Netflix ALTERED CARBON

Article first published as TV Review: ALTERED CARBON on Seat42F.

Netflix’s newest drama, released yesterday, is ALTERED CARBON. Set centuries in the future, it is part science fiction adventure, part murder mystery. In the ten-episode first season, Takeshi Kovacs, a violent mercenary, is woken from a 250-year slumber at Alcatraz. He is told he can either go back to prison forever, his sentence, or solve the murder of an extremely wealthy man, Laurens Bancroft. Obviously, Takeshi chooses the former, and he sets off into the world he knows little about to investigate a crime of which he knows even less.

Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, House of Cards) stars as Takeshi, which ties into a few important things. One, part of the premise is that the essence of people have been boiled down into “stacks,” basically big computer chips that can be inserted into any body, deemed “sleeves.” While Takeshi is Japanese and Eastern European, played by Will Yun Lee (Falling Water, True Blood) in flashback, he now inhabits a different ethnicity form. There is certainly an argument to be made that the series whitewashes its lead, but the cast is pretty diverse, and from a story perspective, the swap makes sense. So ALTERED CARBON tries to make up for that in other ways. (Whether it does or not, I leave for someone more qualified to decide.)

Bancroft is also a white man, played by James Purefoy (The Following, Hap and Leonard), as is the AI construct Poe (Chris Conner, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story). But others are not. The love of Takeshi’s life is Quellcrist Falconer (Renee Elise Goldsberry, The Good Wife, original cast of the Broadway musical Hamilton). Takeshia’s sister, Reileen, is played by Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). The primary cop who is interested in Takeshi is Kristin Ortega (Martha Higareda, Royal Pains). ALTERED CARBON also stars Ato Essandoh (Copper), Kristin Lehman (Motive), and Trieu Tran (The Newsroom).

The series itself is getting mixed reviews, and that’s fair. There’s certainly a large amount of exploitation of women in the dark corner of the world Takeshi is dropped into, prostitution, physically real or not, abundant, and drugs rampant. Little about the underworld isn’t a trope, and the main plot seems to be a basic murder mystery, albeit the intended victim isn’t really dead because his stack was backed up by a very expensive satellite, so all he lost as nearly two days of memories.

However, I found it an exciting romp with a complex, if a little two-dimensional, world. The visual effects are absolutely stunning, the futuristic city, including buildings that extend above the clouds, seeming very real. The rules of the world seem to be incredibly well thought-out and stuck to, though not overly explained, and there’s quite a bit of mystery surrounding Takeshi’s circumstances. Certainly this is more than just an episode of CSI stretched out. The acting is also pretty solid across the board, though I don’t yet see many similarities in personality between Lee and Kinnaman’s portrayals, so I’d like, over time, for the show to establish a more solid link.

There is also a trippy aspect to the production because Takeshi, as part of the side effects from being asleep so long, hallucinates people that aren’t there. This potentially calls into question the reality of what we’re seeing in every scene, even when he’s sober, and will have viewers looking for clues that things might not be real. That is an exciting element to toss in, especially when it’s so well integrated to the story.

Having only seen one episode so far, I can’t contradict entirely the uneasiness of other reviewers. What I can say is that as soon as I turn this in, I’m jumping right into episode two because I was left very much wanting to see more.

ALTERED CARBON season one is available now, streaming on Netflix.

THE KILLING Returns From the Dead... Again

Article first published as THE KILLING Review Season 4 on Seat42F.

THE KILLING, which ran for three seasons on AMC and has been canceled twice before, returns for an abbreviated fourth, and most likely (though one can never say for sure with this show) final, season this week on Netflix. Picking up moments after season three left off, the six hour-long episodes remaining seek to both solve a new case and deal with the aftermath of the previous year’s cliffhanger.

Lest you have forgotten, as year three concludes, Linden (Mireille Enos) shoots her boss and former lover / partner, James Skinner (Elias Koteas), who ends up being the serial killer she is hunting, twice, despite the fact that he is unarmed and kneeling before her. Holder (Joel Kinnaman), a witness to at least the second bullet, freaks out, knowing there is no way for Linden to claim self-defense. Fearing she is about to be locked up, season four’s premiere has Holder scrambling to cover for Linden, who is still in shock, and thus not protecting herself as she should be.

This begins with our characters in a precarious position. As the day after unfolds, it becomes clear very quickly that there are loose ends the detectives might miss. Try as they might to hide the truth, it seems likely that Skinner’s murder will eventually come out. We’re left wondering if both Linden and Holder will go down, as well as what punishment they might face. Could their actions be justified, given the circumstances, or could fate intervene and protect them, even as the body surfaces?

 

My instinct is to say that yes, things will work out all right. THE KILLING is a dark, depressing show, and not everyone makes it out alive. However, Linden and Holder are the glue between the seasons. They are also the good guys who give up everything in order to find justice. They deserve to get away with this. Fans will root for them to stay hidden.

That being said, I could see a twist at the end of the series where Linden dies in a blaze of glory, her son living far away, and she really having nothing left to lose. She’s always had a bit of a martyr complex, so why not make it official? I suspect a better prediction can be made after meeting Linden’s mother (Frances Fisher, Resurrection), though, whom abandoned her as a child, as that will surely help set Linden’s momentum.

