James Doakes

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“	Surprise, Motherfucker!	„
	~ Doakes to Dexter, also his most famous quote. noicon

Sergeant James Doakes or simply just Doakes, is a major character in the Showtime crime-drama psychological series Dexter, serving as a major protagonist in Season 1, the secondary antagonist of Season 2 and a minor character in Season 7. A sergeant in the Miami-Metro Police Department, he is the arch-rival of Dexter Morgan.

He was portrayed by Erik King.

What Makes Him an Ensemble Dark Horse?[]

Despite coming across as a jerk towards Dexter and frequently insulting him, fans often cite Doakes as being a high point for the first two seasons, owning to Erik King's performance. He's often seen as a great antagonist to Dexter, and interesting as well.
- Doakes also gets along with many members of the police force and has banter with them, which helped keep him entertaining to the audience.
His quote "Surprise, Motherfucker!" from the Season 1 finale "Born Free" became a popular online meme, and has been frequently used in external material for comedic effect.
- Additionally, many enjoy that Doakes is able to hold his own against Dexter in their fight during said episode.
- On the further subject of memes, the plot arc of Dexter framing Doakes as the Bay Harbor Butcher in Season 2 also became something of a minor meme in 2024.
He is the central factor of Dexter's big moral dilemma in Season 2, specifically the episodes "There's Something About Harry" and "Left Turn Ahead", which was a well received part of Season 2. Doakes serves to be a bigger obstacle than Dexter could have anticipated, due to Doakes now assuredly knowing Dexter's secret as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Dexter's dilemma is that he can't kill Doakes since that would break the Code of Harry, because Doakes is innocent, but if he lets Doakes free then he'd get caught, which also breaks the code and would stop his killing spree. Overall fans find Doakes to be utilized really well in these two episodes.
His death (being trapped in an exploding hut by Lila West) in the Season 2 finale is considered by fans to be a "Dying Moment Of Awesome", owing to how Doakes, upon realizing there was no escape, simply utters "Motherfuck" before the hut explodes.
Even after his death in Season 2, Doakes is still considered a popular character amongst the fanbase and has a lot of fans, to the point that Erik King would reprise his role in Season 7's finale episode (ironically titled "Surprise, Motherfucker!") for newly filmed flashbacks.

External Links[]

James Doakes on the Dexter Wiki
James Doakes on the Heroes Wiki

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