Undertow (The Killing)
Detectives uncover a hidden girl as a father takes revenge.
"Undertow," the ninth episode of *The Killing*, aired on May 22, 2011. Dan Nowak wrote it, and Agnieszka Holland directed. Detectives Linden and Holder listen to a translated wiretap of Bennet Ahmed. The caller mentions the meat market and "the girl." Linden prepares an arrest warrant, but Judge Elliot refuses to sign it, citing misuse of the Patriot Act. Linden covers for Holder. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams denies an affair, claiming sterility, and instructs his staff to backdate medical records. Richmond ends personal attacks on Adams after a mosque is defaced; he visits the mosque but is told he and Adams are alike. Mitch Larsen finds two of Rosie's textbooks in her sister's car. At the school, she sees Ahmed, who finds "KILLER" written on his whiteboard as students walk out. Linden discovers a note in a Quran with the name "Adela," a day, and a time. Amber Ahmed gives police her husband's phone number. Holder traces it to Muhammed Hamid. At a market, Linden and Holder corner Hamid. During questioning, Hamid initially scoffs in Somali but later describes letting a girl into Ahmed's apartment and moving her. He shows confusion when shown Rosie's photo, clarifying he was protecting Aisha Ramallah, a 12-year-old girl fleeing forced marriage and female circumcision. He leads them to Aisha. Linden learns Ahmed hasn't returned home. Mitch, believing Ahmed killed Rosie, accuses Stan of inaction. Stan and Belko drive Ahmed out of town, drag him from the vehicle, and Stan beats him savagely. At home, Mitch finds Rosie's belongings in the laundry.
- series
- The Killing
- episode_number
- 9
- air_date
- May 22, 2011
- writer
- Dan Nowak
- director
- Agnieszka Holland
- viewership
- 1.69 million
Lore & Background
In the episode, detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder pursue a warrant for teacher Bennet Ahmed based on a wiretapped conversation, but Judge Elliot declines to sign the warrant, citing misuse of anti-terrorism provisions. The detectives then question Muhammed Hamid, who initially seems to describe moving Rosie Larsen but later reveals he was protecting a 12-year-old girl named Aisha Ramallah from forced marriage and female circumcision. Linden and Holder find Aisha alive in a hidden apartment.
Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Darren Richmond ends personal attacks on his opponent Mayor Adams after a mosque is defaced, and visits the mosque to promise restoration. He later accepts a basketball challenge from Tom Drexler for a $5 million donation to the Somali community, winning the shot and keeping his campaign alive.
Mitch Larsen, believing Ahmed killed her daughter, pressures her husband Stan. Stan and Belko drive Ahmed out of town, beat him savagely, and leave him. At home, Mitch finds Rosie's pink T-shirt that she had earlier told detectives was missing, and tries unsuccessfully to reach Stan.
Reader's Guide
"Undertow" is a pivotal episode in The Killing's first season, as it both deepens the central mystery and introduces a major red herring. The discovery that Muhammed Hamid was actually hiding a different girl—Aisha Ramallah—rather than moving Rosie's body, undercuts the previous week's incriminating evidence against Bennet Ahmed. This pattern of building suspicion then defusing it drew criticism from some reviewers, with The A.V. Club's Meredith Blake rating the episode a C and noting that the show relied on "increasingly outlandish plot twists." However, TV Fanatic's Teresa L. gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "another solid outing." The episode also marks a turning point for the Larsen family, as Mitch's discovery of Rosie's T-shirt and Stan's violent assault on Ahmed set up a new direction for the investigation. The episode drew the series' lowest viewership to that point, 1.69 million.
Did You Know?
- The episode was directed by Agnieszka Holland, a Polish film director and screenwriter.
- Brandon Jay McLaren, who plays Bennet Ahmed, said he performed most of his own beating in the final scene, which was shot at 25 degrees Fahrenheit at 3 a.m.
- The episode introduces Aisha Ramallah, a 12-year-old girl hidden by Muhammed Hamid to protect her from forced marriage and female circumcision.
- Mitch Larsen finds Rosie's pink T-shirt in her laundry, contradicting her earlier statement to detectives that the shirt was missing.
More in The Killing episodes 1-24
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