Holder, on the other hand, has plenty to live for. He has his romance with Caroline (Jewel Staite). He also gets some surprising news in the season four premiere that will make it even harder to see him go down. Plus, now that the air has been cleared between them, on even footing since both got a punch in, Holder’s friendship with Reddick (Gregg Henry, promoted to full-time) seems to be sticking. So I think Holder is safe, successfully having turned his life around and found his purpose, even without Linden around. But we’ll see.

I don’t think Holder and Linden will end THE KILLING as a romantic couple. There is a moment in season three where it could happen between them and it doesn’t. There really hasn’t been anything else to point them in that direction since, nor is there in the first episode back, so it would feel forced to go there at this point. That’s fine. Too many shows led by an opposite sex pairing feel obligated to turn the emotional bond into something involving sex. Sometimes, it’s fine if it doesn’t, especially if one or the other can find happiness with someone else.

Now, despite all the character development and furthering of existing arcs, season four has its own case to investigate. Our duo are led to a crime scene where a family has been brutally slaughtered and the evidence points to the surviving son (Tyler Ross, Zombieland), whom a bullet grazed in the head, and who is suffering memory loss. There are a number of pieces of evidence that don’t add up, including some strangely severed piano wires, so it’s uncertain if the kid is guilty, making for another juicy mystery.

Does season four need this sort of murder to look into? After all, the show has always been best when dwelling on the pathos of the players, and this could be done with Linden’s deed. But instead, the writers decide to squeeze one more bit of police work out of our leads. On one hand, they do have a job to do so it makes sense for them to keep doing it. On the other, with a scant six hours left (granted, all six installments are likely to be ten to fifteen minutes longer than in previous seasons), one might wish for a focus on the principals more than new stars, with Joan Allen (Luck), Sterling Beaumon (Red Widow), and Levi Meaden (The 100) joining Ross among the fresh cast. Ah, well. The decision has been made, so no sense dwelling on it now.

In all, THE KILLING delivers a relatively intense, very compelling fourth season premiere. It’ll be interesting to see how creator Veena Sud chooses to wrap it up.

All six episodes of THE KILLING’s final season will be available on Netflix beginning this Friday, August 1^st.

DVD Review: ‘The Killing – The Complete Third Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: 'The Killing - The Complete Third Season' on Blogcritics.

After initially being cancelled at the conclusion of season two, AMC brought The Killing back for a third season last year. The Killing‘s first two runs, each spanned a single murder case and its effect on the victim’s family and community. The third season, now out as a three-disc DVD set, The Killing: The Complete Third Season, follows a string of serial killings, keeping the focus more on the detectives working the case, with fewer side characters than either of the first two seasons.

At first, it’s a bit startling to get into The Killing‘s third outing. Many of the characters regular viewers have come to know quite well, such as Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell), Mitch Larsen (Michelle Forbes), Stan Larsen (Brent Sexton), Gwen Eaton (Kristin Lehman), and more are gone. This shrinks the world considerably, and I do find myself wondering from time to time, what are they up to? A mention here or there perhaps (which barely happens for a couple of characters) isn’t enough, and no one from the first case returns.

However, the linchpins of The Killing are and always have been Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman). Although the investigation plot explores other avenues, the narrative always returns to the pair of detectives and how they handle the pressures of the case. Both are back, and while Linden is not working for law enforcement when year three begins, it doesn’t take long for the duo to return to form, chemistry intact.

Which is not to say there’s no one else in the mix this time around. A convicted killer on Death Row, Ray Seward (Peter Sarsgaard, Jarhead), someone Linden had put away, figures prominently when the bodies piling up cast doubt on his guilt. A tough orphan living on the streets named Bullet (Bex Taylor-Klaus, Arrow) tugs our heart strings as we see the depressing world she and her friends inhabit. 

The Complete Third Season feels tighter, which it has to be, by necessity. I am one of the few who didn’t get angry when Rosie Larsen’s murderer wasn’t brought to justice in the first season, thinking The Killing brilliant for bucking expectations. In season three, the story is just as good and the mystery equally compelling, but the writers bend to the will of the people by neatly resolving the plot at the conclusion of the twelve installments. This speeds up the pacing a bit, which should satisfy those ‘fans’ who drifted away.

I like the way in which season three reaches into the backgrounds of the characters, Linden in particular. Even though the case at hand is new, it brings up things referenced in the first two years, and events that happened before the series begins. This gives the arcs a sense of continuity, and allows the show to draw a bigger picture than a simple, self-contained season would produce.

If you’re hesitant to jump in, knowing AMC canceled the show again after viewer numbers stayed low for the revival, know that Netflix ordered an additional six episodes, available now, so that The Killing can complete its tale and end on its own terms. What that means is we now have a complete, four-season saga to enjoy.

Unfortunately, there are no extras at all included on this disc. I don’t understand why the studio would choose to forgo bonus features, other than to possibly save money, and this is in line with other recent Fox DVD releases. But it’s highly disappointing, all the same, as the story of the show’s resurrection should have been told, at the bare minimum.

The Killing – The Complete Third Season is available now.

THE KILLING Returns to "The Jungle"

Article first published as THE KILLING Season 3 Premiere Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 93%

About a year after its cancellation, THE KILLING returns to AMC with the two-hour opener of season three. Titled “The Jungle; That You Fear the Most,” the story picks up a year after the events of the Rosie Larsen case, with Holder (Joel Kinnaman) seeking out a reclusive Linden (Mireille Enos) when his current murder investigation seems to tie into her former career.

