Another Rainy Day in Seattle

"I don't want to do this anymore. I'm finished with this life, but I have to wrap up this case." — Det. Sarah Linden, "The Killing"

Few shows started with as much promise, and dropped due to the weight of as much criticism, as "The Killing." Two seasons ago, it's two-hour pilot foreshadowed something moody, beautiful, and engaging. Over the course of the next 24 hours, which is how long it took to solve the central mystery, that faded into obscurity.

The show built itself on the ability to deliver interest on a central question — Who Killed Rosie Larsen? That mystery was supposed to be the central conceit that would drive the show's first season. But when viewers accused that first season of stalling, and that central question wasn't answered, the masses turned on "The Killing."

The second season — which stretched the case over an unbearable 26 hours (four more than a standard network season) — wasn't much better. By the time the question was finally answered, it was a mild disappointment and most of the viewers had transitioned from Who Killed Rosie Larsen to Who Cares?

With that, the fate of the show appeared to be sealed. It was cancelled, and it seemed to arrive a fitting end. Then a funny thing happened — AMC was starved for a summer show and quickly uncancelled it. So "The Killing," inexplicably, lived to see another season. The question was how would it return.

Several shows have gotten unexpected new life and it goes one of two ways — either maintain the status quo, or blow it up. "The Killing" chose the latter. Other than the central detectives — Det. Sarah Linden (Mirelle Enos) and Det. Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) — the cast is totally new. So, too, is the case.

"The Killing" again launched with a two hour premier, and it was again a promising beginning. This case looks bigger and more compelling — and the addition of quality supporting players played by Elias Koteas and Peter Sarsgaard seems compelling. We don't want to jump ahead too much, considering how the show fell off the shelf in its first season, but this seems like the kind of re-boot that was needed.

Here's a couple keys to making this second chance a success:

1. Resolve the case this season. This should go without saying, but we need closure here. Stretching it out over two seasons, and all the ridiculous filler that includes, just won't work here. Wrap this puppy up in an efficient manner.

2. Character growth for our leads. It was smart to keep Enos and Kinnaman — who were the best things about the show. But we need to see them grow as people. It was wise to ditch Linden's son — as that story was too much baggage — but we need to see these characters growing and working together.

3. Beef up the material for the supporting players. I love what they've done with Sarsgaard's death row inmate. He's a great actor, and this looks to be a meaty role. Let's hope it keeps coming.