My Lucky Day (The Killing)
Rosie's backpack surfaces; Richmond learns he is paralyzed.
"My Lucky Day" is the fifteenth episode of the American crime drama *The Killing*, airing on April 1, 2012 as the second part of a two-hour season two premiere. The installment was co-written by series producers Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin, with direction from Dan Attias. A cameo appearance is made by Sofie Gråbøl, who played the lead in the original Danish series *Forbrydelsen*.
In the episode, Rosie Larsen’s bloodstained backpack is left on the garage doorstep, convincing her father Stan that the police have arrested the wrong person. Gwen gives Sarah more details about Richmond’s whereabouts on the night he was suspected of killing Rosie. Holder starts to understand that he is being used as a pawn in a larger conspiracy. Richmond regains consciousness to discover he is no longer a suspect but is now paralyzed.
The plot follows Stan Larsen, who wakes to find his son Denny has heard a noise outside. Investigating, Stan trips over a pink backpack marked with the initials "RL." Detective Stephen Holder arrives and seals the backpack’s contents as evidence; Stan confirms it belongs to Rosie. Realizing the bag was planted after a suspect’s arrest, Stan demands police protection for his family, but Holder does not reply. On the phone, Lieutenant Michael Oakes orders Holder to bring the backpack straight to the station and hand it to a technician named Stu, bypassing the usual tech, Gary. Oakes later tells Holder that forensic tests found only Rosie’s fingerprints on the bag and insists he drop the case. Holder suspects his boss is lying, and Gil Sloane warns him to stop speculating, blaming Sarah for any problems.
Detective Sarah Linden visits Gwen Eaton, Richmond’s campaign adviser, and presses her again about Richmond’s location the night of the murder. Gwen recalls that Richmond smelled of saltwater that night, as he always does after kayaking. Sarah obtains a key to Richmond’s apartment, where she finds a photo of Richmond hugging his late wife Lily, with an inscription on the back placing it in Tacoma, Washington on October 5, 2002.
At the hospital, a doctor advises Jamie Wright, Richmond’s campaign manager, that someone close to Richmond should be present when he is told about his paralysis. Jamie fails to reach Richmond’s sister by phone. Richmond wakes in his room and realizes something is wrong with his leg. Jamie leaves without telling him the
- Series
- The Killing
- Episode number
- 15
- Season
- 2
- Air date
- April 1, 2012
- Writers
- Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin
- Director
- Dan Attias
- Viewership
- 1.80 million
Lore & Background
In the episode, Rosie Larsen's bloody backpack is dropped off at the garage's doorstep, a sign to her father Stan that the police arrested the wrong person. Gwen provides more information to Sarah about Richmond and the night he was suspected of killing Rosie. Holder begins to realize that he is a pawn in a bigger conspiracy. Richmond wakes up to learn that he is no longer a suspect but is paralyzed.
The plot follows Stan Larsen waking in the night to find the backpack with initials "RL". Detective Holder arrives and seals the evidence. Stan demands protection for his family. Holder is ordered by Lt. Oakes to give the backpack to a specific technician, Stu, rather than the usual tech Gary. Oakes later tells Holder that only Rosie's fingerprints were found and insists he drop the case. Sarah Linden visits Gwen Eaton, who recalls Richmond smelled of saltwater the night of the murder. Sarah finds a photo of Richmond with his late wife, inscribed as taken in Tacoma on October 5, 2002.
At the hospital, Jamie Wright fails to reach Richmond's sister before Richmond learns of his paralysis from his doctor. Sarah visits the inn where Richmond and Gwen stayed, then talks to a fisherman who pulled Richmond from the water on the murder night. Sarah tells District Attorney Christina Nilsen (played by Sofie Gråbøl) about the witness, and Nilsen agrees to drop charges and reopen the case. At the station, Lt. Erik Carlson replaces Oakes and orders Sarah to work with Holder. Holder later drops his badge at Sarah's motel door. Stan, denied police protection, asks an old mob acquaintance to find and kill Rosie's murderer.
Reader's Guide
The episode received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising its handling of grief and the mystery's progression. Lori Rackl of Chicago Sun-Times noted the show's exquisite portrayal of the family's pain. Hank Steuver of The Washington Post called it solid and corrective. Dorothy Rabinowitz of The Wall Street Journal highlighted the scrutiny given to character and trust. However, Matt Zoller Seitz of New York Magazine panned the writing, despite praising acting, direction, and photography. The episode was watched by 1.80 million viewers, marking the series' fifth-lowest viewership. Its significance lies in advancing the central murder investigation, revealing Richmond's innocence, and deepening the conspiracy around Holder and the police department.
Did You Know?
- The episode features a cameo from Sofie Gråbøl, the protagonist of the original Danish version of the series, Forbrydelsen.
- The episode aired as the second half of a two-part second-season premiere on April 1, 2012.
- The episode was written by series producers Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin and directed by Dan Attias.
- The episode was watched by 1.80 million viewers, the series' fifth-lowest viewership.
More in The Killing episodes 1-24
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