As someone who loves THE KILLING, I am thrilled that it has been rescued from the TV graveyard for another year. The first two hours of the new season, despite the things that have changed in the main characters’ lives, and the absence of many familiar faces, feels like a return to form. In the same bleary, dark setting, the depressing tone of murder hangs in the air.

Similarly, Linden and Holder are able to pick up right where they leave off. The chemistry between the pair in their first meeting, having not seen each other in quite awhile, immediately reminds me of what was so good about the first two seasons. There is genuine affection there, but also a want to avoid the things that they dislike in themselves when glimpsed in each other. Even a little lie about a dropped smoking habit demonstrates this beautifully, and says a lot about the two.

Like the first two years, season three takes awhile to get started. We see a dead body early in “The Jungle; That You Fear the Most,” but I would not claim that the investigation gets off on the right track. There are plenty of details that will likely eventually be clues, and we are introduced to a great many people who will be suspects. But THE KILLING is a slow burn and will not be rushed into getting the leads to where they need to be.

Unfortunately, they won’t be able to drag their feet too long. Unlike seasons one and two, which spent twenty-six hours solving one murder in a very intriguing fashion, really dwelling on the pain and suffering and toil that goes into such a venture, season three promises to catch the killer in twelve hours. This makes sense to keep eyes glued to the screen, given the legions of so-called “fans” who abandoned ship after season one failed to wrap things up and got THE KILLING canceled in the first place, but it’s disappointing to those who would like the show to take its time and do what it does best.

Unlike the Larsen case, in which a family grieves, the victims (plural because we’re dealing with a serial killer) in season three appear to be homeless teenagers. It’s a very bleak scene, kids living on the street, and a number of them are in the central cast. This contingent includes: Bullet (Bex Taylor-Klaus), a tough, butch lesbian; Kallie (Cate Sproule), Bullet’s best friend who has been kicked out by her mother, Danette (Amy Seimetz, Family Tree); and Lyric (Julia Sarah Stone, Vampire Dog), Bullet’s crush who is with a wannabe model named Twitch (Max Fowler, Mayday), who is just using Lyric. Some of these kids may care about one another, but it’s not the same thing.

Which is good. THE KILLING doesn’t want to repeat itself, and it doesn’t. It moves forward in a new direction that continues the personal journey of the two leads of the show, and introduces another group of people living in Seattle. The homeless kids are not something that has really been explored on a weekly basis in series television before, and they raise awareness of a real-life issue, while creating a rich, fresh tapestry for the story.

But sometimes to move forward, one must go back. Linden is stuck in a low-wage job, her son, Jack (Liam James, no longer a main character), lives half a country away, and she is still haunted by a previous murder, especially when she learns that the killer she put away, Ray Seward (Peter Sarsgaard, Jarhead), may be innocent of the crime. Jack asks Linden what she’s still doing in Seattle, and this premiere tells us: she has unresolved issues that she must deal with before she can move forward. Newlywed Regi (Annie Corley) may disagree, but from a narrative perspective, Linden needs to get back into the police game.

Holder, on the other hand, seems to be doing well. He’s close to a promotion, dressing in suits, and is definitely the more competent part of his professional partnership with Carl Reddick (Gregg Henry, Scandal). He also seems happily in a relationship. So his tale might just be to realize his calling, which he may have already found, rather than advancing solely for the sake of advancement.

On a side note, Jewel Staite (The L.A. Complex, Firefly, Stargate: Atlantis) plays Holder’s love interest, and is introduced with an instant Serenity reference. Joss Whedon fans owe THE KILLING a debt of gratitude.

Besides Holder and Linden, the most compelling character this year will probably be Ray. Sarsgaard gives us a man who may be innocent, but who sure doesn’t seem like he is, and is not making any friends on Death Row. Does this mentality stem from trauma in his past? A coping mechanism? Is he feeling guilty for something? Is he just a jerk? Sarsgaard makes me want to find out.

Two wonderful hours, and it’s like THE KILLING never left. With a great story, fantastic set up, and a group of new players every bit as interesting as those of the first two seasons, I look forward very much to watching this latest mystery unfold. Even if I’m still hoping for a Mayor Richmond (Billy Campbell) cameo at some point.

THE KILLING premieres Sunday, June 2nd at 8 p.m. ET on AMC.

"What I Know" about The Killing

AMC's The Killing faced a tough road in season two. Shedding impatient fans who are used to getting clear answers at the end of an hour, or at least at the end of the season, American audiences by and large just aren't ready for a series as complex and drawn out as The Killing. But even those who tuned out halfway through probably want to know how it ends. So with that in mind, "What I Know," the 26th and final installment in the Who Killed Rosie Larson? saga, brings it all together.

SPOILER ALERT! Aunt Terry (Jamie Anne Allman) is the killer. She didn't hurt Rosie (Katie Findlay) on purpose, mind you. Yes, she knows there is a body in the trunk, but has no idea that it is her own niece, as Terry lets the car drive into the lake. Instead, she sees an opportunity to be with the man she loves, Michael Ames (Barclay Hope), and takes it. Of course, her plan doesn't work, and Ames breaks it off with her completely.

