Dexter takes a deep dive into the world of a psychopathic serial killer who leads a double life, but one is the cover for another and Dexter Morgan (played by Michael. C. Hall) just cannot figure out whether he is a family man first or a serial killer.
This little dilemma is used to full effect by Dexter's writers and while season 1 focused on the protagonist's personal story, season 2 came out to be a little more dramatic. The Bay Harbor Butcher is on everyone's minds, so Dexter is living on thin ice, with everyone around him closer to the truth about his secrets. Without further ado, let's rank every episode from the second outing of the Showtime original, according to IMDb.
"See-Through" (8.5)
In the fourth episode of season 2, a lot of things are going on. For one, Rita's mom comes to visit her and she senses a problem with Dexter. Masuka finds a new lead on The Bay Harbor Butcher case, while Lilia, Dexter's NA sponsor, comes up with an idea to help our favorite serial killer.
This episode has a number of storylines going on and every single one of them seems to bring some bad news for Dexter.
"Waiting To Exhale" (8.6)
The second episode of season 2 sees Dexter get a new nickname – The Bay Harbor Butcher. Naturally, he is not particularly fond of the extra attention all of this is getting, as it puts Dexter in the spotlight.
One of the FBI's very best, Frank Lundy is sent over to investigate, while Dexter still has certain personal problems to deal with. Like the fact that he cannot kill and that problem stems from his inability to let his brother go.
"Dex, Lies, And Videotape" (8.6)
In the sixth episode of season 2, a copycat killer comes into the frame, but Dexter doesn't take it sportingly as he is the only Bay Harbor Butcher. Despite Dexter being different from other serial killers in a number of ways, his arrogance is just the same as any other psychopath.
Doakes confronts Debra about Dexter's addiction problem, while the latter's relationship with Rita might be in jeopardy after he takes his relationship with Lila up a notch.
"An Inconvenient Life" (8.7)
In the third episode of season 2, Dexter attends a NA meeting and of course, he's bored but when a suspiciously hot woman named Lila checks him out, one wonders if there might be more for Dexter here.
Meanwhile, Lundy's task force is announced and Debra finds a place on the team, much to the frustration on Dexter as her own sister will now chase him. But, that can also be an opportunity as Debra usually comes to Dexter for advice and he can throw the FBI off his scent by giving her some questionable theories.
"The Dark Defender" (8.7)
The fifth episode of season 2 sees Dexter fantasize about being a vigilante savior of Miami aka The Dark Defender who's killing the bad men in the city. Dexter's love for his mother is again highlighted when he dreams about saving her.
When one of his mother's killers comes out of jail, Lila encourages Dexter to seek closure by confronting this man. However, closure means different things to both of them.
"It's Alive " (8.8)
In the first episode of season 2, it has been more than a month since Dexter killed his brother Brian Moser, aka The Ice Truck Killer. His life isn't getting any easier, though, as Doakes is following Dexter continuously and all of his killings over the years might come back to bite him.
Debra is still getting some hate from the public for her relations with the Ice Truck Killer, and she seems to be handling it in her typical style – by using a lot of curse words.
"That Night, A Forest Grew" (8.8)
In the seventh episode of season 2, Dexter has a couple of officers on his trail. First, his written manifesto to Miami Homicide fails as Lundy, somehow, figures out that The Bay Harbor Butcher is someone among them.
Doakes continues to ask questions about Dexter's past but the serial killer finally fights back. Moreover, Lila tries to gain control over Dexter's life. These are the very first signs about Lila being someone worse than what the viewers imagined.
"There's Something About Harry" (9.0)
In the tenth episode of season 2, the police department begins the search for James Doakes, who, according to the evidence, is being called The Bay Harbor Butcher. Dexter is holding Doakes captive as they have a nice and short chat about being killers.
Moreover, Debra figures out that LaGuerta is hiding something she knows about Doakes. The best thing about this episode is the horror on Dexter's face when he realizes that his father killed himself because he couldn't stand the monster he created.
"Left Turn Ahead" (9.0)
In the penultimate episode of season 2, Lila tries to pull off another desperate stunt, only this time, at the expense of Angel. She blackmails Dexter to take her back. Doakes tries to convince Dexter to turn himself in; if he doesn't do that, the people he cares about will get hurt.
Lundy is taken off The Bay Harbor Butcher case after his superiors see little to no progress. The episode ends with an unforeseen twist, which might have put Doakes' life in danger.
"Morning Comes" (9.1)
In the eight-episode of season 2, Lila, after burning down her own house, is staying with Dexter, which Debra doesn't like. Lundy's theory about The Bay Harbor Butcher puts Angel and Debra in doubt.
Furthermore, Rita has had enough of Dexter turning up to see Cody and Aster, as she tells him to never visit again. The tense moments in this episode are between Dexter and Lundy, as the former is still trying to figure out whether the FBI knows more about him.
"The British Invasion" (9.2)
The season 2 finale takes off right where the previous episode ended. Lila helps Dexter by blowing up the place where Doakes was held captive, and the police finally close the investigation into The Bay Harbor Butcher.
LaGuerta is still not convinced that his partner would do something like that, while Debra and Angel are praised for their work on the serial killer case. Moreover, one of the evilest characters in the show, Lila, is killed by Dexter, and not in his typical style.
"Resistance Is Futile" (9.4)
The ninth episode of season 2 sets the stakes higher than ever before. Doakes has taken Dexter's blood slides and he is on his way to Haiti. Followed by an FBI car, Dexter has to be careful about disposing of the body of a man he recently killed.
Elsewhere, Lundy and Debra think about making their relationship official, while Rita is glad that Dexter has finally come to his senses about Lila being bad for him.