Dexter ( season 1 ) - wikipedia Dexter ( season 1 ) Dexter ( season 1 ) DVD cover Country of origin United States No. of episodes 12 Release Original network Showtime Original release October 1 ( 2006 - 10 - 01 ) -- December 17, 2006 ( 2006 - 12 - 17 ) Season chronology Next → Season 2 List of Dexter episodes The first season of Dexter is an adaptation of Jeff Lindsay 's first novel in the Dexter series, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Subsequent seasons have featured original storylines. This season aired from October 1, 2006 to December 17, 2006, and follows Dexter 's investigation of `` The Ice Truck Killer ''. Introduced in the first episode, `` Dexter '', this serial killer targets prostitutes and leaves their bodies severed and bloodless. At the same time, Dexter 's foster sister, Debra Morgan ( Jennifer Carpenter ), a vice squad officer, aspires to work in the homicide department, and Dexter 's girlfriend, Rita Bennett ( Julie Benz ), wants their relationship to be more intimate. Christian Camargo appears as Rudy Cooper and is a recurring character until the end of the season. The show 's first season received generally favorable reviews from critics ; it was praised as `` bold, different and exciting, with a central character and performance that take your breath away '' by the New York Daily News. The Wall Street Journal saw `` the grotesqueries of Dexter '' as `` not something that can easily be dismissed with the old `` ' you do n't have to watch ' line '', and concluded that `` We do have to live among the viewers who will be desensitized, or aroused, by this show ''. The aggregate site Metacritic scored the show 's first season at 77 out of 100 based on 27 critics reviews. The season received high ratings for Showtime ; the pilot episode attracted more than a million viewers, giving the channel its highest ratings in nearly two years, while the finale `` Born Free '' drew an audience of 1.1 million viewers in the U.S. On average, the season was watched by two million viewers per episode during its original run when factoring in DVR viewers. Due to the 2007 -- 2008 Writers Guild strike and encouraged by the show 's critical success and high ratings on Showtime, CBS, a national terrestrial broadcast network, announced in December 2007 that it was considering airing an edited version of the first season of Dexter for free - to - air broadcast. It began to broadcast it on February 17, 2008, and thus, Dexter became the first program in 20 years to air on a broadcast network after being shown on a premium cable channel. During the show 's rerun on the CBS network in 2008, the ratings were much higher, reaching 8.2 million viewers during its premiere February, giving the network its best rating in the 10 p.m. timeslot since December the previous year. During its 12 - week run, it dropped to 7.1 million in early April, and to 6.6 million during the season 's finale on May 6. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 2.1 Main cast 2.2 Recurring cast 2.3 Guest cast 3 Crew 4 Episodes 5 References 6 External links Plot Dexter Morgan, a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, is secretly a serial killer, arising from a traumatic incident connected to the death of his parents when he was three years old. His adoptive father, Officer Harry Morgan, saw these homicidal tendencies in Dexter as he grew up, and took him on hunting trips to sate his desires while teaching him a Code should he ever turn to killing humans, specifically to only kill murderers and other violent criminals that have escaped persecution of the law. Since Harry 's death, Dexter has committed several killings, only after meticulously affirming their guilt following Harry 's Code, taking the victim to a specially - prepared room lined with plastic sheeting to make it easy to dispose of the evidence in the bay harbor. He only keeps a blood sample of the victim on a glass slide, stored in a box hidden in his apartment. Neither his half - sister Debra Morgan or those in the department known of his secret killings, though Sgt. James Doakes is suspicious of how interested Dexter is in reviewing crime scenes. To help