Throughout its eight seasons, Dexter on Showtime finds its title character, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), squaring off against numerous formidable opponents. Many of these adversaries share with Dexter a struggle against their own inner demons. Yet, it’s important to note that not all of the characters Dexter confronts operate on the wrong side of the law. In fact, one could argue that his most intriguing opponent is a strict law enforcement officer who was regrettably written out of the storyline too early. We’re specifically referring to Sergeant James Doakes (Erik King). In Season 2, Doakes serves as a co-antagonist alongside the captivating yet lethal Lila (Jaime Murray).
Amongst all other adversaries, Doakes distinguishes himself due to his relentless pursuit of what’s right and his commitment to uphold justice. This unique character trait brings a particular depth to the series that is noticeably less prevalent after his unexpected exit at the close of Season 2.
Sergeant James Doakes Is a Worthy Adversary Who Should Have Hung Around Longer
One significant aspect of Doakes’ role throughout the seasons is his ability to see through Dexter’s charisma, a trait that few other characters possess. In contrast, many of Dexter’s coworkers often fail to scrutinize him deeply, taking his words and deeds at face value without giving it much thought.
Throughout his tenure in the show, Doakes doesn’t mince words or beat around the bush. He openly expresses his opinions towards Dexter and ultimately grows suspicious that perhaps Dexter himself might be the Bay Harbor Butcher.
Given that Dexter is indeed the Bay Harbor Butcher, this scenario probably causes apprehension among viewers. We’re aware of what the main character does, but we also witness his human side, which often leads us to root for him as he continues his killing spree unchallenged. While this may sound morally questionable when stated plainly, it’s a typical response from an audience towards an antihero in movies or TV shows.
In a show like Dexter, the viewers are meant to root for the main character, even though they’re committing criminal acts. This is what makes it thrilling to watch, and why we keep coming back.
The fact that Doakes stands alone as a critic gives him an exceptional role as an adversary. Moreover, it’s worth noting that during Season 2, having Doakes be a part of the force and constantly watching over Dexter adds an extra layer of tension. This is true for both Dexter himself and the viewers, keeping us all on edge.
It’s important to clarify that Doakes was bound to meet his end eventually. Having him persist as a grumpy sergeant harassing Dexter for eight seasons would have grown repetitive and less appealing if it continued too long. Nevertheless, some viewers might contend that the show ended Doakes’ arc prematurely, as there was still potential for more development in his storyline.
In Season Two, Detective Doakes starts to uncover Dexter’s brutal activities, which eventually leads to a showdown between them. To resolve the issue temporarily, Dexter abducts Doakes and holds him captive in a cabin deep within the Everglades.
Eventually, Dexter plans to falsely accuse Doakes of being the Bay Harbor Butcher, considering the possibility that he might survive. Yet, when his complicated girlfriend Lila unexpectedly discovers Doakes at the cabin while Dexter is absent and sets the place on fire, both the cabin and Doakes are consumed by the flames.
What Might Have Happened if Doakes Had Lived?
It might have been more effective for the storyline if the character of Doakes had been further developed, taking us through his journey from prison as he sought evidence to expose Dexter as the true killer known as the “Butcher.” Alternatively, the writers could have crafted a situation where Doakes managed to thwart Dexter’s attempts to frame him and instead focused on proving that Dexter was indeed the real Butcher.
In numerous ways, the narrative of the show could’ve delved deeper into Doakes’ character. No matter how events might have unfolded, many viewers believe that the series could have been even more engaging if it had focused more on the storyline of Doakes.
Although Doakes’s character development could potentially continue more, the show creatively introduced several formidable enemies for the main character to confront after Doakes was suddenly written out. Regardless, it’s hard not to ponder about the possibilities that didn’t come to fruition.
If you’ve got a craving for more Dexter, take comfort in knowing that the prequel show titled Dexter: Original Sin is set to return with another season at some point in the future. Unfortunately, we don’t have an exact release date yet, but rest assured, we’ll keep you posted when more information becomes available. On a brighter note, mark your calendars for July 11, 2025, as that’s when the sequel series Dexter: Resurrection will debut on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Read More
- PI PREDICTION. PI cryptocurrency
- WCT PREDICTION. WCT cryptocurrency
- This School Girl Street Fighter 6 Anime Could Be the Hottest New Series of the Year
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Debuts on Top of Weekly Retail UK Charts
- Solo Leveling Arise Tawata Kanae Guide
- Chainlink: Checking LINK’s 20% drop amid a 4x jump in fees
- Black State – An Exciting Hybrid of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PC Graphics Analysis – How Does It Stack Up Against the PS5 Version?
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – How to Complete Canvas the Castle Quest
- ANKR PREDICTION. ANKR cryptocurrency
2025-05-25 04:42