AMC's The Killing

JR, oop, Bill Simmons ... Feeling even better about my take now.

 

I don't tend to read Simmons - but he was pretty much dead on. A show like this - nothing wrong with leaving dangling threads or spinning it into a larger conspiracy, as long as viewers are left with a feeling that what has gone on before actually, you know, mattered. As it is - the show is left with a wobbly foundation of fact and motivation.
The show can be fixed, but job 1 should be bringing in a new show-runner. Tie in the casino, the millionaire, the waterfront project, the skull, etc., go deeper into the mayor, Gwen's father the Senator, Holden and Linden's pasts...

 

So, should I watch the finale or not? I read some posts here and on Facebook, and none of the reviews I've seen have been good. We switched to Dish Network over the weekend and the package my step-dad bought didn't include AMC (although we now have that and about 90 more channels).

 

Another beat-down on the finale.
http://www.aoltv.com/2011/06/19/the-killing-season-1-season-finale-recap/

 

I'm probably not qualified for another post, because I didn't invest in the whole series, but I'll simply say this:

I watch AMC all the time. Every single promo I saw seemed to indicate that there would be resolution at season's end. Yeah, they never came out and said it. But as a viewer, that's the take I got, and that's the take I would have had if I had watched every single episode.

When my daughter asked me if they'd reveal the killer at the end, I said, "Yeah, I'm pretty positive. I don't see how they can do anything else."

My daughter expected a reveal.

I don't buy the "Life isn't a 13-episode series." No ... but a series built around "Who killed Rosie Larsen" seems to imply that they'll settle it in 13 episodes, and I agree with outofplace: This isn't life. This is a TV series that, like a movie, you had a reasonable expectation of closure.

That's my take, not the opinion of others, and that's what makes the world go 'round. But if I had 13 weeks in on this, I would have expected to know the murderer last night.

 

it's neither good nor fulfilling in any way, shape or form. but if you've seen the first 12, sure, why not? but if you want closure you won't get it here.

 

I was reading USA Today's criticism today and they revealed the killer in the Danish series. At first I was pissed because of the spoiler, but in reality the Danish series only serves as a template and has nothing to do with the US version at this juncture. These are two very different shows.

 

Who knew that "Who Killed Rosie Larsen?" was a rhetorical question.

One of the things that bugs me about this kind of stuff is using all the rain, the atmospherics and long shots of characters saying nothing as a substitute for storytelling and it isn't "allowing" the viewer to bring their own interpretation of what is going on, but "RELYING" on the viewer to provide their own interpretation. It smelled good, looked good, the sizzle sounded good, but ultimately the steak we thought we were getting never arrived.

 

And after the success of The Walking Dead, that's a major disappointment. I wonder if AMC regrets renewing this for another season?

 

Just curious, (and not making any judgment on the opinions being expressed here at all) but does anyone here who watched the 13 episodes really not believe he/she will be tuning in when The Killing premieres its second season?

 

care bear, i'm likely to dvr the first couple of eps to see if changes are a-comin'. but i sure won't watch it over all else sundays at 10.

for fans, the daily news' david hinckley gave it a thumb's up overall. i couldn't disagree more but i believe in balance, so...

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/06/20/2011-06-20_the_killing_season_finale_leaves_more_questions_with_uncertainty_flaws_and_frust.html

 

Look at me! I like the show that is too complex and mysterious for the average viewer!

Yup, more glad than ever that I didn't waste my time on this one.