Pilot (The Killing)
A detective's retirement is delayed by a girl's disappearance.
"Pilot" serves as the first episode of the American television drama series *The Killing*, airing on AMC on April 3, 2011. Veena Sud wrote the teleplay, and Patty Jenkins directed. The episode introduces Detective Sarah Linden, who intends to retire but is pulled into the case of a missing teenage girl, Rosie Larsen.
The episode opens with Linden jogging, intercut with a flashback of a girl fleeing through woods at night, pursued by someone with a flashlight. Linden receives a call and rushes to a crime scene, only to find a surprise going-away party from colleagues—it is her last day as a Seattle homicide detective. At the station, she meets her replacement, Stephen Holder, and her boss, Lieutenant Oakes, assigns her one final case, instructing her to bring Holder along. On the way, Holder mentions his past work as a narc. At the scene, evidence includes a bloody pink sweater and an ATM card belonging to Stanley Larsen, but no body is found. Linden suggests the sex crimes unit handle it, but Holder argues for checking the Larsen name, promising they will finish in time for her flight.
Stan Larsen stops home to fix a dishwasher while his wife, Mitch, discusses their daughter Rosie’s plans for out-of-state college—Mitch supports it, Stan opposes. Linden and Holder arrive at the Larsen home, where Mitch says she and Stan were camping without cell service. Linden notices a pink bicycle in the garage and asks if Mitch has a daughter. Mitch explains Rosie attended a Halloween dance on Friday, wearing a pink sweater, and told her “only freshmen wore costumes.” A call from the school reveals Rosie was not with her best friend, Sterling, over the weekend and has not been seen since the dance. While Mitch is on the phone, Linden glances into Rosie’s room, decorated with a butterfly theme.
Meanwhile, city councilman and mayoral candidate Darren Richmond visits an outdoor mausoleum. At City Hall, he tells campaign manager Jamie Wright and lead advisor Gwen Eaton that Councilwoman Ruth Yitanes will endorse him, potentially securing the election. At Fort Washington High, Richmond and his rival, Mayor Lesley Adams, prepare to address a student assembly. Linden arrives and suggests canceling the assembly to allow police to investigate Rosie’s disappearance; Richmond agrees, angering Adams. At campaign headquarters, Jamie urges Richmond to exploit the situation, but he r
- Series
- The Killing
- Episode
- Pilot
- Premiere date
- April 3, 2011
- Network
- AMC
- Teleplay by
- Veena Sud
- Directed by
- Patty Jenkins
- Based on
- Danish series Forbrydelsen
Lore & Background
The episode opens with Sarah Linden jogging, intercut with a flashback of a teenage girl fleeing through woods. Sarah is called to a crime scene that turns out to be a surprise going-away party. She meets her replacement, Stephen Holder, and is given one last assignment. At the Larsen home, the parents report Rosie missing after a Halloween dance. Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Darren Richmond navigates his campaign. The episode ends with a car pulled from a lake containing Rosie's body, and the car is traced to Richmond's campaign.
Reader's Guide
The pilot established the tone and structure of The Killing, a season-long murder mystery. It received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the acting, atmosphere, and emotional depth. The episode earned three Emmy nominations and a Directors Guild of America Award for Patty Jenkins. Its premiere was AMC's second-highest original series debut at the time, drawing 2.7 million viewers. The episode's restrained depiction of the victim's body was a deliberate choice by the director to avoid sensationalism.
Did You Know?
- The episode was directed by Patty Jenkins, who won the 2012 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series.
- The premiere drew 2.7 million viewers and was AMC's second-highest original series premiere after The Walking Dead.
- The episode received three Emmy nominations: for writing, directing, and single-camera picture editing.
- The car containing Rosie Larsen's body is traced to the campaign of mayoral candidate Darren Richmond.
More in The Killing episodes 1-24
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