the detective who has a ‘natural’ instinct for law and order
The Killing, has two detectives, one female. The missing has the main detective as male
PROPP
NARRATIVE
the first episode often introduces a lot of different characters
the missing had a non linear time structure
TODOROV
THEMES
the use of binary oppostions around familiar themes: family, community, law and order, justice.
the missing was a mystery that links to something much much larger rather than the killing which felt more like a murder mystery that was just one person or small group
LEVI-STRAUSS
REPRESENTATION
reactionary representations of police, family, law and order, urban/rural
the killing has a lead female detective which is radical. Both have active and protective mothers which is half reactionary half radical
SEMIOTICS
TECHNICAL CODES / LANGUAGE OF MOVING IMAGE (music, setting, props, lighting, use of camera, editing etc)
opening montage sequence that often gives clues as to the whole series – themes, locations, characters, events etc.
the missing shows a big but early twist which entices the viewer to invest. Furthermore, the music in the missing has a more emotional feel rather than the killing which attempts to entice the viewer straight away by showing tension