Here We Go Again... Review: The Killing - Season 3 Premiere

Air Date: Sunday, June 2, 2013, 8/7c on AMC

RATING: ★★★★★

“Damn. I’ve never seen that before.” – Carl Reddick

The Killing takes a different approach to the all consuming murder mystery plot this season. The story focuses on several differing POVs instead of just one. There’s the murder victim and the world she lives in, how that world connects to the police and the former officer who can’t let go, and the intricacies of a convicted felon living on death row. What do these viewpoints have in common? I think we’re supposed to figure that out as the season progresses. I’m interested in seeing how the stories weave together and what they mean for the characters involved. Honestly, the Seattle street kids’ storyline holds the most promise. The difficulties of life on the street—doing whatever it takes to survive—holds more sway with me than solving a murder. Although, I can admit to wanting to see how prison life for a much hated inmate will progress.

Observations and thoughts:

What an unfamiliar scene. Don’t you miss Holder and Linden working a case?

Sarah Linden (Mirelle Enos) is still a wreck and will probably never get her life on track, no matter how hard she tries. Her capacity to let go of the past is non-existent and she becomes obsessed like a dog with a bone once she gets a hunch. It’s the one thing I appreciate about Linden’s character. What I can’t remember, though, is what happened to her son Jack (Liam James). Oh yeah, he’s living with his dad. (Seriously, when did that happen?) I can’t be the only one questioning how that’s been working out for Linden’s peace of mind. Also, when did she pull her shit together enough to find a house, a solid job that doesn’t wear her down, and Cody (Andrew Jenkins), her boyfriend? I’m curious to see if the writers will clue us in to what’s happened over the past year. A lot has changed; a lot remains the same. Linden is still keeping secrets. Just what does she have in her past she doesn’t want anyone to know?

Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) still looks like his old self, just in a suit and tie. He hasn’t lost the familiar cocky swagger, biting sense of humor, and street smarts the other cops seem to lack. His methods are still questionable yet he manages to get the job done. It’s obvious he misses his old partner. You can see it in the way he banters with her, teasing her relentlessly. I miss seeing him with Linden. Carl Reddik (Greg Henry), Holder’s new partner, appears to be on the up and up, but I think there’s something going on there we don’t know about yet. The lack of trust between partners is a killer. It makes me wonder why Holder and Linden are lying to one another, too. They ask each other about smoking and both claim to have quit. Yeah, right. So why the subterfuge about something so trivial? I think it speaks volumes that they can’t be honest with one another about their vices. Think about what it means if they can’t tell the truth about an insignificant nothing.

Bullet (Bex Taylor-Klaus) is quite the conundrum. She’s a teenage runaway and leads the way for a cast of minor characters who make a small impact, but not enough to be mentioned here. I love everything about Bullet though. She’s tough, loyal, and full of passion. She is the epitome of a true friend. Bullet doesn’t hesitate to protect her fellow runaways or be there for them in any way she can. Her androgynous look is just part of her appeal. You don’t know whether she’s male or female upon first glance, and her voice also leaves you guessing. Attitude flows from her in waves. She’s definitely one to look out for. Taylor-Klaus is convincing as a young girl with love to give, even though she doesn’t know how to express it.

The connection between Ray and Linden runs deep.

Ray Seward (Peter Sarsgaard) is a master manipulator. He reminds me of Hannibal Lecter without the creepy undertones. While he may not be a doctor or informed in the ways of psychology, he has a knack for getting into people’s heads. He knows what buttons to push, how hard to push them, and what will happen when they’ve been pushed. I’m fascinated by his personality and what he is setting out to do. Being on death row doesn’t afford one many options in the way of entertainment. So Seward formulates a method to keep himself entertained, toying with the guards in his cellblock. The approach he uses doesn’t normally make for interesting TV, but the way Sarsgaard plays Seward makes you wonder how he prepared for the role. He’s going above and beyond in his portrayal and I look forward to seeing where he takes Seward as his time winds down to doomsday.

Memorable/funny lines:

Linden: “Hey, Holder. Not every victim’s worth it. You know, you start caring, you’ll end up like me working minimum wage on the ferry.”

Holder: “Never thought the day would come when I would hear that from you.”

Holder to Bullet: “You wanna act like a man, I will treat you like a man. Make no mistake about it. I will swipe the floor with your little baby butch bitch ass right in front of your little skank ho girlfriend. You feel me?”

Linden to Cody: “You don’t know me. I break things.”

Carl to Holder after leaving a sleazy motel: “Gotta check my balls for lice after going in there.”

The teen street kids tug at my heartstrings. Twitch is a loser. I hope Lyric wises up soon.

I’m not sure what to say about the ending. Elusive cliffhanger, much? I’m left scratching my head and confused as all hell but dying to know what’s coming next. Leave it to Linden to figure out something sinister is going on, making it necessary for her to get to the bottom of it. I guess that’s a good thing, though I worry this obsession will finally break her. Kinnaman and Enos continue to play their parts with a familiarity I’ve come to know well. I look forward to their interactions as Holder and Linden, respectively. What lies ahead for them is anyone’s guess. So yeah, I’ll tune in to see where this season goes since it takes a different approach to solving the whodunit.

Tune in to The Killing, Sundays at 9/8c on AMC. For more information on the show, visit the official site.

LIKE The Killing on Facebook.

Follow The Killing on Twitter using hashtag #TheKilling.

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