HBO’s new series True Detective made its debut back in January but is already gaining critical acclaim. As the season’s end draws close, True Detective prepares for its 8th and final episode. In the mean time, more people are speculating on how the story will unfold and discovering what makes the show so intriguing.
HBO’s new series True Detective made its debut back in January but is already gaining critical acclaim. As the season’s end draws close, True Detective prepares for its 8th and final episode. In the mean time, more people are speculating on how the story will unfold and discovering what makes the show so intriguing.
Recent Oscar Award winner, Matthew McConaughey stars alongside Woody Harrelson as two detectives set out to investigate an occult murder mystery in rural Louisiana. Rustin Cohle (McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Harrelson) explain their account of the mystery from a flash forward, but as the plot becomes unraveled, so do the characters. After the discovery of what appears to be a satanic ritual site, Cohle and Hart attempt to uncover who is behind a ring of satanic murders.
McConaughey’s delivery of Rustin Cohle is cold, calculating and philosophical. McConaughey’s performance really steals the show with such an eccentric character and his parched dry humor.
Pair McConaughey with Woody Harrelson and expect some great dialogue and deep character development. It’s this duo that really drives True Detective. Cohle and Hart have their differences but in episode 7 we see an attempt to reconcile with the past. It will be interesting to see where our detectives find themselves at the end of season 1.
Essentially the plot follows the classic “whodunit” story type. As Cohle and Hart recount the events during their time working on the case, we are given bits and pieces of information which slowly come together to form the plot.
At first we feel just as lost as our detectives when Cohle and Hart have no leads on the case.
However, it’s hard not to draw conclusions once a new clue is discovered or a twist in the plot is introduced. Joanna Robinson writes for Vanity Fair “It’s easy and seductive with a show like True Detective to get sucked into chasing down conspiracy theories.”
True Detective does a great job of maintaining a sense of mystery while providing enough evidence to keep it interesting. The plot has our detectives tracking down biker gangs, prostitutes, meth deals and a numerous other suspicious characters.
Information of the finale is being held secret aside from the trailer that was release. Even the press doesn’t have access to early screenings so all we can offer is speculation.
Many of the unanswered questions surrounding the season finale involve discovering the truth behind “the yellow king”, “Carcosa” and who is responsible for the missing girls.
Symbolism plays a huge role in True Detective. If you pay attention closely there are recurring images of the circle, the black stars, or even the color yellow. Erik Adams from The A.V. Club theorizes “Maggie wears yellow when she visits Rust at the bar (and keeps a strategically placed sunflower on her mantle) because she’s been the Yellow King the whole time.”
Despite all the rumors of how the plot will unfold, much of the storyline revolves around the relationship between detective partners Cohle and Hart. Throughout the first season we see just how their involvement with this case degrades them and influences their personal lives.
In chasing down monsters their lives have become darker. Hart runs into more issues with his wife maggie and his rebellious daughter. Cohle becomes even more mysterious, verging on psychotic.
True Detective has proven once again HBO is king when it comes to producing shows that push the standard of what T.V. narratives can be. The show doesn’t just tell a story, it urges the view to think. The show also questions religion, gender equalities and ponders the vicious cycles of life such as addiction.
To find out what really happens tune in to HBO this sunday March 9th for the season finale of True Detective.
