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The Best Episodes of The Killing Season 1

Every episode of The Killing Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Killing Season 1!

Binge this in 9h 59m•Peaking at 8.6/10

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
    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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. The Killing Season 1 Episode 2 - The Cage
    7.9/10(1886 votes)

    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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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Killing

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  7. The Killing Season 1 Episode 6 - What You Have Left
    7.9/10(1608 votes)

    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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  8. The Killing Season 1 Episode 3 - El Diablo
    7.8/10(1791 votes)

    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:Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

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  9. The Killing Season 1 Episode 8 - Stonewalled
    7.8/10(1544 votes)

    S1:E8

    Sarah and Holder evade the FBI and unearth new evidence. Mitch endangers the boys, prompting Stan to take matters into his own hands. Richmond tries to climb back in the race.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Aaron Zelman

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  10. The Killing Season 1 Episode 4 - A Soundless Echo
    7.7/10(1637 votes)

    S1:E4

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

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Soo Hugh

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  11. The Killing Season 1 Episode 5 - Super 8
    7.7/10(1622 votes)

    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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  12. The Killing Season 1 Episode 7 - Vengeance
    7.7/10(1560 votes)

    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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  13. The Killing Season 1 Episode 11 - Missing
    7.6/10(1747 votes)

    S1:E11

    Sarah and Holder discover more on Rosie, but the investigation gets stalled when they have to set out on a search for Jack.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Veena Sud

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Beau Soleil" is the best rated episode of "The Killing" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 1670 votes. Directed by Keith Gordon and written by Jeremy Doner, Soo Hugh, it aired on 6/12/2011. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Orpheus Descending".