What goes through Terry's mind these past three and a half weeks, as the police desperately search for Rosie's murderer, and Terry realizes that she is their target? Being as this knowledge comes so late in the series, one suddenly wants to rewatch both seasons and see how Terry plays it from the beginning. Assumedly, the actress isn't even aware that her character is the guilty party while filming those episodes. But still, there is an urge to further explore the character's pain and journey.

The truth is, Terry is only a part of the solution. Besides Ames, who technically didn't do anything other than not report the crime, and may or may not go down for it, there is another person driving the killing. Jamie Wright (Eric Ladin) is the one who attacks Rosie and stuffs her in the trunk in the first place. But Jamie is shot dead by Holder (Joel Kinnaman) during a confrontation with the police, and so he escapes further penalty.

Linden (Mireille Enos) isn't satisfied with this ending. This seems to speak more to her mental state than to any actual evidence. At no point during the investigation, no matter how well things are going, does Linden display a healthy attitude. Viewers know that she has a history of mental problems, and is obsessive about her work. Linden could bring down every criminal in her city and not be happy. It's not really a surprise that she ends "What I Know" uneasily.

Though she will never know how right she is, Linden is sure there is a deeper conspiracy present. Jamie and Ames collude with Chief Jackson (Claudia Ferri) on a shady business deal. Should The Killing see a third season, an unlikely prospect, this will probably come out, and the guilty parties will be stopped. But for now, Richmond (Billy Campbell) proves himself a politician, living up to Jamie's worst views of the office, and continues an arrangement with the skeezy Jackson.

The main point of The Killing's two seasons is finding the person that killed Rosie Larson and bringing them to justice. That is done. Even with a handful of avenues left unexplored, "What I Know" still feels like an ending. After all, in reality, events and people are connected in many ways. The Killing could go on for twenty seasons and still find directions to take things based on everything that has come before it. Life doesn't sort itself out neatly, and crimes aren't easily defined in cases that can be quickly solved. The Killing deserves a ton of praise for its realism, and presenting what feels like a pretty complete story, but not a complete life, in two seasons. It may be depressing as hell, but it sure is authentic!

There is a happy ending portion of "What I Know." Though it feels a little false, coming so soon on the heels of the revelation about Terry, the other Larsons enjoy a family viewing of Rosie's film project. Mitch (Michelle Forbes), Stan (Brent Sexton), and their boys have been through a lot this month. But seeing them happily remembering their lost daughter and sister, gathered together, having persevered through the ordeal, is heartwarming and tear inducing. It is an absolutely wonderful note for them.

Other great scenes, happy and depressing, include Rosie's flashbacks and film footage, Mayor Adams (Tom Butler) passing the torch to Richmond, Stan looking with regret at Belko's locker, and Richmond literally shutting Gwen (Kristin Lehman) out. "What I Know" is a nearly pitch perfect hour that does a fine job wrapping up the various threads, without creating an artificially final finale, as most shows would do, where none is needed.

I would very much like The Killing to continue, tackling the conspiracy, Stan fighting the assault charges, and Linden struggling to get her son back. But if it doesn't, I am extremely grateful that the experiment was allowed to play out, despite the irrational hate and backlash the second season faced. It is a fantastic, unique series that will not be soon forgotten. Awesome job, AMC, Veena Sud, the cast, crew, and everyone else involved! Thank you!

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The Killing returns with more mystery

AMC's The Killing returned this past Sunday with two new episodes, "Reflections" and "My Lucky Day." Linden (Mireille Enos) decides to stay in Seattle permanently. Suspicious of Holder (Joel Kinnaman) because of the faked photo, she is soon also betrayed by Lieutenant Oakes (Garry Chalk). So she takes matters into her own hands, and is able to clear Councilman Richmond (Billy Campbell) of any wrong doing. Meanwhile, Holder realizes he has been tricked, but can't get Linden to talk to him, let alone work with him.

Holder and Linden's relationship as partners is such a strong component of season one of The Killing, and they go through so much growth, that it is odd to have them at odds in "Relections" and "My Lucky Day." They are both still investigating Rosie Larsen's (Katie Findlay) murder, but from different angles. While Linden and Holder are quite capable on their own, with all these layers of mystery above them, they need to team up. It's going to take more than one person to blow the lid off of this conspiracy.

Holder is not a bad guy. He cuts corners, and gets a promotion for it. But his part in framing Richmond is not a purposeful action. Holder believes Richmond is guilty at the time. This is not an excuse, of course. He still does something wrong, and it's no wonder that Linden doesn't trust him. But he's not involved in the larger plot, as Linden thinks he is. As soon as she realizes that, the sooner they can get back to working together, and the quicker the case will be solved. But scaring her and busting her door, as he does in "My Lucky Day," is a bad idea, no matter how desperate he is to get Linden back on his side.

But will Holder and Linden, when they inevitably team up again, work within the system, or outside of it? Oakes has been replaced by a new boss (Mark Moses, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men) in "My Lucky Day," who may be even more in the pocket of the bad guys. After all, no shady group would let a key player get knocked out by an honest man. Instead, they likely ask Oakes to step down. Which means, while having access to evidence and witnesses is nice, the two lead detectives may just have to go outside of their jobs to find the truth.

