Dexter, The Big One

In the Season 5 premiere, Dexter reels from Rita's murder while Quinn stirs up trouble by suggesting that Rita's death doesn't fit Trinity's profile.

Dexter tries to focus his energy on his kids and fight his dark urges, but a shocking discovery puts him on the trail of a new victim. Debra hosts her brother and his children but finds herself squeezed out of her own place.

In an effort to create more free time to stalk and kill victims, Dexter hires a nanny. Debra is annoyed by her new partner, a rookie with her own theories on a bizarre double homicide.

Dexter finds himself in a strange situation when, instead of taking a life, he has to save one. Deb has a scary confrontation with a key suspect in the Santa Muerte murder cases.

When Dexter is saddled with an unwanted conspirator, he is forced to make some hard decisions about her fate. Dexter wonders if Rita's death has awakened a darkness inside Harrison.

Trying to get his life back on track, Dexter hunts a new target, but is distracted and drawn into a precarious situation while helping his troubled acquaintance. Batista discovers an interesting lead in the Santa Muerte cases.

While helping Lumen, Dexter finds himself on a collision course with Debra and the rest of Homicide when he is called to investigate a horrifying crime scene.

While attending a self-help seminar, Dexter and Lumen vet and stalk a violent killer. Debra gets into some unexpected trouble from the fallout of the Santa Muerte case, forcing Batista to make a difficult decision.

While in the midst of hunting down their next victim, Dexter and Lumen are surprised by the return of an unannounced guest. Debra is assigned to the file room, but still manages to uncover new evidence in the Barrel Girl case.

Dexter discovers a possible ally in the pursuit of Lumen's former captors, but he and Lumen are forced to step down when homicide uncovers evidence linked to one of their prior victims.

Dexter is forced to do damage control after he concedes that someone outside of Miami Metro has taken an interest in him and Lumen. Debra's speculation on the missing Barrel Girl suspects begins to take shape.

In the season, Dexter realises that he and Lumen are being lured into a trap and risks everything to escape. Debra lets her personal feelings overwhelm her instincts in the Barrel Girls case.