Some shows have difficulty gaining recognition and value from their own networks. This doesn’t mean that the series wasn’t good; there are many shows I can think of that were really well-done, but for some reason, they weren’t valued by the networks they aired on. One series that comes to mind is AMC’s The Killing. Developed by Veena Sud (who was behind Netflix’s Seven Seconds, another criminally underrated show), The Killing is the American version of the Danish TV show Forbrydelsen (The Crime). The Killing was not canceled once, but twice. Once after season two, though; negotiations with Fox gave it a third season. Then, it was canceled after season three. Netflix then picked it up for six episodes so the series could wrap up with a fourth season.
In my opinion, The Killing had one of the strongest first seasons ever. One of the strongest first episodes. As the story unraveled, it kept getting deeper and deeper, but it never felt like too much. The Killing did an excellent job in keeping you on your toes – expect nothing, be shocked by nothing. Except, you were shocked, because you never saw it coming. Every emotion exuded in the series was felt on such a personal level and the fact that more people don’t talk about The Killing is a tragedy.
The Plot of The Killing
Season one starts off with Mireille Enos’ character about to retire from the Homicide division in Seattle to go start a new life with her fiancé. Enos’ Sarah Linden is rigid, stiff, and becomes obsessive with cases, which is part of the reason why her fiancé wants to pull her away from Seattle in the first place. On Linden’s last day she’s tasked with training Narcotics officer Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), who just transferred to Homicide. Holder is the exact opposite of Linden. He’s carefree, acts on his emotions, and at times, doesn’t know how to behave around the family of the victim. They should have only known each other for a day, but a murder rocks the community and forces the two to work the case. Linden could walk away, but she never does.
Enos and Kinnaman had such fantastic chemistry on screen. The two were polar opposites and clashed at times. But, it was because each looked at the situation differently that they made a good team. Despite being so different, the two had an undying loyalty towards one another. Watching them solve the case of ‘Who Killed Rosie Larsen’ in seasons one and two had me on the edge of my seat. I have to give such praise to Michelle Forbes and Brent Sexton, who played Rosie’s parents. Their grief, anger, and actions all felt so authentic that you truly believed these were parents mourning the death of their teenage daughter. The truth of who really killed Rosie shocked me and it was such a great payoff.
Let’s Talk About Season Three
The Killing could have, if it wanted to; end after two seasons. This was not a week to week case show like Law and Order: SVU. Seasons one and two were strictly about finding Rosie’s killer. With that story wrapped up, the show could have wrapped up. Then they came out with season three. I argue it’s one of the best seasons of television I’ve ever seen. At this point, we see our characters grow. Linden seems more at peace with herself and Holder is growing up to become a serious Homicide detective. Why is season three so good? Two words. Peter Sarsgaard.
Sarsgaard plays a death row inmate who may or may not have killed his wife. This wonderment continues throughout the season, as Linden suspects that he did not commit the murder. Due to Sarsgaard’s character not believing in the system, he’s resigned himself to making life difficult for others, and has no reason to help the very people who imprisoned him. The case of Ray’s (Sarsgaard) wife’s murder connects to an entirely bigger picture in season three. Linden must come out of semi-retirement and she and Holder must work together again. The web that they are unraveling has dark secrets and they find out there are some threads they do not want to pull. But, they do. And they have dire consequences.
Okay, Season Four Wasn’t That Great
Netflix took over for season four. In seasons one-three, The Killing was on AMC. So, no real cursing, and nothing too gruesome could be shown. With Netflix, cursing was allowed and at an all-time high. I will admit, sometimes I like to imagine season four didn’t exist. The six episodes rushed the story and I simply didn’t like where they went with it. Holder and Linden’s relationship was completely different than the previous three seasons. Both were mean spirited to one another, didn’t trust one another, and it was odd hearing them so blatantly use the “F” word. I’m not a prude, it was just that they seemed to be making up for three seasons of not being able to curse. Plus, they made Holder go back to meth, which he had done previously to his appearance in season one. Holder’s sobriety was a major factor in the series and they threw it all away for some drama in season four.
You Should Still Check This Show Out
Sure, season four wrapped and it was a generally happy ending. But, The Killing deserved a more thought out fourth season. I believe if it would have stayed on AMC it would have given us a better fourth season. Sure, we look to Netflix to save shows (even if they canceled my beloved Marvel-Defenders universe), but in this case, I think Netflix did it a disservice. To add insult to injury, Netflix took The Killing off of their service. Even the fourth season, which was produced by Netflix! Luckily, it’s on Hulu now.
Rating: 4/5
While the fourth season wasn’t the best, the first three seasons were some of the best examples of great television I’ve ever seen. I recommend it to anyone. If The Killing hadn’t been canceled, we could have had some tremendous storytelling for the fourth season. And I am not adverse to someone wanting to revive the series, and we can just do a reset button as Will & Grace did.
Have you seen The Killing?