appear normal, Dexter has started dating Rita, the mother of Astor and Cody, and whose husband Paul is in jail due to drug - related crimes. Because Paul is still alive, Dexter finds Rita has little interest in romance, keeping their relationship ideal for his purposes. Paul is eventually let out of prison, and tries to get together with Rita, despite the fact that Rita was planning a divorce with him. Seeing Paul get abusive with Rita, Dexter frames Paul for possession of illegal drugs, sending him back to prison. A string of murders of prostitutes leads to the identification of a new serial killer called `` The Ice Truck Killer '', due to how the victim 's body are well - preserved by being kept chilled before they are found. Dexter identifies patterns of the serial killer from his own habits, and lets Debra know, helping the department get a lead on the killer and leading to Debra 's promotion to Homicide. Her investigation leads her to meet Rudy Cooper, a prostetics expert, and they start a relationship. Meanwhile, Dexter discovers that the Ice Truck Killer has broken into his apartment and left taunting clues, leading Dexter to believe that the Killer is playing a game with him. During the investigation of the Killer, Dexter discovers that his biological father, Joe Driscoll, had only died recently, leading him to question his memories of how his mother died. A gruesome, blood - filled murder scene causes Dexter to recall exactly what had happened : criminals had placed him and his mother, Laura Moser, in a shipping container, killed Laura and dismembered her with chainsaws, and locked Dexter up in the container in a pool of his mother 's blood, rescued by Harry two days later. Harry had purposely altered the records to prevent Dexter from finding out. Through Debra, Rudy tries to get closer to Dexter. Dexter comes first to realize that Rudy killed Joe, and later affirms that he is the Ice Truck Killer. With his identity blown, Rudy kidnaps Debra and draws Dexter into a trap to rescue her. Rudy reveals to Dexter that he is his older brother Brian Moser, also left in the shipping container when Laura was killed. However, unlike Dexter, he was sent off to live in series of mental institutions. Brian too has developed serial killer tendencies, but did not have the morals that Harry instilled in Dexter, and used the Ice Truck Killer approach to help Dexter recall his past. Brian suggests to Dexter they kill Debra together, but Dexter refuses. Brian gets away after a fight, and Dexter rescues Debra. As police investigate, Doakes suspects Dexter of being the Ice Truck Killer, but Debra vouches for him. Brian attempts to capture Debra again, but falls into a trap laid by Dexter. Dexter apologizes to Brian before killing him, though leaving Brian 's body to make it appear as suicide. The police rule the Ice Truck Killer case closed, though Doakes keeps close tabs on Dexter, still suspicious of his actions. Rita discovers evidence that Dexter may have set up Paul. Cast Main cast Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan Julie Benz as Rita Bennett Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan Erik King as James Doakes Lauren Vélez as María LaGuerta David Zayas as Angel Batista James Remar as Harry Morgan Recurring cast C.S. Lee as Vince Masuka Christina Robinson as Astor Bennett Daniel Goldman as Cody Bennett Devon Graye, Dominic Janes and Maxwell Huckabee as Young Dexter Morgan Geoff Pierson as Tom Matthews Christian Camargo as Brian Moser / Rudy Cooper Mark Pellegrino as Paul Bennett Brad William Henke as Tony Tucci Angela Alvarado as Nina Batista Sam Witwer as Neil Perry Sage Kirkpatrick as Laura Moser Margo Martindale as Camilla Figg Guest cast Rudolf Martin as Carlos Guerrero Mark L. Young as Jeremy Downs Judith Scott as Esme Pascal Valerie Dillman as Valerie Castillo Jim Abele as Mike Donovan Ethan Smith as Jamie Jaworski Denise Crosby as Nurse Mary Gina Hecht as Mrs. Tucci José Zúñiga as Jorge Castillo Vernee Watson - Johnson as Ms. Doakes Tony Goldwyn as Dr. Emmett Meridian Malcolm - Jamal Warner as Rita 's lawyer Crew The series pilot was developed by James Manos, Jr. based on Jeff Lindsay 's novel. Manos