Dexter: 10 Saddest Things About Dexter

When it comes to the dark crime drama, Dexter, fans will agree that all characters went through some traumatic experiences. Many of them were murdered, some were tormented by serial killers, and others were affected by their dark pasts. One character that ended up going through all three instances was the show’s eponymous anti-hero, Dexter Morgan.

Dexter was arguably the most complex character on the show as the writers liked to blur the lines of morality in his storylines. Although it’s hard to sympathize too much with the serial killer (even if he was fictional), there were a few moments in the series where Dexter managed to evoke an ounce of sympathy from fans.

10 The Shipping Yard Massacre

Unknown to Dexter for some time, the show revealed that the blood analyst had suppressed a traumatic part of his past. When Dexter was a young child, he witnessed the violent murder of their mother and three-drug users.

The police found the boys two days later in a container, with a crying Dexter covered in blood and sitting in front of his mother’s lifeless body. This incident was seen to impact him greatly in the future when the truth was exposed.

9 His Actions Cost Innocent Lives

Dexter’s victims were usually criminals and other serial killers. However, sometimes he was inadvertently involved in the death of several innocent people too.  The Brain Surgeon, Oliver Saxon, targeted Dexter’s neighbor, Cassie, to get his attention, and eventually went on to kill Debra.

The Trinity Killer also went on to kill Rita for the same reason. Although he never really showcased his emotions, one could see was deeply affected by these events and struggled with the guilt.

8 Harry Encouraged Dexter’s Urges

Dexter had a close relationship with his adoptive father, Harry Morgan. From a very young age, Harry realized that Dexter had dark urges. However, he didn’t react in the way everyone expected.

While he was in the hospital, Harry witnessed a nurse killing several people, which gave him an idea. Harry then approached Dexter and taught him ‘The Code,’ encouraging him to go after criminals. He also told him how to get away with it too. This has led to most fans debating whether Harry was just as responsible for all the tragedy and murder as Dexter was. To this day, no one understands why Harry (and Dr Voegel) thought this was the best solution.

7 Losing Custody Of Cody And Astor

Dexter struggles to make human connections. Indeed, he’s excellent at hiding his lack of emotions and feelings. However, Dexter does form a bond with Rita’s children Astor and Cody. After Rita’s passing, he struggles to take care of the kids. Astor resents him and blames Dexter for not protecting her mother.

Eventually, the children move away to live with their grandparents, although Cody doesn’t want to leave him. After bidding farewell to Astor and Cody, the blood analyst then admitted that showed him that he really did care for them. Of course, he didn’t realize this until it was too late.

6 Discovering The Dark Truth About His Past

As noted, Dexter witnessed his mother’s death as a child. However, he wasn’t alone that night in the shipping yard. Dexter’s older brother, Brian, was with him that night. Harry adopted Dexter but not Brian. The two brothers were separated and went on similar paths in life.

Brian became the psychopathic Ice Truck Killer and terrorized Miami. Dexter’s life unraveled when he met his brother. He realized he didn’t know the full truth about his past. Of course, Dexter dug deeper into his past and found out that Harry had hidden the truth from him about his biological family. Instead of getting the answers he desired, he was met with further questions and disappointment.

5 Rita’s Heartbreaking Passing

Dexter always had a tough time with romance and love. He struggled to make ordinary human connections. However, Dexter did have a few love interests over the years. At the very top of the list is Rita Bennett. Dexter had feelings for Rita, although, at times, he was very distant.

Dexter wasn’t always the best husband to her. In the end, Dexter’s nemesis, The Trinity Killer, Arthur Mitchell, made Rita one of his victims. Dexter couldn’t save her and finds her body in a similar situation that triggers his own trauma. After Rita’s tragic passing, Dexter then had to raise their son, Harrison, on his own.

4 Leaving Hannah In Argentina

Dexter always struggled when it came to his love life. He did make a few connections, but in the end, he was still faking his way through life. That was until he met Hannah. Although this romance was hard to get behind since Hannah was also a serial killer, there was no denying the two had a connection.

Dexter even admitted that he had never felt anything as strong as what he felt for her. So when it looked as if he was close to getting close to his happy ending, a small part of the viewers was sad to see him give Argentina and all it up.

3 Giving Up Harrison

After the death of Rita, Dexter had to raise Harrison alone. As many fans know, Dexter wasn’t very paternal and always feared that Harrison would become just like him. Indeed, Dexter even found Harrison in a pool of Rita’s blood.

While Dexter did try to do right by him, fans would agree that his decision to give up Harrison in the final episode was for the best. He realizes he has brought harm to everyone in his life, and could potentially place Harrison at risk too. As much as it hurt him to do so, giving Harrison up ensured that he wouldn’t get caught up in his past.

2 Taking Debra Off Life Support

Dexter and Debra had a very close yet complicated relationship. Dexter kept his secret life from Debra for several seasons out of a dire need to protect her. He also spent most of his time racing to her rescue when Brian, Ray Speltzer, and Hannah all attempted to kill her.

When his secret was exposed to Debra, the former lieutenant tries to get him to turn the criminals into the police, starting with The Brian Surgeon. However, after turning Saxon over, Saxon manages to escape his restraints and shoots her in the stomach. Unfortunately, Debra never recovers from the injury and is eventually taken off life support. Dexter was devastated that he lost the one remaining member of his family.

1 Isolated And Alone

There were plenty of fans who utterly despised the season finale, especially as many couldn’t understand why Dexter would fake his death and isolate himself from the world. There was even more debate after it was revealed that there had been plans to kill him off too.

However, there have been a few fans that have defended the ending by suggesting how the tragic elements were a better and more suitable fit. After everything he has done, it was right that Dexter would never see his son, sister, or the love of his life again.

Every day, he would wake up feeling guilty and remember that his actions caused harm to the ones he loved the most. While this endless cycle would be awful to feel, it was no more than he deserved. Dexter did have to pay for his crimes one way or another.