Dexter Morgan, the favorite serial killer with a conscience, has been thrilling TV viewers for nearly a decade now. Some viewers have noticed a disturbing trend: a potential decline in his meticulous methods, particularly concerning DNA evidence. The question arises: Is Dexter getting careless, or is something else at play? In our Creating Criminal Characters article Dexter’s Flawed Evidence Collection and Management, we looked at Dexter’s troubling treatment of evidence and what might have motivated it.

The Careless Killer? Examining Dexter's DNA Handling

Another hallmark of Dexter’s early kills was his incredible detail-oriented planning process and execution. He at least spent a day accumulating damaging evidence against the targeted victim while covering his own tracks. He would go to great lengths to clean up the crime scene, removing all evidence of his presence as well as the presence of his own DNA. In later seasons, there are several scenes where Dexter exposes evidence to contamination by touching it without wearing gloves. This flippant approach to policymaking causes the public to question his focus on the details and the ramifications from what he’s doing.

The implications of intentionally leaving his DNA behind are serious. In fill-in-the-blank, we would say that advanced forensic science rules the world. These days, no more than a drop of DNA is enough to identify a suspect. Locating Dexter’s unique DNA at the crime scene would offer the strongest proof possible that he murdered her. It would expose his double life. This may risk his own arrest, incarceration, and the complete undoing of all that he has so diligently sought to safeguard.

Dexter’s turnaround in behavior might be due to a combination of things. He’s been in a longterm relationship with Angela Bishop, the town’s former chief of police. Almost a decade now, and with rare exception, he’s managed to keep his hands from killing. This extended absence from his “dark passenger” may have blunted his technique and made him less wary. Maybe other aspects of his personal life have grown more demanding, diverting him from the attention to detail that was the hallmark of his artistry.

A Sign of Decline or a Deliberate Choice?

Dexter's actions in later seasons, particularly in the final season, have been criticized for being out of character and indicating a decline in his skills as a serial killer. Supporters claim that he grew more daring and more gun happy, resisting arrest and unnecessary risk taking which led to him putting his life in danger. This pivot from his usual morally ambiguous antihero sludge has raised concerns all around about the series’ writing and Dexter’s arc.

Potential Explanations for Dexter's Apparent Carelessness

Many critics have decried the poor quality of the show’s writing and Dexter’s character arc in the later seasons. This decline might be reflected in his record. Many fans feel as though Dexter acted completely out of character in the later seasons. They insinuate that the writers were sloppy and didn’t attend to the details. The ever-more contrived mechanics of Dexter’s ability to avoid detection and keep his partisan secret life became a real stretch to buy after season two. This might be a function of a conscious effort to pivot away from what his approach had been or to go bolder, to go more ambitious.

  • Declining Skills: After a long period of abstaining from killing, Dexter's skills may have deteriorated, leading to mistakes and oversights.
  • Complacency: His success in evading detection for so long may have led to complacency, causing him to become less vigilant.
  • Emotional Distractions: His relationships and personal life may have distracted him from his usual meticulousness, leading to errors in judgment.

The Show's Trajectory and Character Consistency

Whatever the cause of Dexter’s seeming disregard for human life, the impacts are catastrophic. Should they discover his DNA at the crime scene, they will initiate a national manhunt. He should appreciate that he’ll come under fierce scrutiny as a consequence. Angela Bishop is the police chief. As his girlfriend, she has to deal with the awful thought that the guy she’s in love with might be a serial murderer.

The Potential Consequences for Dexter

The reveal of Dexter’s alternate life would ruin everyone in Dexter’s life just as swiftly. His son, Harrison, would be made to reckon with the reality that his father had a horrible secret. His friends and colleagues are just as shocked and deceived by his subterfuge as we are. In the end, Dexter’s reckless indifference may bring about the ruin of all that he loves. The show's writers must carefully consider the implications of Dexter's actions and ensure that the consequences are consistent with the established rules of the "Dexter" universe. Whether it's a sign of decline, a deliberate choice, or simply a result of inconsistent writing, Dexter's DNA disaster could have far-reaching consequences for his future.

The discovery of Dexter's secret life would have a devastating impact on everyone around him. His son, Harrison, would be forced to grapple with the truth about his father's dark past. His friends and colleagues would be shocked and betrayed by his deception. Ultimately, Dexter's carelessness could lead to the destruction of everything he holds dear. The show's writers must carefully consider the implications of Dexter's actions and ensure that the consequences are consistent with the established rules of the "Dexter" universe. Whether it's a sign of decline, a deliberate choice, or simply a result of inconsistent writing, Dexter's DNA disaster could have far-reaching consequences for his future.