The Flagging AMC Brand

There was a point in Sunday night's episode of AMC's "The Killing" where Councilman Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell), who had soiled himself in his wheelchair and looked haggard and disheveled, said to his aide, I don't want anyone to see me like this. Of course, his character was referring to the nurse his aide wanted to call in to render aid, but he very well could have been referring to audiences watching the second season of the biggest train wreck on television.

But, you see, the quality of season two of "The Killing" is only part of the problem for AMC. The network used to be known for showing classic movies, but over the last few years it had a very successful foray into original programming. But, it feels like the network has moved to a place where the feeling about the brand exceeds the quality of the programming being offered.

AMC built its critical acclaim thanks to "Mad Men." Though the show wins awards, has a loyal following, and is a critical darling, that's not enough to build a network. Plus, it's ratings a small even compared to successful cable programming. Sure, AMC has the critically acclaimed, award-winning "Breaking Bad," too, but that show is winding up its run. So it's time for a new generation of shows to rise.

And that's the problem.

AMC has three other scripted shows in its rotation right now, all with two seasons or less under its belt. The network's biggest ratings hit is "The Walking Dead." I will admit I still watch this show, but the first season far exceeded the second season. There are still pieces of a good show somewhere there, but it's fair to say that creatively the show is wandering down a garden path. That's not a good sign after just 19 episodes.

Then there's "Hell on Wheels," a show so poorly executed that I could barely last two episodes. And I love the time period. It just felt icky to watch, poorly acted and poorly conceived. After two episodes I couldn't summon interest in a single character. That's not a good sign.

Then there's "The Killing." The show was savaged for what it failed to deliver in its first season ender. Still, there was the promise of some kind of forward momentum for a second season. That hasn't materialized. Now even those that defended the "creative" decision to deceive the audience in the first season are crying foul, and with good reason. Even the best actors on the show are stuck with characters lurching toward oblivion. No one even cares who killed Rosie Larson anymore because we can't figure out why it's important or why any of these characters deserve answers or peace.

AMC may be considered a premium cable network, but with one quality show ending and the other getting older, it's up to a new generation to carry that mantra forward. The problem is, for AMC, that doesn't appear to be an option.