Whodunit? Who knows!
In an acclaimed first season filled with plenty of twists, AMC’s The Killing saved its biggest shock for the very end: The show’s murder mystery was left unsolved and will continue into season two.
Our heroes Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder seemingly finished Rosie Larson case in tonight’s finale, arresting mayoral candidate Darren Richmond for the murder of a teenage girl. But in the episode’s final moments, Linden learns her partner may have fabricated a key piece of evidence — putting their case in jeopardy, plus casting doubt on Richmond’s guilt and Holder’s agenda.
A strong cliffhanger, to be sure. But many viewers expected some closure in a series that was based on a Danish show where a new mystery was solved each season and felt like the detectives were on the verge of figuring things out. EW spoke to The Killing executive producer Veena Sud about the decision to stick with the Larson story into season two, plus got some details about what’s to come (Will there be more rain? Less rain?).
In the meantime, sound off with your thoughts on The Killing. Was the ending a brilliant way of keeping you engaged in a story that you weren’t ready to end? Or should the show be called The Stalling?
READ MORE:
The Killing finale ratings go….
The Killing producer explains season finale cliffhanger, season two
I didn’t watch, but boy is that stupid. Solve the case! This show will bomb next season…
I felt REALLY bamboozled!!
biggest letdown of the season! very disappointing. They lost me as a viewer.
Haha bamboozled was on friends
I liked the ending. Remember that Holder got assigned to the case via a special appointment by the Mayor? So all the pieces are starting to make sense. Clffihangers are fine, and they have said that they WILL solve the case early next season…
I hate the show did relatively well in the ratings! Wish it hadn’t so thered be no S2 and the mystery wouldve been solvedm Ha!
it was FABULOUS!!!! I am a super sleuth and I never even saw that coming!!!!!!
If you didn’t watch, you shouldn’t comment.
Yup, if you didn’t see it, you’ve got no idea.
if you DIDN’T watch, it was the same as watching… “NOTHING” !!!
Yoh Bob… if you DID see it, you got no idea !!!
Dear Veena Sud:
Remember back in Season 7 of Dallas when JR went to Cuba to make a deal to buy oil? No?
How about that episode of Melrose Place where they showed the slow leak from the Central Air Conditioning, implying it would lead to something bigger? That slip your mind, too?
How about that episode of The Good Wife this season, with the massage therapist and the Noble Prize winner? Remember what the massage therapist said to Kalinda as she was getting into the elevator? Neither do I.
And that’s the whole problem. You and your writers may live and breath the mystery of The Killing, but all of us out here in the real world have other things to do.
I enjoyed the series, but I could tell 20 minutes into last night’s episode you weren’t planning to give any substantial answers. And if you were going to follow up with the next episode in a week or a month, then I’d be ok. But when a story as dense with subtle nuances as “The Killing” comes back, in 8 or 12 or 18 months, I’m going to be asking “Who killed Rosie Larsen?”.
I’m going to be ask “Who the heck was Rosie Larsen?”
You wont be able to make references to that 8mm film, or the waterfront burial ground, or the stubborn casino owner, or a hundred other things I will have forgotten about.
Just like “FlashForward” and “The Event”, shows that also took much shorter coffee breaks in an ongoing storyline, you’re going to see a mammoth drop in ratings and interest when you come back.
Bad move.
Rock Golf, darling, you may watch a little too much television.
I think you missed his point. Rock Golf didn’t remember the details on those old shows. I think most of it is just made up. And we won’t remember what happened in The Killing.
I stand by my comment. Get into some good foreign and independent films, folks, and you will relish a little ambiguity now and again.
You mean like Forbrydelsen, that unanimously acclaimed crime show that solves one crime a season? Emphasis on “solves?” Christ, pretentious aholes are a dime a dozen around here. Just because AMC says it’s genius doesn’t make it so. Sometimes the emperor has no clothes.
This presentation was exceptionally poor when compared to the original Danish production of “Forbrydelsen”, which it was based upon. If you really want to view this series in the most incredible way, watch the original. The audio is Swedish but I found a DVD set with English subtitles through Dymocks in Australia and bought it. The best production I have ever seen. Forbrydelsen II did not come with Eng subs, so I translated the Dutch subs to English so I could watch Season 2. Unbelievable! The Scandinavian Detective/Crime series put U.S. productions to shame. Just check out the series like Wallander (Swedish), Beck, Varg Veum, Irene Huss, Van Veteeren, Those Who Kill, just to name a few. You’ll never look at U.S. TV the same.