What is The Killing's conspiracy about? How is Rosie Larsen involved? These are questions that still need to be answered. Rosie worked for Richmond, and Richmond is a target of the schemers. But why is Richmond a target? Why do these people hate him so much that they frame him for the murder of a young girl? And is Rosie just a random victim, or someone of importance?

At least Richmond can be knocked off the very full suspect tree. He has an alibi: he was trying to kill himself at the time of Rosie's death. This stems from his grief over his wife, the only major back story that has been revealed about Richmond. Which means that the conspirators' hatred of Richmond could somehow be connected to his romantic history. Too bad he's done cooperating with Linden, making the heart of the matter all the more difficult for her to find.

Richmond spends much of The Killing's premiere recovering in the hospital from a gun shot wound. He is now paralyzed. One has to wonder how this injury and near-death experience will change Richmond. He no longer seems to want to die, and he hasn't said anything about giving up his election. Will he return to work reinvigorated, or is something else going on in his head?

Part of the brilliance of The Killing is that it does not shy away from inner turmoil, nor does it spell everything out for the viewer. Much of Richmond's motivation is murky, at best. Gwen (Kristin Lehman) and Jamie (Eric Ladin) spend much of "Reflections" and "My Luck Day" upset, not doing anything much. It makes their actions, when they do act, more meaningful, and allows fans to try to figure out what is going on in their heads, adding another layer of mystery to this unique crime drama. This makes the structure of The Killing very cool.

Richmond is shot by Belko (Brendan Sexton III) in "Reflections," whose reason for doing so is obvious: he thinks Richmond killed Rosie. Belko then takes his own life while in custody. Belko is a tragic character, to be sure, but he is never a central focus of The Killing. Which means, like Rosie, the impact of his death on the people who love him will be more important to the story than the event itself.

Stan (Brent Sexton) is the one most upset by Belko's passing in "My Lucky Day." Stan has lost his daughter. His wife, Mitch (Michelle Forbes), has gone off by herself. And he is still responsible for raising two boys (Seth Isaac Johnson and Evan Bird), who really need him right now. Between Belko's suicide and Rosie's real killer dropping off her backpack on Stan's stoop, Stan is having a very rough couple of days. He can barely keep himself under control, let alone calm his sons. Sexton is knocking this performance out of the park, with these two hours giving the actor the most meaty material he's had yet.

Which leaves Terry (Jamie Anne Allman), Mitch's sister. She is being a good aunt, staying with Stan to help him take care of her nephews. However, Terry also has a hidden agenda. Why is she really there? Not just out of a desire to help, surely. Every scene she has with Stan is awkward, making things even more intriguing. What is going on?


The Killing has lost none of its suspense or draw. Disappointingly, ratings are down, but hopefully fans will return and get over their silly anger at Rosie's killer not being revealed last season. The show is every bit as good a series as it ever was.

Watch The Killing, Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to buy The Killing streaming episodes and DVDs. Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Reflections; My Lucky Day" on Blogcritics.

The Killing The Complete First Season on Blu-ray

With AMC's The Killing returning this weekend, it is the opportune time to pick up a copy of The Killing The Complete First Season, on sale now from FOX. In the first season of The Killing, Rosie Larsen's (Katie Findlay) body is found in the truck of a car, submerged in a lake. As her family deals with the aftermath of such a loss, Detective Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) stays in town to solve the case, not trusting her replacement, Holder (Joel Kinnaman), to effectively do the job. What the reluctant partners uncover is surprising, to say the least. 

The Killing is unlike any other crime show on American television. Adapted from a foreign series, this story really dwells on the fall out of a tragic murder, rather than tying up all those loose ends in forty-three minutes, as most crime series do. Instead, viewers are given the chance to really see what a loss does to the people involved, and those suspected of being involved. It's a slow burn, but a unique, intriguing look into the anatomy of such a situation, rather than the breeze-through most shows routinely give a murder.

The acting in The Killing is fantastic. Enos earned both an Emmy nod and a Golden Globe nomination for her role, and Kinnaman matches her beat for beat. Michelle Forbes, playing Rosie's grief-stricken mother, Mitch, also got some awards season recognition, and Brent Sexton expertly embodies the pain of a father teetering on the edge as Rosie's dad, Stan. Billy Campbell excels as Councilman Darren Richmond, one of the prime suspects, who is framed for the crime. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for a cast teeming with superb performances.

By now, reaction to The Killing's shocking season finale is well known. Critics and fans alike raved for twelve episodes over how great the crime drama is, and then rebelled when the thirteenth entry seems to leave the detectives back at square one, the killer unknown and free. This backlash is unjustified and unfair. Somehow, it became a common assumption that The Killing would reveal who killed Rosie Larsen by the end of season one, even though that was never a part of marketing, nor mentioned in interviews for the series. How can one be upset at a broken promise when the promise was never made in the first place? Not unmasking the killer is a brave, bold move that sets The Killing apart from its inferior competition.

Which begs the question, will fans return for a second season? The producers have been quick to promise that the murderer will, in fact, be known sometime in the second season, likely at the end. With the actual pledge of an end to the case this time, will that be enough to heal the wounds? Or will bitter viewers stay away, holding on to their self-invented betrayed? If they know what's good for them, they'll come back, and bring their friends, too. Season one is so amazing, there's no telling what's in store for a second round!

