Dexter proved to be one of the most successful shows in the history of Showtime. From the time that it first aired in 2006, up until the series’ conclusion in 2013, it remained popular with fans and critics alike. The crime drama followed the life of a sociopath called Dexter Morgan who worked as a blood spatter analyst, but also operated as a serial killer hunting evil murderers in his spare time.
Although it is hard to argue with the fact that the ending was a hugely disappointing way to conclude the story of Dexter, fans have come up with a wide array of fan theories that try to make sense of it. Many of them are actually better than the story told by the writers in the show, even the ones that don’t deal specifically with the ending.
15 The Whole Story Is in Dexter’s Mind
A few fan theories suggest that Dexter is not a serial killer at all. In fact, he is just a normal man who works as a lumberjack. Sick of his life and the pointlessness of his existence, he fantasizes about being a serial killer. This is why he often talks to the audience, he is vocalizing his thoughts to himself in his dreams.
14 Michael C. Hall Believes His Character Put Himself In A Self-Imposed Prison
Speaking in a Reddit AMA, Dexter actor Michael C. Hall gave his thoughts on what he believes his character is doing. The actor explained his theory that Dexter essentially put himself in a prison of his own making. He is essentially exiling himself as a sort of punishment.
13 Dexter’s Aim Is To Eventually Return To Killing
This theory argues that Dexter did not isolate himself by becoming a lumberjack. Instead, he is working as a driver for the lumber company, giving him the chance to move around the country and strike victims before leaving the scene of the crime. The character fully intends to go back to killing in the future.
12 Debra’s Death Killed The Last Bit Of Humanity In Dexter
Throughout Dexter, the main character constantly talks about how Debra is so important in grounding him. When she finally dies at the hands of Saxon, Dexter loses what little humanity he has left and effectively buries his own individual identity along with Debra when he disposes of her body at sea.
11 Harry Is Dexter’s Dark Passenger
Although it is somewhat implied in the show, exactly what role Harry plays in Dexter’s mind is never made clear. Some believe that Harry is actually Dexter’s Dark Passenger. After all, he usually shows up when the character has a strong urge to kill or is acting emotionally, things that allow the Dark Passenger to exert its influence.
10 Dexter Is a Normal Human Who Just Believes He Has No Feelings
Throughout Dexter, the character is told that he is a sociopath with no feelings or emotions. Yet, there is little evidence for this other than the fact Harry brought Dexter up to believe this. In fact, he does demonstrate he has feelings for people such as Rita, his son, and Debra, showing he is actually a normal human who has been brainwashed to believe he is a sociopath.
9 Harry Believed Dexter Was His Son
According to a fan theory on Reddit, Harry took Dexter after finding him with his dead mother because he thought the child was his biological son. Although he later finds out this is not the case, he was sleeping with Dexter’s informant mother and the cop may well have believed this young child was the result of that relationship. It would explain why he adopted Dexter but not his brother.
8 Showtime Prevented The Writers From Killing Dexter So They Can Bring Him Back
Producer John Goldwyn explained in 2013 that the executives at Showtime had prevented them from killing off Dexter. Certain fans believe this is because the network has plans to bring Dexter back at some point in the future and they would need the character alive to do that.
7 Dexter Left His Family To Protect Them From Himself
According to this fan theory, Dexter didn’t kill Debra just as a mercy killing but rather because he still has a compulsion to kill. As his sister had murdered others, he couldn’t let her get away with it and felt a strong urge to kill her, something he would repeat in the future if he were still around. He, therefore, left in order to protect his son and leave him with a mother.
6 Dexter Becoming A Lumberjack Actually Makes Sense
A popular fan theory on Reddit concludes that Dexter becoming a lumberjack, where he works with trees, makes perfect sense. His closest friends and family were metaphorical trees, providing him with fruit, protecting him from the outside world, and giving his life meaning. With all of them gone, he turns to real trees to give his life meaning.
5 Lundy Knew Dexter Was The Bay Harbor Butcher
Jack Lundy is a professional serial killer catcher, responsible for bringing many killers to justice. Yet, he never manages to capture Dexter. Some theorists have stated that Lundy did know about Dexter’s actions but did not want to arrest him. Instead, he kept the character out of prison so he could use his expertise.
4 The Ending Was Intentionally Bad To Make Us Feel Like Dexter
Almost every fan will admit that the ending to Dexter proved to be incredibly disappointing. Some viewers have argued that the writers did this intentionally. By creating such a bad conclusion, they left fans feeling empty and full of despair, exactly the same way that Dexter feels all the time.
3 The Character Is In A Mental Institution
The events that lead to Dexter’s killer urges are shown in the early season. He went through such an awful experience that it would be enough to drive anyone insane and lead to them being put in a mental institution for their own safety. The rest of the show is simply a depiction of Dexter’s thoughts in this facility.
2 Dexter Died In The Hurricane
A popular fan theory is that the lumberjack elements at the end of the season finale of Dexter are not actually real. The serial killer actually died when sailing into the hurricane according to the theorist, and everything that occurs afterward is his persona purgatory.
1 The Dark Passenger Has Finally Taken Control Of Dexter
Dexter often speaks of his Dark Passenger during the series, what he believes is the urge inside him to kill others. In this theory, Dexter has finally given up on the code that he follows and been overtaken completely by the Dark Passenger. This is why he has isolated himself, so he can become a proper serial killer.