The Killing Season Finale Review: And The Killer Is...

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After 13 weeks, it's safe to say that viewers still have no idea who killed Rosie Larsen.

I'm sure this fact alone has angered many fans into feeling strung along with no closure. I, too, wished that I finally knew Rosie's killer, but at the same time, I'm also pleased that everything wasn't wrapped up so quickly and neatly.

Did I really want the killer to be Richmond anyway? No. Not a chance. That outcome would have felt anticlimactic, especially because he was already revealed to be "Orpheus" in last week's episode.

At Rosie's Grave

Who killed Rosie Larsen? Seriously. Who?

Granted, the way that "Orpheus Descending" began held my attention with its possibility of a Richmond dark side. The creepy way that he spoke to Linden about the tale of Orpheus, while remaining hidden in the shadows, spun his good-natured character to a whole other level. Even Linden felt a fear that was illuminated and enhanced by the computer's glow.

However, once Linden left Richmond's home, any idea of Richmond's guilt disappeared. His real crime was not knowing where the light switch was located.

In fact, while Linden desperately and (surprisingly) became emotionally invested in the search for more evidence, I continued to have a hard time being convinced that Richmond would be connected. Even when he was finally arrested, I was unimpressed and simply waiting for when all the clues would truly reveal the killer.

I've had a hard time all season finding anything interesting concerning the campaign. Maybe it's because the characters involved with the political portion haven't been explored as intimately as some of the others on the show. Sure, Jamie is a political shark and Gwen gets jealous. Richmond clearly has feelings for his dead wife still, but what do we really know? There hasn't been enough about their personal lives to make me care or become excited when these characters come on screen.

At least with the Larsens, I've had a chance to witness their struggles and everyday experiences. Stan has shown growth as a character and the ability to make me feel sorry for his loss despite his horrendous actions towards Ahmed. He's not an evil man. Plus, coming home to reunite with his family showed his understanding of moving forward after his little bit of soul searching.

As for Mitch, it was disappointing to watch this mother openly abandon her other two children. I agree that her feelings and actions needed to stop for the sake of the children, but to ditch out altogether? As much pain as she feels for losing Rosie, it's no excuse to forget about your other kids.

My interest truly peaked, though, when Linden discovered that the photo Holder revealed was a fake.

How could you, Stephen Holder!? Have you found your way to the dark side?

Holder has been my favorite character on this show and Joel Kinnaman has brought him to life in way that is a delight to watch. His charm, wit, and intriguing demeanor create combine for entertaining screen time. Finding out that this good guy could now possibly be a bad guy was certainly jaw-dropping.

The questions surrounding him have me eager to see the direction his character is headed. At what point did he go rogue? Was it from the beginning? Was he doing it for money? Was he actually trying to solve the Larsen case at all? Who was he working for?

Linden's big reveal - paralleled with Belko pulling a gun on Richmond - was a shocking conclusion to an otherwise average episode (albeit disappointing for a season finale). Thank goodness there was no cliched gunshot over a blackened screen.

But was this the right move? Should the show have revealed Rosie's killer?

In the end, it's the two characters of Linden and Holder that will have me returning for next season. Their chemistry and fresh characterizations make for great television, although I'm sure the dynamic is soon to change. As for Rosie? I guess I can wait a little longer to find out who killed her. Hopefully the story will pick up its pace and keep me interested enough to watch another 13 episodes. Then again, it might just be like real life. Sometimes we don't get all the answers simply because we want them.

Was it a good idea to leave viewers on a cliffhanger? What about Linden's discovery and Holder's reveal? Will we ever find out who killed Rosie Larsen? Sound off with your comments on the season finale!

Orpheus Descending Review

Editor Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
  • 3.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 3.4 / 5.0 (116 Votes)

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.

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The Killing Season 1 Episode 13 Quotes

Holder: What's so funny?
Linden: You trying to do math is kind of like a dog wearing a hat.

Yo, why don't you focus your beady little eyes on driving instead?

Holder