More dangling threads were hung out before us on this week's episode of The Killing, as the somber crime drama dropped subtle hints of character backstory while attempting to provide more context for the Rosie Larsen murder and its complex web of connections.

Of course, those intricate links make it difficult for Linden and Holder to figure out who the real suspects are, bouncing around from one potential perp to the next, slowly gathering details before eventually crossing them off the list. Let's just hope that the next one they thoroughly want to set their sights on doesn't end up in the hospital. Bennet Ahmed and Darren Richmond can certainly attest that being a suspect can be hazardous to your health.

The swirling questions that surfaced on "Openings" revolved around Jasper Aames' father, Michael. To be honest, I didn't really remember either of their characters until I looked them up and saw that Jasper was one of the first suspects at the start of the show. Oh, that's right. He was the arrogant punk that wanted to get with Rosie. Who knew that daddy dearest might end up playing a bigger role than him?

But was Michael Rosie's father? Was he Rosie's killer?

The latter is still uncertain, but as for the paternity issue, Linden and Holder were pretty much able to determine otherwise. I liked that there was plenty of questioning from these two instead of pointing accusatory fingers without getting all the evidence.

Although it's probably safe to say that Michael isn't the father, the question remains, what was his connection to Rosie? And why was he at the casino the night of her death? Even his connection to Mayor Adams makes him seem more shady. That and he just seems like an arrogant jerk.

Clearly Terry is infatuated with him, but where did that little tryst come from? It felt so left field, even her comments and seeming "crush" on Michael felt drastically different from her character. I know she was a party girl but she became a pretty stable and helping hand. Why all of a sudden does she seem distantly filled with delusions of grandeur?

Please don't turn into Mitch!

Once again, the runaway girl took up most of Mitch's woe-is-me time and the scenes were just hard to bear and take seriously. I know that they are supposed to show that grieving hurt inside and how taking this girl in helps her move forward from Rosie. The only problem is letting her stay in her room and bed when they've known each other for a day is still creepy.  I feel more eww than aww. Telling her to take a shower, taking her clothes, touching her in bed. No, no, and more no. I know she's the mother and she's healing differently than everyone, but the scenes just make me roll my eyes and wait longingly for anything else to happen.

I'm curious as to what is making the emotionless Linden emotionally unravel. There has to be some personal past experience that has her so invested. What did the line "I looked in your file" mean? That mention struck a nerve and I'm eager to see more.

Another line that was a subtle drop that the characters know more about but the audience doesn't was Alexi's quote, "She saved your life." Was there something that Rosie did or discovered that kept Stan from meeting an unwanted fate? Is her death the consequence of this "save?"

It can't be connected to her real father, the for now enigmatic David Rainer, can it? Who is he? Will we meet him? Rosie must have known who he was and I'm sure this mystery man is somehow caught up in the bigger conspiracy.

And to, of course, cap off the episode with even further questioning of what's going on, Linden received a surprise work of art on her fridge. What does that mean? Is it a threat? Is it a clue? Is it a message? Does someone really want to show that they can draw trees really well?

I do enjoy that the show is digging deeper and even the banter of "Aw, snap" Holder with pretty much everyone. There was a humorous moment when Linden told him to roll down the window because of his smoking and he barely put it any lower. That quick darting look with his eyes is just another testament to his mischievous yet charmingly gritty character.

Ultimately, The Killing continues to saunter along at a slow pace, but it's certainly attempting to focus on the healing of each character as Rosie's death did more than just reveal a deeper conspiracy. When it comes down to it, everyone has a few skeletons in their closet.

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