72 Hours (The Killing)

Lore & Background

In the episode, Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) wakes up in a psychiatric ward after attacking a casino security guard, placed on a 72-hour hold. Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) continues the investigation, learning that the Larsen case files have disappeared. Stan Larsen (Brent Sexton) attempts to repair his past actions, apologizing to Bennet Ahmed and later leaving a message on Rosie's phone revealing he was not her biological father. Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell) returns to a charity basketball game. Holder discovers that a man named Joseph Nowak broke into a construction site on the night of Rosie's murder, working for Janek Kovarsky, and that the break-in was to bury old bones from a Native American burial ground. Holder speculates that Rosie may have witnessed a meeting between Ames, Chief Jackson, and Mayor Adams, but does not definitively conclude she was killed for that reason. Linden is released by her ex-fiancé and psychiatrist, Dr. Rick Felder (Callum Rennie). The episode ends with a blood-stained City Hall keycard lying unnoticed under floorboards at the casino.

Reader's Guide

The episode serves as a pivotal installment in the second season, advancing the central murder investigation while deepening character arcs. It received mostly positive reviews, with critics noting its quiet intensity and tenacity. Sean McKenna of TV Fanatic rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its silent moments. The A.V. Club's Brandon Nowalk gave it a B−, noting a tension between the show's past and present. William Bibbiani of CraveOnline called it a "filler episode, disguised as something more," but acknowledged the revelation of Linden's engagement to her psychiatrist. The episode was watched by 1.31 million viewers, a slight drop from the previous episode. Its significance lies in connecting key suspects and setting up the season's climax.

Did You Know?

• The episode was written by Eliza Clark and directed by Nicole Kassell.
• Linden is placed on a 72-hour hold after attacking a casino security guard, not for a suicide attempt.
• Holder discovers that Joseph Nowak broke into a construction site to bury old bones from a Native American burial ground.
• The episode ends with a keycard (possibly blood-stained) hidden under floorboards.