One of my favourite things to do is submerge myself into a Netflix pool of entertainment and allow a new T.V series to lap over me as I say goodbye to my social life and become obsessed with a new set of characters. My current Netflix addiction is American detective drama The Killing. After watching the first episode of the original Dutch series a year or so ago, this series has since been on my 'one's to watch' list and a month ago my partner and I decided it was time to jump in and allow Netflix is take hold of our lives once again, acting as a hypodermic needle and injecting us with pure, straight unadulterated entertainment. Wow, was it worth it. We're honestly so hooked. I know this series is old now but I don't care, I'm obsessed and I've just gotta write about it! I'll try and be as spoiler friendly as I can because I seriously suggest watching it if you haven't already.
Premiering on April 3rd 2011, The Killing throws you straight into the murder of Seattle teenager Rosie Larsen. The establishing shot of the pilot episode is a fantastic introduction to the world you're about to be submerged into. A still and secluded lakeside is blurred by the rolling morning mists and this sense of isolation is continued as the audience is introduced to our heroine of the series, Detective Sarah Linden, played by Mireille Enos. We see her running along an isolated road, her icy breath pushing through her tense mouth and the frosty ground beneath her crunches with every step she takes. As a viewer, you really are enveloped by an instant sense of harsh isolation. This is only solidified by the opening shots being interrupted by a horrifying scream and images of a young, beautiful girl scrambling her way through a lonely forest- the glow of a torch beam stalking her as she runs - she is Rosie Larsen (Katie Findlay). From this moment on you're quite aware that what follows will be a murder investigation but what spectators will be unaware of is the level of gut wrenching and sophisticated narrative drive and character development that just can't be found in so many of today's on going television drama's.
Despite it being her last day on the job, Linden is soon engrossed in this case and finds her entire, already fragile world, is rocked once again. She's quickly joined by new kid on the block, Detective Stephen Holder- played by Joel Kinnaman. Holder is a street wise, former narcotics cop who just happens to also be a recovering drug addict - he's taking the whole dedicated to the job thing too far. Linden and Holder soon become a murder case dream team who you very quickly fall in love with. Think Ant & Dec, if Ant & Dec were drug taking, murder solving, serious bad ass'. Thus begins two season of absolute emotional torture as Linden and Holder desperately try to find Rosie's killer. I could quite easily gush about the many amazing things about The Killing but this post would be such a spoiler-fest I'll minimize it to my two favourite things; the writing and the acting.
The writing in this show is genuinely phenomenal. I've read a lot of peoples opinions on this show and have often seen complaints about it being a little slow burning but I completely disagree. Never before have I watched a television show of this genre that has kept my interest for so long! The pilot was written by series creator and executive producer Veena Sud and then continuing episodes were written by a collection of writers that so clearly compliment each others style, that the narrative feels genuine, consistent and truly a collaborated work of art. The narrative is completely absorbing and once each episode ends you're longing for the next just so you can get some kind of answer to the five million burning questions that come screaming out of your mouth at each new revelation! Each episode portrays roughly twenty four hours and this enables you to genuinely feel connected to the narrative, especially if you, like me, watch at least three episodes in one sitting so that you feel like some kind of Netflix time lord!
Along side the complex, multi-dimensional story line, the characters created in the world of The Killing are simply outstanding. Which really brings in my second favourite thing about The Killing, the acting. The combination of extensive character development and raw, emotional acting is a match made in heaven, you've got this smorgasbord of character brilliance just waiting to be devoured. Our favourite tag dream, Linden & Holder, are portrayed so beautifully by both Enos and Kinnaman that you feel as if you're the third Musketeer in your own little world of Rosie Larsen's murder. Enos plays Linden with such a fierceness and unapologetic brash nature that you find her unhealthy work obsession completely acceptable, because she's you're Linden. Alongside her, Kinnaman plays Holder with an unexpected sense of vulnerability that makes him an enigmatic and deep character that marries Linden's own character in perfect harmony. Also, throughout the series we're also introduced to the family that Rosie left behind, the Larsen's. With her parents, aunt and two younger brothers trying to come to terms with the loss of their beloved girl and dealing with the roller coaster that is the murder hunt, the opportunity for a raw and shockingly honest account of how family can crumble is a done with delicacy and drama that rips your heart out. I spent many an episode shamelessly weeping on my boyfriends shoulder. My favourite character, Stan, is a prime example of the exquisite result that fantastic writing and astonishing acting can create. Rosie's father, played by Brent Sexton, outshines many of the other main characters as Sexton's heart swelling love-ability is what really makes you, as an audience, feel like part of this broken family.
I'm currently working on series three & four so look out for another post about this fabulous series! However, in the mean time, I fully recommend that anyone that is a fan of the mixing between an almost social realist type character development and the sophistication of an impeccable writing team to commit yourself to becoming a detective within this enigmatic and addictive series.
Elly.
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