The Killing

It's election day and the Prime Minister has everything to gain, as long as Emilie's fate remains uncertain. Kamper is still haunted by personal demons, and issues of loyalty from within his own ranks rear their ugly heads once again. Meanwhile, as Lund and Borch start to look ahead, police are led to an undisclosed location in a last ditch attempt to find Emilie before it's too late. They are followed by a now dangerously tense Robert Zeuthen. Will the operation succeed in bringing the girl to safety?

Sarah Lund is held back in her attempts to make headway with the investigation, but at least the perpetrator finally has a face. Will he lead police and the Zeuthens to Emilie? Prime Minister Kamper is trying to clean up his circle as he attempts to find out what happened to his son. Suspicions arise about a trusted Zeeland figure as Robert Zeuthen considers drastic action.

A suspect is taken in for examination as the police try to find out more about the notebook they discovered, but things go less than smoothly. The prime minister and his close aids become the focus of police attention, as Karen is also found to be hiding a dangerous secret which could prove fatal for the government. Borch and Lund's trip to Jutland begins to have consequences. Robert Zeuthen intensifies the hunt for his daughter, despite coming under heavy pressure from the Zeeland board. Maja takes sides. A witness turns up who may have important information about Emilie.

A new element turns out to play a role of great significance in the investigation. Borch and Lund have a hard time shaking off their Jutland experience, and their working relationship suffers as a result. Robert and Maja harbour hopes that Emilie may still be alive and Zeeland throw all their resources into tracking her down, as a secret is revealed from an unlikely source within the family. Police run checks on Ussing's movements over the last couple of years.

Borch has got Lund back on track in the case of Emilie, and they're now working with Asbj�rn looking for signs of life. They follow in the perpetrator's tracks, who obviously has gone to Jutland looking for something, but what? They make an eerie discovery, and expose themselves to danger. At the same time Lund and Borch are faced with a dilemma. The pressure on Brix grows at police headquarters, as management ask questions about his judgment. Robert and Maja find it hard to believe that their daughter is dead, but they try both to deal with the debilitating grief that has befallen them. Preparations for the funeral begin. Prime Minister Kamper struggles with his decision, because he understands that doubts have arisen about Emilie's fate, but the Minister of Finance is not easy to convince. Ussing turns out to have a secret that gives Kamper new faith that he can regain the party's trust.

The perpetrator continues to talk about a debt that he will have met and if Sarah Lund is to save Emilie's life, she must find out which debt he's talking about, and how it should be paid. The perpetrator has this time asked for Robert Zeuthen in exchange for Emilie - the exchange is in progress. Robert Zeuthen is now on the way, along with Lund, to sacrifice his life for his daughter, while Maja follows the drama from Police Headquarters, where Brix tries to get a handle on the situation. The Minister of Justice proves to be crooked, and the same applies to Anders Ussing. Their possible connection to the old murder gives Kamper reason for serious considerations, and he makes a dramatic decision, much to the frustration of both 'stoffer and Karen.

Another failed exchange attempt puts Borch and Lund in a dilemma: should they obey the perpetrator, or act despite his directives - and thereby risk putting Emilie Zeuthen life further at risk? The coroner's death suggests several things now that there is a relationship between an old murder and Emilie Zeuthen's fate. Robert Zeuthen is ready to pay the ultimate price to get his daughter back alive, and despite police warnings, forces through his will. The Prime Minister's political life is linked more and more with an unsolved police matter, and Minister of Justice and PET cannot provide clarity. Opposition leader Ussing takes every opportunity to accuse Kamper of responsibility for Emilie Zeuthen's disappearance.

After the dramatic death of the deputy public prosecutor, it is clear that Emilie Zeuthen's kidnapper is a man who will stop at nothing to recover a debt. But what is this debt? Lund and Borch are trying to get cooperation, and Lund tries to get Mark to reconcile with her. The family Zeuthen find it hard to accept that Emilie is gone, and press the police to act by making all resources available. Prime Minister Kampers staff are trying to keep him free of the kidnapping affair, but they have some unpleasant information, which makes it difficult to focus on the election campaign.

Following the kidnapping of Robert Zeuthen's daughter Emilie, Copenhagen Police put every effort into tracking down the perpetrator and finding the little girl. Meanwhile, the kidnapping has quickly become a hot potato in the election campaign and Prime Minister Kamper must deal with the fallout.

Denmark is the midst of a fiercely contested election race, set against the backdrop of the financial crisis. With ten days to go to the election, Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lund prepares to celebrate her 25th year in the police force and looks forward to the prospect of a new job in the force. But her relative peace is shattered when body parts are found at Copenhagen dock only hours before a scheduled visit by the prime minister.

