Dexter (TV Series) Born Free (2006) User Reviews

So Looking Forward To Season Two

[cchase · 9/10 · 4 February 2007]

I would've been very disappointed if the last episode of Season One failed to measure up to the standards set by the best of the previous episodes, and I'm happy to say that I wasn't let down at all!!! Directed and acted to a fare-thee-well (literally), it was everything I was hoping for and more.

Best of all, it answered a question that has lingered in the background throughout the series: if tempted to stray outside the dictates of "the Code of Harry," would Dexter give into the temptation, or would he still remain a "monster with a set of standards?" I'm not telling what I know, but I can guarantee you this: if you stuck around this long waiting for a satisfying payoff, your patience will be richly rewarded. I just can't wait to see what new challenges and perils he'll have to face in Season Two!

Perfect Season Finale!

[g-bodyl · 10/10 · 5 January 2014]

The twelfth and final episode of the first season of Dexter is about perfect in every way. The events leading to this episode is all worth the waiting because this is one final epic showdown. We learn many surprising things here including a connection between Rudy and Dexter that I certainly did not see coming. From start to finish, this episode is just amazing and will truly hold your attention like no other.

In this episode, "Born Free," Debra has been kidnapped by Rudy, whose identity has been known now as he truly is. Dexter races against the clock to find Debra. Meanwhile, his feud with Sgt. Doakes becomes physical. Also, Paul calls Rita saying that Dexter framed him and that's why he is in jail.

Overall, this is such an amazing episode. It took eleven episodes of build-up, but we have come to the utmost satisfying conclusion there could be. I'll be eagerly awaiting the second season of this fantastic series. I rate this episode 10/10.

Sweet Dreams, Bynie

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 5 July 2009]

Dexter finally resolves the puzzles lefts by the Ice Truck Killer and discloses his connection with the killer. Lt. Laguerta is demoted to detective, by the new lieutenant supports her investigation. Rita is contacted by Paul that tells her that he was clean and Dexter is not who she thinks he is.

In the excellent last show of the First Season, Dexter is completely messed up and has to take an important decision to save a person that he cares, using the code that Harry taught him. Rita begins to believe in Paul's words when she accidentally finds his shoe in the yard. The conclusion with the population cheering for Dexter is very cool. I hope the Second Season keeps the excellent level of these twelve shows. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Nascido Livre" ("Born Free")

Season 1: Weirdly humorous, violent, moral, engaging and thrilling - a show with a lot of consistent strength

[bob the moo · 20 August 2009]

When Dexter came out a few years ago I decided not to give it a try. I'm not sure what subscription channel had it in the UK, but that did play a part in my decision as well as the subject matter and the fact that it had not been too long for me since I had just finished Six Feet Under and felt I would struggle seeing Hall play such a different character from David. Recently someone put season 1 in my hands and suggested I try it and, after a few months delay, I did.

I was glad I did. From the very first episode I was hooked by the factors that the show managed to repeat for the remainder of season 1. Although Hall has rightly been picked out for praise, this is not a show that relies on its star to work (in the way Shark, for example, relied on James Woods) but rather one that has strength across the board. It starts with the writing initially. The narrative produces an engaging and quite thrilling season long story which will appeal to those of us who do not like the "case a week" type structures of CSI etc. At the same time though we have cases within this that do lend itself to making each episode enjoyable on its own terms while also moving us along the main thread of the Ice Truck Killer. Not that this is the "big picture" though, because that is the development of Dexter as a character in terms of his struggles, his memories, his "code", his desires etc and in this way the show also engages.

I do not think that Dexter is the most complexly written character as some do, but he is certainly a very interesting creation and he is very well delivered by Hall. His performance is a big part of it working because he manages to be a monster bound by an artificial code so that he can be seen as "good" or "moral" but yet also be a dark character who is no different than those we see as "bad" in the plots. He links in very well in his narration with the overall "weird" air the show has in the tone, shot framing and general "feel" of the show.