The ‘finale’ was so obtuse that I didn’t even realize there was another season! If you have to learn something like that from the Internet, you know that the producers simply lost control of the story. PS. Enough already with attacks on the suspect du jour by those who loved Rosie. PPS Who really cares about Seattle in November? It’s not like it’s an important city or anything. Just a lame reason to have all that irritating fake rain that doesn’t even put out a cigarette.
Final impresion: A junior-high attempt at emulating The Wire.
Seattle isn’t an important city? You’re a ^!@%$@^$ moron!
I agree. Crappy ending. And Seattle sucks.
Dear Producers of “The Killing”:
I just watched the season finale. Please explain yourselves.
Thank you.
I so agree. It’s just that the series is sooo implausible. This is supposed to be an intellient, realistic crime series? Not even close. The acting is great, as are the production values, but they need a team of writers who have done their homework. I mean the follow-up ignored by these investigators, the silly plot devices that are almost laughable. Any reasonably intelligent and observant person would have written this off as just another well-acted melodrama a long time ago. It’s a shame; if the writers hadn’t been so lazy, this could have been a truly land-mark series.
Ending was a total cop-out. Thanks though to the show for making Seattle look so dreary. Will keep the riff-raff out.
Brian, you hit the nail on the head with this: The ‘finale’ was so obtuse that I didn’t even realize there was another season
Yep…me too. It aggravated me enough to look it up and find out. I think they could easily have omitted some really out-of-left-field material (like the son who disappeared for the day/episode with his dad) to squeeze in something more central to the plot, like say…an actual conclusion!
The finale was a major enough let-down that I doubt I’ll subject myself to the soapy writing for another season to find out. I’m with those who vote “I don’t care who killed Rosie Larsen.” Not anymore.
i am just done with this show. i won’t be watching next season cause know why? I DON’T CARE WHO KILLED ROSIE LARSEN. Worst writing ever.
at this point neither do i. i won’t be watching this or mad men when they come back.
I agree. The series became increasingly implausible as it went on. And characters who initially seemed interesting became increasingly less believable. As for the ending, the very annoying councilman got what he deserved! A frame-up followed by death.
The Killing…of an audience.
… best comment today !!!
X2
X3
yep. I was fine with the slow pacing, but this Agatha Christie-meets-Oliver Stone ending out of left field??? I don’t trust them not to waste my time anymore.
Awesome comment… couldn’t agree more.
People aren’t pissed that there was a cliffhanger. Heck, all season finales have cliffhangers. What people are pissed off about, (myself included),is the fact that we watched it for 13 weeks, guessing each time who did it. I’m pissed off at the fact that I now have to wait a whole year to figure out if I was right. And I doubt I’ll even remember who I guessed by the time the new season comes on. But viewers just wanted to know if they guessed right or not, and that’s why so many of us are pissed.
No more for me. An extra hour of sleep will be a welcome change next year.
X4
Veena Sud is a genius. Great final show. We were left with alot of unanswered questions and that is how it should be. We were left wanting more. Thank goodness we will get more.
roger, are you her press agent? give me a break.
I agree with Roger. A strategy that generates this much controversy is one that worked. I look forward to Season 2 for answers to questions or maybe just more questions. It’s all OK with me.
I don’t care enough to come back for S2. I will surf the net to find out who did it when the time comes and that’s that. The show failed to live up to the hype. I am so over the grieving parents! Ugh.
Totally agree! The actors were fantastic considering the crappy writing! Won’t watch next season, don’t really care now!
I am so furious!! They lied and I will not watch season two.
seriously?!? So much time was WASTED this season. After one of the worst finales ever, i dont really care who killed Rosie Larsen anymore! Will not watch next season.
Wow, what an amazing show! It is so well done! I CANNOT wait for Season Two!!!!!!!! When will it be on? I want to watch it now!
Agreeeee. Love the show, loved the finale. Sh.it, ppl are so picky about tv these days (GoT, Killing); “they didn’t tie up every loose end and put a big red bow on it for me?! Waaaaawaaaaaaa! I’m mad! I won’t watch again!!!!!” Grow up or go watch nick at nite, something more your speed people.
Furious? That was awesome!
Hey Jess how can I get a job at the AMC mailroom?
hahaha good one pagan temple. i chuckled.
I completely agree. Won’t watch season 2. Lved the show but really needed a conclusion. Season 2 could’ve been a new murder.I’m pissed.
If you need a neat, tidy conclusion so badly, watch CSI. God forbid you have to wait until next season to be further entertained!
