Activating TREADSTONE

Article first published as TV Review: TREADSTONE on Seat42F.

USA recently premiered a new drama series called TREADSTONE. If that name rings a bell, you are likely a fan of the Bourne films, and this show is set in that universe. Sleeper agents from the Treadstone project are being awoken to carry out assassinations. Can they be stopped, and should they be? Who knows about them, and what will they do with that information? Which random (physically fit) person walking down the street could be the next one activated?

Full disclosure, I didn’t care for the first Bourne movie, and never gave any of the sequels a chance. However, I did like the pilot of TREADSTONE. It is action-packed and full of mystery. It’s easy to get sucked into the situation as it is presented. Part of my issue with Bourne was how hard it was to follow, and the television continuation seems to do a much better job of laying out the myriad of questions while still allowing viewers to keep track of everything they need to know. It’s a hard thing to balance, and it seems to be well done here.

I also like much of the cast. Gabrielle Scharnitzky (Storm of Love) stands out as an older KGB agent named Petra who is protecting some very classified secrets on her farm. Her story is immediately sad, but also a bit humorous, and certainly compelling. Emilia Schule (Berlin Station) is interesting as a young Petra in flashback, and I look forward to seeing how the two will connect their character through the years. Michelle Forbes (The Killing) is always excellent, and her role as Ellen Becker, a CIA veteran trying to manage the fallout of these events, is no exception. Hyo-Joo Han (Dong Yi) is also impressive as one of the first sleepers to wake up, SoYun Pak. Can she continue her dual life, especially as she doesn’t understand half of it?

The male portion of the ensemble is a little less solid, though that may be at least partially due to inferior material to work with. The one who stands out the most from this gender is Brian J. Smith (Sense8) as Doug McKenna. Doug appears completely unaged between flashback and the current day, a confusing fact not explained in the first episode. He rings a little too close to Jason Bourne for my taste, and his plot threatens some of the same avenues I didn’t like about the initial movie. Hopefully, this will be overcome by the strong women’s roles.

As far as the look and direction of the show, it’s spectacular. With an international setting, there is a wide range of places covered and no limits to where the tale may go. Episode one makes full use of this premise, and I would expect the series to continue to expound upon that over time. The tone is consistent and the pacing is fast, but not too fast. From a technical standpoint, I have no complaints.

I’m not sure if I will watch any more of TREADSTONE. I likely won’t purely because I didn’t connect to the source material, and while there are some impressive elements, especially concerning Petra, Becker, and SoYun, the weakness of other characters make the show a maybe-dump. With so many other strong options to watch, it’s hard to argue for even a good series with these initial problem areas. A deciding factor could be the creator, Tim Kring, who wowed with the first season of Heroes before disappointing fans in subsequent years. That, in my opinion, is just enough to tip the balance against this show, though not by much.

TREADSTONE airs Tuesdays on USA.

Passing Through BERLIN STATION

Article first published as BERLIN STATION Review on Seat42F.

Premium movie service Epix joins the original scripted world this weekend with two new shows. One, a drama, is called BERLIN STATION, a slow-burn spy drama set in the city of Berlin, Germany. Created by novelist Olen Steinhauer, the series has shades of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and hops onto the current trend of espionage television programs, but with more international flavor than most. It boasts a cast that includes many well-knowns, so it seems ripe for success, but is it good enough?

The plot will seem pretty familiar to anyone who pays attention to the news, though it’s not really based on a true story. An Edward Snowden-like man named Thomas Shaw is leaking the covert activities of the American CIA office in Berlin, exposing the identities of local sources. Agent Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage, The Hobbit, Robin Hood), who is from Berlin but has been working elsewhere, is called home to investigate. Knowing there is a mole in the CIA station itself, everyone is on edge as Daniel attempts to find and stop the leak, and early indications are he’s good enough at his job to do so.

