Dexter, starring Michael Hall, is a series based on a blood-spatter analyst, who works for Miami Homicide by day and is a serial killer by night. The show has absolutely everything — dark humor, thrill, romance, and twists.
The first few seasons of Dexter are considered some of the best of all time. If only the last few seasons lived up to the billing, the show might have been talked about among the likes of Breaking Bad. Still, there are a lot of characters in Dexter (most of them psychopaths) and it's only fair to take a look at some of them again. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the five most likable characters and five fans can't stand.
Can't Stand: Doakes
Doakes is an old fashioned cop, who doesn't like to mince his words and is pretty up straight about everything. Viewers don't know much about his personal life, all they can see is him being obsessed with Dexter. Doakes, for some reason, just wants to invade his privacy because he thinks there is something off about Dexter.
He, almost always, never talks nicely to anyone other than LaGuerta and that makes the viewers grow frustrated with seeing him.
Like: Angel
Angel is as good as people come these days. He is supporting, a shoulder to lean onto, and above all, he knows he needs to do the right thing. He is not manipulative, doesn't do politics, and is an open book.
It's still a mystery how his personal life is so bad. He is a great friend to Dexter and in his way, Dexter also cared for Angel. Viewers absolutely love him in the show.
Can't Stand: Quinn
Quinn is a baby doing a man's job. Although he is a good cop, he just hasn't developed emotionally, it seems. First, he can't get over Debra after she left him, and then, for some reason, he isn't interested in his girlfriend Jamie.
He is also a dirty cop, who is known to take bribes from criminals. Quinn, throughout the series, never really steps up in the Homicide department due to his drinking problems and lack of judgment. All in all, his character isn't really compelling.
Like: Debra
Dexter's sister is one of the most complicated characters in the series. At first, she just wants to become a detective, and when she achieves that, she goes on an upward path before everything comes crashing down.
Debra has an odd choice of men (engaged to the Ice Truck Killer) and she also uses a lot of curse words, for some reason. Further down the road, she also falls in love with Dexter (her stepbrother) and hence why viewers think she is complicated. But one never gets bored from seeing her on the TV screen.
Can't Stand: Maria LaGuerta
Miami Homicide's Lieutenant LaGuerta is a manipulative woman, who just loves to lie. And that too to her friends and sometimes, even her husband. Why? Because she wants to go further in her career, so she would let her friends take the fall, instead of her.
Other than that, she is another one of Dexter's cop friends who finds out the truth about him. But when one gets too close to Dexter's secret, they usually die and she was killed at the hands of Debra, quite surprisingly.
Like: Masuka
Masuka is a fan favorite as he adds the much needed comic relief to the show. He can make sensual jokes about anything and anywhere, without even looking at the surroundings. His personal life is a secret, though, but towards the end of the series, he does get to meet his daughter (whom he didn't know even existed).
He is really good at his job and some might argue, he is just as brilliant as Dexter at spotting the anomalies at a crime scene.
Can't Stand: Miguel Prado
At first, Miguel seems to be a great friend to both Dexter and Rita. Of course, at that time, he doesn't know Dexter is the one who murdered his brother Oscar. But when he learns about Dexter 'the serial killer,' they go on a path of killing together. But then, Miguel uses the skills taught to him by Dexter to take an innocent life and that's when Dexter recognizes that he has been used by a monster.
When the viewers get to know that Miguel is not some justice-providing prosecutor, instead, just a lying psychopath who craves control, the hate for him becomes unbearable.
Like: Harry
Dexter's foster father Harry is the one thing that keeps Dexter from going all mental. It is his code, on which his son basically lives his whole life. He is an ever-present light that helps Dexter deal with the darkness inside him.
Even though he believes there is something wrong with Dexter, he never leaves his side or abandons him. Instead, he teaches him how to control his urges, and to some extent, he succeeds. Without Harry, Dexter wouldn't even stand a chance.
Can't Stand: Hannah
Hannah is another serial killer who falls for Dexter and she seems to be his cornerstone. With her, Dexter acts a bit childish, which is not a normal trait for a manipulative psychopath. Hannah is hated because of that, even though it's not her fault that the viewer's favorite, Dexter, acts a bit odd with her.
Her return in season 8 after escaping jail in season 7 isn't really a homecoming as she drugs both Debra and Dexter. No wonder why Hannah is so loathsome.
Like: Dexter
Dexter is a lovable monster, isn't he? The show is all about him and at the start, there are a lot of things Dexter doesn't know about himself. He thought he lacked empathy and love, but that is wrong as he developed meaningful relationships throughout his life.
His need to satisfy his 'dark passenger' is what makes him such a fascinating character. He is charming, deceptive, and a very good liar. In short, he has all the traits that one looks for in a serial killer. Season 8 ended with Dexter alive, so let's hope we get to see him again.