13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn’t Fit the Code

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

As a huge fan of Dexter Morgan and the intricacies of his moral code, I have been deeply engrossed in the recent developments of his storyline in Dexter: New Blood. Having followed Dexter’s journey since the original series, I have grown to appreciate the complexities of his character and the strict guidelines he follows to maintain some semblance of a normal life.


People everywhere were mesmerized by Michael C. Hall’s exceptional portrayal of Dexter Morgan in the groundbreaking crime series “Dexter.” This innovative and intriguing show, which premiered in 2006 and lasted for eight successful seasons until 2013, saw a comeback as a limited miniseries titled “Dexter: New Blood” in 2021. With two Golden Globe Awards, a Peabody, and four Primetime Emmys under its belt, “Dexter” quickly became a beloved sensation among viewers.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of Dexter, I can tell you firsthand how the titular character strictly followed his father Harry’s Code throughout the show’s 106 episodes, including “New Blood.” This set of guidelines helped Dexter control his urge to take lives. Harry Morgan, a wise homicide detective, had crafted this code as a means to keep Dexter from straying into dangerous territory.

13 Oscar Prado

Season 3, Episode 1: “Our Father”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

After three crime seasons, Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst turned nighttime avenger, violated his own rigid set of rules, instigated by his adoptive father Harry Morgan, and ended a life that did not conform to “Harry’s Code.”

In the third season’s premiere episode titled “Our Father,” Dexter encounters and ultimately kills Oscar Prado in defense as he goes after Freebo, a dangerous drug dealer blamed for the demise of two college students.

A Shocking Act of Self-Defense

As Dexter tried to locate Freebo at home, he unexpectedly found Oscar attacking the criminal with a knife. In the ensuing chaos, Dexter unintentionally distracted Oscar, allowing Freebo to escape. During their scuffle for the knife, it ended up being pushed too far into Oscar, who uttered his last words “Who are you?” before passing away from his injury.

The murder sets the stage for numerous exciting plot developments in the third season. OScohar, who was struggling with drug addiction, was the troubled sibling of two high-profile figures: the charming ADA Miguel Prado and the merciless Sheriff Ramon Prado.

12 Nathan Marten

Season 3, Episode 3: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

As Dexter’s beloved show advanced, audiences saw him strive to be the perfect father figure for Rita and her children Cody and Astor. His nurturing side emerged as he violated his own rules to eliminate Nathan Marten to safeguard their family.

A few episodes following his unplanned act of self-defense against Oscar Prado, Dexter deliberately chose to deviate from his set rules and take the life of Marten, whom he strongly suspected was a pedophile preying on Astor.

Dexter’s Paternal Instincts Kick In

At the grocery store, Dexter ran into Marten, and from their conversation with Astor, Dexter picked up on Marten’s unsettling demeanor. Intrigued and concerned, Dexter looked into Marten’s past and uncovered that he had a criminal record for sexually abusing a child.

Recognizing that it went against Harry’s principles, Dexter tried to brush off the incident but knew he had to eliminate Marten permanently when he showed up at the beach and took pictures of Astor. In his own home, Dexter mercilessly choked Marten and declared, “Nobody harms my kids.

11 Camilla Figg

Season 3, Episode 7: “Easy as Pie”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

Dexter didn’t struggle with eliminating criminals in the city who eluded justice, but he’s also taken lives out of sympathy and admiration.

I was thoroughly engaged by the heartwarming development of Dexter’s bond with Camilla Figg in season 3, episode “Easy as Pie.” Her connection to Harry and Doris Morgan from their shared past made our favorite blood spatter analyst and the record supervisor at Miami Metro Police Department grow particularly fond of each other. Every week, Dexter would bring Camilla a donut as a small token of appreciation, and she graciously let him borrow files whenever he needed them.

An Act of Compassion

Camilla had supported Dexter with crucial information on cases for nearly a decade, but it pained him deeply to discover that she was battling terminal lung cancer. As Camilla’s health deteriorated, she was transferred to hospice care where, weakened by her illness, she implored Dexter for mercy and asked him to end her suffering.