served as an executive producer for the pilot along with John Goldwyn and Sara Colleton. The pilot was produced by Dennis Bishop. Steven Brown also served as a producer for the pilot episode. Chad Tomasoski worked as an associate producer. The pilot was directed by Michael Cuesta. Manos, Goldwyn and Colleton returned as executive producers for the first season. Mid-season Clyde Phillips became a fourth executive producer. Daniel Cerone joined the crew as a co-executive producer and writer. Pilot director Michael Cuesta returned as a co-executive producer and regular director. Melissa Rosenberg also joined the crew as a consulting producer and writer. Timothy Schlattmann served as a story editor and writer. Lauren Gussis worked as a staff writer throughout the first season. Dennis Bishop returned to produce further episodes but left midseason and was replaced by Robert Lloyd Lewis. Episodes See also : List of Dexter episodes No. in series No. in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers ( millions ) `` Dexter '' Michael Cuesta James Manos, Jr. October 1, 2006 ( 2006 - 10 - 01 ) 0.60 Dexter Morgan ( Michael C. Hall ) is introduced as a serial killer who kills other killers who have escaped from, or have n't been found by the justice system. By day he is a blood spatter analyst who works for the Homicide Department of the Miami Metro Police. Dexter has a quasi-relationship with Rita Bennett ( Julie Benz ), a similarly troubled divorcee raising two young children while her former husband is in prison. One day, Dexter is called to a murder scene involving mutilated bodies, but with no blood visible. The murderer, soon to be nicknamed the `` Ice Truck Killer '', intrigues Dexter with this intricate methodology and a personal message in the form of a mutilated doll. At the same time, Dexter 's hard - nosed sister Debra ( Jennifer Carpenter ), a vice squad officer, tries to gain a transfer into the Homicide Department. `` Crocodile '' Michael Cuesta Clyde Phillips October 8, 2006 ( 2006 - 10 - 08 ) 0.72 Dexter assists detectives Batista ( David Zayas ) and Doakes ( Erik King ) in investigating the murder of an officer, who was working undercover investigating drug baron Carlos Guerrero ( Rudolf Martin ). Doakes is personally involved in the case, since he was having an affair with the officer 's wife, who was also attacked. Meanwhile, Debra discovers the refrigerated truck in which the Ice Truck Killer dismembers his victims, and is promoted by her superior, Lieutenant María LaGuerta ( Lauren Vélez ), to the Homicide Department. Inside the truck, Debra, Batista, and Dexter find a block of ice with five fingertips in it, left deliberately by the Ice Truck Killer. `` Popping Cherry '' Michael Cuesta Daniel Cerone October 15, 2006 ( 2006 - 10 - 15 ) N / A After the discovery of another victim of the Ice Truck Killer at an ice rink, the missing guard, Tony Tucci, becomes a potential suspect. Meanwhile, Rita receives an unpleasant visit from her ex-husband's drug dealer, who confiscates her car, forcing her to take the bus to and from her job as a hotel receptionist. Dexter selects his next murder victim while having flashbacks of his first killing -- a nurse who was caring for Dexter 's sick father, Harry Morgan, but was administering overdoses of medication to and slowly killing her patients. Elsewhere, Sergeant Doakes continues to harass Guerrero, as a group of renegade police officers decide to take matters involving Guerrero into their own hands. `` Let 's Give the Boy a Hand '' Robert Lieberman Drew Z. Greenberg October 22, 2006 ( 2006 - 10 - 22 ) N / A As the hunt for Ice Truck Killer continues, posed body parts are discovered which appear to be the calling cards of an increasingly impatient killer. The Ice Truck Killer escalates his killing spree, leaving body parts of his latest victim at sites connected to Dexter 's childhood, which leads Dexter to confront his dark personal history. As Halloween approaches, Rita kidnaps a barking dog from a cynical owner because it keeps her children up at night, and gives it to a loving family. Meanwhile, Lieutenant LaGuerta seeks to comfort the mother of the latest Ice Truck