# The Killing -- new series on AMC **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 31, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691 "2011-03-31T22:16:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/81 "2011-04-13T17:32:31Z")
I’m getting the _Twin Peaks_ vibe coupled with a _The Wire_ wannabe mood, but with the pacing just slightly above _Rubicon_ and with the characters all fully capabale of being guilty of any and all crimes thus far committed and likely to be in the days to come. The Linden character is so much like a friend of mine from years ago, when she looked about 10 years younger than her real age, that I can’t separate the two. I like the fact that AMC is pushing it to rival their hits. They and FX are leading the pack this season, and until the other AMC shows return I’m all into this one. _Justified_ and _The Good Wife_ are the only competition at the moment. All I can say about Seattle is that I’m in no real hurry to travel there! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/82 "2011-04-13T17:54:04Z")
Regarding Linden’s habit of pausing/staring: I think it works. It fits into the deliberate pacing of the show - a pace I am enjoying - and it underscores the fact that she is a smart woman who is carefully considering the evidence (or her next move). When she pauses to reflect, she is thinking, and it prompts me to consider what she is thinking about. Here is one example: Just before the body was discovered, when everyone was basically giving up on the search, Linden is shown gazing into the distance. Then it is shown that she is staring at some kids on bikes with fishing poles. An astute viewer (not me :)) had a moment, during her pause, to reach the same conclusion she reached a few seconds later: that there was another lake to search. I also appreciate the fact that she is rather plain looking; I am so sick of supermodel detectives/medical examiners/doctors/attorneys. mmm ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/83 "2011-04-13T19:14:16Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > In another way it reminds me of _Rubicon_ in that just about all the lead characters are just not believable for the occupations they’re supposed to have. In _Rubicon_ it’s like a high school year-book class is running an intelligence agency. In _The Killing_ it’s like a massage therapist and pizza delivery boy suddenly were assigned to investigate a murder. That’s hilarious, and it sounds like a bizzare yet fantastic premise to run with. Quick, get me Zooey Deschanel and James Franco! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/84 "2011-04-13T20:10:36Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The _Rubicon_ folks seemed like typical data analysts, aka nerds. You wouldn’t hire them for field work, but as computer geeks and analysts, they were perfect. I can absolutely see the male character in _The Killing_ as an undercover narc. He’s got that whole slacker attitude working for him. That’s what I mean: You can tell that it’s exactly how they think the viewing public pictures these occupations. It’s too contrived, and becomes annoying, especially when the Rubicon people over-explicate. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/85 "2011-04-13T20:55:36Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > That’s what I mean: You can tell that it’s exactly how they think the viewing public pictures these occupations. It’s too contrived, and becomes annoying, especially when the Rubicon people over-explicate. TV shows always run into this problem when they create competent characters. In the real world you have gross incompetence and bureaucracy, which breed conformity and keep everyone from doing their best work. Real white collar professionals are too uptight for the TV world. You can’t have a TV show where the main characters try to avoid stepping on any toes. TV needs conflict, which real professionals don’t like. Therefore, you’re not going to see real homicide detectives or analysts on TV anytime soon. Unless you’re watching “The Wire,” where exploring incompetence and bureaucracy was the whole point. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/86 "2011-04-13T22:12:40Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > TV shows always run into this problem when they create competent characters. In the real world you have gross incompetence and bureaucracy, which breed conformity and keep everyone from doing their best work. Also, in the real world, competent people don’t craft every utterance to display in fine detail how competent they are. That just isn’t how people work. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/87 "2011-04-13T22:56:47Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > …it’s like a massage therapist and pizza delivery boy suddenly were assigned to investigate a murder. I think I saw a porn movie with that plot. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/88 "2011-04-15T03:46:52Z")
I finally watched the encore presentation of the third episode. I still love this show. I did miss the first 15 minutes but assume I’m not missing too much. I am pretty sure the campaign assistant girl is sleazy. Lt. Ro is really pretty good at being a wounded mother. “Sorry Dad. I forgot.” was heartbreaking. For some reason, I like the teacher - the one that found the phone and turned it in. I really hope he doesn’t turn out to be a sleaze bag too. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/89 "2011-04-15T21:30:55Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I’m not sure how they can base a whole season around solving one murder, unless every week is just another red herring. Since it’s only the 2nd episode, I’m guessing Rosie wasn’t raped, that was something she planned with the two boys (for some reason, maybe to send the video to the person who \*did \*kill her? Whom I’m guessing works at the campaign), and neither of them are actually connected to her death. Are we even sure that it was Rosie in the video? Maybe I need a better TV, but all I saw was shiny blond hair, probably a wig. It looked like consensual (albeit rough) sex, and the girl could have been anybody. I’m disappointed with the detectives if they think they were watching a rape. If it was rape, the boys would have kept their faces hidden. The kid didn’t seem at all upset when the teacher took his phone. He didn’t even bother to get it back at the end of class. Now **that** was puzzling. Did he want the teacher to see the video? