Try (The Killing)

Lore & Background

In the episode, Pastor Mike holds a knife to Linden's throat in her car and orders her to drive. She secretly activates her police radio, allowing Holder and the station to hear their conversation. Mike reveals he was wrongly accused of kidnapping a girl in Tempe, Arizona, while trying to help her through drug detoxification, which cost him his ministry. Linden shares her own troubled past and strained relationship with her son, softening Mike slightly before he spots the radio and forces her to a pier.

Reader's Guide

The episode is significant for its tense hostage scenario and the use of the two-way radio as a narrative device, allowing the audience and police to eavesdrop on Linden's efforts to talk Mike down. It also advances the subplot of Ray Seward's impending execution and Bullet's investigation into the missing girls. The episode received positive critical reception, with Sean McKenna of TVFanatic praising the season's craftsmanship. It was watched by 1.52 million viewers with a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

Did You Know?

• Actor Ben Cotton prepared for the role of Pastor Mike by reading the Bible and watching heroin documentaries on YouTube.
• The episode was written by Nic Sheff and Aaron Slavick and directed by Lodge Kerrigan.
• Pastor Mike admits he dropped Angie Gower off at a veterinarian instead of a hospital to avoid the foster system.
• Bullet buys drugs from Poochie, who warns her about a girl who had her finger chopped off.