13 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
This season of "The Killing" centers on the murder of teenager Rosie Larsen. Detective Sarah Linden, on her last day before retirement, is drawn into the investigation when Rosie's body is found in a car trunk. Her partner, Detective Stephen Holder, a former addict, joins her. The case quickly becomes entangled with the mayoral campaign of Darren Richmond, whose car was found with Rosie's body.
The investigation uncovers Rosie's secret life, including a hidden room at her school and a connection to a high-end escort service. Key suspects emerge, including Rosie's teacher, Bennet Ahmed, who had an inappropriate relationship with her, and Jasper, who wore a devil mask seen in a disturbing video. Rosie was drowned after being placed in the car trunk alive. Bennet Ahmed is brutally attacked by Rosie's father, Stan Larsen, but is later revealed to be innocent.
The season culminates with Darren Richmond being arrested for Rosie's murder based on fabricated evidence planted by Holder. However, the truth remains elusive as the season ends with Richmond facing assassination and Linden preparing to leave town, her obsession with the case unresolved.
Season 1 of The Killing covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:
Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot - Detective Sarah Linden's last day before retirement is interrupted by the investigation into the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Rosie Larsen's body in a car trunk. The case quickly becomes entangled with the mayoral campaign of Darren Richmond, who is connected to the car. The episode concludes with Rosie's father discovering her body, and the investigation into her murder beginning.
Season 1, Episode 2: The Cage - Detectives Linden and Holder investigate Rosie Larsen's life, uncovering a hidden room at her school called "The Cage," where evidence suggests she was held alive before drowning. Rosie was put in the trunk alive and drowned while trying to claw her way out. Meanwhile, Councilman Richmond's campaign faces scrutiny as his car was found with Rosie's body. The episode concludes with the discovery of bloody handprints and a mattress in "The Cage," deepening the mystery.
Season 1, Episode 3: El Diablo - Detectives Linden and Holder investigate "El Diablo," a suspect seen with Rosie Larsen on a disturbing video. Councilman Richmond faces a campaign leak, leading to his firing of his campaign manager, Jamie. The janitor, Lyndon Johnson Rosales, attacks Linden but has an alibi. The episode concludes with the revelation that Jasper, not Kris, wore the devil mask, implicating him further in Rosie's death.
Season 1, Episode 4: A Soundless Echo - Detectives discover the video from "the cage" actually features Rosie's friend Sterling, not Rosie herself. Sterling admits to the encounter, explaining her jealousy of Rosie. Rosie's teacher, Bennet, is revealed to have had a deeply inappropriate relationship with her, evidenced by suggestive letters found by Linden. Stan seeks money from a shady past associate to cover funeral costs. The episode concludes with Bennet giving Rosie's mother a book, hinting at their disturbing connection.
Season 1, Episode 5: Super 8 - Detectives question Rosie's teacher, Bennet Ahmed, who has a weak alibi and ammonium hydroxide in his home, a chemical found on Rosie's body. Rosie's Super 8 film reveals a darker side to her. Meanwhile, Stan Larsen's grief intensifies, and the Richmond campaign faces internal strife as a mole is exposed. The episode concludes with Bennet and Richmond pictured together, deepening the mystery.
Season 1, Episode 6: What You Have Left - Detectives Linden and Holder investigate Bennet Ahmed, who lied about Rosie Larsen's visit. A neighbor with a telescope claims to have seen Bennet carrying an unresponsive Rosie to a car. Meanwhile, Rosie's wake is held, and Stan Larsen, convinced Bennet knows more, offers him a ride home, leading to a tense, silent drive as Linden pursues them. Bennet is revealed to have been at the dance later than he initially claimed, and Stan takes Bennet on a ride, intending to seek revenge.
Season 1, Episode 7: Vengeance - Detectives Linden and Holder investigate Bennet Ahmed, leading them to a mosque and an abandoned meat market where an FBI raid occurs. Stan Larsen confronts Bennet but ultimately spares him. Meanwhile, Darren Richmond faces political fallout as his campaign is targeted, and Mayor Adams's smear campaign leads to the suspension of the Seattle All-Stars program. The episode concludes with Linden missing her flight to Sonoma, highlighting her continued obsession with the case.
Season 1, Episode 8: Stonewalled - The FBI takes over the investigation, believing it's linked to terrorism, and Rosie Larsen's crime-scene photos are leaked to the press, causing further distress. Holder's past as an addict is revealed, and Richmond, fueled by grief, releases damaging information about Mayor Adams' mistress to gain political advantage. Mitch Larsen leaves her children in a running car, highlighting her deteriorating mental state.
Season 1, Episode 9: Undertow - Detectives fail to get a warrant for Bennet Ahmed, who, along with Muhammed Hamid, was helping a girl named Aisha escape an arranged marriage. Mitch Larsen, realizing her mistake about Rosie's pink shirt, spurs Stan to take violent revenge on Bennet. The episode concludes with Stan Larsen standing over a motionless Bennet Ahmed, leaving his fate uncertain.
Season 1, Episode 10: I'll Let You Know When I Get There - Detectives Linden and Holder are forced to restart their investigation after discovering the photo of Richmond was fabricated. Stan Larsen turns himself in for assaulting Bennet Ahmed, who is revealed to be innocent. Linden discovers a casino logo on Rosie's keychain matches one on a boat, leading her to a casino. The episode concludes with Richmond being arrested based on falsified evidence, and Linden preparing to leave town.
Season 1, Episode 11: Missing - While investigating the Wapi Eagle Casino, Detective Linden learns her son, Jack, is missing. The episode shifts focus to Linden and Holder's frantic search for Jack, revealing Linden's difficult past in foster care. They eventually find Jack, who had been with his biological father. Crucially, Holder discovers Rosie Larsen on ATM footage at the casino, confirming her presence there on the night of her disappearance.
Season 1, Episode 12: Beau Soleil - Detectives discover Rosie Larsen's involvement with the high-end escort service Beau Soleil and her secret bank deposits. They investigate "Orpheus," a client who discussed drowning with an escort. Linden realizes Darren Richmond is Orpheus after an email is received on his computer. The episode concludes with Richmond confronting Linden in his office, while Gwen discovers photos linking Richmond to Beau Soleil girls.
Season 1, Episode 13: Orpheus Descending - Detectives Linden and Holder focus on Darren Richmond, believing he lured Rosie Larsen to the campaign car. Evidence, including toll booth footage, appears to implicate Richmond, leading to his arrest. However, it's revealed that Holder faked the surveillance footage, framing Richmond. As Linden departs for Sonoma, Belko Royce attempts to assassinate Richmond at the police station, but the outcome is left ambiguous.
