So It Starts

[krickets]

→ First of all Holder, Holder, Holder. It looks like people on twitter (at least from seeing the AMC's dedicated Killing feed) have now nicknamed him "Smolder" and I cannot disagree at all. I love that he's not on board with his (let's say it) lazy partner's methods and that he's still following his nose. That's the Holder I have come to know and love. Holder who wants to do the right thing.

→ Holy actors/actresses from all the things, batman! Aaron Douglas, Hugh Dillon, Jewel Staite, Ben Cotton, Elias Koteas. I remembered vaguely hearing about the last one, but those others were surprises for me. I loved Jewel's comment about Holder's tatt. "Serenty. Sounds like a stripper's name." I seriously hope they put that in there purposely for the Firefly reference. Because how could they not?

→ Speaking of... Peter Sarsgaard was phenomenal and I can't wait to see what else they do with this character. I love how they have his hair cut in this and just the sort of serene look on his face. He obviously has been driven kind of mad stuck in prison for the past few years, but he's got such a kind face and lovely eyes. Given how volatile they've made his character, it's a really striking contrast - and it really worked in that scene with Aaron Douglas when he was playing him. Because who wouldn't take pity on a face that earnest? I want to say it was "obvious" he knew nothing about his wife's ring being missing and thus is innocent (of that crime at least) but then I legit don't want to make any assumptions right off the bat.

→ It totally slays me how Sarah's sweet little life that she had made for herself went to shit so quickly. While the delusional Sarah/Stephen shipper in me secretly rejoiced that at least one of them is single now, I am actually hoping that her new beau doesn't give up on her as quickly as Rick did back in season one. I want him to stick around just so that she's not alone. (Ugh, why do I love these characters so much?) Especially because Jack's gone again and Reggie has already written her off. (Which, by the way! Again? Geez,... with friends like these...)

→ I really enjoyed Bullet, but I knew I would from the pre-series stuff they released. I was baffled as to why they included her being attacked and raped though. The only reason I can imagine that it was done was to cast further suspicion on her assailant, who made the comment about Kallie having her throat slit. While we don't know anything has happened to Kallie for sure other than she's gone missing, we do have the poster with her trademark star earrings to give us a pretty big clue. (Not that it couldn't be misleading.) But then, why wouldn't he kill Bullet too? Maybe she's not his "type" so-to-speak.

→ Linden and Holder! Okay just for the record there was barely any of them together in both of these eps, which was just sad. I need them in the same room... or the same vehicle. Please and thank you. At least we know next week they're gonna jump right in it again. However, I got a weird kick out of the fact that they both lied to each other about smoking. And Holder's parting line to her about how he never thought she'd say not to care about his cases. OUCH. Angst. That's what I love about these two. One minute it's joking around and the next minute it's an angst-punch to the face.

→ Relatedly, I'm sorry, gross partner was gross with his comments about carpets and drapes and whatnot but why were there like three mentions (including that super inappropriate one) in this episode of Linden hooking up with her partner/co-workers? Plus we've got Rick the therapist and that "Tom-Waits-looking" mob cop. Linden has a history of getting together with people she works with/people she is supposed to be in a professional relationship with. I really really hope that Veena Sud is trying to tell us something with all this. Because, damn, I ship it so hard.

→ In other news. Is it next week yet?

Comments

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

i knew nothing about this season except what i saw on the promos on amc, so all the guest stars i recognized were a HUGE surprise. i was all "oh my god it's hugh dillon!" and then "holy shit, aaron douglas!" and "holy shit, kaylee!" her crack about holder's tattoo made me giggle. they're cute. and i really liked that even tho time has passed and holder and linden's lives have changed (hers especially! she has a house! and a boyfriend! and she seemed happy! even tho her kid is living with his dad! and i hope the boyfriend sticks around too!) (and holder wears suits and ties!) (i admit i miss the hoodies), the two of them have not fundamentally changed. they both still give a shit about their cases. i don't like his partner either and can't wait for her to join him on this investigation. because you know she will.

and i have to say, it cracks me up that holder is all "i don't eat meat, i don't eat processed food", and yet he smokes. heh.

