The ending (spoiler)


Okay, I'm Swedish, so I'm gonna need this explained to me in English.

I just saw the final episode, and IT SUCKED. I mean, I LOVE Forbrydelsen. I ADORE it. I watched it EVERY single week. It's even changed my view of Denmark! IT MADE THE DANISH LANGUAGE COOL! But I mean... they said nothing, NOTHING about Vagn raping her in the election apartment. When would he have had time to do that? And was that only out of becoming angry because she was gonna run away with that kid? There were SO many questions left unanswered, I actually punched the sofa when the episode was over.

LAMEST. ENDING. EVER.

Can some Danish person please explain to me if you understod it better?

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I'm not danish, but hopefully my reply will be good for something :) Vagn at least partially explained it. He said that Leon (the cab driver) had called him and left a message saying that he just dropped off the daughter at the apartment. And that's where Vagn confronted her. I guess he moved her to the house later or something.

I have to agree that Vagn's motivation was weird, although they did hint that he had raped and killed before. I found the sudden change in Morten, Hartman's aid, a bit weird as well. I wouldn't say it sucked, but I would have prefered another person to have been the murderer. Someone a bit craftier. Oh, well.

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In Denmark there was some dissatisfaction with the conclusion of the story, which was at least a bit hard to follow, and perhaps also poorly devised.

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The last episode was shown here in Germany yesterday, and I was a bit disappointed too. And, I must admit, I think I didn't understand everything, there are lots of questions still open.

But, nonetheless, a very, very good thriller. And very addictive.

But I didn't like that Lunds partner, Jan Meyer, died. I liked that character a lot. [cty]

http://www.razyboard.com/system/user_vincent_cassel.html

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I loved it! The whole series and the ending






Elga,baby! Damn! No,I FOUND something!

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Great thriller, ending unclear. I want better explaination what happened in the appartment and the photo

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Well, I thought it was kind of clear. Also, you have to bear in mind that this series is Danish and not American. In American series (except for The Sopranos, The Wire and other few exceptions), plot points and character motivations are all spelled out, and the mostly happy conclusions are brought in a very neat way with absolutely no loose ends. The Killing defies those conventions and strives for a more realist approach, and that's what makes this series very European and therefore interesting.

The realistic approach explains why there are few happy endings in the conclusion (the killing of an 18-year old girl is never a happy experience in real life). Also, the class distinctions are portrayed in a wrenching way: while the working-class Theis and Pernille Birk Larsen will no doubt continue to struggle in the future, at least there's a hard core of love within their family. And love is exactly what's missing in politician Troels Hartmann's claim to power in the end; cynicism (the thing that mayor Bremer warns him for) has completely taken over Hartmann). But still in terms of economics and class divisions, Troels Hartmann comes out better than the Birk Larsens. That makes it a very bitter ending, along with the fact that our heroine Sarah Lund's life has taken a lot of severe beatings while she was trying to solve the case.

And yes, the killer might not have spelt out all the exact motivations and time lines of his evil deeds. In order to fulfill that, I think the makers would have dedicated at least one episode to explain everything. But that surely would have been an unsatisfying viewing experience. The makers are very consistent in their realistic approach, and that's why some loose ends concerning the killer are not all explained. That happens in real life too.

All in all, I thought The Killing was great! I live in the Netherlands, where I rented the box set of the first series. I've read that a second series is already being shown on Danish television. I can't wait to see that!

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Absolutely great series!

But what happened to Lunds boss Buchard (?) in one of the first episodes and why? What was the purpose of removing 1 of the cell phone entries as mentioned in 1 of the first episodes?

And the rape (anal, "normal"), clipping of nails, cleaning nails, etc. is not explained.

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Just a few minutes after watching the final episode. What an amazing series. Only the first episode took some getting-into, but from that one on - it was one big rollercoaster ride.

Even though, I loved the series, I can't say I'm too pleased about the ending. Same questions as stated above:

- Vagn heard that Nanna was going away with a 'towelhead' and decided to rape Nanna multiple times on consecutive days? That seems the weirdest and strangest motive ever. What about that?

- Why was she cleaned so thoroughly?

- Why couldn't Fervert tell that he didn't do it? He said on the phone to Lund that 'She didn't know' - but what is it that he couldn't tell?

- How did Nanna get the neckless and why did she hold onto it so desperately? The explanation to the latter question is ofcourse to notify the police or point them in the right direction. But how did she get it? Did Vagn gave it to her?

- And, also stated above, who was the big force within the government that threatened Lund several times and made Burchardz (?) been replaced?

These are some of my questions that Im still stuck with. I know a series always leaves questions. But for such a perfect and well-done series, I expect more knots tight together in the end than what we got in the final episode. Was there some stories afterwards in Danish press or any interview with the writers that gives more answers than yet given? Let me know please....

And SECOND SERIES?? Anyone know more about that??

Great great series - it made me decide to visit Copenhagen soon - so much promotion for Denmark and Danish television - but a little letdown on the final episode....

Wiz, Amsterdam

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Hi Wiz

Second series is called ....Forbrydelsen 11, 10 episodes. Brilliant show. If you loved Forbrydelsen 1, you'll love even more!!!.

Lyn

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There is a second season?!?
When? Are you sure? Is it out already?

I loved it, I even started to appreciate the Danish language ;)

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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517495/ It was out in 2009. It's great, in a way, even better than Season 1. They are making the third season now.

Look! A ladder! Maybe it leads to heaven, or a Bismarckbrötchen.

