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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 9.1/10

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 2 Episode 13 - What I Know
    9.1/10(2236 votes)

    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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  2. The Killing Season 3 Episode 10 - Six Minutes
    9.1/10(2025 votes)

    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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  3. The Killing Season 4 Episode 6 - Eden
    9.0/10(2114 votes)

    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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  4. The Killing Season 1 Episode 12 - Beau Soleil
    8.6/10(1670 votes)

    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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  5. The Killing Season 2 Episode 12 - Donnie or Marie
    8.6/10(1355 votes)

    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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  6. The Killing Season 3 Episode 9 - Reckoning
    8.6/10(1356 votes)

    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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Killing

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  7. The Killing Season 3 Episode 12 - The Road to Hamelin
    8.6/10(1520 votes)

    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:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  8. The Killing Season 3 Episode 11 - From Up Here
    8.5/10(1200 votes)

    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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  9. The Killing Season 4 Episode 4 - Dream Baby Dream
    8.5/10(1216 votes)

    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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  10. The Killing Season 1 Episode 13 - Orpheus Descending
    8.4/10(1783 votes)

    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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  11. The Killing Season 2 Episode 11 - Bulldog
    8.4/10(1304 votes)

    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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  12. The Killing Season 3 Episode 8 - Try
    8.4/10(1223 votes)

    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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  13. The Killing Season 4 Episode 5 - Truth Asunder
    8.3/10(1214 votes)

    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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  14. The Killing Season 2 Episode 9 - Sayonara Hiawatha
    8.2/10(1286 votes)

    S2:E9

    Richmond lends support to the investigation; Sarah tries to track down Rosie's key; and Stan deals with his troubled son.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  15. The Killing Season 4 Episode 2 - Unraveling
    8.2/10(1240 votes)

    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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  16. The Killing Season 4 Episode 3 - The Good Soldier
    8.2/10(1191 votes)

    S4:E3

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

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  17. The Killing Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.1/10(2492 votes)

    S1:E1

    On her last day of work, homicide detective Sarah Linden is drawn into a new case about the disappearance of a teenage girl, Rosie Larsen. Mitch and Stan Larsen frantically try to track down their daughter when they learn she did not show up at school. City Councilman Darren Richmond prepares for an important forum with the Mayor as the election nears.

    Director:Patty Jenkins
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Killing Season 1 Episode 9 - Undertow
    8.1/10(1543 votes)

    S1:E9

    The police are thwarted in their efforts to arrest Bennet. Richmond thinks long and hard about removing himself from the Mayor's race. Mitch and Stan have had it with the police.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Dan Nowak

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  19. The Killing Season 3 Episode 2 - That You Fear the Most
    8.1/10(1347 votes)

    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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  20. The Killing Season 4 Episode 1 - Blood in the Water
    8.1/10(1388 votes)

    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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  21. The Killing Season 1 Episode 10 - I'll Let You Know When I Get There
    8.0/10(1532 votes)

    S1:E10

    Richmond rises in the polls; a surprising individual turns himself in.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  22. The Killing Season 2 Episode 1 - Reflections
    8.0/10(1482 votes)

    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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  23. The Killing Season 2 Episode 7 - Keylela
    8.0/10(1278 votes)

    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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  24. The Killing Season 2 Episode 8 - Off the Reservation
    8.0/10(1284 votes)

    S2:E8

    Holder disappears and a desperate Sarah goes looking for him; Stan decides to take matters into his own hands; and Richmond returns to City Hall.

    Director:Veena Sud
    Writer:Nathaniel Halpern

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  25. The Killing Season 3 Episode 3 - Seventeen
    8.0/10(1223 votes)

    S3:E3

    Sarah has her own reasons to join the task force; Holder finds a new street informant; Seward strokes an old rivalry.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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Best Episodes Summary

"What I Know" is the best rated episode of "The Killing". It scored 9.1/10 based on 2236 votes. Directed by Patty Jenkins and written by Dan Nowak, Veena Sud, it aired on 6/17/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Six Minutes".