Who is the mole within the organization? Is it station chief Steven Frost (Richard Jenkins, Six Feet Under, Olive Kitteridge), who is having an affair with his secretary, Sandra Abe (Tamlyn Tomita, Teen Wolf)? Maybe it’s the woman who brings Daniel in, Valerie Edwards (Michelle Forbes, The Killing, True Blood), trying to deflect attention, although she does seem awfully upset when one of her contacts is burned. Or perhaps it’s Daniel’s former partner, Hector DeJean (Rhys Ifans, Elementary, The Amazing Spider-Man), who likes the seedy night life of the city? Or even agent Robert Kirsch (Leland Orser, Ray Donovan, Taken), who gets less character development in the pilot than those above?

BERLIN STATION makes the interesting choice of not leaving the viewer in the dark very long. While many series in this genre would keep the identity of the turncoat for a season-long mystery that must be solved, this one doesn’t, at least for those following along at home; it’s less certain how long it will take Daniel to figure things out. Which is a bold decision that will change how many view the story.

But is it a good idea? That, I’m not certain of. Part of the draw of a spy series is the unanswered questions, putting together the clues, and the suspense of figuring things out. BERLIN STATION takes that away early on, so it must rely on other elements to keep the viewers tuning in.

There are some great elements in this show. The cast, as listed above, is terrific, and I like the other characters, too, the German counterparts and enemy agents. The setting is cool, as the show is actually filmed in Berlin. The quality of the production and direction is pretty high. The stakes are real enough, and the plot feels familiar without being repetitive.

However, I also found the show boring. I like a good spy drama; The Americans is probably my favorite currently on the air, and Homeland is good, too. But I didn’t care for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy because I found the film too slow, not really holding my interest. BERLIN STATION seems to follow that format, and without even leaving the identity of the bad guy a secret, I really don’t have any interest in continuing past episode one.

If you’re a fan of this particular subgenre, though, and enjoyed the Gary Oldman-fronted movie, then this is likely to give you what you’re looking for, a regular weekly show in a particular format.

BERLIN STATION premieres tonighton Epix, and the network is allowing anyone to sample the first two hours free of charge on its website now.

The Kept Or THE RETURNED

Article originally written for Seat42F.

A&E’s new series THE RETURNED is based on the French series Les Revenants, which re-aired on Sundance and Netflix with subtitles under the name The Returned. I haven’t seen the original yet, though I keep meaning to watch, so when viewing this pilot, I was instead comparing it to last year’s Resurrection on ABC, which in turn was based on an unrelated book called The Return. Is that confusing enough for you?

All of these stories may be similar, but if you haven’t seen any of them, the premise of THE RETURNED is this: A girl named Camille (India Ennenga, Treme) dies when her bus runs off a cliff. Four years later, she returns home to her parents, Claire (Tandi Wright, Nothing Trivial) and Jack (Mark Pellegrino, Lost, The Tomorrow People), and twin sister, Lena (Sophie Lowe, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland), unaged and with no memory of the past four years. She’s not a zombie or a ghost; the first things she does are to fix herself a sandwich and take a bath. But she has no memory of the crash nor explanation as to where she’s been, nor any sign on injury, healed or otherwise.

Then, other dead people start showing up around town, too, not her classmates from the bus, but others that have passed in various years past. A man finds his fiancé getting remarried after a long mourning period. A wife who appears to have died decades ago goes home to her now-elderly husband. And there’s a little kid that no one seems to know, but may just hold the key to the mystery.

I have seen reviews for THE RETURNED that say this new series is to Les Revenants as Gracepoint is to Broadchurch. If you don’t get that reference, Gracepoint is a decent FOX series that aired this fall that is extremely similar to a superior show called Broadchurch, which was made in England. Without that knowledge of the source material, I like THE RETURNED, but those who have viewed the original may think this is a pale imitation. I cannot comment on that.

I can say THE RETURNED is about ten notches better than Resurrection. The story is far more cohesive, and the characters are compelling. There is a definite, big unanswered question in the pilot that I doubt the show will solve soon, but while I want to find out the answer, I’m also happy to enjoy the ride getting there.

