Seventeen (The Killing)
Linden finds 17 bodies; a task force forms.
"Seventeen" is the 29th episode of the AMC drama *The Killing*, first broadcast on June 9, 2013. Eliza Clark wrote the episode, and Kari Skogland directed it. The plot centers on Detective Sarah Linden uncovering 17 female corpses in a pond, which prompts Detective James Skinner to assemble a task force. The bodies are found in biohazard bags, with their throats cut or heads removed; all are teenagers. Ashley Kwon’s death is linked to the same perpetrator. Skinner theorizes the killer may hold victims for days before murdering them. Detective Stephen Holder notes that teenager Kallie Leeds has recently vanished. Linden suggests a connection to the Trisha Seward case, and Skinner reluctantly welcomes her back to the force with a badge. In prison, Ray Seward receives a hidden razor blade in his soap, which he conceals in his mouth. Meanwhile, a prostitute named Lyric meets with cab driver Joe Mills, who warns her about the bodies. Detectives Holder and Reddick stake out a location and question a driver and a teenage girl, who directs them to a character named Bullet. Bullet tells them she heard a woman crying at Goldie’s apartment and that Goldie possesses a large knife. The detectives break into Goldie’s apartment, find pornography featuring a crying girl, and arrest Goldie when he tries to flee. Goldie admits to distributing child pornography but demands a lawyer when asked about Kallie. Skinner informs Linden that Goldie’s knife doesn’t match the murder weapon. Linden warns Skinner that his wife knows about their past affair. She later tells Holder that Trisha Seward’s broken finger and missing ring match Kwon’s injuries. Linden visits Adrian, Seward’s son, at a playground and asks about his drawing of a factory. Adrian requests to see his father, and Linden agrees to look into it. Bullet confronts Holder and Reddick about not jailing Goldie, but avoids answering when asked if Goldie harmed her. Goldie spots the detectives during their stakeout. The coroner reports the bodies were in the pond for three to five years, all killed within six months. Linden asks about broken fingers; the coroner confirms some were broken or severed. In prison, Seward provokes guard Becker by mentioning a past assault, but Becker is called away before Seward can use the blade. That night, Seward cuts his “A” tattoo and swallows the razor blade, prompting a medical emergency. Bul
- Series
- The Killing
- Episode Number
- 29
- Air Date
- June 9, 2013
- Writer
- Eliza Clark
- Director
- Kari Skogland
- Viewers (millions)
- 1.47
- 18-49 Rating
- 0.4
Lore & Background
The episode opens with Linden discovering a pond containing decomposed bodies. Skinner debriefs a task force, revealing 17 bodies encased in biohazard bags, all female teenagers with throats slashed or heads severed. Ashley Kwon is confirmed as likely killed by the same perpetrator. Skinner presumes the killer may hold victims for several days before killing them. Holder mentions teenager Kallie Leeds has recently gone missing. Linden suggests a connection to the Trisha Seward case, and Skinner gives her a badge, welcoming her back but hesitating to reopen the Seward case.
In prison, Ray Seward finds a razor blade planted in his soap and hides it in his mouth. Later, he slashes at his "A" tattoo and swallows the blade, leading to a medical emergency. Meanwhile, detectives Holder and Reddick investigate a lead from Bullet, who heard a woman crying at Goldie's apartment. They bust into the apartment, find child pornography, and arrest Goldie. Goldie admits to distributing child pornography but demands a lawyer when asked about Kallie.
The coroner estimates the bodies were in the pond for three to five years, all killed within a six-month period. Linden asks if any bodies had broken fingers, and the coroner confirms some did. At the station, officers screen Goldie's porn videos to match any girls to the pond bodies. A cop brings a DVD to Holder and Linden, who hear a male voice ask Kallie to remove her shirt.
Reader's Guide
"Seventeen" is a pivotal episode in The Killing's third season, introducing a massive serial killer case that drives the season's narrative. The discovery of 17 bodies in a pond escalates the stakes for detectives Linden and Holder, while the parallel storyline of Ray Seward's prison ordeal adds tension. The episode received a B grade from Phil Dyess-Nugent of The A.V. Club, who noted that the show shows no signs of loosening its grip on the audience's attention. The episode was watched by 1.47 million viewers, reflecting the show's dedicated audience. The episode's focus on child exploitation and the connection to the Seward case deepens the series' exploration of systemic failures and personal trauma. The introduction of the task force and the ongoing search for Kallie Leeds set up key plot threads for the remainder of the season.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by Eliza Clark and directed by Kari Skogland.
- The 17 bodies found in the pond were all female teenagers, encased in biohazard bags with throats slashed or heads severed.
- Ray Seward swallows a razor blade after slashing his 'A' tattoo in prison.
- The coroner estimated the bodies were in the pond for three to five years, all killed within a six-month period.
More in The Killing episodes 1-24
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