After finding out that Camilla was aware that The Ice Truck Killer, Dexter’s brother Brian Moser, was his biological sibling and didn’t tell anyone, Dexter reconsidered his actions and ultimately fed her a fatal piece of key lime pie.

10 Jonathan Farrow

Season 4, Episode 7: “Slack Tide”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

In most instances throughout the thrilling game series, Dexter, the mastermind of vigilante justice, never slipped up. But in season 4, episode “Slack Tide,” I unintentionally made a fatal error.

Although Jonathan Farrow, a fashion photographer with a questionable past, had been accused and even arrested for rape, the accusations against him were eventually dismissed; yet, Dexter remained convinced that there were further secrets hidden in Farrow’s disturbing history.

Dexter Makes a Murderous Mistake

I’ve spent years studying criminals, trying to understand what drives them to commit heinous acts. Dexter, a seemingly normal man with a dark secret, is one such individual. He manipulated Farrow into believing that he was connected to a string of gruesome murders of models. Despite Farrow’s vehement denials, insisting that he had only attacked his models for the sake of his art, Dexter couldn’t be swayed. With a cold determination, he took Farrow to his studio and carried out the ritualistic killing.

Yet, it transpired the following day that Farrow wasn’t to blame for the fatalities; instead, it was Timothy Brand who was responsible, a revelation that left Dexter feeling stunned.

9 Rankin

Season 5, Episode 1: “My Bad”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

In the shocking ending of season 4, Dexter is deeply affected when his wife Rita is brutally killed by the Trinity Killer. As he tries to come to terms with this loss, Dexter embarks on a soul-searching journey in the following seasons. He must share the heartbreaking news with Astor and Cody about their mother’s death, which leaves him feeling emotionally drained after Astor reacts angrily. Overwhelmed by the funeral preparations and dealing with the FBI, Dexter temporarily leaves the city to find some peace.

Dexter’s Emotional Fit of Rage

At a fuel dock outside of town, Dexter pulls over his boat, visibly upset. There, he crosses paths with a boisterous man named Rankin, who taunts and insults him in front of others at the gas station.

Overwhelmed by a deep-rooted anger and sadness I couldn’t comprehend, I found myself face to face with Rankin in the bathroom. We clashed, struggling for control, but in that moment of chaos, I grabbed an anchor and used it to brutally take his life. The realization that I had been deeply in love with Rita hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me stunned by my own human emotions. Ultimately, I was forced to accept the fact that I needed to return to Miami.

8 Stan Liddy

Season 5, Episode 11: “Hop a Freighter”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

Season 5 of “Dexter” seemed to be setting the stage for Dexter’s secret life as a serial killer to be exposed to the Miami police force, particularly Deb and Quinn, who were both investigating separate cases involving the same killers – Dexter and Lumen.

Hiring the disgraced ex-Detective Stan Liddy for surveillance was a decision that put Quinn on a course leading to a tense investigation. To his surprise, Liddy showed great dedication and persistence, coming very close to uncovering Dexter and Lumen’s secret activities – though he did eventually figure out that as well.

An Unfortunate Situation for Liddy

I. Just like many others who uncover Dexter’s hidden truth, Liddy unwittingly puts himself in harm’s way. Motivated by his desire to put Dexter behind bars and clear his own reputation, the tenacious investigator delves deeper into the case.

7 Norm

Season 6, Episode 7: “Nebraska:

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

As a gamer, I once found myself in the shoes of Dexter, on a quest to track down Jonah Mitchell in Kearney, Nebraska. During my stay at the Shady Lane Motel, I crossed paths with the owner, a shifty character named Norm. In an attempt to make a quick buck off me, he demanded ten thousand dollars with a threatening tone. Little did he know, this was a grave mistake on his part.

When Norm suspects that Dexter has connections with the DEA or FBI, his hidden paranoia emerges, making him uneasy about his motel tenant who is clandestinely cultivating marijuana in Norm’s cornfields. In an attempt to deceive Dexter, Norm finds himself in over his head.

