The Killing -
Media Language -
- Procedural: process of 20 episodes
- Various plot lines / narratives
^ e.g Nanna’s death, political campaign, Sarah moving to Sweden, Larson family grieving
- Each episode ends with an enigma for audience engagement and interest
- Three-plot structure: what the murder means for a detective / family / politicians
- Steve Neale: genre is repetition with difference
^ first detective drama over 20 episodes, usually one killing per episode
- Crime / detective drama, Scandi-noir sub-genre
Cover / Poster Mise-en-scene
- Dark colour scheme and lighting connotes mystery, secrecy, negativity
- Sarah positioned in center presents her in an important and powerful position, suggesting the
events of the series revolve around her
- Sarah dressed in white connotes purity and provides a contrast against a dark background
suggesting she shines a light on the investigation and provides answers to the mystery
- The other characters behind her in darkness suggest they contribute to the narrative in a way
that involves secrecy or mystery - they are also in Sarah's shadow
- The forest setting alludes to the first scene forest chase and presents an eery and unknowing
atmosphere
- The mirrored title reflects the idea of a lake, foreshadowing the setting where they find the
body
- Blue connotes sadness, despair and coldness
Media Representations -
Characters -
- Sarah Lund: Detective
- Danish / woman / middle class / knowledgeable / reliable / work-oriented
- Jan Meyer: Detective
- Danish / man / middle class / obnoxious / immature / thoughtless
Media Language -
- Procedural: process of 20 episodes
- Various plot lines / narratives
^ e.g Nanna’s death, political campaign, Sarah moving to Sweden, Larson family grieving
- Each episode ends with an enigma for audience engagement and interest
- Three-plot structure: what the murder means for a detective / family / politicians
- Steve Neale: genre is repetition with difference
^ first detective drama over 20 episodes, usually one killing per episode
- Crime / detective drama, Scandi-noir sub-genre
Cover / Poster Mise-en-scene
- Dark colour scheme and lighting connotes mystery, secrecy, negativity
- Sarah positioned in center presents her in an important and powerful position, suggesting the
events of the series revolve around her
- Sarah dressed in white connotes purity and provides a contrast against a dark background
suggesting she shines a light on the investigation and provides answers to the mystery
- The other characters behind her in darkness suggest they contribute to the narrative in a way
that involves secrecy or mystery - they are also in Sarah's shadow
- The forest setting alludes to the first scene forest chase and presents an eery and unknowing
atmosphere
- The mirrored title reflects the idea of a lake, foreshadowing the setting where they find the
body
- Blue connotes sadness, despair and coldness
Media Representations -
Characters -
- Sarah Lund: Detective
- Danish / woman / middle class / knowledgeable / reliable / work-oriented
- Jan Meyer: Detective
- Danish / man / middle class / obnoxious / immature / thoughtless
