Undertow (The Killing)

Last updated
"Undertow"
The Killing episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 9
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
Written byDan Nowak
Produced by Veena Sud
Piv Bernth
Mikkel Bondesen
Ingolf Gabold
Dawn Prestwich
Nicole Yorkin
Production codeBDH108/S108
Original air dateMay 22, 2011 (2011-05-22)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Stonewalled"		Next →
"I'll Let You Know When I Get There"
The Killing (season 1)
List of episodes

"Undertow" is the ninth episode of the American television drama series The Killing , which aired on May 22, 2011. The episode was written by Dan Nowak and was directed by Agnieszka Holland. In the episode, after their warrant for Bennet Ahmed gets quashed, the detectives question an acquaintance of his. Mayoral candidate Darren Richmond puts an end to any personal attacks on his opponent. The Larsens take justice into their own hands.

Contents

Plot

Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) listen, as a woman (Shukri Iman) translates Bennet Ahmed's wiretapped conversation. The caller tells Ahmed that the police know about the meat market and “the girl.” Linden calls for police to meet at Ahmed's apartment and tells Holder to prepare an arrest warrant for his judge friend to sign. Mitch Larsen (Michelle Forbes) calls Linden and asks if Ahmed has been arrested yet. Linden tells her that he soon will be. When Stan Larsen (Brent Sexton) arrives home, his wife tells him the news and they embrace.

Mayor Adams (Tom Butler) accuses his opponent Darren Richmond of slander in a press conference. He denies an affair, then claims that he is sterile from a medical procedure performed years earlier. Later, he instructs Benjamin Abani (Colin Lawrence) to double the payments to the pregnant teen and have his physician backdate records to support his medical claim. In Richmond's office, Jamie Wright (Eric Ladin) denies, to a reporter, his team’s involvement in the Adams leak. Linden arrives seeking more documents from Richmond (Billy Campbell), who again asks if Bennet Ahmed killed Rosie. Linden does not respond.

Judge Elliot (Jay Brazeau) declines to sign Holder’s wiretap warrant, saying the police misuse the anti-terrorism provisions of Patriot Act. Holder calls Linden to tell her that he was not successful, and she calls off Bennet Ahmed's arrest. The next morning, Oakes (Garry Chalk) scolds Holder for the wiretap attempt; Linden covers for him and says that it was her idea.

In Richmond's office, Gwen Eaton (Kristin Lehman) reports that a mosque has been defaced and Richmond calls off any future negative attacks on the Mayor. Richmond later visits the mosque, where Imam Gelabi (Peter Bryant) and his followers are removing anti-Muslim graffiti. Richmond promises to restore the mosque, but the imam feels that both Richmond and Adams are alike.

Mitch's sister Terry (Jamie Anne Allman) gives Mitch two of Rosie’s textbooks that she found in her car. Mitch says she'll return them to the high school. Upon arrival, she sees Bennet Ahmed (Brandon Jay McLaren) entering the school. Inside, Principal Meyers (Kerry Sandomirsky) asks Ahmed to leave. He replies that she should either fire him or let him teach. Later, he sees that someone has written the word “KILLER” on his classroom whiteboard, and all of his students walk out.

Linden finds a note in the mosque Quran. The note has a name, “Adela,” the word “Friday,” and a time written on it. She suggests that the time could be an appointment after the dance. Having accessed her husband's cell phone, Amber Ahmed (Ashley Johnson) arrives at the station and gives them Muhammed's phone number. Speaking about Muhammed and Ahmed, she questions their recent behavior.

After doing research, Holder tells Linden the phone number belongs to Muhammed Hamid. The phone is tracked to a downtown public market. While heading out to check on the new suspect, Linden is met by Mitch Larsen, who complains that Bennet Ahmed is back at school like nothing ever happened. At the market, Linden calls the cell phone and spots Muhammed (Jarod Joseph) in the crowd when he answers it. He notices her rushing toward him and flees, but she and Holder corner him.

At a bar, Gwen Eaton and Darren Richmond discuss the death of his wife. Eaton suggests letting the voters see that side of him. He vows to not use a personal tragedy to win the election and speaks of regret over losing his confidante, which seems to hurt Eaton. He later visits Tom Drexler (Patrick Gilmore) to request a $5 million donation for the Somali community. Drexler mocks him, then offers him a challenge. He tosses him a basketball, telling him that, if he makes the shot in just one try, the money is his. If Richmond misses, he should withdraw from the mayor's race. Later, at his office, Richmond places the basketball on his desk and smiles. He has won the challenge.

Holder and Linden ponder Muhammed Hamid’s reason to cooperate as he has no police record. While being questioned, Muhammed scoffs, in the Somali language, at the threats of jail time and the breakup of his family. Holder then insinuates that Bennet Ahmed will probably turn on Muhammed, because Ahmed is about to be a father. Hamid begins to speak in English and describes letting a girl into Ahmed's apartment, taking her to the meat market, and then moving her again. He refers to the girl as though she is still alive and Linden shows him a photo of Rosie Larsen. He says the girl in the picture dropped off a book and left that same night. When Linden asks who he was previously talking about, he describes Aisha Ramallah, the missing girl from the mosque. She was being forced into an arranged marriage and forced to undergo a painful and disfiguring female circumcision, from which he and Ahmed were trying to protect her. He leads the detectives to an apartment where Aisha Ramallah (Odessa Rojen) is hiding. Linden and Holder are stunned to see the youth of Aisha, whom Hamid had described as 12 years old. Linden then receives a call from Amber Ahmed. Her husband has not returned home.

