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The Best Episodes of The Killing

Every episode of The Killing ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Killing!

Binge this in 1d 9h•Peaking at 8.4/10

The Killing is an American crime drama television series based upon the Danish television series Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle, Washington, the series follows the various murder investigations by homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Killing Season 3 Episode 10 - Six Minutes
    8.4/10(21 votes)

    #1 - Six Minutes

    S3:E10

    Sarah copes with the consequences of past mistakes; Holder wrestles personal demons; Seward is truthful.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Veena Sud

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  2. The Killing Season 2 Episode 13 - What I Know
    8.2/10(22 votes)

    #2 - What I Know

    S2:E13

    Sarah and Holder's investigation comes to a close. Meanwhile, Richmond sets out on a bold new course; and a surprise source helps bring closure to the Larsens.

    Director:Patty Jenkins
    Writers:Dan Nowak, Veena Sud

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  3. The Killing Season 4 Episode 4 - Dream Baby Dream
    8.2/10(20 votes)

    #3 - Dream Baby Dream

    S4:E4

    Linden and Holder focus their investigation on a new suspect, and a tip from an informant leads Reddick to a shocking discovery.

    Director:Gregory Middleton
    Writer:Sean Whitesell

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  4. The Killing Season 3 Episode 9 - Reckoning
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    #4 - Reckoning

    S3:E9

    The hunt for a pornographer leads to a shocking revelation; Holder looks for a scapegoat; Twitch and Lyric find their dream home.

    Director:Jonathan Demme
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  5. The Killing Season 3 Episode 12 - The Road to Hamelin
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    #5 - The Road to Hamelin

    S3:E12

    In the Season 3 finale, Sarah risks her life when someone dear to her goes missing; and Holder's past is used against him.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  6. The Killing Season 4 Episode 6 - Eden
    8.1/10(23 votes)

    #6 - Eden

    S4:E6

    Linden and Holder are confronted with the shocking truth behind the Stansbury murders.

    Director:Jonathan Demme
    Writer:Veena Sud

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Killing

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  7. The Killing Season 1 Episode 13 - Orpheus Descending
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #7 - Orpheus Descending

    S1:E13

    The identification of the mysterious Orpheus provides a vital connection to the case. Mitch and Stan reflect on the past while contemplating their family's future.

    Director:Brad Anderson
    Writers:Veena Sud, Nic Pizzolatto

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  8. The Killing Season 3 Episode 8 - Try
    8.0/10(19 votes)

    #8 - Try

    S3:E8

    Sarah goes missing; Bullet makes a choice to save Lyric; a dark secret is learned.

    Director:Lodge Kerrigan
    Writers:Nic Sheff, Aaron Slavik

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  9. The Killing Season 4 Episode 2 - Unraveling
    8.0/10(20 votes)

    #9 - Unraveling

    S4:E2

    Questioning a neighbor leads to a revelation about one of the murder victims.

    Director:Lodge Kerrigan
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  10. The Killing Season 4 Episode 3 - The Good Soldier
    8.0/10(20 votes)

    #10 - The Good Soldier

    S4:E3

    Reddick digs deeper as Linden and Holder struggle to keep their investigation from going cold.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  11. The Killing Season 4 Episode 5 - Truth Asunder
    8.0/10(20 votes)

    #11 - Truth Asunder

    S4:E5

    New information about the family murders surfaces. Meanwhile, Holder's loyalty is put to the test.

    Director:Coky Giedroyc
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  12. The Killing Season 1 Episode 12 - Beau Soleil
    7.9/10(22 votes)

    #12 - Beau Soleil

    S1:E12

    The police connect Rosie to a suspicious website. Stan faces his demons while Mitch learns secrets she never knew about Rosie.