Dexter Examines His Dark Urges

As I approached Jonah’s house, ready to confront him about his latest victim, I was taken aback when I noticed that my trusted kill tools and knives were no longer there. With a sense of unease creeping in, I made my way back to the motel where I had kept them hidden. Upon arrival, I was met with a surprise: Norm, the proprietor, demanded a hefty sum of $10,000 from me in exchange for returning my stolen items. With a gun pointed straight at me, I knew I didn’t have much choice but to comply or face some serious consequences.

In the course of this episode, Dexter is tormented by disturbing images of his deceased serial killer sibling Brian, leaving him confused about his own dark impulses. Eventually, while under the influence of a hallucination caused by the sight of Brian, Dexter stabs Norm with a pitchfork and conceals his body in a silo.

6 Alberto

Season 6, Episode 12: “This is the Way the World Ends”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

In the final episode of season 6, titled “The World Ends This Way,“, Dexter is saved from peril by a vessel carrying undocumented immigrants. On board, he encounters Alberto, a skilled Cuban smuggler, who commands the operation as both captain and leader.

At first, Alberto appears tranquil and caring. However, his hidden cruel side emerges quickly when he becomes aggressive and demands valuable possessions from everyone on the boat. In that instant, Dexter decides to grant Alberto the gift of ending his life instead.

Dexter Reaches His Boling Point

Upon seeing Alberto point a gun at a terrified, pregnant woman, Dexter is instantly filled with fury towards the smuggler’s selfishness and deceit, leading him to snap and react impulsively.

In a fit of anger, Dexter disregarded Harry’s Code and used a boat hook to stab Alberto fatally in the stomach, subsequently throwing the victim and the hook into the ocean. He then took the frightened migrants to the coast of Florida, allowing them to swim ashore and start anew.

5 Clint McKay

Season 7, Episode 10: “The Dark…Whatever”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

In Season 7 of the enthralling crime series, Dexter and his loyal audience encounter the enigmatic Hannah McKay. She is a gardener with a hidden past, having taken lives in defense or as retaliation for perceived injustices.

Dexter develops strong feelings for Hannah soon after they collaborate on a case to obtain a DNA sample from her. Shockingly, he learns that she too is a killer. Yet, contrary to expectations, Dexter ultimately finds himself captivated by her and forms a deep affection for her instead.

A Murder Done For Love

Hannah’s father, Clint McKay, was a deceitful and selfish manipulator who often neglected her during her childhood. He once kept her confined in a motel room for three consecutive days while he engaged in gambling activities. This tumultuous upbringing left deep scars on Hannah, causing her to run away from home at the young age of 15. When Clint reappeared, claiming to have changed, Dexter remains unconvinced due to his past experiences with him.

As a seasoned detective with years of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from petty thieves to cold-blooded killers. But nothing quite prepared me for the chilling encounter between Clint and Hannah.

4 Andrew Briggs

Season 8, Episode 1: “A Beautiful Day”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

Deb leaves her job in deep regret and self-reproach over killing LaGuerta. To ease her intense embarrassment, she turns to substance abuse. This leads her to encounter the evasive armed robber, Andrew Briggs.

Half a million dollars’ worth of jewels had been pilfered from the mob by him, and Deb was employed as an undercover private investigator to apprehend him. However, she found herself unexpectedly drawn to him and they developed a romantic connection during her investigation.

Dexter Races to Warn Deb

A dangerous hitman named El Sapo sets his sights on Briggs. Upon learning this troubling news from Dexter, the latter goes to Fort Lauderdale to alert Briggs’ estranged sister about the threat. However, Deb greets Dexter with hostility and animosity, refusing his help and warning him to leave. Angered by her rejection, a physical altercation between Dexter and Deb ensues, drawing Briggs into the fray.

In the confrontation, when Briggs reaches for a knife to assault him, Dexter manages to take control of the situation and ultimately takes the life of the criminal in defense, defying Harry’s principles yet again.

