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The Worst Episodes of The Killing

Every episode of The Killing ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Killing!

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

    #1 - 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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  2. The Killing Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(38 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    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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  3. The Killing Season 1 Episode 11 - Missing
    7.2/10(23 votes)

    #3 - Missing

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

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

    #5 - 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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  6. The Killing Season 1 Episode 8 - Stonewalled
    7.3/10(23 votes)

    #6 - Stonewalled

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

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

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

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

    #10 - 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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  11. The Killing Season 3 Episode 3 - Seventeen
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    #11 - Seventeen

    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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  12. The Killing Season 3 Episode 4 - Head Shots
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    #12 - Head Shots

    S3:E4

    The task force shuts down a business; Sarah and Holder unite in their pursuit of "the voice"; Seward is offered motivation to comply with orders.

    Director:Michael Rymer
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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  13. The Killing Season 3 Episode 5 - Scared and Running
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    #13 - Scared and Running

    S3:E5

    Bullet races to find a victim on the run before someone else does; Seward is discourteous to surprise visitors.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writer:Coleman Herbert

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  14. The Killing Season 3 Episode 7 - Hope Kills
    7.4/10(18 votes)

    #14 - Hope Kills

    S3:E7

    Holder and Linden get a break in the case; Seward clashes with death; Bullet becomes a protector.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Brett Conrad

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

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

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

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

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

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

    #20 - 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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  21. The Killing Season 1 Episode 9 - Undertow
    7.5/10(23 votes)

    #21 - Undertow

    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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  22. The Killing Season 1 Episode 10 - I'll Let You Know When I Get There
    7.5/10(24 votes)

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

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich

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

    #23 - 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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  24. The Killing Season 3 Episode 1 - The Jungle
    7.5/10(20 votes)

    #24 - The Jungle

    S3:E1

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

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Veena Sud

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  25. The Killing Season 3 Episode 6 - Eminent Domain
    7.5/10(19 votes)

    #25 - Eminent Domain

    S3:E6

    Linden and Holder catch up to the latest victim; Seward faces his past; Bullet struggles with the truth while in the jungle.

    Director:Keith Gordon
    Writer:David Wiener

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Numb" is the worst rated episode of "The Killing". It scored 6.9/10 based on 24 votes. Directed by Brad Anderson and written by Eliza Clark, it aired on 4/8/2012. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Pilot".