The Killing Review

A few weeks ago the third season of the crime drama "The Killing" premiered on "AMC". I want to give my thoughts on the season so far, but first I want to talk about my experience with the first two seasons of the show. Let's begin. 

 In the beginning of 2011 I was intrigued by the advertisements for a new show called "The Killing". I've always been interested in crime dramas and I couldn't pass this one up. I remember watching the first few episode, then dropping shortly after. I enjoyed the high concept and David Fincher-esque execution, but I had other things going on in my life at the time couldn't find time to sit down and watch it. A year later, right before season two was about to premiere, I saw my chance to get back into it. Luckily for me, the entire first season was on "Netflix" by that point.

I streamed the entire first season over the course of a week. it had become almost like an addiction, trying to figure out who killed "Rosie Larsen". As I got more into the meat of the show I realized that the mystery wasn't the only enjoyable part. The well rounded characters in this show are so much fun to watch. Just seeing their interactions with one another could the show, even without the use of the murder mystery. This statement was tested during an episode which only contained those character interactions of which I speak.

Season 2 proved to be just as good. Both with the mystery and the character development. I was glued to my tv every Sunday night, waiting for the curtain to be pulled and the answers to be revealed. Little did I know, the answers that I got weren't going to be the ones that I wanted. When it came time for the final episode of the second season, I had high expectations. Anticipation was very high and I just couldn't wait for the conclusion. When it finally happened, my jaw literally dropped. I couldn't believe that anything could honestly be as bad as this episode. I had lost faith in the show and didn't think I would be watching it again. 

A year later, ads for the third season began to run on tv. As the weeks went by I saw myself actually start to get excited about this. I'm not sure exactly why. It might have been because I had no other shows to follow or the hopes that this season could tie things up a bit better. 

      Just A few weeks ago, I got my answer. The new season had shown it's mug and it wasn't so ugly. I instantly found myself to be invested back into the characters and into the story. This might have been due to the slate more or less being wiped clean. The old case isn't discussed. Instead, a case from Sarah Lindon's past has come back to haunt her. 

Enough has changed, yet enough has stayed the same. We follow the detectives around, as well as a group of homeless teens, and a pair of men on death row. I've found myself caring about all of these characters, even though my time has to be swiftly divided between all of them. I have to hand it to the writers, they've done a great job in getting back into the show. It feels good to see a show that is this fresh on tv. I would recommend it to everyone, even the episode I did not care for. The first two seasons of "The Killing" are available on "Netflix" and new episodes air every Sunday night on "AMC".

You Are What You Watch

I just want to apologize to anyone that enjoys reading my blog. I recently got a job and haven't had the time to write much lately. I can't guarantee that I can keep up the same pace and schedule as I did before, but I will try to post as many of these as I can. Let's get started. 

Like I said in the opening paragraph, I've been working a lot lately. This has changed my eating schedule and sometime even what I watch. I work a lot of late nights and that causes me to watch what's on. This got me thinking; does working effect what you watch on tv? 

When you get home at midnight most nights, it limits your choices on tv. Most nights I honestly just watch baseball highlights. It's colorful, fast paced, and allows to turn my brain off. After a few nights of doing this it made me wonder if other people do this. Are high ratings for shows that I don't like due to people just turning off their brains? Sometimes when I get home I don't always feel like following a story. I just want to be entertained. Have the networks known this the whole time? 

Being tired could explain the lack of story telling by the networks. They could be catering to the very tired working Joes at the end of the day. But what about others shows, such as "Mad Men" or "Game Of Thrones"? They tell stories every week and have a large following. Who do they cater to? Actually, they cater to the same type of people. I don't always feel like turning my brain off. There are days when I want to escape into a great story to escape the stresses of work and life. 

When I want to get into a story I've been watching "The Killing" on Sunday nights. Which I will give my review on as soon as I can. That shows that there is a place for story on tv. And I'm not always working, so I want to enjoy a well told story on my days off. What I'm saying is that I can understand turn off your brain entertainment a little better now, but still appreciate a good story now and again. I also fully believe that working for a living can effect what you watch. Just make sure not to work too much every body.        

The Killing, Or Not The Killing

Last year I quickly became fascinated with the tv show "The Killing". I had streamed the entire first season in the matter of a week and watched the entire second season every Sunday night. I was very happy with the show and couldn't have wished for a better crime show to get into. That was, until the final episode of season two. I was simply shocked by what I witnessed that night. Sadly, it was not in the good way. 

It baffles me that they could screw up a last episode that badly. I watched for 26 episodes, only to be slapped in the face at the last minute. I waited for two season for the identity of "Rosie Larson's" killer. Only to be disappointed with the answer. The one I got wasn't the one I wanted. it felt like something that belonged at the end of an episode of "Law & Order". Not the end of a story that took two years to tell. 

At the time and point this episode aired, I had no idea that there was going to be another season. This seemed to be the end of the road. Talk of the show being canceled made that seem possible. At one point I heard that "Netflix" had picked the show up. This intrigued me because they have become the "HBO" of streaming services with their edgey programming style. That did not last for long. While watching the season three finale of "The Walking Dead" I saw a commercial for the third season of "The Killing". 

I have seen a few more ads for it since then. They have given me some interest in the show again. It will be nice to rejoin the characters that I enjoyed to watch grow, but I don't want to get burned again. This is the crossroads that I'm at. I would love to watch the characters and actors that I love again, but at the same time I don't want to be disappointed with a simple answer to a complicated question. This might the risk that I'm willing to take. You'll find out if it was worth it, when I give my review of the season premiere at the beginning of next month.