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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 19h 12m•Peaking at 8.3/10

The Killing is a Danish police procedural set in the Copenhagen main police department and revolves around Detective Inspector Sarah Lund and her team, with each season series following a different murder case day-by-day and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Killing Season 1 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    7.8/10(687 votes)

    #1 - Episode 1

    S1:E1

    Monday, November 3. Police detective Sarah Lund is about to leave her job in Copenhagen to move to Sweden. Troels Hartmann is gaining ground in his efforts to lead his party to power at city hall. Theis and Pernille Birk Larsen are the happy parents of three children. The discovery of the blood-stained belongings of a young girl prompts a police investigation that will change the lives of all involved.

    Director:Birger Larsen
    Writers:Per Daumiller, Torleif Hoppe, Michael W. Horsten

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  2. The Killing Season 1 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    7.7/10(549 votes)

    #2 - Episode 2

    S1:E2

    Monday, November 3-Tuesday, November 4. Nanna's parents identify her body, and details of her sufferings are uncovered. Lund keeps postponing her departure, and tension arises between her and her new partner as they investigate the connection to city hall and a known criminal identified as the driver of the car Nanna was found in. Hartmann is faced with the choice of cooperating with the police or protecting his political future.

    Director:Birger Larsen
    Writers:Per Daumiller, Torleif Hoppe, Søren Sveistrup

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  3. The Killing Season 1 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.8/10(508 votes)

    #3 - Episode 3

    S1:E3

    Tuesday, November 4-Wednesday, November 5: Lund and Meyer track down the driver, who ends up injured in the hospital, but also supplies an alibi. They refocus their investigation on Nanna's school. When the story of the connection to his campaign breaks, Hartmann finds himself in media turmoil. The Birk Larsens try to cope with their loss as they arrange the funeral.

    Director:Birger Larsen
    Writers:Torleif Hoppe, Søren Sveistrup

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  4. The Killing Season 1 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    7.7/10(491 votes)

    #4 - Episode 4

    S1:E4

    Wednesday, November 5-Thursday, November 6: The police investigate the crime scene they have found at Nanna's school and suspect her classmates Oliver and Jeppe of wrongdoing. Sarah Lund's fiancé shows up in Copenhagen, and she promises to leave for Sweden without delay. Meanwhile, Hartmann learns that a trusted employee has sent a suspicious email.

    Director:Henrik Ruben Genz
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  5. The Killing Season 1 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    7.7/10(484 votes)

    #5 - Episode 5

    S1:E5

    Thursday, November 6-Friday, November 7. Hartmann has won a new political ally, but is drawn into the murder case again when the police uncover new information which turns their suspicions towards teachers at Nanna's school. Theis Birk Larsen is troubled by the financial strain of the house he bought before Nanna's death. He begins to grow weary over the lack of progress in the case and seeks his own sources of information.

    Director:Henrik Ruben Genz
    Writers:Per Daumiller, Søren Sveistrup

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  6. The Killing Season 1 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    7.8/10(477 votes)

    #6 - Episode 6

    S1:E6

    Friday, November 7-Saturday, November 8: Lund and Meyer investigate teacher Raman al Kemal's actions on the night of the murder. Hartmann learns of foul play at city hall, and his campaign is put under pressure when his opponent reveals Hartmann's ties with the suspect in a TV debate. On the day of Nanna's funeral, Lund is finally on her way to Sweden, and the appearance of one particular guest makes Nanna's father offer him a ride home.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writer:Michael W. Horsten

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  7. The Killing Season 1 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    7.8/10(471 votes)

    #7 - Episode 7

    S1:E7

    Saturday, November 8-Sunday, November 9. Lund decides to stay in town to continue the investigation even though it puts her relationship with Bengt under strain. Rama is questioned as the main suspect. When Hartmann chooses not to suspend him, it puts his political position under threat.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writers:Per Daumiller, Torleif Hoppe, Søren Sveistrup

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  8. The Killing Season 1 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    7.9/10(462 votes)

    #8 - Episode 8

    S1:E8

    Sunday, November 9-Monday, November 10. The police locate the place where Nanna was killed, and Rama is charged with the crime. Hartmann is fighting for his political life, but ends up making a tough choice. Meanwhile, Bengt is in a car accident on his way to Sweden, but tries to help Lund from his hospital bed. When the evidence is cast into doubt, Rama is released, but someone has other ideas.

    Director:Hans Fabian Wullenweber
    Writer:Michael W. Horsten

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  9. The Killing Season 1 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    8.0/10(459 votes)

    #9 - Episode 9

    S1:E9

    Monday, November 10-Tuesday, November 11. Theis Birk Larsen's brutal punishment of Rama is interrupted by the police, and Theis is arrested. Lund and Meyer refocus their investigation on the car used by the murderer, knowing that if they do not make progress they might be taken off the case. As it becomes known that Rama is no longer a suspect, Hartmann shakes things up at city hall and relaunches his campaign.