Mitch, who presumes Ahmed has killed their daughter, accuses Stan of letting him go. Stan and Belko (Brendan Sexton III) drive Ahmed out of town. Ahmed protests, saying that he was helping another girl, but he gets dragged out of the vehicle. He makes a run for it, but Belko tackles him and brings him back to Stan, who savagely beats him. At home, doing laundry, Mitch finds Rosie’s pink T-shirt that she had told the detective was missing. She tries to reach Stan by phone, but to no avail.

Production

In an interview with Mina Hochberg at AMCTV.com, Brandon Jay McLaren, who portrays Bennet Ahmed, spoke about the episode's final scenes: "I had a stunt double, but the double laid on the ground in the rain and I did most of the getting beat up. It was freezing that night — it must have been 25 degrees [Fahrenheit]. The ground was frozen, it was three in the morning, and we didn't have a lot of time to shoot it, so we did a quick rehearsal and actually Brent [Sexton] tagged me in the face during rehearsal. Brent's a big dude, so I was like, oh man. It was a hard scene to shoot, but it was definitely worth it in the end." [1]

Reception

"Undertow" received mixed reviews. The A.V. Club's Meredith Blake rated this episode a C, saying "The Killing has turned to increasingly outlandish plot twists in order to sustain itself another week. Each episode ends with a new, incriminating discovery, which, in short order the following week, is explained away as something innocuous." [2] Teresa L. of TV Fanatic rated the episode 4 out of 5 stars, commenting "Another solid outing for this fresh show continues to leave viewers wanting more, even when the murder isn't close to being solved. Only more clues and detective work will unravel the mystery of who killed Rosie Larsen." [3]

The episode was watched by 1.69 million viewers, the series’ lowest viewership. [4]

Related Research Articles

"Pilot" is the pilot and first episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which premiered on April 3, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The series is based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen and developed for American audiences by Veena Sud. The episode's teleplay was written by Sud and was directed by Patty Jenkins. In the episode, police detective Sarah Linden plans to retire but is asked to investigate the disappearance of Rosie Larsen, a young girl.

<i>The Killing</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the AMC American crime drama television series The Killing premiered on April 3, 2011 and concluded on June 19, 2011. The series was developed and produced by Veena Sud and based on the Danish series, Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle, Washington, this season follows the investigation into the murder of local teenager Rosie Larsen, with each episode covering approximately 24 hours. The first season covers the first two weeks of the investigation and has three main storylines: the police investigation into Rosie's murder, the attempts of her family to deal with their grief, and the fluctuating electoral fortunes of a political campaign that becomes embroiled in the case. It stars Mireille Enos as homicide detective Sarah Linden and Joel Kinnaman as rookie detective Stephen Holder.

"A Soundless Echo" is the fourth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on April 17, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The episode was written by Soo Hugh and was directed by Jennifer Getzinger. In the episode, the Larsens plan their daughter's funeral. Detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder are drawn to Bennet Ahmed, Rosie's literature teacher, who has a questionable past and pregnant young wife.

"Super 8" is the fifth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on April 24, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The episode was written by Jeremy Doner and was directed by Phil Abraham. In the episode, Darren Richmond and his team plan an anti-crime commercial; Stan Larsen turns to Belko Royce for help in finding Rosie's killer; and Sarah and Holder question Bennet Ahmed and his wife.

"What You Have Left" is the sixth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on May 1, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The episode was written by Nic Pizzolatto and was directed by Agnieszka Holland. In the episode, the police further investigate Bennet Ahmed, which leads the Larsens to believe that he is a prime suspect. The mayoral candidates hold their televised debate, allowing the current mayor to bring up Richmond’s attachment to a murder suspect.

"Vengeance" is the seventh episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on May 8, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The episode was written by Linda Burstyn and was directed by Ed Bianchi. In the episode, Detectives Linden and Holder uncover more evidence about Bennet Ahmed; and Richmond’s decision to remain loyal to Bennet backfires.

"Stonewalled" is the eighth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on May 15, 2011 on AMC in the United States. The episode was written by Aaron Zelman and was directed by Dan Attias. In the episode, the detectives' investigation crosses paths with a federal one. Leaks of crime-scene photos to the press baffle both the police and the Larsens. Partial histories of both Holder and Richmond are revealed.

"I'll Let You Know When I Get There" is the tenth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on May 29, 2011. The episode is co-written by series producers Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin and is directed by Ed Bianchi. In the episode, the detectives are forced to restart their investigation into Rosie Larsen's murder, but are pointed to a new suspect. Mitch Larsen receives a strange phone call about the family business. The Richmond campaign staff is given an interesting piece of information about their boss.