i've been assuming kallie is dead and just no one's found her body yet. and i agree they had bullet being raped (props to the ptb for cutting away from it) to cast suspicion on the dude who did it, which just makes me think he's not the murderer. altho it doesn't look like peter sarsgaard is either. he's pretty fascinating, tho. i can't figure him out, but i don't think we're supposed to be able to.

i had mixed feelings about s1 and s2, but i'm all into this one! i'm intrigued! and i want to watch all the supporting characters! and mostly i want to know what happens next!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Even my parents recognized Hugh Dillon. Which as a former Hard Core Logo lover, I never thought in a million years that would be a thing that happened in my house. Thank Flashpoint for that. It was kind of an all-star cast though wasn't it? Apparently the guy who plays Holder's partner (FOR NOW) is also in Scandal, which I don't watch, but is just another borrowed face to add to the fray.

Yeah Sarah was happy for like a second. Knew it couldn't last. I love how giggly and just... ugh, carefee she was. And Cody was freaking adorable, let me tell you. And Holder's wisecrack's about her dating a younger guy. Very cute.

I don't think I am missing the hoodies. As long as I have suits and ties, and okay, I would die to see holder in a linden-style comfy sweater. Just saying.

LOL No processed food but a hamburger bun (no meat) and french fries are what exactly? LOL. I like that they're kind of going with the through-line of Holder being this kind of lazy health nut, but c'mon Holder. You can do better!

Yeah I agree with you about Kallie but maybe she's being held somewhere too. I don't know. Maybe I'm just trying to look for a silver lining. Because she seemed sweet and I would be delighted to see her and Bullet reunite after all of this.

I had no mixed feelings about the earlier seasons. In fact I just finished re-watching season 2 with mom, who was watching it the first time, and I was getting so emotional during the finale. Jamie's confession "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT" just... ugh his voice in that moment kills me and brings a tear to my eye. And then Aunt Terry and how beautifully all of the clues led so logically to her, and then Rosie's video, and even Gwen, across the glass from Richmond, watching him make his deal with the devil, SIGH... I loved it so much. We are all so so so so so so so so so lucky that the TV gods smiled upon us and gave us a third season of this brilliant, brilliant show.

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

Bullet's rape was just...I love this show a lot so I'm going to give the writers the benefit of the doubt and assume there was some point to that because otherwise...


I knew about most of those guest stars but Jewel Staite was a big surprise and if Holder can't be with Linden right now anyway, Jewel is not a bad choice. And the Firefly reference was delightful, as was her teasing him.


Those references to Sarah's dating history NEED to have significance. Obviously I see it from biased shipper's POV but I don't see why they'd include it unless something is going to come of it later on.


Basically, I LOVED IT and I'm glad my bbs are back!!!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Yeah I love this show too so I am willing to let it slide especially if it has something to do with the overall plot or if it eventually leads to clues that have to do with the overall plot. I do worry, however, that any new viewers to the show might be turned off by that. They were trying to lure in new viewers because they keep insisting that "you don't have to have seen 1 & 2 to watch season 3." I know if I hadn't watched season 1 and 2 I would have been like "Hey now, what the actual fuck?" At that scene. But because I love this show so dearly, I am more forgiving for the time being.

Yeah they were cute and Jewel is always cute so I am pleased with her casting.

I know! Don't they? Speaking as a fellow biased shipper but... COME ONE. And Sarah is ALL ALONE. She broke up with her boyfriend, Reggie already abandoned her, Jack went back to Chicago after the wedding, and now ALL SHE HAS IS HOLDER, ONCE AGAIN. I am sad for her but DELIGHTED by the whole notion of that. BECAUSE! MY BABIES!

♥ YES THEY ARE BACK.

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had the same thought about that scene, as it would've turned me off if I didn't trust the writers to have an actual reason for it.

lol, ITA re: Sarah only having Holder. It's sad but also awesome :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Sad, but awesome.

I'm pretty sure I'll get over the sad.

I'm pretty sure the sad will make it even more awesome. (For me.)

[aeliasnymph.livejournal.com]

I'm still just so thrilled that we even have this show back, so I'm just enjoying the ride and not looking at anything too critically yet. But I thought it was an AWESOME premiere.

