The Killing episodes 1-3 synopses

16 June 2011

1 - Pilot

Detective Sarah Linden is about to start a new life in California with her son. On her last day of work, she and her colleague Stephen Holder are drawn into a new case about the disappearance of 17 year old teenage girl Rosie Larsen.

Rosie's parents Mitch and Stan Larsen have been away on a weekend camping trip with their two sons and assumed their daughter was staying with best friend Sterling Fitch. When they learn Rosie did not show up at school on Monday, they frantically try to track her down.

Councilman Darren Richmond prepares for an important forum with the Mayor as the election nears. However his party is caught up in the missing teen case which could cause jeopardy to his campaign.

 

2 - The Cage

Lead homicide detective Sarah Linden is trying to plan her wedding which is only three weeks away. She was supposed to have resigned from her job; however her boss fails to sign off her leaving letter and instead puts her in charge of the investigation into Rosie Larsen's killer.

Sarah and her new colleague Stephen Holder question a number of people including her parents Stan and Mitch Larsen and her best friend Sterling Fitch to try find out as much information into how and why Rosie went missing.  When the police discover that the car in which Rosie's body is found, is in fact, one of City Councilman Darren Richmond campaign vehicles, the high flying politician comes under suspicion.  

Rosie's school becomes a potential murder site when Sarah and Holder uncover shocking evidence on campus. Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Mitch and Stan face the aftermath of losing their daughter and tell their sons about their sister's tragic death.

 

3 - El Diablo

Reporters swoop in on City Councilman Darren Richmond, asking about his connection to the murder victim, Rosie Larsen and why she was found in one of his campaign cars. Richmond begins to suspect there is a leak within his own team, causing a big shake up in his campaign.

Detectives Sarah and Holder track down a potential witness to the Rosie's murder and are led to a new suspect. They also come across the potential crime scene in the storage cage of the school basement.

Rosie's mother Mitch shuts down completely, forcing Stan to take on both parenting roles and look after their two young sons as his family grapples with the reality of losing Rosie.