The Killing Returns

Tonight The Killing returns on AMC. For those of you who aren't familiar with the show, it is based on the Danish TV series, Forbrydelsen. The American version was developed by Veena Sud and enters its third season with a new murder mystery. While some may think the day-per-episode time frame may move too slowly, I, for one, can't wait. 

The cast of characters will obviously change but leading the way are two exceptional returning actors, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman who play detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder. 

While the reasons why I like this well written drama are many, one compelling reason is watching Sarah Linden. She is a modern day woman who, like me, struggles to single handedly balance her personal and professional life. She is a single mother to Jack, a somewhat troubled teen. In a recent study by the Pew Research Center, it was noted that America's working mothers are the primary breadwinners in 40% of the households with children, up from just 11% in 1960. Given these statistics, I have no doubt that other female viewers can relate as I do with Sarah Linden's constant struggle to do both jobs well. The statistics speak not only to recent changes in the economy, but also to the rate of both divorce and unwed mothers having babies. Forty percent of births today occur out of wedlock. Wow.

I'm not here to debate whether a woman should be in the workforce or stay-at-home with her children; instead,  I urge you all to watch with compassion as Sarah Linden tries to keep all the balls in the air. Rather than criticize Sarah's parenting, which is easy to do, try putting yourself in Sarah's shoes. Watch tonight on AMC for the two hour premiere of Season Three of The Killing. I know I will.

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