List of Dexter episodes
The introduction to each episode of the Showtime television series Dexter is a sequence of close-up shots that portray the morning routine of Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall) in a manner reminiscent of American Psycho. He cuts himself shaving, and there are other red liquids that resemble blood. The food being cooked include a slab of meat, an egg, and a blood orange.
Each episode is an hour long. Dexter does the narration throughout to reveal the thoughts beneath his deceiving exterior.
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired |
DVD release date |
DVD cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 2006 | August 21, 2007 | File:DexterLogoImage.jpg |
Season 1 (2006)
| # | Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dexter" | James Manos, Jr. | Michael Cuesta | October 1, 2006 | |
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In this pilot episode, Dexter Morgan is introduced as a blood spatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night. An unusual case begins with the finding of clean, chopped-up bodies with no blood. The murderer intrigues Dexter with the intricate methodology as well as a personal message. When Dexter walks away from the empty pool, the two spikes on his hair resemble the devil's horns. | |||||
| 2 | "Crocodile" | Clyde Phillips | Michael Cuesta | October 8, 2006 | |
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Dexter assists detectives Batista and Doakes in investigating the murder of an undercover officer. Debra discovers a piece of evidence in the Ice Truck Killer case that helps her get ahead. When Angel kneels down to retrieve the cell phone from under the couch, he puts his knee in the middle of a blood stain. The radio on Debra's left shoulder disappears after she hugs Capt. Matthews. As Doakes takes down photos of Norberto, they re-appear in different places as a continuity error. | |||||
| 3 | "Popping Cherry" | Daniel Cerone | Michael Cuesta | October 15, 2006 | |
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While Lt. LaGuerta focuses the department's attenion on a potential suspect in the Ice Truck Killer case, Debra continues to look elsewhere. Sgt. Doakes pays a visit to crime boss Carlos Guerrero. The episode title comes from the slang term for piercing a woman's hymen, usually during sex for the first time. In this episode, there is a flashback to Dexter's killing a human for the first time. It may also refer to Cherry, the murdered prostitute. | |||||
| 4 | "Let's Give the Boy a Hand" | Drew Z. Greenberg | Robert Lieberman | October 22, 2006 | |
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The Ice Truck Killer's recent crime scenes send a secret message to Dexter, leading him to think about the past. Lt. LaGuerta's investigation changes course. Sgt. Doakes continues to have run-ins with Carlos Guerrero and his associates. | |||||
| 5 | "Love American Style" | Melissa Rosenberg | Robert Lieberman | October 29, 2006 | |
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The Homicide Division is buzzing after the Ice Truck Killer's latest victim is found mutilated but alive, while Dexter gets in over his head as he stalks a murderous human trafficker. | |||||
| 6 | "Return to Sender" | Timothy Schlattmann | Tony Goldwyn | November 5, 2006 | |
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Dexter must find a way to cover up his last kill, even if it means using his sister's lack of experience against her. | |||||
| 7 | "Circle of Friends" | Daniel Cerone | Steve Shill | November 12, 2006 | |
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Dexter must deal with the menacing return of Rita's paroled ex-husband. Debra goes on a date with the prosthetist who worked on the limbs of an Ice Truck Killer survivor. The Ice Truck Killer is finally apprehended, but something about him doesn't sit right with Dexter. When Paul introduces himself to Dexter as "father on parole", this may be misheard as "father of Pearl", in reference to The Scarlet Letter, in which Pearl's father is unseen for most of the novel. The hot dog trailer is identical to that of the one in My Name Is Earl. | |||||
| 8 | "Shrink Wrap" | Lauren Gussis | Tony Goldwyn | November 19, 2006 | |
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The strange suicide of a powerful woman leads Dexter to suspect her psychologist, Dr. Emmett Meridian (played by director Tony Goldwyn), but he gets a shock when a visit to the suspect opens up dark secrets from Dexter's past. Meanwhile, Debra is falling for her new boyfriend. The true identity of the Ice Truck Killer is finally revealed. When Rudy is viewing the ad Dexter posted on Craiglist, the email address temporarily changes from frozenbarbie@hotmail.com to frozenbarbie@hotmail.web. The episode inspired numerous fans to post ads on Craigslist using the names Ken and Barbie. After finishing collecting blood from Dr. Meridian's cheek, the level of blood inside the Dexter's pipette increases. The pseudonym Sean Ellis may be another homage to Bret Easton Ellis. Also in this episode, Dexter uses the alias of Patrick Bateman, the protagonist in Ellis' novel American Psycho. | |||||
| 9 | "Father Knows Best" | Melissa Rosenberg | Adam Davidson | November 26, 2006 | |
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Dexter learns that his biological father (named Joe Driscoll), whom he was told had died thirty years ago, has just recently passed away and left him everything he owned, including his house. He goes on a trip to pack the items in the house, along with Rita, Debra and Rudy. When Dexter is with the body of his biological father, a digital clock in the background reads 4:11 as he bends over to get a better look. After briefly examining the face, he stands back up and the clock reads 4:17. When Rudy is packing, he ties the old records together the same way he ties body parts. | |||||
| 10 | "Seeing Red" | Kevin Maynard | Michael Cuesta | December 3, 2006 | |
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Dexter, sent to investigate a blood soaked crime scene, is gripped by a suppressed memory. Meanwhile, Rita is charged with assaulting Paul and could lose the children in a custody battle. Angel investigates a hunch regarding the Ice Truck Killer. | |||||
| 11 | "Truth Be Told" | Timothy Schlattmann and Drew Z. Greenberg | Keith Gordon | December 10, 2006 | |
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The Ice Truck Killer strikes again, leaving a real nightmare before Christmas at Santa's Cottage. Lt. LaGuerta braces for dramatic changes in the department. Rudy and Debra spend some quality time together. | |||||
| 12 | "Born Free" | Daniel Cerone and Melissa Rosenberg | Michael Cuesta | December 17, 2006 | |
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Dexter and the Ice Truck Killer have a final confrontation. Rita tells Paul's sponsor that "Dexter spends all his time in a laboratory, for god's sake," which may be a reference to Dexter's Laboratory. The way Dexter eats a banana in the car is the same way Rudy eats a chocolate bar. | |||||