Back in January, BBC4 aired the Danish original of The Killing (entitled ‘Forbrydelsen’ - ‘The Crime’) and this week the American remake, made its way onto our screens courtesy of the kind people at Channel 4. Since it was hidden away in a shadowy corner of the BBC’s scheduling, I missed the original, and subsequently have no frame of reference for comparison, but that allows it to be judged as a programme in its own right.
Based in Seattle, the plot follows hardened homicide detective Sarah Linden’s (Mireille Enos) last case before she relocates to San Diego with her son and Fiancée. With a temporary partner in the form of her replacement Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman - who is neither Darren from Holyoaks, nor McKenzie Crook), the two start to uncover the murder of high school student Rosie Larsen, whose body is found locked in the boot of a car submerged in a local park lake.
Along with the investigation, the story focuses on the intertwining lives of those involved with it, and the impact it has on them; the strain on Linden’s relationship with her son and his step-father, Rosie’s family and the councillor-elect Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell) - whose media persona and election success is put under strain when the submerged car transpires to be one of his campaign vehicles.
The feature length, double episode pilot sets up the Cluedo style whodunnit as each character’s involvement and motive is hinted at; the best friend who lied about Rosie’s whereabouts, the ex-boyfriend with a prior conviction, the shady looking new cop, the councillor whose election campaign is based around the rising crime rates of his opponents tenure. Channel 4 are even running a suspect poll after each episode.
The tone of the piece is set-up from the harrowing opening chase sequence in which the viewer witnesses the murder, letting them know that there are to be few, if any laughs throughout that story.
Along with the dark, distressing moments, the story also tugs at the emotional strings. A particularly poignant and moving moment occurs as Rosie’s father accidentally arrives at the crime scene while on the phone to his wife. She, and her sons, overhear as he breaks down and has to be restrained, as Linden hints that his suspicions are correct.
Enos’ be-jumpered Linden is a fantastic antidote to the sexy-feisty-ballsy-opinionated-side-kick cliché which has became a new staple of the crime drama as it attempts to diversify. Instead she is a realistic, straight talking, strong lead who kicks her less than perfect young partner into gear with quiet, controlled confidence, allowing the complex story to develop around her.
This isn’t a dip-into drama - it’s one to watch from start to finish, relishing in the twists and turns and nooks and crannies of the tale. Cinematically and narratively it feels epic and intelligent and whether it’s as good as the original doesn’t really matter - this is a great piece of television.
The Killing airs Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 4 and is available to watch on 4od
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