Normally with TV shows, we get the supporting characters opened out and utilised in the second and third seasons as the show tries to grow and keep things varied, however here we have the supporting characters very well used in terms of narrative and performances. Although we never move far from Dexter as the focus, there is plenty of interest in the threads involving Rita and her ex, Dexter's sister, Debra and the other characters in the squad room. Again I'm not suggesting they are the most engaging or well-written characters ever, but their stories and characters do create more of interest within the show and when they are the focus it never feels like the show "dips" or is filling time with them. The supporting cast are all very good aside from the distraction of having so many Oz actors in there (or even HBO generally) - at one point I counted four in one episode. To their credit this is only distracting for a minute or two but then you forget who they played before and focus on who they are. Carpenter was initially a bit annoying but she grew on me as a character as I accepted her for who she was playing. Vélez started out as an obvious turn but got more interesting as her material did while King is engagingly tough and Zayas adds a comic air to things without undermining his character. Remar is impressive considering what he manages to do with limited time and flashbacks only.

Season 1 of Dexter is great television. The subject matter will put some off and that is fine but it is not unnecessarily unpleasant and it doesn't revel in the violence and the blood in the way some other shows would. The season long narrative threads are engaging and thrilling, while the more episodic material adds layers and feeds the main flow well. I wasn't sure I would like it but I really did and, while the US may be about to start season 4, I am very much looking forward to borrowing season 2 later this year.

Season End

[cabramwell · 10/10 · 20 August 2007]

*** MAJOR SPOILER *** Best. Series. Ever? Wow! I've just watched the end of this series and it just blew me away! Brilliant writing, casting, a superb, catchy and disturbing title sequence (yay! for title sequences...thank you Lost, Heroes etc).

Excellent casting all round but especially Michael C Hall. He was great on "Six Feet Under" but with this he just outdoes himself. Do I hear awards beckoning or will he be ignored due to the morally ambiguous nature of his character? Dexter somehow makes you root for him all the way through the series and part of me was saddened at the end, the scene with him and the ITK. I can't remember the last time I was as conflicted over something as I was over that death scene.

Roll on Season 2.

I'm giving it a 9 because there's an inconsistency

[2cool4it · 9/10 · 1 March 2020]

When he goes to his brother's massive freezer to kill him, in real life there would e cops at the door, after all he's a missing serial killer and it would be dumb to leave his house without any surveillance. Also I don't get the part where Dexter and him are talking on the internet with each other in previous episodes, that doesn't seem to have contributed a lot to this finale

What a show

[dannylee-78082 · 10/10 · 19 December 2021]

The complexity of the emotional roller coaster that Dexter has to go through - the dilemma that he faces is truly remarkable writing. Never would have guessed that ice truck killer would be his brother. Slightly lazy writing but it explains a lot of things.

Rita most likely is suspicious of Dex and I'm curious how their relationship will turn out in the future. Season 1 was very good and I can't wait for season 2!!

As of the end of season 5, this is Dexter's best episode

[chillwill92 · 10/10 · 21 February 2011]

"Born Free" is the best episode of Dexter. This is not a hyperbole by any means, as the Ice Truck Killer's true motives are far more shocking than anything that could've been imagined. SPOILER ALERT: Rudy Cooper (Christian Camargo) is, in fact, not Rudy Cooper. He is Brian Moser, the son of Laura Moser, and the BIOLOGICAL BROTHER OF DEXTER!!!!!!! This is such a major and inspired plot twist, and elevates this episode far beyond the season finale that would've otherwise been. Brian envisioned a world where him and Dexter were a serial killer team of sorts, pulling together to survive in a world designed to reject them. And Dexter (Michael C. Hall), liked the idea, as shocked as he was to Brian's true identity. Brian had only three conditions: kill Debra, renounce the Code of Harry, and leave his adopted family and identity behind forever. However, Dexter realized that he cared for Debra, and that he could not kill her. Dexter chose his surrogate sister who could never know who he is, and gave up his one chance to feel like he belonged. It was great that Dexter imagined what it would be like if people knew about him, though it will never come to pass. Best episode of the season, and the series.

Doakes: Lab geek my ass.

[antisocial1 · 9/10 · 28 December 2010]

As free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows.

Don't like the new lieutenant but it's funny watching Laguerta annoyed and Captain Matthews smirking for that brief moment.

Dex monologues; "Something nameless was born here. Something in the deep dark hole that is Dexter". I don't buy these lines, Dex is a good guy, even if he does chop people up.

