Blu-ray Review: Memorable, Atmospheric ‘The Killing: The Complete First Season’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – With the upcoming second-season premiere of “The Killing” (come back for our review on Sunday, April 1st, 2012), it’s a good time to cram in the first season, recently released on a nice three-disc set from Fox Home Video. With stellar performances, especially from Mireille Enos & Michelle Forbes, and an accomplished sense of atmosphere, this is one of the best shows on TV. The Blu-ray release doesn’t answer questions or criticisms about the controversial season finale, but will allow you to reassess it away from the expectations of a resolution to the mystery of who killed Rosie Larsen.

Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Fans of the show may be drawn to the set just for the words “Extended Season Finale.” After the 13th episode of “The Killing” aired last summer, the internet puked on itself out of anger that the mystery of Rosie Larsen’s death was left hanging. With an extended episode and a commentary track on it, one might hope a few more questions would be answered. One shouldn’t hope. The commentary (and most of the special features for that matter) is REMARKABLY self-congratulatory. Perhaps it was recorded before the internet sh*tstorm of disappointment but Enos and writer Nicole Yorkin mostly just talk about how great the show was to make.

And the sad thing is that the controversy over the sense that viewers were lied to about getting a resolution at the end of the season overshadowed the quality of the show overall. This is a very good drama and I know I’ll be there through every episode of season two. Will it go down like “Twin Peaks” did when they notoriously stretched out their first-season mystery? Maybe, but I hung in there too. I have a feeling I won’t be alone.

The Killing: The Complete First Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 13th, 2012.
Photo credit: Fox

Synopsis:
Following a shocking murder, the lives of the police, suspects and victim’s family are intricately woven together in this “spellbinding” (TV Guide) series starring Mirielle Enos and Joel Kinnamon. This engrossing series has earned huge acclaim, as well as a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Emmy nominations in its first season!

Special Features:
o Orpheus Descending - Extended Season Finale
o Commentary On The Killing (Plot) With Executive Producer/Writer Veena Sud
o An Autopsy of The Killing
o Deleted Scenes
o Gag Reel
o Commentary On Orpheus Descending With Actress Mireille Enos and Writer Nicole Yorkin

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com