The Killing (USA) : finale

[alexandral]

What do I hear about the finale of the USA version of The Killing ? Everyone is saying everywhere how terrible it was? Has anyone watched this? I am very interested because I love Danish original show, Forbrydelsen , so much and I am naturally curious as to what could have gone so terribly wrong! The original show's first season had one of the most powerful and thought-provoking endings ever!

Is anyone watching USA "the Killing"? See, Sarah Lund is curious too, she says: what have they done to my show?

Comments

[att123.livejournal.com]

I've seen the first couple of episodes but there didn't seem to be much substance there. Mind you I haven't seen the original but I'm guessing that its probably much better than the US remake. The US version slows down the events way too much and theres not enough emotional pull to really captivate. But my opinion was based off of the first 3 episodes.

From online reviews I've read it doesn't seem to get any better.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the ending was all about, judging by online news it seems as if nothing was resolved, at all.


The original is pure awesome. The first season is really emotionally intence as well. And the ending is excellent - everything is resolved!

[att123.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I ended up reading how it turned out and I will say that if I waited all season for THAT then I would be pretty pissed off. To me it almost seemed like a cheap trick to pull so that the show would be renewed for another season. But then again it could have been really awesome. But most of the recaps I've read didn't like the twist.

I might have to check it out then! I like crime shows but I've always wanted to watch an excellent mystery show. A lot of the crime procedurals in the US are too repetitive and don't delve into deeper issues.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I generally do not approve of cliffhanges, especially in whodunnit stories, so I would imagine I would have not been pleased.

I adored the original, I have seen it everywhere now, but if you can't find it, please let me know.

[att123.livejournal.com]

It really depends to me. If I think it enhances the story then I'm all for it.

Thanks! I'm going to start my search! I'm actually really excited to check it out and see what all the fuss is about.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I can cope with a cliffhanger where it is necessary, but usually I WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING.

YAy!

[linfer.livejournal.com]

I'm curious, too, though it doesn't change the fact that I won't watch it.
Btw, Forbrydelsen II was really excellent.
I don't know which season I like better, they are too different, so I think I like them both the same for different reasons.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

This is what I thought too. I really liked how the story in the second season turned out to be so personal for Lund. And making it so different from the first season - this was a strike of pure genious. I adored the cute minister guy too.

I love your icon!!! Have you made Forbrydelsen icons whilst I was obsessing over Game of Thrones?

[linfer.livejournal.com]

I loved it, too, that it was so vastly different from season 1, though I hate this certain thing that happened in the end. I mean, this particular twist was kind of awesome storywise, but well... *gg*

I adored the cute minister guy too.
Me too :o))

I love your icon!!! Have you made Forbrydelsen icons whilst I was obsessing over Game of Thrones?
:D It's just the one, because I love this shot and I really needed a Lund icon.

I'm slowly catching up on Game of Thrones, just watched "The Golden Crown". Jeez, I'm kind of glad I know the story, because it was hard enough watching this scene with knowing what'd come.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yes, that particular twist at the end was saaaaaaaad. I did guess it, and I guessed who the killer in the second season was too, but quite late!

I'm slowly catching up on Game of Thrones, just watched "The Golden Crown". Jeez, I'm kind of glad I know the story, because it was hard enough watching this scene with knowing what'd come.

But the book series are not over yet! Anyone can die in the next 3 books! ** shakes her fist at Martin **

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

I thought the AMC version was excellent, from the camera work to the acting, but I felt cheated by the cliffhanger. However, as US remakes go, this was inspired. It is visually more luminous compared to the original and not heavy-handed at all. Sarah Linden has become a bit of a girl crush ;)

I could tell you about the final twist when I get home unless someone else beats me!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

YAY! I am glad to hear good things about The Killing! But why the cliffhanger? Did they reveal who the murderer of the girl was?

Yes, please tell me all :D - I am very curious and already spoiled as I watched 2 seasons of the Danish show.

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

I only saw a couple of episodes of Forbrydelsen, so I don't know if The Killing went completely the other way.

The male detective brings a photo that proves the politician's guilt in the girl's murder. The politician is arrested but while Sarah's plane is taking off to San Francisco, she receives a phone call that reveals to her that the male detective faked the photo. At the same moment, the squirrely friend of the girl's family shoots the politician in public. Overall, it is obvious that the politician was framed to make him lose the election.

As I had a bet with J that the politician did it (he bet on the rich guy but I have an almost clean track record of guessing whodunnit :D), I felt ROBBED lol. I am not mad but it wasn't a great creative decision. It came across as cheap, especially that the rest of the show is much better than its ending.

My plan for the summer, when I manage to get a grip on my GoT squee, is to watch the rest of the Danish show (+The Borgias, +True Blood, who even has this much time). I really enjoyed The Killing (US) but they are probably very different shows in more ways than the plot. If you like atmospheric films, interesting camera work, mostly remarkable acting, and Northern ports, you might at the very least like it aesthetically.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!!!

From what you wrote, It sounds as if they kept the main story (I think the killer will be the same, judging by what you said), but at the same time they made several big changes, so yes, sounds like these are two different shows.

I must say - I do not approve of open endings and cliffhangers, unless necessary. I am a spoiler-junkie and not knowing the ending drives me mad.

It also seems that the USA first season is about 70% of Danish first season (as far as the sroty progression goes). But the USA season is shorter (13 eps instead of 20).

I will not spoil you for the killer identity, unless you want me too. But I can say that I did guess the killer correctly almost at the start (I also have a real good track of ending predictions, it is the logic freak in me, I think), but the show had me confused few times.

[bond-girl.livejournal.com]

I don't mind open endings but not in this genre. *CRIES* Again, I loved the ride, so I am not as mad as other people but still, NOT FAIR PLAY, SHOW.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

We were discussing this at work and the people were saying that USA show should change the ending. :D

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen The Killing and I debated whether or not to send you this (the writer, while good, can also be misogynistic), but I think it adequately captures the US reaction to the season finale of The Killing: http://espn.go.com/espn/grantland/story/_/id/6680958/hackery-first-degree

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I must say that it doesn't seen=m to be a good idea to leave things opened in a whoddunnit. Danish season was quite a bit longer (20 of 1 hour episodes), but still.. I am curius now, as I adored Danish show (totally recommend it, BTW).

[mookiehyun.livejournal.com]

How timely! I'm planning on marathoning Killing now that GoT is done for the season!

Happy day! ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I would really rec to watch the Danish original version. Many people don't like to watch things with subtitles, but for a fan of Asian drama this is not a problem, right? I actually like subtitled shows (I like to hear the foreign language).