It's unlike Deb to not have looked around Rudy's place, considering she was the one saying that the killer probably isn't doing the killings in a factory and it's probably in their home.

Rudy and Dex together is a bit weird, brothers don't act this way, all the touchy feely crap, especially Dex, very much out of character. Rudy: takes the breathe away doesn't it" ??? the f*ck? This is ain't a goddamn love story.

Lol Deb always saves Dex's ass. Doakes wants him immediately suspended and Deb swoops in "Back the f*ck down! he just saved my life, he is a f*cking hero, I want you to treat him like one goddammit. Love Deb!

The plan of the fake Deb worked a little to well for me. Also banking on the fact Rudy would come after Deb that night and with no cops around.

Rita: Deb must be a mess. I mean falling for a serial killer? Dexter: What are the odds? ;]

Terrific gripping episode, with a few flaws. Love the fake celebration ending.

Best Episode of the Show by a far

[simodyantyi · 10/10 · 3 October 2022]

This is by far the greatest episode of the entire show, Dexter if faced with a great Moral Dilema of choosing between his brother or his sister's life. Ultimately he chooses Debra, I feel yhis is an aspect the later seasons forgot by having Dexter just conveniently have his problems go away instead of him making the hard choices for himself. This is an aspect that's never at all present in season 1 which is why it's perfect.

Examples of Dexter being let off.

Lila killing Doakes Debra killing LaGuerta Dexter killing Lundy and Quinn not questioning Dexter

This episode needs to be a 9.8 please imdb.

Dexter Adheres To Harry's Code

[d500jv · 10/10 · 20 December 2021]

Excellent close to the excellent first season of Dexter. His long lost and unknown brother almost convinces Dex to abandon the code that keeps him killing the evil ones and indeed keeps him from being caught. Harry was adamant that Dexter cover his tracks. So the ending scene with Rita finding the shoe would never happen to Dexter. I know it is a plot instrument but please, Dexter is too thorough to leave incriminating evidence behind.

Morally conflicted Dexter is forced to make difficult choices

[Xerces88 · 9/10 · 10 January 2008]

Firstly Dexter is an examination of the human condition using a morally disjointed protagonist.

The Sopranos deals with this theme in much greater depth and detail. Dexter doesn't hold a candle to it.

The ice-truck killer was everything I expected and more. I was somewhat disappointed in the unveiling of said individual, and the way the story unfolded after the revelation.

The way the ice-truck killer impacted and conflicted Dexter was excellent - just as any good villain should - but the episodes didn't examine these psychological conflicts the way I thought they should have.

Dexter took it's time revealing and unfolding the story of the ice-truck killer, but the moral conflicts of Dexter were dealt with quickly (that's not to say his moral conflicts are resolved) and could have used longer study time.

The show has somewhat worked as a plot-driven character study. But I want less plot and more character.

I have disliked the narration in Dexter except for a few comedic lines. So much of the narration is repeated information in the form of something much easier to understand.

Naturally the nature and plot of this show will generate fan-boy praise. I just hope people never see this show as something as good or better than The Sopranos. But, hey - it's only the first season.

A bit inconsistent in relation to previous episodes

[chrichtonsworld · 7/10 · 18 December 2006]

This last episode of the season had some good moments,but at the same time it failed to surprise me like the previous episodes did! I am not going to give a summary of this episode,because for this episode it wil spoil your fun if you know the plot! It seems that Dexter has lost a lot of respect for his foster father,but at the same time he maintains the code he has learned from his foster father! This is a bit strange in relation to the icetruck killer! This is a person who understands him and doesn't judge him and is truly a friend and even more than that,but even then DEXTER sees this person as a killer. Which leads to Dexter doing what he does best!

Quite possibly my favorite episode of Dexter, ever. It's a tough one, but man was this awesome!