Well…I think it kinda makes sense that the murder wasn’t solved this season. The show that The Killing is based on took 20+ episodes to solve the case of each season, and there have only been like 13 episodes for season 1…so why wouldn’t it run over into season 2?
For the people who say “go watch CSI” that is just ignorant. The network ADVERTISED the finale would be when we would find out the killer. They said “watch the season finale to find out Who Killed Rosie Larsen.” After months of filler, we thought we might actually get the answer. It was a total ripoff and a waste of time watching all those episodes.
The reason people are making suggestions that you watch CSI is that CSI is where you’ll find dazzling procedure and tidy endings. If that’s what you need, than it’s clear that The Killing was not for you. That goes double for those of you who believe advertising in any form. It’s all lies.
So many funny comments. I’m glad they fooled me Dammit! Didn’t think a show could do that anymore.It’s clear so many want a scooby do ending, “…and I woulda gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you meddling kids”, Bravo, ya got me,can’t wait for season 2.
I enjoyed being tricked as well. Why does everything on TV have to be predictable? That’s so boring.
I totally agree!!
Jed, you are jealous, we get it. I am too. Paul has a prieelvgid position, isn’t that Hollywood? As you know, networks are filled with bureaucracy just like DC let’s get over it and realize Paul’s not the problem. Love in the Wild is actually a perfect show for the indulgent summer audience who stayed committed (I only know this because my wife and her friends watched it religiously…I know, but this was the only new summer show she watched). Many shows have launched in the summer, built a loyal following and subsequently ended up hit series do I really need to list them? NBC is a corporation I think they know what they are doing in terms of bottom line more than us average Angelenos living in our humble Brentwood homes. Good for NBC, Paul, Endemol and Love In The Wild.
Sucked
O
Twin Peaks much?
The creator claims she never watched Twin Peaks. If that IS true, she should watch it so she can realize that it is never a good idea to drag a murder mystery for two seasons. Not to mention that the Rosie Larsen murder is no where near as interesting as Laura Palmer’s.
Actually, the problem with Twin Peaks was that the network and studio forced Lynch to solve the murder (mid-way through season 2), which he didn’t want to do. Peaks still had strong viewership up until that point, where once it was revealed the ratings completely fell off.
The Larsen murder is not as interesting and the police work is absolutely horrible. If those two cops worked in a large urban department they would have been fired for some of the stuff they did. Not just that, but the cops didn’t bother to get the basics until a week or later after the crime. This show desperately needs new technical advisers.
I agree about the desperate need for technical advisors.
I’ve only one word – AAAAARRRGH!!!! I don’t think I’m patient enough to wait for next season.
My sentiments exactly!!!
Another “Aaaarrrgh!” here, not so much from impatience as frustration. I felt that a show that was (relatively) carefully crafted took a bunch of illogical turns — not least of which is that Linden’s subjective, sloppy and ultimately deadly police work ought to leave her without a job! This whole ep was dullsville till the wacko twists at the end.
Ending Sucked! Not watching next season!
If you want the answer now get the DANISH VERSION ON dvd has sub titles
Don’t know how they can string it out for another 13 episodes.
Same. Every character on the show has been a suspect at this point. They need to solve the case already.
LOL you all know you’ll be back.
Ausiello’s got ya covered at his site. Interview with the creator. Answers are coming.
Ughhhh. Not happy with it. Wanted some sort of payoff…and not involvingBelko.
I’m fine with the ending for now (it was a great cliffhanger), but if they spend a whole second season on solving this same murder, I might revolt.
I highly doubt that it will last much longer. I just don’t know what else there is to learn (other than more concrete details about Rosie).
What a joke. Let’s just not resolve anything, that won’t piss people off.
Horrible. Don’t write checks your show can’t cash…
Whiny impatient losers. Don’t watch. Your loss. Jersey Shore is calling your name.
13 episodes is hardly impatient. This could have been a very good six hour mini-series but instead the show runners dragged and stretched the really quite thin plot through 13 episodes only to leave viewers hanging? That is not playing fair with the viewers and I won’t be back.
Yes they could have deleted four of those episodes and not lost anything meaningful. There was way too much stalling and useless information. That seems to be the writer’s way of building up the mystery. Unfortunately when they finally decided to get the show moving again, it was too late.
We spent the whole episode last week chasing her kid around Seattle. Hardly anything on Rosie or the case. I like this show, but found the season finale most unsatisfactory.