The Blu-ray release brings together all thirteen riveting episodes, but sadly, few special features. The season finale, "Orpheus Descending," is extended by a few minutes, and viewers can choose which version to watch. Commentary is included for the first and last episodes. There are about thirteen minutes of deleted scenes, and a five minute gag reel.

The lone featurette is called "An Autopsy of The Killing." Executive Producer / Writer Veena Sud and others discuss why The Killing is set where it is set, and how the characters developed. Insight is given into the casting of Enos and Kinnaman, and the purpose of Richmond, Mitch, and Stan's characters. Sud also appeala to fans to forget their annoyance and come back for season two, though certainly doesn't apologize, nor should she.

What is missing is some type of recap of the clues and suspects. The Killing is an intricate, elaborate murder mystery, with many twists and turns. Given this, and the fact that it's been off the air for a year, once would expect some kind of neat, put-together package that refreshes fans' memories of the developments so far. One such special has neither aired on TV, nor is included on this Blu-ray. The only true way to refresh one's memory is to watch all thirteen episodes again. Which, if one has time, is not exactly a chore.

Also, at least on the copy I got, there is a cardboard picture attached to the front. Removing it leaves the cover marred, not exactly a good selling point.

The Killing The Complete First Season is definitely worth owning, but is it worth the extra money to buy the Blu-ray version? Probably not. Perfectionists (like this reviewer), who want the best possible picture, will still shell out for the HD version. However, given the rainy, dark setting of The Killing, picture quality is grainy. This is likely done on purpose to set a tone, but it does mean that there isn't a lot of rich detail. Scenes that are heavily black do not play with rich blacks, but rather, allow the objects on screen to blend together. It's hard to imagine that the Blu-ray shows this any better than a standard definition DVD will.

That being said, there are occasionally establishing scenery shots, and those are the scenes that best make use of the clear picture capabilities of Blu-ray. The trees and water look outstanding. There is also 5.1 DTS-HD surround sound, which is well mixed and of a high quality, so that may be enough to urge some buyers to pay extra.

The Killing: Complete First Season is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to buy The Killing streaming episodes and DVDs. Article first published as Blu-ray Review: The Killing The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

The Killing spies "Orpheus Descending"

     AMC's The Killing ends their first season with "Orpheus Descending." In the episode, Linden (Mireille Enos) and Holder (Joel Kinnaman) pinpoint Councilman Richmond (Billy Campbell) as the mysterious online personality Orpheus, and then link him as the killer in the Rosie Larsen (Katie Findlay) case. Or do they? Before the credits roll, Holder tells an unseen person that the fake photos of Richmond work, while Linden realizes that the evidence isn't on the up and up. But she's on a plane out of town. Will she get off? To add to the suspense, as Richmond is getting into a car, Larsen family friend Belko (Brendan Sexton III) pulls a gun on him at point blank range.

     Reaction has been mixed on this episode, and most of the negative ones are from loyal viewers upset that there is no real closure to the Rosie Larsen case in this episode. The Killing has already been renewed for season two, but after patiently waiting for three months, assuming the identity of the murderer would be made apparent by this episode, some people feel cheated. All that is certain is there is a lot of grey area, not everything is as it seems, and at least one character considered fairly trustworthy may not be.

     The negative feedback is wrong. It's a brilliant story, and dropping in a few last minute twists at the end only excite the appetite for season two even more. The entire first run is so well written and acted that there is a level of trust in the writers at this point to eventually satisfy the audience beyond reasonable doubt. Or, if that doesn't happen, it's more realistic, as without being a witness to the event, it's never known one hundred percent what happens. But it's more likely the show will finger the real killer, as mentioned in a promo for season two.

     Sadly, not many people have the patience to sit through thirteen slow moving episodes, and it's a testament to The Killing's quality that it hooks as many fans as it does. While it may have lost a few with the vague ending, hopefully even more will be brought into the fold once it gets out that The Killing does not tolerate laziness in its viewers. It makes not only the characters, but also the people watching at home, work for the truth. The story is not an easy one, and a solution is not to be had, even after thirteen episodes.

     One thing relatively predictable is that Belko will not succeed in killing Richmond. Rosie's father, Stan Larsen (Brent Sexton), is already facing charges for nearly beating to death a man wrongfully accused of the evil deed. Richmond is probably not the killer, as evidence against him is not real. It doesn't seem likely that Belko will go through the exact same thing. If there's one thing The Killing doesn't do, it's repeat itself. But I could be wrong. Maybe that's the beauty of going down that path. A similar situation with drastically different circumstances and results.

     For season two, only three main characters have been revealed in the press to have signed on at this time. Holder and Linden will be back, which seems like a no-brainer. Obviously, Linden will not go through with her move to California permenantly, as with the Rosie case still open, her obsession will not be sated. Whether she gets off the plane immediately following the final seconds of "Orpheus Descending," or is haunted by the unsolved mystery for months at her new home, she will return to Seattle to continue to work the case. Given her personality, it's a solid conclusion.

     Holder is still deeply connected with Larsen, too, though his motivations are more murky. Those who have come to adore him as a hero may root for Holder to have the best of intentions in using a fake photograph. Holder and Linden are sure Richmond is their guy, so unable to get the footage he needs, Holder could have forged the shots to put away the man he believes is a bad guy. It's not a smart or noble move, but it's one that may be forgiven by the audience, if not the police department.