My girl is Sarah and is always going to be Sarah so my emotions were on a ride with her for these two hours. I couldn't believe how giggly and laughy she was with her BF (who seemed really sweet and nice and I agree, I kinda want him to stick around for a bit), it was just so nice to finally see her happy and carefree for a change. And even when Holder was there she was still cracking jokes with him and hdsgkjhfkj it was all so cuuuute. But then it all went bad so quickly, and there were so many moments - the toast on Reggie's boat, "I break things", and tHE SHOOTING THE COW SCENE UGH FUCKING TRAGIC - where my heart was just breaking for her. I'm so glad she's going to get back with Holder next week, he's so good for her.

And HOLDER. He's going to take the sergeant's exam! He doesn't eat meat, bitch! He's working so hard for this case! I'm just so proud of him and how far he's come, and I feel like a lot of that is leftover influence that Linden had on him. And yeah, his partner is a total prick but I loved watching him just for how much of an asshole he was. I mean, in the very first scene he was getting all up on the cop's business for responding with "Yup" like chill the fuck out. It was such a nice contrast to the Holder/Linden relationship and how they worked, esp when Holder got pissed at him because he bought him food with meat in it (something I'm sure Linden never did/would do). Oh and also how he immediately shut down the line of gross commenting from the dick partner about his relations with Linden and he was just like "Yo it wasn't like that". Yeah, you tell 'im bb.

I must be one of the few people who wasn't all that familiar with the other actors and guest stars, but they were all phenomenal and I loved their characters. Peter Sarsgaard is so so good, and it was so hard to watch the scene between him and the guard when he was talking about his son but he played it SO WELL and everything is so gray and I love it. I really liked the street kids too, and I wonder if Lyric (???) is going to be the next victim, since it seems like she has to go "street picking" or whatever that guy said, or if the focus is going to be on Kallie (who I think is dead and missing, but she might stay missing and that will be what pulls them forward).

I'm just so happy to have my show back and my favorite duo are going to be fighting crime and having more lovely moments together and it looks like it's going to be an awesome ride. :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I know. I was pretty much beside myself the whole show but as I spend the last 2 weeks mainlining season 2 with my mom (who was catching up before the season 3 premiere) My brain was already totally in killing mode (That doesn't mean what it sounds like it means!) Looking for clues, basking in the angst, scrutinizing details, it's kind of how I do when I'm watching, lol.

Ugh I know. She deserves so much happiness and UGH, it kills me that she's already lost the one thing that was making her happy and whole and relatively normal. At least she has Holder... *shipper brain goes berserk with the implications of him being the only one she's got, yet again, and SO SOON in the season*

UGH, I just love Holder. I love Sarah, but I pretty much love Holder so much it hurts. That said I am glad he's doing better and that he doesn't have anything to be sad about... RIGHT NOW. (This show can break me so easy.) I just think of him at the beginning of season 2 and... OW. My heart.

Peter Sarsgaard was riveting and amazing and somehow... incredibly sad. That "I don't have a son" line. KILLED ME DEAD. I know he's being drawn as a psychopath but... can't I feel sorry for him a little?

I don't know about Lyric and Twitch (was it twitch? idk?) Their scenes seemed kind of pointless to me which makes the whole thing kind of suspicious. That was the only thing that confused me about the premiere. I wish they had given us a better reason to give them so much screen time. I am sure we'll find out soon, but for now I am just a little "huh?" about them.

[timidwildone.livejournal.com]

Couldn't wait to read your thoughts on the ep. I am with you on so many points.

Man, I was so zeroing in on the little Holden/Linden things that happened/were said throughout the ep. Like the "1-900-LINDEN" callback(!) + sundry other flirtiness in that scene, how Holder was straight up OFFENDED when Reddick basically called Linden a ho, how Holder's big silly boombox is still in the office they once shared. Their rapport upon meeting again was so easy and ahhhh...comfy like an old, favorite sweater.

On another note, I am pretty torn on the revelation that Linden had an affair with her old partner. My little shippy brain went off on tangents of her falling back into old, home-wrecky behaviors now that Holder has a girlfriend, but at the same time...H&L are just so much more than that, you know? It would be too cheap if it was just brushed off as "something she's done in the past." I know one thing, there will definitely be future tension there between Sarah and Holder's little miss ADA girlfriend. And speaking of little miss ADA - I was pretty much guaranteed to despise any character they put Holder in a relationship with, but forget it. I can't not love Jewel Staite..."cuz she's pretty." Good play, The Killing. I can't NOT give her a chance now.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hee I hope my thoughts were worth the wait! ;)

Yes I was right there with you on the zeroing in. I just kind of can't help myself. After all the fic writing and just... THEM. Because... they're perfect. Comfy, like an old, favorite sweater. You are right about that. I just can't wait until they're partners again.