Killer victim. Dexter finds the victim mutilated but alive and strapped to a table for Dexter to kill. Instead, Dexter reports the crime scene anonymously to his sister. The pressure on Sergeant Doakes escalates when Guerrero 's associates begin following him. 5 5 `` Love American Style '' Robert Lieberman Melissa Rosenberg October 29, 2006 ( 2006 - 10 - 29 ) N / A Rita learns that her colleague 's fiancé, who was illegally immigrating from Cuba, is missing, and asks Dexter to investigate the problem using his police connections. He investigates Jorge Castillo, a salvage yard owner, and discovers that Castillo is murdering the smuggled immigrants who can not pay for their freedom. Dexter discovers that Castillo 's wife is involved in the murders, and kills both of them. Afterwards, he dumps their bodies in the ocean and frees their Cuban prisoners, not noticing a person watching him from the trunk of a car in the yard. Meanwhile, Debra and Doakes question Tucci about the Ice Truck Killer, and through him they find their first bit of tangible evidence. 6 6 `` Return to Sender '' Tony Goldwyn Tim Schlattmann November 5, 2006 ( 2006 - 11 - 05 ) N / A The body of one of Dexter 's previous female victims has been found, despite Dexter 's having thrown both of the corpses into the ocean. A young Cuban boy had witnessed the previous night 's events, and Dexter dismisses his colleagues ' leads that could direct them towards him. Eventually, Dexter frames the husband, whose body is still missing, with his wife 's murder. The witness had described Jesus Christ rather than Dexter. During this time, Rita dissuades her abusive husband, Paul, from attending their daughter 's birthday party after he is released early from prison. 7 7 `` Circle of Friends '' Steve Shill Daniel Cerone November 12, 2006 ( 2006 - 11 - 12 ) N / A Dexter must deal with Rita 's menacing husband. Debra goes on a date with the prosthetics expert who made prosthetic legs for an Ice Truck Killer survivor. Debra and Angel are investigating the Ice Truck Killer and discover a familiar name with speeding violations near the scene of the Ice Truck Killer 's third murder. Dexter investigates Sergeant Doakes 's knife victim ; he already knows the killer 's identity but needs time to locate him. The Ice Truck Killer is finally apprehended, but Dexter doubts that they have caught the correct man. 8 8 `` Shrink Wrap '' Tony Goldwyn Lauren Gussis November 19, 2006 ( 2006 - 11 - 19 ) N / A An unexplained suicide of a wealthy and powerful woman leads Dexter to suspect that her psychologist, Dr. Emmett Meridian, may have killed her. But he gets a shock when a visit to the suspect reveals dark secrets from Dexter 's past. Elsewhere, Rita becomes warmer towards her ex-husband Paul, who claims to have reformed. She wants to become more intimate with Dexter, who is afraid of physically consummating their relationship, but then he is able to have sex with her and once they have finished, he is worried that he might have scared her. Meanwhile, Debra is falling in love with her new boyfriend Rudy. At the end of the episode, the audience finds out that Rudy is the Ice Truck Killer, while unknown to the characters. 9 9 `` Father Knows Best '' Adam Davidson Melissa Rosenberg November 26, 2006 ( 2006 - 11 - 26 ) N / A Dexter learns that his biological father, Joe Driscoll, who he thought had been long dead, has only recently died and has left all of his belongings to Dexter, including his house. Dexter travels to the house with Rita. Debra and Rudy arrive there later ( following Rudy 's advice ) to assist him in cleaning out the house. Dexter suspects Joe Driscoll 's death to be murder. Flashbacks to Dexter 's childhood show his questioning his foster father Harry ( James Remar ) about his real parents, and Dexter finds that Mr. Driscoll donated some of his blood to the young Dexter for surgery. In the last scene, one of Joe 's neighbors, an elderly woman, recognizes Rudy as a cable repairman, who happened to be Joe 's last visitor before his death ; after Dexter, Rita, Debra and Rudy had left the premises, Rudy is shown returning to the elderly woman 's house dressed as the cable repairman again. Meanwhile, Paul begins to slide back into his old abusive habits when Rita attempts to prevent him from seeing their children. Doakes is under investigation after shooting a fleeing suspect, and Batista wrestles with his conscience as he realises that the evidence does n't fit Doakes 's version of events. 