My point is that there were reasons that those shows got picked up but there is not a chance in hell that The Killing is going to get picked up.
I agree that it is pretty unlikely, but Damages numbers were much worse when Direct TV stepped in and they'd also been sliding like mad. That had to with the writer's strike taking the show from being a summer show and pitting it against the regular season lineups. However, there was a point where
Damages was down to 600k viewers and Direct TV still renewed it, so it isn't impossible, just not very likely (after all, Damages continued to live partially because it had a great first season but mostly because it has Glenn Close).
The other thing that would be possible is Netflix. Apparently they considered picking up
Terra Nova at one point, but took a pass because it was such an incredibly expensive show to shoot (and it was a ratings dog too).
Just saying that whereas it isn't likely, it is possible and whereas DirectTV is apparently no longer in the business of trying to save shows (that was something discussed when Terra Nova bit it, that DirectTV isn't interested in acquiring new shows at this point), Netflix wants to score some original content. The Killing should be relatively inexpensive to shoot. Almost no special effects, a cast that is respected, but doesn't have a headlining name. It's possible, just not likely.
Either way, the cast is talented and I hope if this doesn't work out, they all land steady gigs soon. Same thing for the crew. I do think there's a possibility that Netflix, which is desperately trying to save itself and has lost a lot of it's streaming content, is the place that is being eyeballed. For one thing, the first season is already on there, it might be a natural.
I don't mind one way or the other. I think
The Killing had its shot and didn't quite make it, so it's no tragedy for me if it ends now. However, I do think that Netflix might be possible and it would help with one aspect of the show: AMC rather famously doesn't interfere with its shows. If Netflix launches a maiden voyage on original content with
The Killing, they seem more likely to hold the reins tightly which might clear up some of the Sud problems just by adding another voice to the mix.