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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 15h 20m•Peaking at 8.2/10

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
    8.2/10(22 votes)

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

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

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

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

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

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Killing

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

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

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

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

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

    #11 - 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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  12. The Killing Season 2 Episode 2 - My Lucky Day
    7.5/10(22 votes)

    #12 - My Lucky Day

    S2:E2

    An ominous discovery is made at the Larsen house while Sarah travels to Tacoma to learn Councilman Richmond's dark secret. Meanwhile, Richmond is forced to come to grips with the fallout from the attack at City Hall.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  13. The Killing Season 2 Episode 9 - Sayonara Hiawatha
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    #13 - Sayonara Hiawatha

    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:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  14. The Killing Season 2 Episode 4 - Ogi Jun
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #14 - Ogi Jun

    S2:E4

    Sarah and Holder identify the mystery man with the tattoo while Jamie attempts to enlist Gwen's help and Stan learns his past may have come back to haunt him.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Jeremy Doner

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  15. The Killing Season 2 Episode 5 - Ghosts of the Past
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #15 - Ghosts of the Past

    S2:E5

    Sarah receives a message from the dead that may shed light on the identity of Rosie's killer. Meanwhile, Mitch befriends a young runaway; and Richmond has grave doubts about his future in politics.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Wendy Riss

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  16. The Killing Season 2 Episode 10 - 72 Hours
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #16 - 72 Hours

    S2:E10

    Sarah teeters on the edge. Stan attempts to make amends. Richmond receives an unexpected boost in the mayoral race.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  17. The Killing Season 2 Episode 6 - Openings
    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #17 - Openings

    S2:E6

    Sarah zeros in on a Larsen-family secret; Stan comes to grips with some past indiscretions; and Mitch takes in a runaway girl. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign entertains a surprise visitor.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writer:Aaron Zelman

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  18. The Killing Season 2 Episode 8 - Off the Reservation
    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #18 - Off the Reservation

    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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  19. The Killing Season 2 Episode 3 - Numb
    6.9/10(24 votes)

    #19 - Numb

    S2:E3

    Sarah hunts down Rosie's backpack as Holder falls from grace. Mitch re-emerges while Stan continues to entangle himself with the mob. Richmond faces up to his situation.

    Director:Brad Anderson
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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Best Episodes Summary

"What I Know" is the best rated episode of "The Killing". It scored 8.2/10 based on 22 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, "Dream Baby Dream".