10 10 `` Seeing Red '' Michael Cuesta Kevin R. Maynard December 3, 2006 ( 2006 - 12 - 03 ) N / A Dexter is sent to investigate a horrific blood - soaked crime scene, which he usually enjoys, but is taken aback by a long - suppressed memory of a childhood trauma instead. Rita is charged with assaulting Paul and could lose her children in a custody battle. However, when Dexter finds out, he decides to remove Paul from his and Rita 's lives, but by framing him rather than killing him. Angel investigates a hunch regarding the Ice Truck Killer concerning amputee fetish ; he turns to Rudy for help but ends up getting stabbed in the parking lot. Meanwhile, Rudy displays a growing interest in getting to know Dexter, particularly in the lately awoken trauma he had recently experienced. 11 11 `` Truth Be Told '' Keith Gordon Drew Z. Greenberg and Tim Schlattmann December 10, 2006 ( 2006 - 12 - 10 ) 0.76 The Ice Truck Killer strikes again, leaving a real nightmare before Christmas at Santa 's Cottage. Sergeant Doakes becomes more suspicious about Dexter after his ambivalence about Batista 's survival. Dexter finally finds he is connected to the Ice Truck Killer over a past case involving Harry Morgan and a blood - bath crime scene in 1973 involving Dexter 's biological mother. Lieutenant Maria LaGuerta braces herself as Captain Matthews blames her for the department 's failure to find the Ice Truck Killer and he has her replaced. Rudy and Debra spend some quality time together, and Rudy proposes marriage to the smitten detective. Rita decides to take her children, Astor and Cody, to visit Paul, who has been sent back to prison. 12 12 `` Born Free '' Michael Cuesta Daniel Cerone and Melissa Rosenberg December 17, 2006 ( 2006 - 12 - 17 ) 1.08 Doakes and LaGuerta begin to suspect that Rudy is the Ice Truck Killer, while Dexter finds a suspicious picture of the shipping container where his mother was killed. Doakes begins tailing Dexter, convinced that he is somehow connected to the Ice Truck Killer. A call from her ex-husband makes Rita suspicious of Dexter and his behavior. LaGuerta 's replacement, Lt. Esme Pascal ( Judith Scott ) arrives and takes over the Ice Truck Killer investigation. Dexter recalls that Rudy is in fact his biological brother, whose real name is Brian Moser. Brian intends to kill Debra with Dexter in a reunion with his true family, but Dexter stops him. As the police close in, Brian escapes and Dexter is left with Debra, appearing to have saved her. The same night, Brian breaks into Dexter 's apartment and attempts to stab Debra, but Dexter captures him. After an emotionally charged conversation, Dexter slices his brother 's throat and leaves him upside down to drain, staging it as a suicide, while wondering what would happen if everyone knew the truth about him. References ^ Jump up to : Mitovich, Matt ( 2006 - 10 - 04 ). `` Short Cuts : Dexter Slays the Ratings, and More ! ''. TV Guide. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 16. Jump up ^ Goldman, Eric ( 2006 - 12 - 18 ). `` Dexter : `` Born Free '' Review ``. IGN. Retrieved 2008 - 09 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Dexter -- Episode Guide > Season 1, Episode 1 ''. TV.com. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 08. Jump up ^ Zulkey, Claire ( 2007 - 12 - 16 ). `` Dexter : Doakes is gone in a bang ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 20. Jump up ^ Bianculli, David ( 2006 - 09 - 29 ). `` Dexter is dead on target. An avenger - and a serial killer ''. Daily News ( New York ). Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 14. Jump up ^ Dewolf, Nancy ( 2006 - 09 - 29 ). `` The Good, the Ugly and the Bad ''. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Dexter ( Series : Showtime, Sunday 10 : 00p ( 60 minutes ) ) ''. Metacritic. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Dexter Slays Showtime Records ''. Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. 2006 - 12 - 20. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 20. Jump up ^ Nordyke, Kimberly ; Gough, Paul ( 2007 - 12 - 19 ). `` Dexter kills in second - season finale ''. Reuters. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 20. Jump up ^ Szalai, Georg ; Andreeva, Nellie ( 2007 - 12 - 05 ). `` CBS eyes Dexter for edited broadcast ''. Reuters. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ Smith, Lynn ( 2008 - 02 - 17 ). `` The slicing and dicing of Dexter ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 14. Jump up ^ Stelter, Brian ( 2008 - 02 - 20 ). `` Dexter Gains a Wider Audience ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 2009 - 02 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Weekly Primetime Ratings ( Wk OF 2 / 11 ) '' ( Press release ). ABC Medianet. 2008 - 02 - 20. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ Kissell, Rick ( 2008 - 02 - 18 ). `` ' Knight ' rides back to success - Entertainment News, TV News, Media ''. Variety. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ `` Dexter : Watch Full Episodes and Video ''. CBS.com. 2007 - 10 - 23. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ `` Fast Facts Overnight Ratings ( for 4 / 6 ) '' ( Press release ). ABC Medianet. 2008 - 04 - 07. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ `` Fast Facts Overnight Ratings ( for 5 / 4 ) '' ( Press release ). ABC Medianet. 2008 - 05 - 05. Retrieved 2009 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ Robertson, Ed ( November 3, 2006 ). `` Programming notes : Showtime wants more ' Dexter ' ''. Media Life Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2015. Jump up ^ Dempsey, John ( April 10, 2007 ). `` ' Sopranos ' takes a hit ''. Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2015. Jump up ^ Levin, Gary ( December 13, 2006 ). `` TV heats up for holidays ''. USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Jump up ^ Becker, Anne ( October 2, 2007 ). `` Cable Ratings : Showtime 's Dexter Carves Way Past 1M Mark ''. Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved June 2, 2015. External links List of Dexter episodes on IMDb List of Dexter season 1 episodes at TV.com Dexter at epguides.com Dexter Awards and nominations Soundtrack Novels Darkly Dreaming Dexter Dearly Devoted Dexter Dexter in the Dark Dexter by Design Dexter Is Delicious Double Dexter Dexter 's Final Cut Dexter Is Dead Characters Dexter Morgan Debra Morgan Rita Bennett Joey Quinn James Doakes Vince Masuka María LaGuerta Angel Batista Harry Morgan Arthur Mitchell Lumen Pierce Hannah McKay Episodes Season 1 `` Dexter '' `` Crocodile '' `` Popping Cherry '' `` Let 's Give the Boy a Hand '' `` Love American Style '' `` Return to Sender '' `` Circle of Friends '' `` Father Knows Best '' `` Seeing Red '' `` Truth Be Told '' `` Born Free '' Season 2 `` It 's Alive ! '' `` Waiting to Exhale '' `` An Inconvenient Lie '' `` See - Through '' `` The Dark Defender '' `` Dex, Lies, and Videotape '' `` That Night, A Forest Grew '' `` Morning Comes '' `` Resistance Is Futile '' `` There 's Something About Harry '' `` Left Turn Ahead '' `` The British Invasion '' Season 3 `` Our Father '' `` The Damage a Man Can Do '' Season 4 `` Hello, Dexter Morgan '' `` The Getaway '' Season 5 `` My Bad '' `` The Big One '' Season 6 `` Those Kinds of Things '' `` This Is the Way the World Ends '' Season 7 `` Are You... ? '' Season 8 `` What 's Eating Dexter Morgan ? '' `` Remember the Monsters ? '' Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dexter_(season_1)&oldid=814676056 '' Categories : Dexter ( TV series ) episodes 2006 American television seasons Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from September 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Infobox television season articles that use the season name parameter Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Français Italiano Polski Русский Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 10 December 2017, at 06 : 39. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays the doctor in dexter season 1
Answer: Tony Goldwyn