As series three begins on BBC4 this weekend, James appraises The Killing’s second series…
This feature contains spoilers for seasons one and two ofThe Killing.
The only other accompaniment to the murder is half a soldiers dog tag left with the body.
Our first encounter with Lund inThe Killing IIcould not be more different than her first appearance in season one.
It is only after Lund hears of the confession of Dragsholms husband that her interest in helping is piqued.
Its on with a fetching new red jumper, and back to Copenhagen.
And its not before time either.
It seems that Islamic extremists are behind the deaths.
Do we buy that?
Neither does Sarah Lund.
Lund couldnt find a desert camouflage jumper so settles for traditional BDUs.
The return ofThe Killingdoes keep its political edge with its second storyline.
Might this all be related to the murders that Lund and co are investigating?
The multiple victim pile up leads to the investigation never seeming to have time to stand still.
As a result, this season is every bit as gripping as the first.
That feeling of one episode is never enough is just as prevalent.
Her behaviour towards DI Strange when he first meets her is just downright rude.
The fiance we presume is long gone.
During season one ofThe KillingDetective Inspector Jan Meyer was a character that the audience could take to its heart.
Strange seems more amused than exasperated by Lund.
The Killing IItakes a different approach again with its lead character in the political side of the story.
Thomas Buch is a guy that we feel we can immediately like.
Nicolas Bro plays such a likeable character in Buch that we always feel on his side.
We know that hes being bullied by those around him, though we may not be quite sure who.
The programme needs to have characters like Buch and Meyer in it.
The final big player inThe Killing IIis Ken Vedsegaards military staff sergeant Jens Peter Raben.
Or is he just nuts?
Vedsegaard plays Raben with just the right balance between madness and desperation.
He is the character that drives much ofThe Killing IIs story along.
In the first season of The Killing we were presented with a whodunnit of labyrinth like proportions.
InThe Killing II, we got a high end, near political, serial killer thriller.
Some of the deaths this time were pretty nasty, horror movie throw in stuff.
The season could almost have been tag lined Sarah Lund Strikes Back.
The return ofThe Killingleft no fan complaining.
Perhaps with Lund going up against the bankers she may well encounter individuals with a colder attitude than herself?
Better dig out the jumpers now…
Read Jameslook-back at series one of The Killing, here.
