With the first season ending this week, we should finally discover just who is responsible for The Killing (if we didn't already find out last week... twist?). When the show premiered, it was undoubtedly one of the best received new programs on TV but, as much as everyone adored the pilot, The Killing quickly fell out of favor with critics as the series progressed (Salon's BrowBeat charted the fall from grace... literally, they charted the reviews from a few websites in order to illustrate the decline).
Even a staunch defender such as myself cannot argue that the show's storytelling hasn't run off the rails BUT it is still one of the finest acted and shot shows on television. Just as my allegiance wavered, they delivered a fantastic, character driven episode two weeks back... only to follow it with probably the worst storytelling of the entire series one week later. Despite all this, I will be shocked if the series doesn't land a few Emmy nominations (announced July 14), especially for the leads Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman (watch Snabba Cash, or any interview with him for that matter, and tell me Kinnaman's transformation into Holder isn't award worthy).
So, can they redeem the show this week and send us off with a bang and in anticipation for the already announced second season? Take a look at the preview for the spoiler-ishly titled 'Orpheus Descending' and decide for yourself. I know I'm going to have to watch because I want to know who killed Rosie, dammit! However, whether or not I return for season two, well, that's up in the air and possibly riding on this episode. Good luck AMC.
The Killing is adapted from an award-winning Danish series of the same name (Forbrydelsen) and stars Mireille Enos, Billy Campbell, and Joel Kinnaman. The finale airs this Sunday (June 19) at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.
Here's the official synopsis from The Killing's website.
Sarah and Holder connect a new piece of evidence to the campaign car and to Rosie the night of her murder. Stan and Mitch reflect on the past as the future of their family hangs in the balance.