    Director:Hans Fabian Wullenweber
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  10. The Killing Season 1 Episode 10 - Episode 10
    8.0/10(455 votes)

    #10 - Episode 10

    S1:E10

    Tuesday, November 11-Wednesday, November 12. Bengt leaves for Stockholm. Lund and Meyer are hindered in their investigation by a secretive boss, but Lund continues inquiries and is dismissed for her sins. Hartmann strikes a deal with higher powers in order to secure his bid for mayor, and a public debate is the scene of a change in political fortunes. Theis is released from prison, new secrets are uncovered about Nanna's last months, and in a last bid to forward the investigation, Lund unlocks the door to a new piece in the puzzle.

    Director:Charlotte Sieling
    Writer:Michael W. Horsten

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  11. The Killing Season 1 Episode 11 - Episode 11
    8.0/10(439 votes)

    #11 - Episode 11

    S1:E11

    Sarah and Jan know who they are looking for but are puzzled by their superiors' reactions.

    Director:Charlotte Sieling
    Writers:Torleif Hoppe, Michael W. Horsten

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  12. The Killing Season 1 Episode 12 - Episode 12
    7.9/10(443 votes)

    #12 - Episode 12

    S1:E12

    Sarah and Jan interrogate Troels, whose private information opens a new can of worms.

    Director:Henrik Ruben Genz
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  13. The Killing Season 1 Episode 13 - Episode 13
    8.0/10(431 votes)

    #13 - Episode 13

    S1:E13

    The spotlight of the police and media is now trained on Troels Hartmann, and he feels his political career is crumbling. Meanwhile strange things are going on at the town hall with fatal consequences.

    Director:Henrik Ruben Genz
    Writer:Michael W. Horsten

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  14. The Killing Season 1 Episode 14 - Episode 14
    8.0/10(431 votes)

    #14 - Episode 14

    S1:E14

    Troels's political opponent Bremer wastes no time in taking advantage of his discomfort.

    Director:Hans Fabian Wullenweber
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  15. The Killing Season 1 Episode 15 - Episode 15
    8.1/10(429 votes)

    #15 - Episode 15

    S1:E15

    Sarah has walked into a life-threatening situation.

    Director:Morten Arnfred
    Writer:Michael W. Horsten

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  16. The Killing Season 1 Episode 16 - Episode 16
    8.0/10(422 votes)

    #16 - Episode 16

    S1:E16

    Sarah won't get on board when her superiors insist that Nanna's murder has been solved.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  17. The Killing Season 1 Episode 17 - Episode 17
    8.0/10(425 votes)

    #17 - Episode 17

    S1:E17

    Lund and Meyer become convinced there is a link between Nanna's murder and a case that has remained unsolved for 15 years, and frantically try to find evidence. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis are confused by the fact the case is far from closed, and Hartmann puts everything on the line in a bid to win the election.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writers:Michael W. Horsten, Søren Sveistrup

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  18. The Killing Season 1 Episode 18 - Episode 18
    8.3/10(454 votes)

    #18 - Episode 18

    S1:E18

    Lund and Meyer get more than they bargained for when they visit an abandoned warehouse in their search for evidence. Meanwhile, a prime suspect disappears, and Hartmann struggles to get back into the political arena - but is contacted by a journalist whose efforts to dig up dirt have had some success. Theis and Pernille try to move on from the past 18 days' events and take their sons to see the new house.

    Director:Morten Køhlert
    Writer:Torleif Hoppe

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  19. The Killing Season 1 Episode 19 - Episode 19
    8.3/10(443 votes)

    #19 - Episode 19

    S1:E19

    Lund finds the odds stacked against her as the search for a missing suspect takes an unexpected turn, and Hartmann and Bremer take part in a dramatic, live TV debate amid a stream of revelations. Meanwhile, it seems something is amiss as Theis and Pernille prepare to move into their new house.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writers:Michael W. Horsten, Søren Sveistrup

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  20. The Killing Season 1 Episode 20 - Episode 20
    8.2/10(506 votes)

    #20 - Episode 20

    S1:E20

    Lund is determined to catch Nanna's killer despite being taken off the case, and Hartmann is on a downward spiral - until he receives crucial information. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis invite friends and family to Anton's birthday party - but there is a sinister twist to the evening in store.

    Director:Kristoffer Nyholm
    Writers:Torleif Hoppe, Søren Sveistrup

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Episode 1" is the best rated episode of "The Killing" season 1. It scored 7.8/10 based on 687 votes. Directed by Birger Larsen and written by Per Daumiller, Torleif Hoppe, Michael W. Horsten, it aired on 1/7/2007. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Episode 2".