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/90 "2011-04-16T03:27:24Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Are we even sure that it was Rosie in the video? Maybe I need a better TV, but all I saw was shiny blond hair, probably a wig. It looked like consensual (albeit rough) sex, and the girl could have been anybody. > > I’m disappointed with the detectives if they think they were watching a rape. If it was rape, the boys would have kept their faces hidden. The kid didn’t seem at all upset when the teacher took his phone. He didn’t even bother to get it back at the end of class. Now **that** was puzzling. Did he want the teacher to see the video? It didn’t strike me as a rape – or even intercourse – because it appeared that there were too many clothes still on in their groinal areas. It seemed more like some kind of particularly vicious dry humping session. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/91 "2011-04-16T04:24:17Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > It didn’t strike me as a rape – or even intercourse – because it appeared that there were too many clothes still on in their groinal areas. It seemed more like some kind of particularly vicious dry humping session. I noticed that too, but figured the lack of bare skin was because AMC isn’t a premium channel. I don’t remember much bare skin on Breaking Bad or Mad Men either. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/92 "2011-04-17T19:06:39Z")
I just watched the first three episodes on On Demand. It’s caught my interest and I’m going to keep watching but I have to concur with the people who brought up _Twin Peaks_. The atmosphere, the music, the plot, it all points to it being strongly influenced by _Twin Peaks_. In case you don’t remember the original scene, check this out: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUJSMAWFXkY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUJSMAWFXkY) It’s the clip where Sarah Palmer hears everything over the phone as the Sheriff’s arrival makes it obvious to Leland what has happened. That is NOT a coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/93 "2011-04-17T19:18:16Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I noticed that too, but figured the lack of bare skin was because AMC isn’t a premium channel. I don’t remember much bare skin on Breaking Bad or Mad Men either. You don’t remember Walter White in his underwear? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Corliss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@Corliss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corliss)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/94 "2011-04-17T21:58:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > No comments yet since the third episode? > > So it was fake pot. That’s simultaneously a relief and a disppointment. It takes something away from what initially appeared to be an intriguing moral ambiguity with that character. It kind of felt like the show was wimping out with that reveal. > > I’m still watchimng the show, so I guess I’m still somewhat interested. I think the red herrings are too obviously red herrings, though. Anyone shown as an obvious suspect is obviously not the killer. I seem to remember an Agatha Christie maxim that a mystery writer should always give the audience one obvious red herring, one person for them to secretly suspect and one person who is the real killer. It’s all about misdirection. The killer will be someone who is present all along, but who never seems like a suspect. I think a drawback of this series is that it will spend most of its time on the herrings before springing the surprise killer in the finale. > > If there’s anything original about it, it’s in the amount of time it spends on the family of the victim in the aftermath. That’s an aspect that’s usually given short shrift in procedurals. I still don’t quite accept what Holder says at face value about the pot. It could be that he wasn’t being truthful about it to Linden. It’s interesting in this same episode that we catch Holder acting mysterious and deceitful yet again! Who the hell was he talking to on the phone that he didn’t want Linden to know about? She almost caught him red-handed! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/95 "2011-04-18T16:39:48Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I noticed that too, but figured the lack of bare skin was because AMC isn’t a premium channel. I don’t remember much bare skin on Breaking Bad or Mad Men either. Not in the network version, but the pilot episode of Breaking Bad available on disk has bare boobs that were blurred for the network premiere. This week’s episode tried to imply that the teacher is the murderer. It’s an obvious red herring, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/96 "2011-04-18T16:54:09Z")
I was wondering about that big revelation. The letters that the detective found in the globe in the victim’s room were signed Bennett. Is that the teacher’s name? I didn’t recognize it (but then I don’t recognize the names of most of the characters yet. From what I read of the letter she was holding, it seemed more to be encouraging Rosie than to be romantic. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/97 "2011-04-18T17:36:39Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I was wondering about that big revelation. The letters that the detective found in the globe in the victim’s room were signed Bennett. Is that the teacher’s name? I didn’t recognize it (but then I don’t recognize the names of most of the characters yet. From what I read of the letter she was holding, it seemed more to be encouraging Rosie than to be romantic. Yes, that is the teacher. You can read the letter in it’s entirety on AMC’s website. I don’t recall it completely but it says something about how Rosie is an old soul in a young body and suggests that she should try everything in life. To me that sounds kind of creepy in a letter from a teacher to a 17 year old girl. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/98 "2011-04-18T17:54:41Z")
I’m hoping the letters are something else for the detectives to misinterpret, like the “rape” in the cage. I don’t want the teacher to be skeevy. Who could Holder be talking to on the phone? We’re led to assume he’s talking about Linden when he says “She’s not stupid”, but maybe that’s more misdirection. Linden’s fiance is a keeper. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/99 "2011-04-18T18:15:16Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Linden’s fiance is a keeper. Really? Both my wife and I find him to be the skeeviest character in the series so far. He looks like one of those people they hire for Viagra commercials. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691/100 "2011-04-18T18:37:20Z")
Skeevy because he’s too accommodating, too patient ? Or skeevy based on his looks? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-killing-new-series-on-amc/576691.md?page=6)