"The Killing" is an unconventional, multi-layered show that manages to pull off a suspenseful murder investigation story and a social and political commentary, without coming across as patronizing.
The motor of the story is the murder of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen. The first episode is full of dramatic power as it gives a glimpse of what the Larsens' life is like before this tragedy, and how their everyday life and its moments of simple happiness fade off as Rosie is reported as missing, first, and hopes to find her alive become more and more meager. The detective in charge is Sarah Linden, who gets a mysterious new partner named Holden. Sarah has her own personal story as well, with an impending marriage, a trip that she has to put off once and again due to the investigation, and a rebellious teenage son with whom communication isn't always great. Another side story, directly tied up with the main line, is that of counselor Darren Richmond, who's running for the city council elections and is unlucky enough to have a campaign car directly involved in the crime scene -or is it just bad luck? The murder investigation gets more and more complex with time, and the show never gives you a break as to the guessing. New suspects, elements and twists are incorporated with each episode and the plot is enriched with social drama elements such as subtle (or not so subtle) racism; drug addiction; how law and justice enforcers treat people differently according to their ethnicity, religion or social status; or the backstage of elections and how the rivalry between competing candidates gets crude beyond belief.
I went into this show looking for a good crime drama, and so far I am loving it, but I'm also getting a lot more than I was hoping for. My score is 9/10.
The motor of the story is the murder of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen. The first episode is full of dramatic power as it gives a glimpse of what the Larsens' life is like before this tragedy, and how their everyday life and its moments of simple happiness fade off as Rosie is reported as missing, first, and hopes to find her alive become more and more meager. The detective in charge is Sarah Linden, who gets a mysterious new partner named Holden. Sarah has her own personal story as well, with an impending marriage, a trip that she has to put off once and again due to the investigation, and a rebellious teenage son with whom communication isn't always great. Another side story, directly tied up with the main line, is that of counselor Darren Richmond, who's running for the city council elections and is unlucky enough to have a campaign car directly involved in the crime scene -or is it just bad luck? The murder investigation gets more and more complex with time, and the show never gives you a break as to the guessing. New suspects, elements and twists are incorporated with each episode and the plot is enriched with social drama elements such as subtle (or not so subtle) racism; drug addiction; how law and justice enforcers treat people differently according to their ethnicity, religion or social status; or the backstage of elections and how the rivalry between competing candidates gets crude beyond belief.
I went into this show looking for a good crime drama, and so far I am loving it, but I'm also getting a lot more than I was hoping for. My score is 9/10.