The cast is phenomenal. Besides those mentioned above, the ensemble includes Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory), Michelle Forbes (The Killing), Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Sandrine Holt (House of Cards), Kevin Alejandro (True Blood), Leah Gibson (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Agnes Bruckner (Private Practice), Dylan Kingwell (Big Eyes), Mat Vairo (Revolution), and Rhys Ward (Heartland). Not all of these people are well known, but most are, and have been in some of the best shows on television in the past decade. There aren’t any huge movie stars present to distract from the others, but these are some strong small screen performers.

The cast is super important to THE RETURNED because the program will hang on the characters. With the mystery of the show being so strange and obtuse, there aren’t likely to be any major clues anytime soon. Instead, the drama will live in the interaction of the players, and how the various people deal with coming home having lost years or welcoming back someone they believed gone forever. Not everyone handles it the same way, one person tragically unprepared, but this what viewers are going to want to see.

THE RETURNED is also a little creepy. The living dead do not appear to be monsters or killers, but who has brought them back and why? One of the main characters (not one of the returned) is exposed as having done something really horrible to another. Human nature can be dark, and pairing THE RETURNED with Bates Motel likely signals that this more negative side of personality will be explored, at least in conjunction with the positive.

I don’t know what THE RETURNED has in store, and I’m likely to still watch Les Revenants in the meantime, which could change my opinion. But for now, I’m very interested to see where the series is going.

THE RETURNED airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on A&E.

POWERS That Be

Article originally written for Seat42F.

Sony Playstation became the newest original series provider today with POWERS, its hour-long drama about people with superhuman abilities. Based on the comic of the same name, POWERS takes place in a world that, while not common, superpowers are present in a number of the population and have been for some time. With a new generation taking for granted their strengths, a grizzled former costumed crime fighter helps an underfunded unit control the baddies.

Our lead character is Christian Walker (Sharlto Copley, District 9), who was once known as Diamond. Christian is a complex character who regrets losing his powers and would do almost anything to get them back - except the one thing he knows that will. He’s still got the heart of a hero, but his skills to back that up are considerably reduced. He’s a brooding, unfulfilled man, and POWERS will surely be about him overcoming obstacles to return to his former glory, with or without special abilities.

Christian’s world is a very dark one. A single wrong move in handling a captured villain gets his partner killed in the line of duty, an event we’re told is not uncommon in this work. The public needs Christian and the rest of the department, led by Captain Cross (Adam Godley, A Young Doctor’s Notebook), but they won’t provide them with the resources to be effective, instead counting on other superheroes to do a job that they just aren’t doing as well as they used to.

The problem with the youth of today who should be out saving the city is a familiar problem often seen in stereotypical portrayals of teens now. They are addicted to social media and technology, and obsessed with achieving fame with little or no effort. They want to make their names on YouTube, not by saving lives. It’s regrettable, to say the least.

This is one of POWERS’ largest issues: the flat way in which characters or situations are introduced. Not everything in the pilot happens exactly as expected, but a great deal of it does. The primary bad guy, Johnny Royalle (Noah Taylor, Game of Thrones), is talked up too much to be frightening. The dialogue is frequently boring and trite, and large parts of the main plot are superficial. This applies even when Christian is on screen, and on paper Christian looks to be a very fascinating individual.

The reason I’m not ready to write off the show, though, is because of the potential here. Because Christian is intriguing on paper, POWERS could do a lot to make him come to life. His mentor-turned-arch nemesis, Wolfe (Eddie Izzard, Hannibal), is equally compelling, and viewers are sure to empathize with the girl who desperately wants to be like her heroes, Calista (Olesya Rulin, Greek). We also have yet to catch more than a glimpse of Retro Girl (Michelle Forbes, The Killing), Christian’s ex who is still in the game. Even if there’s nothing original about Christian’s new partner, Deena Pilgrim (Susan Heyward, The Following), and the up-and-comer with a crush on him, Zora (Logan Browning, Meet the Browns), is kind of creepy, POWERS may still go somewhere.

