Are you a fan of Showtime's uber popular Dexter? In the spirit of Season 8 [final season] Episode 2 "Every Silver Lining" airing Sunday, July 7^th at 9 PM ET, I decided to compile a list of my Top 5 Dexter episodes of all time. Here goes...

#5: "This Is The Way The World Ends" [Season 6, Episode 12]

Though the Season 6 finale was probably one of the most shocking episodes in Dexter history, it's not my absolute favorite. The success of Dexter lies in the neurosis; subtle glimpses into a likeable psychopath. The epic Season 6 finale reveal was shocking but too overblown to be considered the best episode of the series.

#4: "Born Free" [Season 1, Episode 12]

In this episode, the viewer learns a lot more about Dexter's past. Dexter and his estranged serial killer brother Brian, meet for the first real time and talk about their upbringing. "Born Free" also marked the beginning of Sgt. Doakes' genuine suspicion of Dexter.

#3: "The Dark Defender" [Season 2, Episode 5]

Dexter lies to Rita about his weird behavior and blames it on heroine. Dexter then meets Lila, a woman who understands his Dark Passenger better than anyone he's ever met, at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Though it was a great episode, the show abandoned some of Dexter's ideas about God and the spiritual side of redemption.

#2: "There's Something About Harry" [Season 2, Episode 10]

Something about understanding Dexter's past is so fascinating to me. Nothing is more important to Dexter than living by his code. A code which Dexter's cop father taught him to live by, once he realized the monster inside his son. We learn how Harry dies [overdose] and how his father decided to do the best he could with a dangerous child.

#1: "Dexter" [Season 1, Episode 1]

Sure, pick the pilot episode. Still, this is the episode that kicked off one of the greatest television shows of its time. The pilot episode is the first time we see Dexter kill, and see how casually he does it. In only one episode, viewers know so much about Dexter and the "problem" he's evidently had for some time. And we get in the tiniest nonchalant details.

Tune in to Dexter Season 8 Episode 2: "Every Silver Lining" Sunday at 9 PM ET on Showtime.