It’s time to rank all five kill scenes from the first season of Dexter: Resurrection. Which one will take the top spot?
It’s hard to believe it’s already been three weeks since Dexter: Resurrection wrapped its first season. For the third Friday in a row, we’re left without a new episode, and that’s no easy adjustment, especially after such a gripping and masterfully crafted return to form. Dexter fans are no strangers to long hiatuses and short, intense seasons, but this one stings a little more because of how good Resurrection truly was.
This season not only brought Dexter Morgan back into the spotlight but also reignited the Dark Passenger. Now in his 50s and relocated to New York City, Dexter found himself face-to-face with a number of killers. Despite a slow start after escaping Iron Lake, his murderous instincts inevitably resurfaced.
One of the biggest highlights of Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 was, of course, the kills. Dexter crossed paths with multiple serial killers throughout the season, but only some of them ended up on his table. Despite that, every kill felt deliberate and packed with meaning.
Below, we rank all five of Dexter’s Season 1 kills—from the “least” impactful to the absolute best. (And yes, “least” is relative here, because every single one of these moments was brilliantly executed.)
5. Ronald Schmidt (a.k.a. Red) – The Dark Passenger Killer
Episode 3: “Backseat Driver”
This kill might rank last, but it was arguably the most important of the season. Ronald Schmidt, known as “Red” (Marc Menchaca), was the Dark Passenger Killer, and Dexter’s first kill of the season. Not only did this murder mark Dexter’s official return to form, but it also boosted his confidence and pushed the story forward in a huge way.
The setup was classic Dexter. Pretending to be one of Red’s potential victims, Dexter cleverly lured him in, outsmarted him, and ultimately brought him back to his apartment for the kill. The scene was a perfect mix of tension and dark humor, with Dexter’s sarcastic commentary cutting through Red’s twisted justification for targeting rideshare drivers.
After dispatching Red, Dexter discovered a suitcase full of cash and, more importantly, an invitation to Leon Prater’s secret dinner party for killers. This discovery set the entire season plot in motion, giving Dexter access to a deadly network and a new list of targets.
4. Gareth #2 – The Gemini Killer
Episode 7: “Course Correction”
This kill breaks the traditional Dexter formula in the best possible way. Instead of a hidden kill room, the murder happens outdoors and in plain sight, with witnesses. After learning that the Gemini Killer was actually a pair of twin brothers who killed together, Dexter seized an opportunity during Leon Prater’s lavish mansion retreat.
Approaching Gareth (David Dastmalchian) as he sat alone on a garden bench, Dexter skillfully provoked him into an attack. When Gareth lunged, Dexter used the chaos to kill him with a piece of glass, in what appeared to be self-defense. Prater and Al seemed convinced by the story, though Charley wasn’t fooled for long.
Fans were stunned by the timing. Many expected Gareth to survive and seek vengeance, but the suddenness of this kill subverted every expectation and reinforced Dexter’s ruthless efficiency..
3. Lowell – The Tattoo Collector
Episode 4: “Call Me Red”
Lowell (Neil Patrick Harris) is introduced as a narcissistic Texan serial killer obsessed with collecting tattoos from his victims. His brief but impactful appearance makes him one of the season’s most unforgettable adversaries.
Dexter captures him inside a Manhattan tattoo parlor and delivers one of the most classic kill-room sequences of the season. Unlike most of Dexter’s victims, Lowell seems to be accepting his fate, engaging in a surprisingly deep conversation before Dexter reveals his true identity as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Lowell’s stunned reaction is priceless, though short-lived, as Dexter plunges the knife into his chest.
This kill is also significant because it marks Dexter’s return to the blood-slide trophy ritual, a spontaneous yet symbolic decision that thrilled longtime fans.
2. Gareth #1 – The First Gemini Brother
Episode 6: “Cats & Mouse”
After a kill-free episode, Dexter delivers one of the season’s most suspenseful takedowns. Gareth breaks into Dexter’s home, setting up a tense cat-and-mouse exchange. Knowing Gareth’s massive ego, Dexter plays along, pretending to be a fan of his crimes to gain the upper hand.
Slipping M99 into Gareth’s gin and tonic, Dexter quickly incapacitates him and carries out the kill in the basement he rents from Blessing Kamara. While it lacks the usual plastic wrap and theatrical setup, the scene’s raw immdiacy, and the haunting return of Daniel Licht’s original Dexter score—makes it feel like a classic kill despite its stripped-down execution.
1. Leon Prater – The Final Kill
Episode 10: “And Justice for All…”
It’s no surprise that Leon Prater’s death takes the top spot. Played brilliantly by Peter Dinklage, Prater spends the season obsessing over serial killers, ultimately crossing a deadly line when he murders Angel Batista.
Dexter captures Prater and sets up a kill scene dripping with poetic justice—literally. Wrapped in plastic on Brian Moser’s iconic draining table from the original series, Prater faces the very fate he idolized for so long. Surrounded by his own collection of macabre memorabilia, Prater desperately bargains for his life, but Dexter shows no mercy.
The entire sequence feels like a love letter to long-time fans, merging nostalgia with the thrilling brutality that defines the series.
Final Thoughts
Every kill in Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 served a purpose, blending suspense, character development, and dark humor. From Red’s pivotal takedown to the unforgettable execution of Leon Prater, the writers proved that even after all these years, Dexter Morgan still knows how to deliver a perfect kill.
But what do you think? Did we get the ranking right?
Comment below with your own list of the best kills of Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 and tell us which scene left you speechless!