     Another option is that Holder is paid off or blackmailed into providing those doctored photos to his boss. While blackmail may fall into the same category as the above theory, bribery definitely would not. Holder is on a strict budget. He may want the money for drugs, which would be a huge disappointment. He may have powerful friends in high places. He may have some personal connection to the real killer, and have a reason to hide the truth. The possibilities are endless, and only season two will uncover which is correct.

     The third character booked to return is Rosie's aunt, Terry Marek (Jamie Anne Allman). What this means is anyone's guess, but it will likely connect to her clan. Stan's story has been emotionally moving, and it will satisfy many to see it continue to play out. As the season ends, Mitch (Michelle Forbes) leaves Stan. Will Stan be with Terry, as their bond seems a little too close for brother- and sister-in-law? If so, sympathy for Stan may fade. Or maybe with Mitch gone and Stan in jail, Terry is the family member the police will work with as they figure out who really killed Rosie.

     "Orpheus Descending" is a brilliant play, with lots of unexpected occurrences and loose ends. While it does not deliver what everyone wants, it continues the series in the same vein it carries with consistency throughout season one. Keep in mind, the original version of The Killing has a twenty episode first season, so there is still material to mine. Toss a second case in to go along with Rosie, and it can be just as dense as the first season. I, for one, cannot wait for the second season, which will likely air spring 2012.


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     If you've missed any episodes of The Killing, catch up with Amazon.com's Instant Video, from which all episodes, including this week's, are now available.

Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Orpheus Descending" on Blogcritics.

The Killing goes "Missing"

     AMC's The Killing does something a little different this week: it hits pause on the Rosie Larsen (Katie Findlay) murder case a scant few minutes into the episode, and doesn't unpause until the very end. It makes sense in the story, as the police wait for new evidence that must be cleared by warrant, and a sudden emergency arises. While, with only two episodes left in the season, the break of "Missing" may come a bit late, it is a fantastic hour focusing on just one fresh mystery that is solved at the end. An ultimate stand alone episode. There is no Richmond (Bill Campbell), Mitch (Michelle Forbes), or Stan (Brent Sexton). There is only Detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) looking for Sarah's missing son, Jack (Liam James), while finally getting to know each other.

     This is the first episode it's really viable to call Linden and Holder friends. They have been working a case together for a week and a half, but getting to know one another is progressing slowly. Perhaps it's their very different personalities or investigation styles. Maybe there is no reason to learn about your partner when she is supposed to be leaving at any minute. For whatever reason, The Killing has not shown extensive Linden / Holder bonding. "Missing" is virtually all about that.

     Kinnaman and Enos hit a grand slam. While Enos has plenty of chances to shine this season, Kinnaman mostly exists as a supporting character. He stretches his legs this week, and proves he can handle complex emotions. Already known is that Holder used to abuse narcotics, but is clean and attending meetings. In "Missing," viewers also get a look at his tense family life. His sister doesn't answer or return his calls, and Holder struggles to be a good uncle after failing miserably while under the influence. Now Holder is a good guy, as evidenced by his support of Linden during her tough time. It's sad his family isn't realizing that, though considering his past, it's also understandable.

     Not that Linden is overshadowed, by any means. She reveals things about her back story that prove unexpected, such as that Regi (Annie Corley) is her social worker. Linden also has to really question her ability as a mother. Holders's attempt to justify her mistakes because of Linden's own lack of parental figure backfire as Linden takes the comments as criticism. Honestly, no one is harder on Linden than Linden. She spends much of the hour beating herself up, something shown mostly in her sad eyes.

     Jack running away to his father is foreshadowed in the prior episodes, so the ultimate conclusion, where he reveals to Linden that's where he has been the entire time, is not coming out of nowhere. Linden is basically ignoring Jack during this tough, transitional time when they are supposed to be moving to California, instead, caught up in a case. Regi warns Linden multiple times she isn't doing enough for Jack. With an absentee mother, Jack goes where he can to get support. It is unknown if he finds any.

    It's a brilliant hour and a nice diversion, featuring superb acting and nice exposition, as well as a moving mystery. Now it's time to ramp up for the finale, less than two weeks away. Who killed Rosie Larsen? It's still anyone's guess.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     Don't miss The Killing, airing Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on AMC. If you've missed any episodes, catch up with Amazon.com's Instant Video, from which all episodes, including this week's, are now available.

Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Missing" on Blogcritics.

The Killing lives up to AMC's reputation

     It's not often that a network can make several hit series in a row. Most new shows do not last into a second season. Yet, perhaps because they take their time, and only add series sparingly, AMC has yet to have a miss. First there was Mad Men, which was followed up by Breaking Bad. Last fall, The Walking Dead set the bar even higher, but this past Sunday The Killing did not disappoint. Four very different shows, but each amazing in their own right, and each very deserving of much viewer attention. I think they all could make a Top 10 list of best TV shows currently on the air. What will AMC think up next?