"Beau Soleil" is the twelfth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on June 12, 2011. The episode is co-written by Jeremy Doner and Soo Hugh and is directed by Keith Gordon. In the episode, the detectives investigate the link between Rosie Larsen and casino camera footage. Mitch Larsen learns that her jailed husband, Stan, has drained their bank account. The Richmond campaign gets new life as the Mayor's takes a hit.

"Orpheus Descending" is the thirteenth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on June 19, 2011. The episode is co-written by series creator Veena Sud and Nic Pizzolatto and is directed by Brad Anderson. In the episode, the detectives investigate Darren Richmond’s involvement with Rosie Larsen. Mitch and Stan Larsen discuss their family's future. Belko Royce takes action to protect the Larsens.

Reflections (<i>The Killing</i>) 1st episode of the second season of The Killing

"Reflections" is the fourteenth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, which aired on April 1, 2012 as the first of a two-part second-season premiere. The episode is written by series creator Veena Sud and is directed by Agnieszka Holland. In the episode, Sarah remains in Seattle to try to solve Rosie Larsen's case once again, after learning Holder's evidence of Darren Richmond was doctored. Belko Royce is arrested for shooting his mother and Richmond. Gwen and Jamie learn that Richmond has recovered from surgery but is paralyzed below the waist.

"Ghosts of the Past" is the eighteenth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the fifth of its second season, which aired on April 22, 2012. The episode is written by Wendy Riss and is directed by Ed Bianchi. In the episode, Detectives Linden and Holder obtain a voicemail left by Rosie Larsen when she was alive; Mitch Larsen talks with a woman the same age as Rosie; and Darren Richmond learns who may have been behind his previous arrest.

"Openings" is the nineteenth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the sixth of its second season, which aired on April 29, 2012. The episode is written by Aaron Zelman and is directed by Kevin Bray. In the episode, Sarah Linden investigates the Larsen family; Stan Larsen's past still haunts him; Mitch Larsen continues to help a runaway girl ; and Darren Richmond gets a surprise visitor.

"Keylela" is the twentieth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the seventh of its second season, which aired on May 6, 2012. The episode is written by Dan Nowak and directed by Nicole Kassell. In the episode, the detectives focus their investigation on the casino. Darren Richmond's renewed campaign holds a press conference with Stan Larsen as a surprise supporter.

"Sayonara, Hiawatha" is the twenty-second episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the ninth of its second season, which aired on May 20, 2012. The episode is co-written by executive producers Nicole Yorkin and Dawn Prestwich and directed by Phil Abraham. In the episode, Sarah Linden obtains Rosie Larsen's keys, which allow access to the casino's tenth floor; Stan Larsen learns of son Tommy's bad behavior at school; Mitch Larsen meets David Ranier ; and Darren Richmond asks Nicole Jackson to assist the police.

"72 Hours" is the twenty-third episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the tenth of its second season, which aired on the AMC channel in the United States on May 27, 2012. It is written by Eliza Clark and directed by Nicole Kassell. In the episode, Sarah Linden finds herself in a psychiatric ward, while Stephen Holder continues the investigation. Stan Larsen attempts to repair the damage that his past actions have caused. Darren Richmond returns to the Seattle All Stars basketball program.

"Bulldog" is the twenty-fourth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the eleventh of its second season, which aired on the AMC channel in the United States on June 3, 2012. It is written by Jeremy Doner and directed by Ed Bianchi. In the episode, the detectives gain access to the casino's tenth floor, which only causes them to elude the police; and both Stan Larsen and Darren Richmond make decisions that affect their futures.

"Donnie or Marie" is the twenty-fifth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the twelfth of its second season, which aired on the AMC channel in the United States on June 10, 2012. The episode is billed as the first of a two-part season finale. It is co-written by Wendy Riss and Aaron Zelman and directed by Keith Gordon. In the episode, the detectives look to Richmond's campaign staff for suspects, while he gets ready for the election; and Mitch and Stan Larsen try to get their family back to normal.

"What I Know" is the twenty-sixth episode of the American television drama series The Killing, and the thirteenth episode and season finale of its second season, which aired on the AMC channel in the United States on June 17, 2012. It is co-written by series developer Veena Sud and Dan Nowak, and is directed by Patty Jenkins. In the episode, the detectives close the Rosie Larsen case, arresting the person responsible; the Larsen family prepares to leave their former home, but not before learning a family member was involved in Rosie's death; and Darren Richmond becomes Seattle mayor only to learn that campaign manager Jamie Wright was involved in Rosie's death. The episode was originally the final episode to air due to show's cancellation, but the show was revived by AMC in early 2013.

References

  1. ↑ "Q&A - Brandon Jay McLaren (Bennet Ahmed)". AMCTV.com. September 5, 2011. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  2. ↑ Blake, Meredith (May 23, 2011). "Undertow". AVClub.com. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  3. ↑ L., Teresa (May 23, 2011). "Undertow". TVFanatic.com. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  4. ↑ Gorman, Bill (May 24, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Heat/Bulls Scores Big + 'Law & Order: CI,' 'In Plain Sight,' 'Army Wives,' 'Housewives,' 'Game of Thrones' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.