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The telefone number and the cell phone entry Buchard made disappear from Nannas cell phone concerned Jens Holck, the leader of the Moderate Party în Copenhague's municipal government, with whom Nanna had a love affair (in summer). Buchard made disappear any hint to higher politicians. Doing this, he acted on demand of somebody in higher position, the movie never makes clear who this person is (or: these persons are).
Buchard never intended to restrain the police investigation, he "only" wanted to cover up a high politician of whom he thought he had nothing to do with the crime. Later on, when it turns out that [= when it looks like] Jens Holck in fact has to do with Nannas killing, Buchard corrects himself and gives Lund (and Meyer) the eliminated informations.
When Lund asks him (outside, in the street, on his last walk to the police headquarter) WHO had made him do this, he doesn't answer. Now, he covers up the "instructing party" (on whose behalf he had acted). So this is maybe Buchard's greatest error: He always covers up the wrong persons.
Buchard then is replaced by Lennart Brix, because of the "irregularities" of his investigation, as the new boss explains.


Buchard tells Lund about the rape in the most detailed and abominable way in order to maker her stay and clear up the crime. (Lund is still on her way to Sweden.)
The murderer wanted to remove any hints to identify him. He did not leave finger prints and any genetical material, like skin particles under the victim's finger nails. Therefore he cleaned and clipped her nails.

English is not my first language. Any corrections are welcome.

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Don't you all forget: during the final minutes Troels Hartmann wants to say something to Lund's superior, as if he's ready to make a confession, but then the replacement for Rie Skovgaard comes in. And Lund, on leaving the police department, had this look about her, which she always had, when knowing, there's something she overlooked. Not to mention the fact that there was still pressure from on high, to have the case closed, and not delve into the past.

That more, as a former Sopranos addict I loved The Killing even more.

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This intrigues me! I was wondering what Troels was going to say, he seemed to have been drinking a lot (again). Weird...

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At first, the ending may leave you dissatisfied, but that's the sheer beauty of the series. We watch 20 long episodes about the nuances of a high profile police investigation.

We watch people get accused of crimes they did not commit and then left to pick up the pieces when their reputations have been left in ruin. Case in point, Rama - a nice guy and a great teacher who was wrongly accused, disrespected by having a student spit on him, and almost killed by the victim's father because he was trying to help someone. When he's cleared we don't see any updates about him. We would like to think the papers wrote an article clearing him, but that's doubtful. Even if, the damage has been done.

IMO, Vagn was simply a man who had woven himself into the Birk Larsen family. Their family was his family and he wanted everyone to stay together. Think back to the episode when Theis showed him the new house for the first time. Do you recall the look of relief on his face when Theis said he'll make room for Vagn to live with them? Vagn did not have a family of his own so having Nanna elope was like losing a part of his identity. It was a betrayal and he wanted to punish her the way he knew so well.

I'm not sure if he raped her in the apartment. I believe she was raped and tortured in the basement of the new house.


Vagn did what most psychopaths do - they take the easy way out. He did not really care for Theis - he cared for the stability Theis' family represented. Which is why he provoked Theis to kill him by saying things like "you will never leave in that house." He knew he was done and wanted to destroy everything in his path. By getting Theis to kill him, Theis would lose his freedom, wife, family, and the home.

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I don't think that is psychologically true to the moment. Vagn, in his own warped way, felt he was doing Theis a favour. He knew Theis hadn't really moved on and would only be satisfied with the death of his daughter's murderer. That is made clear in their previous "pacts" together. Neither has a respect for authority or the law of the land, if you will. He gives Theis justice and we clearly see Theis is at peace in the final scenes.

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Why was Vagn so skilled in the interviews with police? When they came to take him away (when he wasn't really a suspect) he didnt know what they knew - for all he knew they had evidence. While everyone else who was interrogated acted guilty he didn't and this was evident throughout - very patronising for the viewer.

Suspects (such as the creepy teacher stroking his beard) were shown with menacing camera angles and tense music to tell us who to suspect while Vagn, who I thought had done it, is made out to be hapless and idiotic. He was clearly vey intelligent to have been able to do what he did but that didn't quite add up.

Also, how many people misled the murder investigation? Even Nanna's aunt didn't disclose she worked in a bar and had a boyfriend (did she not think it relevant??) Every person interviewed lied or gave a false story.

One major pitfall for me was when Theis goes missing with Kamal. Lund asks Vagn his name before asking where Theis might be. How could she only be ascertaining who he is so long into the investigation? He worked with Nanna and was in contact with her but not interviewed.

It was enjoyable but so implausible that after seeing the last episode I felt it was a real let down. There were far too many twists in it and the need to surprise overshadowed the story - the viewer becomes so cynical that every fact is second guessed.

I really can't understand the comparisons to 'The Wire' which is far superior in every way. Ths was a Danish '24' - enjoyable but completely unbelievable.

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I think in addition, badjuju, Vagn was envious of Theis' life, and wanted to destroy it. Even if he didn't state this as his motive, or realise it himself, I think you have to consider it as a subconscious motivation.

I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.

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I agree with Arum; there is an intimation that Troels may have been involved. The problem with a show like The Killing which builds up such relentless tension over a twenty episode series is that it will invariably struggle to tie everything up tidily at the end. I did like the downbeat ending though, and the fact that Theis exacted retribution. I also enjoyed the cynical end to the political storyline. I've got to admit Vagn's motivation was slightly underwhelming though. Earlier in the series I'd been expecting a criminal mastermind to be behind it all.

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