     Of course, AMC can't claim all the credit for the concept. The show is based on the Danish series Forbrydelsen, translated as The Crime, though billed as The Killing when aired in English-speaking countries. Forbrydelsen's first series, which follows roughly the same plot as AMC's new version, spent twenty episodes on this initial case, as opposed to AMC's thirteen ordered installments. A second series, only ten hours this time, has been made with a different cast, and a third is in the works. It is assumed that AMC will end the first case by episode thirteen, though it's unknown if they will change the cast for a follow up second series, which already looks like a likely possibility.

     Unlike traditional procedurals, which only have an hour to present all the facts, the structure of The Killing allows a deeper exploration of all facets involved. Over thirteen hours, there is much more character development, for the detectives as well as the suspects. With such a large playing field, no one potential killer stands out in the beginning, as possibilities will be slowly toyed with. If it is done wrong, it can get awfully boring. AMC seems to be doing it right, though, like a great novel, albeit a pretty long novel. The richness of each element, especially the characters and setting, can be celebrated and taken their time with. I highly approve of the conceit.

     Tone wise, AMC's The Killing is reminiscent of The Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo, a slow moving, but very gripping, Swedish movie and book series. The writers, actors, and director all manage to make a gradual mystery unfold in a way that keeps interest throughout. Intensity can be achieved, even if action is lacking. In the first two hours alone, I was easily hooked. Not an easy thing to do, but AMC has done it again.

     The Killing begins a bit slowly, though not dull, as Detective Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos, Big Love) begins her final day on the force in Seattle before moving to California with her fiance (Callum Keith Rennie, Battlestar Galactica). It happens to be a Monday, which seems an odd day to be a last day, but whatever. Her replacement, Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), arrives early and begins to move into her office. A bloody sweater and a credit card are found in a field, and Linden and Holder are sent to investigate. Little do they know that these are just the first clues in the murder of a teenage girl, and Linden will not be getting on that plane to leave the city at the end of the night.

     Enos is amazing! I didn't realize she had it in her with her understated double role on the HBO series, but she can carry a show! She stares pensively just as well as January Jones, and her very pale skin fits perfectly with the weather and scenery. Enos conveys much without speaking, and definitely is a screen presence. Kinnaman's Holder is the perfect second banana, being so different from her, and yet more intelligent than he initially lets on. His finding the cage in the basement of the high school proves his worth, which was in question until then. I think their partnership will certainly end up being a valuable tool to solve the case.

     I think it is fairly apparent that Holder may also be a love interest for Linden. While her relationship appears relatively solid in the opening moments of the pilot, she puts her job before her fiance, surely an upcoming source of conflict. He forgives her the one day delay easily enough, but this season will go on for thirteen episodes, all of them centered around Rosie's killing. As Linden is the main character trying to solve the murder, her delay will be stretched out, and I assume, so will her guy's patience. But Holder is already fond of her, and he seems to enjoy their clashing. Plus, Holder gets along very well with her son, Jack (Liam James), more so than the other guy.

     Regardless, as to whether the series decides to go there with its leading crime solvers or not, there is certainly wonderful chemistry to be played with and tweaked. Will Holder keep getting in the way, or will they slowly learn to work together? I think mostly the latter, but with a healthy does of the former mixed in for good measure. I can only hope Rennie's character will later show up back in Seattle to mix things up between the partners.

     Meanwhile, Mitch (Michelle Forbes, True Blood, In Treatment) and Stan (Brent Sexton, Justified, Life), whom the credit card belongs to, are starting to feel that something might be up with their daughter, Rosie. They last saw her on Friday, when they left to go camping, and Rosie was supposed to spend the weekend with her friend, Sterling (Kacey Rohl). Yet, the school reports that Rosie did not attend classes today. Stan asks Sterling where his daughter is, but a search of Rosie's secret boyfriend Jasper's (Richard Harmon) only turns up that he's sleeping with a much older woman. No one knows where Rosie is. The the detectives arrive and start asking questions.

     Both parents are familiar faces in the television landscape. While I only mention two of Forbes's credits above, she has at least half dozen more worth keeping in mind. But this is a departure for her. I've never seen her play the grief stricken mother before, and she does it as beautifully as any other part. She makes the part realistic, yet unpredictable. Sexton might not be quite as well known, but he's 'that guy from that show'. Surprisingly, he is a wonderful foil for Forbes, playing things in quite a different way, while still very believable. It's their togetherness, though, that solidifies the performances.

     Seemingly unrelated, Councilman Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell, Once and Again) a widower who doesn't talk about it, prepares to announce a major endorsement in his run for mayor against the incumbent. But it seems he has a leak within his camp, and it is most likely one of his two most trusted advisers, Jamie (Eric Ladin, Mad Men) and Gwen (Kristin Lehman, Drive, Judging Amy), the latter of whom he is also sleeping with. Then Rosie's body is found in a car that belongs to Richmond's campaign, and though the car was reported stolen Saturday morning, Darren just hopes the endorsement is a done deal before the endorser finds out his secret.

     I can't quite figure out Richmond. One moment he's compassionate, the next he's worrying how events will affect his poll numbers. I think he is purposely being kept shady until he can be ruled out as a suspect, or revealed as the murderer, though my gut tells me he's not it. Which may be precisely why I should suspect him, considering how well this show is written. I do think his staff will be revealed to have some part in something secret, whether it relates to the murder or not, and thus is born a satisfying B-plot.

    The Killing continues on AMC Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET.

Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Pilot; The Cage" on Blogcritics.

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