The biggest problem Playstation will have with POWERS, though, is probably going to be the lack of availability. The first episode is free on YouTube (in a terrible version of HD), but you are required to sign up for a Playstation account in order to buy the rest, which cost additional money. Other TV series are offered through this service, but this is the only original show, so I don’t see a lot of people going to the effort and expense of doing this. Worse, it is not available on other Sony platforms, such as a blu-ray player, even though other Sony devices have the same video service (though it can be watched on a computer). Those who have Playstations likely make up a lot of the target audience, but there are plenty of other viewers who would watch if it were easier to do so. This release is pretty poorly handled.

POWERS has made the first three episodes available today, with an additional seven coming in the first season. Check it out if you want to, but be prepared to pay if you want to keep watching past the pilot.

Blu-ray Review: ‘Orphan Black – Season Two’

Article originally published as Blu-ray Review: ‘Orphan Black – Season Two’ on Blogcritics.

BBC America’s Orphan Black is a hidden gem that many have not yet discovered. Starring criminally-snubbed-by-the-Emmys Tatiana Maslany as Sarah, Cosima, Alison, Rachel, and others, the clone drama is worth watching for her performances alone, giving the best multi-role acting in memory. Season one took a bit of time to get us into the mythology and lay out the framework, but season two hits the ground running, taking us deeper into this world and exploring the various personalities in all new ways. It’s a terrific series that deserves more attention than it’s getting, so I definitely recommend checking it out.

When season one ends, Sarah is desperately searching for her daughter, Kyra (Skyler Wexler), who is last seen with Sarah’s former foster mother, Mrs. S. (Maria Doyle Kennedy). Sarah is pursued by Rachel and the Dyad Institute, which is striking deals with each of the clones as it further researches its creation. Alison agrees to participate in the organization easily enough, wanting to get her life back on track. Cosima is a tougher sell, but faced with a deadly illness that is killing her, she reluctantly accepts their offer of lab space and equipment, putting the three central ladies on different pages.

From here, the story veers in a number of interesting directions. We get to see what makes Rachel tick a little bit, and we also see the sisterly bond that connects the women made from the same DNA. More new clones are introduced, at least peripherally, and a character I thought we’d seen the last of (I can’t spoil who) returns in a surprising and significant manner. There are subplots involving Kyra’s father, Cal (Michiel Huisman, Game of Thrones, Treme), and a crazy cult that wants to breed one of the girls. Toss is hanging threads such as Cosima’s romance with Delphine (Evelyne Brochu), Alison’s crumbling marriage to Donnie (Kristian Bruun), Art’s (Kevin Hanchard) continuing investigation, another delicious TV part for Michelle Forbes, a healthy dose of Sarah’s brother, Felix (Jordan Gavaris), and a shocking capper, and it’s a very full year.

More than the action, though, I really dig the character and story development in Orphan Black. It not only poses the moral question of cloning, but also shows us the human side of the results of such an experiment. Then it asks, is the product, which is actual people, owned by a corporation? Where would the line be drawn in this new schema? Issues of trust are explored, and the differences between the various clones are at least as enticing as the similarities.

This two-disc set contains all ten episodes of the recent run, as well as a good number of extras. The most interesting is probably the ‘Making Of’ the four clone dance scene, which, despite being the only scene in the series so far where it’s obvious that the camera is trying to trick us and Maslany hasn’t really been copied, is still quite enjoyable and touching. There are also deleted scenes of Alison and Donnie, a script-to-screen featurette, a look at the hair and makeup in the show, “The Cloneversation” special with Wil Wheaton (The Wil Wheaton Project), and more. It’s enough that most fans should definitely be satisfied.

Orphan Black is a show that screams to be watched in high definition. There is a dark color palette, and the lu-ray version is crisp and detailed. Colors are nicely contrasted, and the shadows are layered. The sound in high definition is also excellent. The rear speakers are not used as much as one might like, but are better utilized than in many television releases. Dialogue is clear and effects are well mixed. It’s a very immersive viewing experience.

I cannot stress enough how excited I am by this release, and if you have not been watching Orphan Black yet, please, please check it out, because it deserves the eyeballs. Just make sure you start with season one, as Season Two is not stand-alone.

Orphan Black Season Two is available now.

"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 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.


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

     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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