21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"

  February 20, 2026   Posted in gallery

What is the "Doakes" Meme?

The Doakes meme, also referred to as the "when you know but you can't prove it" meme, consists of reaction images featuring Sergeant James Doakes (played by Erik King) from the Showtime series Dexter. The format typically captures a sense of intuitive certainty in situations where physical evidence is missing.

Doakes Meme Templates

21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"

As documented by Know Your Meme, the visual assets are taken from the early seasons of Dexter. The most common templates include Doakes driving a car or staring intently while holding a drink in a bar. Unlike the character's previous viral "Surprise, Motherf***er" clip, this 2025 iteration focuses on Doakes’ primary story arc: his correct but unprovable suspicion that Dexter Morgan is a serial killer. The format first gained traction on Reddit in September 2024 before spreading to TikTok and X (Twitter) in early 2025.

The Doakes template is primarily used in the following contexts:

  • Intuitive Detection: Reacting to a blatant lie or a hidden secret where the user has a strong "gut feeling" but lacks proof.
  • The "Guilty Witness" Effect: Applying the intense stare to suspicious behavior from pets, children, or roommates.
  • Meta-Fandom Humor: Referencing the show's irony—Doakes was the only character who saw the truth, yet he was treated as the antagonist for his obsession.

Explore 21 Classic "Doakes" Meme Examples

21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"
21 Doakes Memes for When You "Know But Can't Prove It"