The BEST episodes of The Killing (US)

Every episode of The Killing (US) ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Killing (US)!

The Killing is an American crime drama television series based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle Washington, the series follows the various murder investigations by homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder.

Last Updated: 9/5/2026Network: NetflixStatus: Ended
What I Know
star
8.60
1062 votes

#1 - What I Know

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/17/2012

Sarah and Holder's investigation comes to a close. Meanwhile, Richmond sets out on a bold new course; and a surprise source helps bring closure to the Larsens.

Directors: Patty Jenkins
Eden
star
8.30
336 votes

#2 - Eden

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/1/2014

Linden and Holder are confronted with the shocking truth behind the Stansbury murders.

Directors: Jonathan Demme
Writer: Veena Sud
Pilot
star
8.20
1455 votes

#3 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/3/2011

On her last day of work, homicide detective Sarah Linden is drawn into a new case about the disappearance of a teenage girl, Rosie Larsen. Mitch and Stan Larsen frantically try to track down their daughter when they learn she did not show up at school. City Councilman Darren Richmond prepares for an important forum with the Mayor as the election nears.

Directors: Patty Jenkins
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Good Soldier
star
8.10
392 votes

#4 - The Good Soldier

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/1/2014

Reddick digs deeper as Linden and Holder struggle to keep their investigation from going cold.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Truth Asunder
star
8.10
392 votes

#5 - Truth Asunder

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/1/2014

New information about the family murders surfaces. Meanwhile, Holder's loyalty is put to the test.

Directors: Coky Giedroyc
Writer: Dan Nowak
Orpheus Descending
star
8.00
1259 votes

#6 - Orpheus Descending

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/19/2011

The identification of the mysterious Orpheus provides a vital connection to the case. Mitch and Stan reflect on the past while contemplating their family's future.

Directors: Brad Anderson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Bulldog
star
8.00
1006 votes

#7 - Bulldog

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/3/2012

A return to the casino winds up sending Sarah and Holder on the run, while Stan and Richmond face life-altering decisions.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Writer: Jeremy Doner
Donnie or Marie
star
8.00
1090 votes

#8 - Donnie or Marie

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/10/2012

Sarah and Holder close in on the murderer. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign preps for the election; and the Larsens seek to get their lives back in order.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Reckoning
star
8.00
644 votes

#9 - Reckoning

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/21/2013

The hunt for a pornographer leads to a shocking revelation; Holder looks for a scapegoat; Twitch and Lyric find their dream home.

Directors: Jonathan Demme
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Road to Hamelin
star
8.00
336 votes

#10 - The Road to Hamelin

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/4/2013

In the Season 3 finale, Sarah risks her life when someone dear to her goes missing; and Holder's past is used against him.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Watch Now:Apple TV
Beau Soleil
star
7.90
1175 votes

#11 - Beau Soleil

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/12/2011

The police connect Rosie to a suspicious website. Stan faces his demons while Mitch learns secrets she never knew about Rosie.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:Apple TV
Dream Baby Dream
star
7.90
392 votes

#12 - Dream Baby Dream

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/1/2014

Linden and Holder focus their investigation on a new suspect, and a tip from an informant leads Reddick to a shocking discovery.

Watch Now:Apple TV
From Up Here
star
7.90
672 votes

#13 - From Up Here

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/4/2013

Sarah seeks peace in the case's aftermath; the detectives pick up an unnerving new assignment; Lyric is tempted by her old life; Danette says good-bye.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Writer: Eliza Clark
Sayonara, Hiawatha
star
7.90
1033 votes

#14 - Sayonara, Hiawatha

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/20/2012

Richmond lends support to the investigation; Sarah tries to track down Rosie's key; and Stan deals with his troubled son.

Directors: Phil Abraham
The Cage
star
7.80
1035 votes

#15 - The Cage

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/3/2011

The investigation into Rosie’s killer begins as Sarah and Holder question the missing girl’s parents, Stan and Mitch, as well as Rosie’s friends and City Councilman Richmond. Rosie’s school becomes a potential murder site when Sarah and Holder uncover shocking evidence on campus. Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Mitch and Stan face the aftermath of losing their daughter.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Watch Now:Apple TV
Keylela
star
7.80
1174 votes

#16 - Keylela

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/6/2012

The investigation refocuses on the casino; Stan has an uneasy face-to-face with Richmond; tension grips the Larsen house.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Writer: Dan Nowak
El Diablo
star
7.70
1399 votes

#17 - El Diablo

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/10/2011

Councilman Richmond suspects a leak within his team; Sarah tracks down a witness and is led to a suspect.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Undertow
star
7.70
1091 votes

#18 - Undertow

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/22/2011

The police are thwarted in their efforts to arrest Bennet. Richmond thinks long and hard about removing himself from the Mayor's race. Mitch and Stan have had it with the police.

Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:Apple TV
Try
star
7.70
644 votes

#19 - Try

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/14/2013

Sarah goes missing; Bullet makes a choice to save Lyric; a dark secret is learned.

Directors: Lodge Kerrigan
Watch Now:Apple TV
Hope Kills
star
7.70
588 votes

#20 - Hope Kills

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/7/2013

Holder and Linden get a break in the case; Seward clashes with death; Bullet becomes a protector.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Brett Conrad
Watch Now:Apple TV
72 Hours
star
7.70
923 votes

#21 - 72 Hours

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/27/2012

Sarah teeters on the edge. Stan attempts to make amends. Richmond receives an unexpected boost in the mayoral race.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Writer: Eliza Clark
A Soundless Echo
star
7.70
1175 votes

#22 - A Soundless Echo

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/17/2011

The Larsens plan their daughter's funeral; Rosie's friend unveils surprises about her life.

Writer: Soo Hugh
Watch Now:Apple TV
Scared and Running
star
7.70
560 votes

#23 - Scared and Running

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/23/2013

Bullet races to find a victim on the run before someone else does; Seward is discourteous to surprise visitors.

Directors: Daniel Attias
What You Have Left
star
7.60
1231 votes

#24 - What You Have Left

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/1/2011

Sarah and Holder intensify their investigation on a suspect's family and friends. Gwen and Richmond disagree over strategy for the next debate with the mayor. Meanwhile, Rosie's funeral takes place and Stan concentrates on his own investigation into her death.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Stonewalled
star
7.60
1231 votes

#25 - Stonewalled

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/15/2011

Sarah and Holder evade the FBI and unearth new evidence. Mitch endangers the boys, prompting Stan to take matters into his own hands. Richmond tries to climb back in the race.

Watch Now:Apple TV