Lund and Strange return from Afghanistan with their findings, though Brix has become convinced of the guilt of officer Bilal, who has run away with Louise Raben as his hostage. Buch has been held overnight by the police, but returns determined to bring down the government he is part of. Secrets are uncovered at the ministry and in the military, revealing a conspiracy to conceal vital information. Lund puts together some pieces of her own, and it comes to a lethal confrontation with the killer.

Thomas Buch has refused to resign and calls a party meeting to challenge the authority of the prime minister. He finds an unexpected ally in the minister of defense. Lund and Strange head to Afghanistan to seek out Frederik Holst, a doctor with a grudge against Raben and his squad. They also decide to visit the house where a family was allegedly killed while the Danish soldiers were there. Back in Copenhagen, Brix organizes a search of the army barracks and finds a locker full of incriminating objects.

Jens Peter Raben has been shot by Strange during an escalated situation where Raben seemed to recognize Strange. Raben survives, and Lund finally has the chance to interrogate him. She finds herself investigating her partner's past in the military, but also uncovers a soldier's video diary that leads to a new suspect. At the barracks Colonel Jarnvig begins to consider the possibility that Raben's version of events in Afghanistan might be true. And after a week in the job Buch faces forced resignation, but finds help from an unexpected source.

After finding the chaplain assaulted in his church Sarah Lund chases the offender, but ends up battered in an alley. She is brought back in charge of the investigation. Monberg has taken his own life shortly after his confrontation with Buch. Buch comes about a previously unknown medical report and decides to challenge his colleague the minister of defense over his secrecy. Raben continues his rogue investigation and tracks down a former soldier who he believes to be responsible for the Afghanistan incident.

Lund demands that the grave of the dead soldier Per K. M�ller be dug up, but her theory that the coffin is empty is proven wrong. She is suspended from the investigation and takes time to attend her mother's wedding until developments bring her back into action. Buch brings his assistant Karina Munk back after she resigned, despite permanent secretary Plough's objections. They pay a visit to former minister Monberg, who has gained consciousness at the hospital, to find out what he knows about the ongoing case.

The police investigation comes under fire after soldier Lisbeth Thomsen was killed by a bomb planted in her boat, but Brix keeps Lund and Strange on the case. They try to learn the truth about the Afghanistan mission and pay a visit to the mother of a fallen soldier who may be connected to the case. Buch causes scandal when he interrupts his own press conference, and the prime minister wants him to come up with answers. Raben remains on the run, but seeks help from his former comrade the chaplain.

The murder of another former soldier, David Gr�ner, prompts inquiries into his and Raben's army squad and a particular event during the group's Afghanistan mission a few years before. Lund and Strange track down one of the remaining members in a remote Swedish island. Buch is under pressure from above to cave to the right wing's demands about banning Islamic organisations, but new information about former minister Monberg's relationship with one of the victims makes him weary of acting too hastily.

While intelligence services insist that the investigation should focus on possible terrorism links, Raben's escape strengthens Lund's interest in his links with the victims. Raben himself seeks information from other old army buddies. Buch is hit by the revelation of a secret memo about the Dragsholm murder, and the actions of the former minister come into question.

Sarah Lund officially joins the investigation into the murders of Anne Dragsholm and soldier Allan Myg Poulsen, who was found butchered in a warehouse. A published video of the captive Dragsholm suggests the assassinations are acts of terrorism, and the police look into links with Islamic extremists. At Parliament the case puts new minister Buch's terrorism legislation in jeopardy when the government's right-wing partners demand a tighter grip on extremism. Prisoner Jens Peter Raben takes matters into his own hands after being denied parole.

Ten days after lawyer Anne Dragsholm was found dead at a WWII memorial, the police have her husband in custody for her murder. But the chief of investigation calls on Sarah Lund, who has transferred away from the crime squad, to return to Copenhagen to look over the case. Meanwhile, a young politician is made minister of justice after his predecessor is incapacitated, and a convict seeks parole from a detention facility to be with his wife and child

Lund is determined to catch Nanna's killer despite being taken off the case, and Hartmann is on a downward spiral - until he receives crucial information. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis invite friends and family to Anton's birthday party - but there is a sinister twist to the evening in store.

Lund finds the odds stacked against her as the search for a missing suspect takes an unexpected turn, and Hartmann and Bremer take part in a dramatic, live TV debate amid a stream of revelations. Meanwhile, it seems something is amiss as Theis and Pernille prepare to move into their new house.

Lund and Meyer get more than they bargained for when they visit an abandoned warehouse in their search for evidence. Meanwhile, a prime suspect disappears, and Hartmann struggles to get back into the political arena - but is contacted by a journalist whose efforts to dig up dirt have had some success. Theis and Pernille try to move on from the past 18 days' events and take their sons to see the new house.

