I watched the final part of The Killing III last night. What an excellent series it has been. The acting has been superb and the story lines are worthy of all the accolades this series has received. All three series have reflected the times in which we live – corruption in high places and mistrust within the government . There’s also that cry, I think, from the public at large for there to be justice. Not something we seem to see much of. Those in high places usually get away with it. This is all unraveling over here (UK) over the late Jimmy Savile. It appears from what I can tell that his sexual abuse was well-known within the entertainment world but it was allowed to continue at worst, at best unofficial restrictions were placed on his activity. But all this is still to come out. And of course there will be a cry for justice. Sir Jimmy Savile was allowed to die with his public character intact even though those shell suits were a bit creepy. Will there, can there be justice for the victims?
Sarah Lund, the leading character and tenacious detective will not let go. And she does this, and has done this, at the expense of her own son and of her own relationships. She is a flawed character. But we admire here determination to uncover the truth and to see the perpetrator punished and receive justice.
The kidnapper of the young girl is also after justice and it seems actually has no intention of harming the girl as long as justice is done. Although if he had managed to kill the murderer and abuser of his own daughter would he have let her go – it’s not clear. And like Sarah perhaps because of his own obsessive work ethic he too is a failed parent. He cannot get back the time he should have spent with his family but now he can at least find justice for his daughter – with the help of Sarah Lund.
And so with time running out the kidnapper takes them on a bit of a wild goose where he is eventually shot but with his dying breath reveals to Sarah where the girl is. Sarah makes the call and the girl is found, though there is a reluctance to follow Sarah anymore after her apparent blunder at interrogating the wrong person. The girl needs medical treatment but is OK.
It’s clear now who the murderer is of the kidnappers daughter and that it’s the man who Sarah saves from the hand of the kidnapper in an earlier episode. It also emerges this man has horribly murdered many young girls undercover of philanthropic work for a huge organisation that the government needs onside to get through the economic crisis. All the pieces are there to at the very least to question him again and this time to put him away for good and save other girls from a a sexual predator.
But there is too much at stake, both politically and economically and it looks like he’ll get away with it despite the attempts of the kidnapper and of Sarah. Then Sarah and this man are alone in the car. He confesses knowing that he will get away with it, protected by corrupt police, government officials and even the Prime Minister. Sarah gets out of the car, while her special branch partner shouts at her from a distance unable to stop what is unfolding. She walks round to where the man is sitting pulls out her pistol and shoots him in the head in the knowledge that justice will not come through the system. Sarah delivers summary justice of her own. She gives up all to protect future victims and fulfill her promise to the kidnapper to bring justice for the murder of his daughter.
Was Sarah right to become Judge, Jury and Executioner? Of course not! That is supposed to be a matter for the State. The State doesn’t or shouldn’t take revenge it administers or is supposed to administer Justice. We (UK) have a lot of high-profile cases going through the courts, some from many years ago with the one aim of gaining justice. There’s something in us – in me anyway – that cries out for justice. It can be a pained cry and Sarah delivers what we feel to be just. The man in the story should have been punished. We cry out whether we understand it or not for a righteous judge, for one that will deliver a true and right verdict on the guilty. And that day will come!
However, it’s easy to ask for it but who among us is 100% innocent? Do we want justice as well. God knows all the facts, knows every motive, He sees all. He needs no Video playback. And Justice will be administered to us all!
But we praise God that He sent into the world a Saviour, a Rescuer, a Redeemer – His name is Jesus. Through Jesus we receive Mercy and Grace and Forgiveness no matter what our crimes. No matter what our crimes. If crimes are committed in this life the State administers justice – and rightly so – but the sword of justice fell on Jesus the innocent one that He might stand in the place of all that believe, on all those call upon Him for mercy that they might ‘go at last to heaven saved by His precious blood’.
This wasn’t supposed to be a ‘Christmas’ post but let’s remember why Jesus came into the world – to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Related articles
- The Killing’s Sofie Gråbøl: ‘I’m not emotional about leaving Sarah Lund – she’s fiction’ (telegraph.co.uk)
- Chance to make Jimmy Savile face justice was missed (thetimes.co.uk)
- Jimmy Savile accused of 31 rapes as police warn of more child abuse arrests (guardian.co.uk)
- The Killing’s Sarah Lund bows out – but is she a hero or villain? (theweek.co.uk)
- The Killing’s Creator Reveals Why It’s Time To Say Goodbye (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
im trying to be funny, so here it is
…. The Killing III last night has been an excellent series
How’s that? If that’s what you meant?
I’ve probably missed the point but I didn’t think anyone would find child abuse and justice funny.
Is this Lund as ultimate hero – or Lund as no better than the kidnapper that she spent much of the series pursuing? It’s easy to read Lund’s reaction to Reinhardt’s belief that he would never be stopped in his pursuit and murder of the children in his care as a sudden loss of control; a momentary flash of anger when faced with an evil man protected by his position. But it was more than that. This, you felt, was Lund’s retort to all the times she had seen justice not done. It was the result of a career’s-worth of girls abused and tortured – and a determination that Reinhardt should not be able to add to their number. This was Lund knowing there was only one way to stop him hurting more kids, and sacrificing her own happiness for it.