter Which Sherlock

It’s clear that Sherlock Holmes, fiction’s iconic detective, would probably have no trouble uncovering Dexter’s secret life as a vigilante. Regardless of which version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character we consider, the outcome remains consistent. Whether it’s Benedict Cumberbatch or any other actor who has played Holmes over the years, his contemporary impact is significant. And although Holmes’ series leans more towards atmosphere and symbolism rather than traditional detective work, it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine the genius detective apprehending his quarry.

2025-02-17 05:03

10 Adrian Monk