Lund and Meyer become convinced there is a link between Nanna's murder and a case that has remained unsolved for 15 years, and frantically try to find evidence. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis are confused by the fact the case is far from closed, and Hartmann puts everything on the line in a bid to win the election.

Lund refuses to believe her superiors' insistence that when they insist the murder has been solved, and considers continuing her investigation alone. Hartmann prepares to reveal embarrassing truths as Bremer makes a gesture of goodwill, while Pernille and Theis attempt a reconciliation.

Lund encounters a potentially deadly situation, but no one knows her whereabouts. Meanwhile, the mystery of the murderer's identity looks like it may finally be resolved, Bremer delivers a blow to Hartmann's political career, and Pernille finds herself in need of help.

A major part of the investigation is stopped in its tracks, leading prime suspect Troels Hartmann to come under further scrutiny - and his political opponent Bremer takes advantage. Meanwhile, Lund and Meyer continue their own line of inquiry, Pernille begins losing touch with her family, and Theis' emotional state plunges.

Hartmann faces increasing attention from the police and media, and there is a suspicion he may be withholding information. Meanwhile, there are strange occurrences at the town hall, Pernille and Theis deal with their problems, and Lund receives troubling news.

Sarah and Jan interrogate mayoral candidate Troels Hartmann. With the weight of the incriminating evidence pointing unequivocally to him, Troels has no choice but to divulge private information to the police and a whole new can of worms is opened as a result. Theis becomes desperate to hold on to wife Pernille, who is drifting further and further away emotionally.

Having located a likely crime scene, Sarah and Jan know who they are looking for, but as the investigation leads again in the direction of Troels Hartmann's Liberal Party, the reactions of their superior officers are puzzling. Troels comes under great pressure both in his private and public life. Pernille becomes estranged from Charlotte and Theis.

Bengt leaves for Stockholm. Lund and Meyer are hindered in their investigation by a secretive boss, but Lund continues inquiries and is dismissed for her sins. Hartmann strikes a deal with higher powers in order to secure his bid for mayor, and a public debate is the scene of a change in political fortunes. Theis is released from prison, new secrets are uncovered about Nanna's last months, and in a last bid to forward the investigation, Lund unlocks the door to a new piece in the puzzle.

Theis Birk Larsen's brutal punishment of Rama is interrupted by the police, and Theis is arrested. Lund and Meyer refocus their investigation on the car used by the murderer, knowing that if they do not make progress they might be taken off the case. As it becomes known that Rama is no longer a suspect, Hartmann shakes things up at city hall and relaunches his campaign.

The police locate the place where Nanna was killed, and Rama is charged with the crime. Hartmann is fighting for his political life, but ends up making a tough choice. Meanwhile, Bengt is in a car accident on his way to Sweden, but tries to help Lund from his hospital bed. When the evidence is cast into doubt, Rama is released, but someone has other ideas.

Lund decides to stay in town to continue the investigation even though it puts her relationship with Bengt under strain. Rama is questioned as the main suspect. When Hartmann chooses not to suspend him, it puts his political position under threat

Lund and Meyer investigate teacher Raman al Kemal's actions on the night of the murder. Hartmann learns of foul play at city hall, and his campaign is put under pressure when his opponent reveals Hartmann's ties with the suspect in a TV debate. On the day of Nanna's funeral, Lund is finally on her way to Sweden, and the appearance of one particular guest makes Nanna's father offer him a ride home.

Hartmann has won a new political ally, but is drawn into the murder case again when the police uncover new information which turns their suspicions towards teachers at Nanna's school. Theis Birk Larsen is troubled by the financial strain of the house he bought before Nanna's death. He begins to grow weary over the lack of progress in the case and seeks his own sources of information.

The police investigate the crime scene they have found at Nanna's school and suspect her classmates Oliver and Jeppe of wrongdoing. Sarah Lund's fianc� shows up in Copenhagen, and she promises to leave for Sweden without delay. Meanwhile, Hartmann learns that a trusted employee has sent a suspicious email.

Lund and Meyer track down the driver, who ends up injured in the hospital, but also supplies an alibi. They refocus their investigation on Nanna's school. When the story of the connection to his campaign breaks, Hartmann finds himself in media turmoil. The Birk Larsens try to cope with their loss as they arrange the funeral..

Nanna's parents identify her body, and details of her sufferings are uncovered. Lund keeps postponing her departure, and tension arises between her and her new partner as they investigate the connection to city hall and a known criminal identified as the driver of the car Nanna was found in. Hartmann is faced with the choice of cooperating with the police or protecting his political future.

Police detective Sarah Lund is about to leave her job in Copenhagen to move to Sweden. Troels Hartmann is gaining ground in his efforts to lead his party to power at city hall. Theis and Pernille Birk Larsen are the happy parents of three children. The discovery of the blood-stained belongings of a young girl prompts a police investigation that will change the lives of all involved.