The Best Episodes of The Killing Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.1/10(2389 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E14/3/2011

   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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   Director:Patty Jenkins

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   7.9/10(1806 votes)

   #2 - The Cage

   S1:E24/3/2011

   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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   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writer:Veena Sud
3. 

   7.8/10(1714 votes)

   #3 - El Diablo

   S1:E34/10/2011

   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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   Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton

   Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich
4. 

   7.7/10(1561 votes)

   #4 - A Soundless Echo

   S1:E44/17/2011

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

   Director:Jennifer Getzinger

   Writer:Soo Hugh

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   Director:Jennifer Getzinger

   Writer:Soo Hugh
5. 

   7.7/10(1552 votes)

   #5 - Super 8

   S1:E54/24/2011

   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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   Director:Phil Abraham

   Writer:Jeremy Doner
6. 

   7.9/10(1539 votes)

   #6 - What You Have Left

   S1:E65/1/2011

   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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   Director:Agnieszka Holland

   Writer:Nic Pizzolatto
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7. 

   7.7/10(1492 votes)

   #7 - Vengeance

   S1:E75/8/2011

   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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   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writer:Linda Burstyn
8. 

   7.8/10(1472 votes)

   #8 - Stonewalled

   S1:E85/15/2011

   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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   Director:Dan Attias

   Writer:Aaron Zelman
9. 

   8.1/10(1479 votes)

   #9 - Undertow

   S1:E95/22/2011

   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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   Director:Agnieszka Holland

   Writer:Dan Nowak
10. 

    8.0/10(1468 votes)

    #10 - I'll Let You Know When I Get There

    S1:E105/29/2011

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

    Director:Ed Bianchi

    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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    Director:Ed Bianchi

    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich
11. 

    7.5/10(1659 votes)

    #11 - Missing

    S1:E116/5/2011

    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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    Director:Nicole Kassell

    Writer:Veena Sud
12. 

    8.6/10(1612 votes)

    #12 - Beau Soleil

    S1:E126/12/2011

    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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    Director:Keith Gordon

    Writers:Jeremy Doner, Soo Hugh
13. 

    8.4/10(1715 votes)

    #13 - Orpheus Descending

    S1:E136/19/2011

    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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    Director:Brad Anderson

    Writers:Veena Sud, Nic Pizzolatto