Comments on: Reaction to THE KILLING Finale

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:14:38 +0000

Erin—It’s too bad that you won’t return for season 2! If you track down the original Danish version, please let me know what you think. It’s not on Netflix and Amazon only has region 2 DVDs. And I’m sending in Reese’s Pieces. Hopefully they’ll make you feel better.

Poncho—I love the polarizing reactions the finale is getting! At least the producers have succeeded in getting people to talk about it. And yes, let’s hope next season will still be interesting and that the reveal of the killer is worth the wait.

By: Poncho

Poncho — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:17:02 +0000

Sorry for arriving late to the party… I thought THE KILLING finale was killer! Loved it, because I’m now suffering from withdrawal symptoms (as well as GAME OF THRONES’)…

The thing is it’s keeping me interested. I just hope they manage to keep the momentum next season.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:31:24 +0000

I. Am. So. Mad. Enough so, that I won’t be back for Season 2. I might try to track down the Danish or Brit versions, but this was just poor storytelling, all too typical of American TV series these days. Oh, have I mentioned I’m mad?

When this show started, I was so impressed. I raved about it to everyone who would listen. The characters, the timing, even the lighting I loved. I got a bit skeptical there in the middle where for 3-4 episodes, nothing happened. But they pulled me back in. I was expecting some kind of resolution and a new case next season. Even a new lead detective (truthfully, Linden got a little tiresome for me). But not a cheap and lazy dragging good characters into boringness because…why? Too cheap to write new ones?

Have I mentioned I’m mad?

Here’s the thing: I didn’t necessarily need to know who killed Rosie. I actually would have respected the how for not providing a definitive answer. Lots of horrific murders go unsolved. But the way they did it just felt like a cop out that robbed me of 13 hours of my life that I’ll never get back.

Oh, and Gwen did it. Using the Scooby Do rule of mysteries, that was the senator in the car.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:05:30 +0000

Haha! You were spouting profanities! Sounds like you’re conflicted like me, emotionally frustrated but admiring of stories that aren’t formulaic. I think Drexler is too obvious a suspect since he’s so sleazy. It has to be someone who, so far, has come across good and innocent…right? Oh, what the heck do I know? I’m completely befuddled now.

By: Brett Battles

Brett Battles — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:19:12 +0000

I confess. I let out a huge WTF at the end. Like Reader #9, I thought it was a contained story, so was expecting a conclusion. So on that front it was frustrating…

That said, I’m also a HUGE fan of stories that are not always neatly wrapped up. Since I just finished watching it five minutes ago (off DVR, and studiously avoiding all blog posts about the show), I’m still not sure how I feel. I love the moodiness. I’m glad the councilman is not the killer as he just didn’t fit for me. In the car? Mitch is a good possibility, as is the Mayor…what about what’s-his-name rich boy…the Mark Cuban wantabe?

Yes, they have insured I will watch season 2. Though, even with it’s ups and downs (minus the “Missing son” episode), I actually enjoyed the series a lot.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:48:35 +0000

Helen—I’m surprised by the vitriol some people have hurled at the show and Veena Sud. While I was frustrated, I like the characters, too, and won’t abandon them.

Lauren—No, I don’t read Mo’s column but since several people have mentioned it, I looked it up. Wow, she’s angry, all right. I don’t agree that this was the worst finale of all time. I still think it’s a good show that’s better than most, even if it tries our patience.

Reader#9—Sud’s explanation seems to be that she knows how to tell a story in a finite period of time, but she wants that time to be longer than 13 hours because the Danish version had 20 episodes to tell its story.

Laura—Sud’s justification for that Jack-is-missing ep is that she wanted viewers to get to know Linden and Holder better since they’re our guides in the story. She also said she felt it was realistic to show that detectives’ personal lives can intrude on their work at the most inconvenient times. And I think the ex will show up again since it’s played by Tahmoh Penikett from BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

Going into the finale, I thought it was Gwen. Now I have no idea so I thought I’d throw a crazy-ass hypothesis out there. And you’re right, we never got to see what happened with Jamie at Drexler’s house!

By: Laura Benedict

Laura Benedict — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:34:19 +0000

Grrrrr. Hubs and I found it very frustrating.

So, what was the deal with that whole stupid previous episode–the one with her and Holder searching for her son, Jack? I don’t bore *that* easily, but that was the biggest waste of screen time ever. The only thing it really did was bring her ex on, which is useful if the show is to continue. I think it was an excuse to stretch the story arc.

I think it would be tough to make the mother the killer–we haven’t had any clue that she disappeared during the camping trip. Plus, it was kind of sexual, yes? If it’s a woman, my money would be on the creepy aunt. (What’s up with her mouth? Do you think she has false teeth or something?)

I fell for the Belko line a few weeks ago–he would’ve been the sentimental choice. Unrequited love, and all that. Then that stuff w/ his mother? Ewwwww. Hubs and I are kind of hoping he drowned her in the tub before going after Richmond.

Right now, my money is on…Tom Drexler, the Rich White Guy. This, is, of course, following the Law & Order formula for character elimination. He’s rich, very douchey, and he has the resources to know that Richmond was taking working girls out to ask them what they think it might feel like to drown. Goal: Maybe he was going to blackmail Richmond to get his stupid stadium.

Second choice is Jamie Wright, who knows Richmond so well. And what happened when he went for the “meeting” with Drexler?

Of course, all my guesses are flushed, now, because this last episode blew everything up. I’m not a happy viewer. But I’ll tune in 9 months from now, or whenever, just because I’m gullible that way. : )

By: Reader#9

Reader#9 — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:26:43 +0000

I think my biggest problem with the finale was that it wasn’t final. I misunderstood the whole concept. I was under the impression this was a miniseries played out over 13 parts, like what Pillars of the Earth was or SPARTACUS on Starz. And didn’t AMC say we would know who did it by the end of ep 13? Such a cliffhanger that I was just irritated more than anything.

What is wrong with just telling a good story in a finite amount of time?

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:32:25 +0000

Nails, do you ever read Mo Ryan? I stopped watching The Killing ~ week 3, because for me it felt like something that would be better viewed on DVD. However, Mo was so incensed at the finale I had to read her column, which is hilarious. Never seen her so po’d. And she saved me the other ~10 hours, because I won’t invest it now. (But interesting to read that Helen really liked the finale and you were of two minds). I, too, have seen a majority of unhappy/angry viewers.

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:45:33 +0000

I loved it!!! I was actually a little surprised to see the disappointed reaction of so many people. I want to know the killer’s identity, too, but, until that’s revealed, I can’t wait to find out what is going on with all these people! Talk about interesting characters! I trust that the big question will eventually be answered; until then, finding out more about each of these characters will keep me watching. Terrific show!