It’s amazing to me that whenever someone criticizes a show on the internet, someone else who likes the show must chime in and call the other person a Jersey Shore lover. But in case you didn’t realize, just because someone doesn’t like your show doesn’t mean they’re idiots.
This finale epitomized everything that has been wrong with this season. Stall, stall, stall for an entire episode, then tease some tantalizing new twist that you have to wait until next episode (or in this case, next year) to see resolved. The fact that they chose to replicate this same formula for the finale, when the original series solved its mysteries at the end of every season, just makes the whole situation all the more frustrating. If you’re going to make your viewers sit through 13 episodes worth of dead ends and filler, at least reward them at the end with the answer to the freaking mystery.
Perhaps King of Queens is more your speed.
I agree. The ending was not good. I was so excited to watch and now feel cheated. Ugh. At least GoT was good! I am not going to be a regular viewer of the killing next year for sure.
What’s more confounding is that the show wasn’t officially renewed for a 2nd season until last week…so what then? I doubt they had an alternate ending ready to go. It’s not a good enough show to take these kinds of “risks”.
I agree. I happened to have loved the end of Sopranos and Lost, and to be honest I plan to watch this show next season, but nonetheless I do feel cheated by this finale. Surprise should not come at the expense of the show’s integrity.
Hell, they failed to answer “Who was Rosie Larsen?” so why would we expect them to answer something as simple as who is her murderer?
No characterization, stupid writing (yeah, the wife of a beaten man isnt going to know what the guy who did the beating looks like…)..lapses of continuity(Mr. Larsen is suddenly allowed to hang out with his kids again after being bailed out of jail for nearly killing a man)…the original was far superior…
Veena, go shove your “this isnt your typical cop show” pretentious BS. I love Durham County, I love the original Fobrydelsen…both of them deliver at the end of each season (Durham County does it within SIX episodes!) and still maintain interest to see what happens next season. You’re just dragging it out in hopes that you’re locking in an audience for next season. Too bad that audience will probably be a lot smaller next season.
I am so pleased that I didn’t miss anything due to a power cut.
The Killing should take take note that the writers for The Wire were storytellers and not episodic TV or standard 3-part movie screenwriters. The Killing needs storytellers in order to draw out both the characters and the plot. If they don’t change things up, next season will be the last.
Generally, people have the attention span of a gnat. Too many good shows have been canceled because people can’t wait for the payout. I’d say if they keep this story into season 3, there might be problems. Remember, the show is called The Killing, not The Killings. Perhaps Rosie Larsen was the killing that initiated a larger story line we are just beginning to be clued into.
Amen, baby.
Oh, I see, and your well thought-out retort with the astonishingly fresh words like “losers” and “whiny”, and the never before heard “go back to watching Jersey Shore/Real Housewives/Two and a Half Men” shows you are a person of discernment, style, and taste. Well, excuse me for thinking that this show ended up being badly written, boring, and nowhere near as original as it pretended to be. I won’t be back for season 2. However, I will be there with bells on for season 4 of Breaking Bad. Now, there’s a show that can give you the slow build up, the deep characterization, the amazing plot twists, the nail-biting moments, and the “WHERE did that come from?” bits that leave you giddily awaiting the next episode, and that The Killing wishes it had been. Feel free to disagree with me. Just please try to do it on a smarter level than your “nanny nanny boo boo” above.
I have never felt so ripped off by a show. No chance I watch 12 more episodes of this.
I felt bamboozled!
To be honest I was already growing tired by the Rosie Larsen murder and would’ve been relieved to move on to a different murder for season 2. In a perfect world they will resolve the murder in the first episode of season 2 and then move on. Maybe keep the murderer as Darren Richmond but just reveal if Belko shot him or not and maybe have Holder admit he fabricated the evidence because he just wanted to close the case.
why would Holder risk his career for that?
Someone gives him a million to frame Richmond, mayor gets reelected and Holder has a new life.My bet it’s Jamie
thought that too, of course richmond’s defense team will find out the picture couldn’t have come from the bridge.Don’t know why he would have done that.He does have a shaky past,and remember it was thought that he had a gambling problem/drug problem
I don’t think holder cares if Orpheus is convicted. I think as long as he doesn’t win the election. That said, eventually he’d have to figure it would be found out, so good question.
Here’s how they should have ended the finale: solve the case in the first 30 minutes. Wrap it up after 13 loooonnnng episodes and give the viewers a payoff. Then as people are feeling relieved, a new case begins! Spend the next 30 minutes or so with everyone scrambling to regroup and handle the new case.
Hey AMC, I will write your show and do a better job than your current writers.