TV: The Killing
I’m hearing a lot of people are feeling ripped off by the conclusion to The Killing’s first season on AMC. You can count me among them. And I have a lot of other complaints beside.
This was adapted from a successful Danish TV show and it might just as well have come with subtitles. They reset it in Seattle but other than that… the general social milieu and the politically correct sub plot about Muslims would’ve made a lot more sense overseas.
Killer Actor
It went on too long too. And the main character, Detective Sarah Linden – well played by the hypnotically beautiful Mireille Enos of HBO’s Big Love – was not only a crummy mother but not really that good a detective, which made it hard to identify with her or care much about her. And, as in all Scandinavian mysteries, the left wing assumptions were thick enough to choke on.
All that said, there was plenty to like. The story was genuinely well constructed – that’s what kept me watching. Not only was everyone a valid suspect, but the unraveling of each character’s secrets was emotionally compelling and added to the layers of the piece.
And more than anything, the main detective’s partner, ex-narc Stephen Holder, was such a terrific character and so brilliantly played by virtual newcomer Joel Kinnaman that it would’ve been worth watching for him alone. It was a star-making turn, a piece of acting that was both deeply intelligent and wildly entertaining.
I don’t know whether I’ll watch a second season of this, but despite my objections, I did find myself sticking with the first one through to the annoying end.
I enjoyed Kinnaman’s performance too, but only until that Muslim-as-victim plot exploded my PC BS meter. Don’t know what happened after that. Don’t care. Won’t watch.
**spoilers**
I agree wholeheartedly with this review! Joel Kinnaman was brilliant in his role – real and likeable and maddening and all the things a real person is. After the Muslim subplot played out in predictably PC fashion, I bet my husband they were going to make the evil, rich, capitalistic donor the killer. When Orpheus was revealed I remember being honestly surprised they’d have the bad guy be a Democrat.
And don’t even get me started on Linden’s mothering style! As a mother of two, I was thoroughly disgusted and frustrated with her the entire time (although I also liked her, against my will).
With the season ending the way it did, I can see they’re going to make it so Orpheus is not really the bad guy, after all. Thus the liberal world of television makes sense again.
PS: Klavan. I need your blogs to be longer. I look forward to them all week. It should at least last the length of time it takes me to eat my Poptart so I can enjoy my entire breakfast. Just a suggestion. Thank you.