3 Debra Morgan

Season 8, Episode 12: “Remember the Monsters”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

Without a doubt, the saddest and most heart-wrenching death outside of Harry’s Code occurred when Debra Morgan, Dexter’s cherished adopted sister and complex confidant, met her tragic end during the captivating eight seasons of the show.

Throughout Deb’s presence in his life, Deb turned out to be an indispensable figure for Dexter, offering him a sense of constancy and normalcy that he hadn’t realized was essential. However, when she got shot by Saxon during an attempt to apprehend him, Dexter was left devastated emotionally.

The Most Inconceivable Death of All

In the last episode of Dexter, Deb, gravely injured, is taken to the hospital for emergency surgery. The operation is assumed to have gone well by all. As Deb recovers, she and Dexter reminisce fondly about their past in a heartfelt conversation. Deb expresses her gratitude for Dexter’s role in shielding her from harm during their childhood.

When Dexter endured a major stroke caused by a blood clot, leaving her in a vegetative condition, she faced the heart-wrenching choice of withdrawing life support and preventing her from spending the remainder of her life confined to a hospital bed.

Following the act of euthanizing Deb, Dexter bids her farewell by taking her out for one last view. Subsequently, he sets up a scene to fake his own demise. Deb may have taken three lives unintentionally, but it’s debatable among fans whether she qualified under Harry’s Code due to her essentially virtuous nature and valiant efforts in maintaining law and order in Miami.

2 Elric Kane

Dexter: New Blood: Episode 8: “Unfair Game”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

After a hiatus of eight years from TV, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), the renowned vigilante serial killer, came back to our screens in the 2021 crime miniseries “Dexter: New Blood.” Set a decade later, this gripping drama finds Dexter living undercover in the tranquil town of Iron Lake, NY, having faked his death and kept his dark impulses hidden. However, when his long-lost son Harrison unexpectedly shows up, Dexter is forced to confront his past and grapple with his violent urges once again.

A Dangerous Pursuit Lead to Death

An unexpected visit from Harrison sets off a chain reaction of unfortunate occurrences. One of these is Dexter being drawn back to his “Dark Passenger,” resulting in him killing a dangerous local named Matt Caldwell. Dexter’s father, Kurt, who owns a diner by the side of the road and has a hidden violent past, learns about his son’s disappearance and subsequent death. Consumed with anger, Kurt becomes determined to seek retribution against Dexter.

Kurt hires truck driver Elric Kane to track down Dexter and deliver him to Kurt, resulting in a fierce confrontation between the two men after Dexter is wounded in the leg during their encounter in the forest. Elric insists that his pursuit of Dexter was merely professional duty, but Dexter is compelled to take Elric’s life in self-defense when he comes across him wielding a knife. Despite Elric’s claim that it was an impersonal act, the killing breached Harry’s moral guidelines once more for Dexter.

1 Sergeant Logan

Dexter: New Blood: Episode 10: “Sins of the Father”

13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code13 Innocent People Dexter Killed Who Didn't Fit the Code

Dexter broke his own moral code during the last fatal encounter, taking the life of Sergeant Logan who was an unassuming member of the Iron Lake law enforcement and had apprehended Dexter following his suspicion and accusation as the Bay Harbor Butcher, implicating him in the murder of Matt Caldwell.

Although Logan continued to display small acts of compassion towards Dexter by bringing him a tuna sandwich and some chips while they were both in the cell, it became clear to Dexter that he must make one last effort to escape and depart from the town with Harrison.

Like Father, Like Son

While asking Logan for water, Dexter oversteps the rules by grabbing him forcefully and insisting on being freed from his cell. In response, Logan tries to defend himself by reaching for his gun. However, Dexter takes a violent turn and kills the Sergeant, allowing him to flee the jail and rejoin Harrison.

As I followed Harrison’s story unfold, my heart sank as he shocked me with an unexpected act of mercy. He put an end to his own father’s life, revealing that his “code” – the very thing that defined him – was a deception. In those last moments before my eyes, Dexter came to understand that Harrison had killed not out of duty, but because he took pleasure in it.

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2024-07-26 01:03