THEY ARE so much more than that. They totally effing are.

And you're right, JEWEL STAITE pretty much guaranteed that I can't hate her. (But I don't know if I would have, honestly.)

[catteo.livejournal.com]

UGH IT WAS SO GOOD. It was washout colours of blue and grey and everything that I wanted it to be. The sheer volume of supporting actors that I love was pretty overwhelming - I'd avoided pretty much all the things until now so Hugh Dillon and Aaron and Kaylee were total surprises. Also, I cannot be the only one who giggled when they were doing that whole bit about the 'Serenity' tattoo?

Holder looks like he's doing a great job of turning his life around and it was so great to see him put together and certain (right up to the point where Linden turned up because that's how they roll). I, too, loved the little differences between L/H and Holder with his new partner. This guy is much more as I imagine a normal cop to be - try and trade off your shitty cases and just get the job done. A direct contrast to Linden who lives for getting the job done.

The moment where Holden left Linden's new place with that remark about how she's nothing like she used to be was so poignant. And the way that it stirred Linden into action was perfect. Compounded by the speech that she gives at Reggie's wedding where she's talking about the person that knows you best and I was just SHE IS TALKING ABOUT HOLDEN GUYZ!!!!! So great.

Peter Sarsgaard was just as chilling as the previews indicated and he may not have killed his wife but he sure as hell has some sort of psychological damage going on. I mean, who bashes the Padre's head in? That's just uncalled for. And the "I don't have a son" moment. SO GREAT.

EVERYTHING WAS SO GREAT. I AM SO GLAD THAT IT'S BACK AND THANK YOU AMC.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

It was washout colours of blue and grey and everything that I wanted it to be. Right? I missed this show and its atmosphere so much! So glad it's back!

Yeah no, you're definitely not. I don't know how I didn't know Jewel was gonna be in this. So surprising.

A direct contrast to Linden who lives for getting the job done. RIght? It's been said before I think but Holder and Linden really are two sides of the same coin.

Man I really really need to go back and watch that speech with new eyes. These two are just killing me.

I love Peter Sarsgaard just in general (and will watch the film Shattered Glass just for the satisfaction of hearing him yell at Hayden Christiensen after the slow build-up of emotions.) and his FABULOUS HERE. Has he ever even done TV before? Because GOOD CHOICE PSars! GOOD CHOICE.

[catteo.livejournal.com]

I think that the atmosphere is almost a character on this show. Like, you see 2 seconds and you instantly know what you're watching because it's so different from the technicolour that we're used to these days.

Totally agreed that Holder and Linden are basically the same. Ultimately they'll do anything it takes to get to the truth and I think that's what made them so successful in the Larson case.

You DO need to rewatch that speech. It was so about her and Holder that it's not even funny.

I have never even heard of Shattered Glass but clearly I should rectify this. And I don't think I've ever seen him on TV before but that may mean nothing because I am rubbish!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I totally did and it TOTALLY WAS!!!!!!!!!


I love this scene so much, I am putting a youtube embed here for you to see:

Hayden's character is so whiny and annoying and MAN he so deserved that yelling and Peter's voice is PERFECT in that moment. "I really wish you'd STOP SAYING THAT!" The supporting cast in that movie are all fabulous actually, no comment on Hayden, lol. Check it out. It's a true story too.

[far-to-nowhere.livejournal.com]

"And Holder's parting line to her about how he never thought she'd say not to care about his cases."

Man, I know when Holder said that it bothered her. And you could just see her slowly spiraling back to her old ways after his visit. And then her speech at Regie's wedding and later Sarah said to her boyfriend, "you don't know me." I really thought she was reacting to Holder's comment. That Holder knew her more than her own boyfriend. It was glorious.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I know, I know! I am totally re-watching these episodes soon for ALL OF THIS. GUH. More please.

