Detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman)
AMC is fast becoming my favorite network for innovative television. Not only do they have the most incredible original series (Mad Men, The Walking Dead) but now they’re doing something new. The Killing is not your usual crime drama—it’s not what you expect.
Each episode is one day in the investigation of Rosie Larsen’s disappearance and murder. This is exciting and this I love. Not only are we following along with the characters as they try to figure out this crime, but we get implanted into what’s going on as if we’re a part of it—keeping track of clues, suspects, and the oddities in everyone’s stories. It’s all interesting and a bit scary. The cops don’t look glamorous or perfectly manicured. They look like everyday people—like real cops.
We’re introduced to Sarah Linden (Mirielle Enos, Big Love), lead detective on the case, Stan (Brent Sexton) and Mitch Larsen (Michelle Forbes), Rosie’s parents, City Councilman Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell), and Sterling Fitch (Kacey Rohl), Rosie’s friend. I have to say so far, I already have a few suspicions about some of the main characters. Things seem so upfront at first, but then the looks, the cryptic comments—they all make you second guess people’s motives. Questions abound and just when you think you have a heads-up on what’s going on, you realize you don’t know jack.
Detectives Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) and Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos)
What’s most interesting is Linden, as lead detective on the case, starts the investigation on her last day of work. Talk about getting sucked back in. Her situation reminds me of the movie Seven (which coincidentally was on just before the pilot aired). Morgan Freeman’s character was supposed to be retiring in a week and he spends his time solving a murder. Actually, it’s so similar I find myself identifying things from the movie with those that are in the pilot: one detective leaving, new one moving into the office before the old one’s left, and setting out on a rainy day for their first call. Very ominous. Linden’s facial expressions are what sell me on her abilities as a detective. You can see her mind working, trying to figure things out. But you know Linden won’t be leaving any time soon. I just can’t decide yet whether that’s a good thing or not. We get a tiny snippet of her personal life. She has a fiancé, a 13-year-old son, and is moving to another state preparing for her wedding.
I’m excited to see some familiar faces. Michelle Forbes who was most recently on season two of True Blood; Brent Sexton who was on one of my favorite shows, Life; and Billy Campbell from Once and Again. A new series needs something extra to get viewers interested and familiar faces is one sure way to pull in an audience. It makes the show more attractive.
The Larsens speaking with the detectives about Rosie
Linden’s replacement, Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), creeps me out a bit. I don’t think it’s because he’s a creep; rather, he has a slimy way about him. I want to believe he’s a good guy because he’s an officer of the law, but he gives off a vibe that makes me wonder about his morals and values.
Although I am paying close attention and taking notes, I know I’m not going to figure this one out yet. And the suspense is killing me. I tear up during Stan’s reaction to learning Rosie was found by the police. I felt his pain. That’s a sure sign of a good actor. Kudos to Sexton on putting across the intense emotion of finding out his 17-year-old daughter was murdered.
The second half of the season premiere, entitled “The Cage,” is just as riveting as the first. I’m glued to my seat as I watch. I’ve got my suspect list ready and I’m watching all the players closely. No one is as they seem so I’m playing it smart on this one. Taking notes, watching for subtle movements, and the off chance something might slip through in a comment one wouldn’t usually pay too much attention to.
The Larsens are at the morgue to identify Rosie’s body. Again, the display of emotion is just superb. Forbes outdoes herself. I have to turn away from the screen for a moment to collect myself. I tend to cry when I see someone else cry, so yeah, I’m a weeper.
There are pieces that keep falling into place but there’s no way to know what is relevant. Rosie’s body being found in Councilman Richmond’s car, with keys still in the ignition. Huge clue. With that in mind and his campaign adviser Gwen (Kristin Lehman) saying she knew where he was the morning Rosie was found, it’s very suspicious. But I don’t think the Councilman is guilty. Maybe someone is pinning it on him but why? That’s serious mudslinging if it has anything to do with his campaign.
Holder discovering The Cage and the resulting partying that occurred in it
I get the feeling Holder is a little inexperienced. He seems to make so many rookie mistakes and Linden is constantly correcting him. Could be that he wants to handle something on his own, or maybe he just has that kind of cocky personality where he seems like a know-it-all who doesn’t know anything. But again, you can’t take anything as it seems. He just has unconventional methods when it comes to collecting information. He’s definitely someone to watch.
The tagline for The Killing is “Who killed Rosie Larsen?” She was being chased by someone who appeared to be walking. They weren’t in a rush. That tells you something about the mindset of her killer. She was, as to be expected, terrified, but also confident she could get away or hide. Was that because the person was older? Was it someone she was familiar with who knew she wouldn’t be missed over the weekend? So many questions and they continue to build as each day passes.
Be sure to watch The Killing Sundays at 10PM/9C on AMC. For more on the show, visit http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-killing
Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/Courtesy of AMC
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