[TheMelancholySpirit · 26 September 2016]

In terms of seasons, the first season of Dexter is my joint-favorite along with season 4. I'd say it goes: 1/4, 7, 2, 8, 3, 6, and then 5. 5 is still good, but it's just my least favorite of the series. Now, with the first season, one of the reasons as to why it was so damn good was because of its villain - Rudy, the Ice Truck Killer. Possibly my all time favorite villain of any TV show ever. He was absolutely fantastic. At first, very mysterious, dark, cryptic, and of course evil. And also very intricate and hard to follow. I loved the first season a lot and the finale was everything I had hoped for, first time I saw it. It was damn awesome. I loved everything about the last episode and its massive climax was extremely well-written. Revealing Rudy to be Brian Moser, Dexter's biological brother, was such a shock. I was stunned to learn that he was related to Dexter. After watching 12 full episodes and finding out who he was, it was damn awesome. It was a terrific way to end the first season, which to me is unbeatable apart from season four. Four had Lithgow as the villain, who was as good as the Ice Truck Killer. But yeah, Dexter season one is awesome and this is one of the single best episodes of any show in all of TV history.

A Brother Sister Thing

[ZegMaarJus · 9/10 · 30 March 2021]

This episode begins with Dexter, he tries to find Debra. Debra has been ubducted by Rude, The Ice Truck Killer. Esme Pascal is the new Lutenant at the station. Dexter got into a fight with Doakes. Rudy poisoned Debra. Rudy is Dexter his brother, his real name is Brian. Brian poisoned Dexter. Dexter and Brian got into a fight, Brian escaped when the police arrives. Brian broke in to Dexter his appartment. Brian tries to stab Debra down but she isn't there, Dexter made a fake Debra of pillows. Dexter strangles Brian. Dexter rips his knife trough Brian's troath, he died instantly. The police thinks that Brian commit suicide. Rita found Paul his shoe. Amazing final of Dexter Season 1, Dexter killed his brother and cried after he did this. A good Final episode of this first Season Dexter, i am looking forward to see Season 2.

I don't know what I'm doing gghhhhhc vhiinnvccvbjjjhbv

[kalmeshal · 10/10 · 17 September 2021]

One of the best episodes I've ever seen.nn. Mmmmmmnkjjjjjj.

Serial Killer vs Serial Killer [10/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

My Reaction / Review for Dexter Season 1 Episode 12 ''Born Free'' (S1. E12): Episode 11 was awesome and I gave it a rating of 9.5/10. Let's see if this one is better or worse. Will Rudy tell Deb about Dexter and his secrets? Paul told Rita that she doesn't know who Dexter is, good for Dex that she doesn't believe it. This episode is where Doakes says the iconic line ''Surprise MF'', love it. Doakes knows something's wrong with Dex, he is the only one who sees it. Dex meets Brian, ive waited a long time for this. Does Ruby really think that Dex would help him kill Deb? Yean no way. With Rudy out there and they have no police officers outside Dex's house? Makes no sense. Time for Brian to get what he deserves. Killing his brother was difficult for Dex, something that hasn't happened before. Doakes is going to get himself killed if he keeps following Dex around. Overall an amazing episode to end the season. My rating is 10/10.

Season One Review

[southdavid · 7/10 · 24 November 2020]

The announcement of a "Dexter" revival has inspired us to go back and watch the series again. I watched three or four seasons the first time, before stopping as I moved house and didn't have the channel any more. I remembered a lot about this first season, including the identity of the Ice Truck Killer and why, but things get much vaguer for me from here.

Dexter Morgan (Michael C Hall) is a serial killer, but one with a code embedded in him by his adopted father, to only take the lives of other killers. He maintains a normal life, working as a blood splatter specialist for Miami PD alongside his Police Officer sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) and even has a girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) and the makings of a surrogate family. Miami though is plagued by a new serial killer, one who leaves exsanguinated body parts for the police to find but also one that seems to know Dexter's secrets.

Watching "Dexter" again, the first thing that struck me was how grainy the opening episodes and especially the pilot looked. I guess I'm just used to the high definition of today and take it for granted. Either my eyes became accustomed to it, or this didn't last though, and the visuals reached a higher standard as the series ran on. I like Michael C Hall as Dexter. He narrates the story in voiceover, in an often-deadpan style. He's very good at keeping Dexter's emotions skin deep, until the aspects that really affect him towards the end of the run. The rest of the cast is pretty solid, perhaps Erik King takes Sgt Doakes a little far at times, he gets so close to Dexter it feels like they should kiss rather than argue.

It's unfortunate that I remembered so much about the Ice Truck Killer storyline going into this series as that rather took the wind out of a lot of the run, given that there are a couple of red herrings across the season. Looking forward to less familiar stuff going forward though.