[twilightthief.livejournal.com]

Joel is Smolder. HOT DAMN.

Peter is fantastic! I have yet to see a performance of his and be disappointed.

Im eagerly anticapting more Holder/Linden moments too!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Isn't he? Haha.

And yes, Peter is perfection in this role (and all of his roles really).

MORE LINDEN/HOLDER I feel like starting with the next episode it's gonna be all Holder/Linden, all the time. (Wishful thinking?)

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

It's so inappropriate but I kept laughing at Holder's joke about Cody being one of Jack's friends. And I totally think LInden/Holder is the endgame -- they showed her having relations with people she works with, and now we see her have relations with a co-worker and someone younger...yay,

Joel Kinnaman looks thin and gangly in clothes, which is why it's surprising to see how meaty he is underneath them.

I kinda like this new iteration of The Killing. I definitely think that they held onto the Rosie Larsen thing a season too long. And it's creepier now...It's not just me, right?

p.s. wow, Liam's so big now...I remember him being so tiny in Psych.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, you think so? I am really hoping you're right because before this and her speech at Regi's and all the overt hints about Linden's relationship patterns, I feel like it's finally not in my imagination anymore.

Oh man you're right about how he looks thin in clothes. How does that work, I wonder?

Nah, I actually LOVED the Rosie story from start to finish. And even more upon re-watching it recently. It's perfection to me, haha.

I never watched Psych so I didn't know he was in that show. He looks so much older just from the start of this show though.

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

I think, all the layering makes him look smaller as well as putting him in clothes 1 size larger.

Let's agree to disagree on Rosie :) But part of my dissatisfaction is because one of the people I liked turned out to be connected to the murder.

I watched Psych from the start and he was the 6-year old version of the lead (I think he was 8 or 9 then), and it's weird seeing him all teenager-y.

p.s. that endshot was just awesome, It framed Linden, as if saying "you're right smack in the middle of this shenanigans, girlie. Again." And Ihave to hand it to the director or the writer who thought of it but having the fog dissapate and reveal more bodies/bags was just OMG.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

That's true about the one-size too big.

I actually loved both of them, which didn't diminish it for me. But it did devastate me. Haha. I re-watched that last ep recently and there were waterworks. For sure.

I know! It was so symbolic.

[timidwildone.livejournal.com]

I'm just going to point everyone HERE and borrow a phrase I saw on here a while back: *incoherent noises of squee*

[crickets.livejournal.com]

YEAH! I totally read the heck out of that and cackled with glee (inwardly) at all the Holder/Linden stuff.

[kiki-miserychic.livejournal.com]

Holder cleaned UP GOOOOOOOD.

I think nearly every actor is Canada is on The Killing now. FACT. Wait, is it filmed in Canada?

I wasn't ready for Peter Sarsgaard. I had no idea he was going to be on and was taken aback for a moment, then verbalized a "shit yeah" and kept watching.

I agree about Bullet's rape. Just. I'll give it time, but the inclusion...

[crickets.livejournal.com]

He does though!

Hahahahahah, that cracked me up. Yes, It's filmed in Vancouver.

Oh man, I kind of wish I hadn't known, but as much as I was anticipating his character he totally blew all expectations out of the water so knowing didn't ruin anything at all. He's just fantastic.

Yeah I'll give it time too, it frustrated me a lot. But I love this show so much I will have to build a bridge and get over it.

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

Belated comment is belated but DUDE THE KILLING IS BACK.

I am with you on the Jewel Staite/Serenity tattoo being a total reference to Firefly. It's just...I don't think Jewel Staite can say the word Serenity without it being a reference to Firefly anymore. It's just not possible.

I also think that the references to Sarah hooking up with partners/work colleagues is setting the ground for Linden/Holder. I think it would have been nice if her young beau had stuck around, and I am not entirely happy about Holder being ~unhappy about a breakup with Carolyn but based on the latest episode I'm not convinced everything is roses. Especially now that Carolyn is watching the Linden-Holder dynamic while being watched by Linden.

Bullet, my dear, my darling. She would hate me calling her that and that is why I love her. Among many reasons. She is just all sharp edges except not, and her interactions with both LInden and Holder have put me in mind of them sort of having this kid adopt them and bring them together.