    Director:Keith Gordon
    Writers:Jeremy Doner, Soo Hugh

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  13. The Killing Season 2 Episode 11 - Bulldog
    7.9/10(19 votes)

    #13 - Bulldog

    S2:E11

    A return to the casino winds up sending Sarah and Holder on the run, while Stan and Richmond face life-altering decisions.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Jeremy Doner

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  14. The Killing Season 3 Episode 11 - From Up Here
    7.9/10(16 votes)

    #14 - From Up Here

    S3:E11

    Sarah seeks peace in the case's aftermath; the detectives pick up an unnerving new assignment; Lyric is tempted by her old life; Danette says good-bye.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  15. The Killing Season 2 Episode 12 - Donnie or Marie
    7.8/10(20 votes)

    #15 - Donnie or Marie

    S2:E12

    Sarah and Holder close in on the murderer. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign preps for the election; and the Larsens seek to get their lives back in order.

    Director:Keith Gordon
    Writers:Wendy Riss, Aaron Zelman

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  16. The Killing Season 4 Episode 1 - Blood in the Water
    7.8/10(19 votes)

    #16 - Blood in the Water

    S4:E1

    While covering up Lt. Skinner's sudden disappearance, Linden and Holder are assigned a new case: the brutal murder of an entire family with ties to a military academy.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Veena Sud

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  17. The Killing Season 2 Episode 1 - Reflections
    7.7/10(22 votes)

    #17 - Reflections

    S2:E1

    In the aftermath of the shooting at City Hall and Linden's discovery that the photo leading to Councilman Darren Richmond's arrest was forged, Sarah returns to Seattle to investigate a possible cover up and wonders if she can trust her partner.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Veena Sud

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  18. The Killing Season 3 Episode 2 - That You Fear the Most
    7.7/10(19 votes)

    #18 - That You Fear the Most

    S3:E2

    Sarah makes a grim discovery in regards to her past; Holder catches an unsettling case; Seward shows his true colors.

    Director:Lodge Kerrigan
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  19. The Killing Season 2 Episode 7 - Keylela
    7.6/10(20 votes)

    #19 - Keylela

    S2:E7

    The investigation refocuses on the casino; Stan has an uneasy face-to-face with Richmond; tension grips the Larsen house.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  20. The Killing Season 1 Episode 2 - The Cage
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #20 - The Cage

    S1:E2

    The investigation into Rosie’s killer begins as Sarah and Holder question the missing girl’s parents, Stan and Mitch, as well as Rosie’s friends and City Councilman Richmond. Rosie’s school becomes a potential murder site when Sarah and Holder uncover shocking evidence on campus. Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Mitch and Stan face the aftermath of losing their daughter.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Veena Sud

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  21. The Killing Season 1 Episode 3 - El Diablo
    7.5/10(29 votes)

    #21 - El Diablo

    S1:E3

    Councilman Richmond suspects a leak within his team; Sarah tracks down a witness and is led to a suspect.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  22. The Killing Season 1 Episode 4 - A Soundless Echo
    7.5/10(27 votes)

    #22 - A Soundless Echo

    S1:E4

    Linden and Holder pressure Jasper for answers and interview a new suspect.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Soo Hugh

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  23. The Killing Season 1 Episode 5 - Super 8
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    #23 - Super 8

    S1:E5

    Rosie's teacher provides Sarah and Holder with a new piece of evidence. Richmond's campaign team plans a new anti-crime television commercial. Mitch continues to struggle with the loss of her daughter, while Stan becomes more determined to find Rosie's killer, and asks his colleague Belko for help.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Jeremy Doner

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  24. The Killing Season 1 Episode 6 - What You Have Left
    7.5/10(25 votes)

    #24 - What You Have Left

    S1:E6

    Sarah and Holder intensify their investigation on a suspect's family and friends. Gwen and Richmond disagree over strategy for the next debate with the mayor. Meanwhile, Rosie's funeral takes place and Stan concentrates on his own investigation into her death.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Nic Pizzolatto

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  25. The Killing Season 1 Episode 7 - Vengeance
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    #25 - Vengeance

    S1:E7

    Mitch questions the validity of the police investigation while Richmond has to deal with a negative ad. It's discovered that Rosie was at Bennett's apartment the night she died.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Linda Burstyn

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Best Episodes Summary

"Six Minutes" is the best rated episode of "The Killing". It scored 8.4/10 based on 21 votes. Directed by Nicole Kassell and written by Veena Sud, it aired on 7/28/2013. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "What I Know".