True Detective

[Rube82]

Anyone know what song is playing in the opening scene of episode 5?  (Rust and Ginger are sitting at the bar)

Kris Kristofferson- Casey's Last Ride

Thanks dude!

[foodeater]

http://io9.com/the-one-literary-reference-you-must-know-to-appreciate-1523076497

I'll be damned.

The thought that this show might go full Lovecraft is kinda blowing my mind right now. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better. Even if they don't go supernatural, all the hallmarks of existential horror are there: secret cults worshipping weird stones in the woods, an overarching pessimistic and nihilistic worldview (humans are inconsequential; an aberration), characters haunted or driven to the brink by the truths they've witnessed and a vast, indifferent universe seemingly mocking our very existence.

Or...not. It might just continue down the police procedural route, firmly rooted in reality, albeit one that is incredibly cynical and despairing. Maybe the writer just wanted to give a shout out to his influences by working in the references to The King in Yellow. Either way, I'm hooked.

But if they are going the "cosmic horror" route, they went about it right way-- let the audience think they're watching a cop drama and then slowly unveil the horrible truth. Existential horror is very hard to pull off in film (which is why decent Lovecraft adaptations are few and far between).

My theory: Russ HAS misled the investigation but only because he knows the truth and knows it would turn the world upside down if it ever got out. He's protecting humanity from learning the true nature of existence and the universe.

Any other weird fiction (Lovecraft, Machen, Blackwood, Ligotti, etc.) fans out there? What are your thoughts?

[P-TNT]

I really don't see the cosmic horror route happening.


Anywaaay, ep5 was my favorite so far, cant even watch TWD anymore

[foodeater]

Yeah, I guess I'm just curious to see where the "Yellow King" stuff is heading

[Vinnie]

Last episode was fantastic. Was glad to see the timeline advance and expect it to conclude in the 2012 time.

What I like most about all the M theory stuff is that it sort of makes the viewer act as that 4th dimension eternity life force by watching the television show lives run their course with the possibility of watching it happen again and again. A theme although it would seem obvious more or less unprecedented in television drama.

Where the show is headed? Who knows. I suspect the preacher and his Louisiana gov. Cousin are tied to this. Marty's daughter clearly has issues from even before her redneck 3some (naked drawings and barbie doll crime scene). So maybe someone in the family is also tied to it? (Rich father-in-law). Who is to say? Regardless the turn the show just made was fantastic and I am about to view for the 4th time soon.

[Richie]

Just watched ep5 for the third time last night. Keeps getting better. I agree the M theory shit is great.

I think about this show a lot. Marty's daughter was a victim at some point (and/or soon will be again?) which is why he keeps saying inattentiveness was his greatest sin. Rust starts putting the pieces together and linking big names to the "cult", drawing ire from them, perhaps they take it out on Marty's children to force Rust off the pursuit. Rust and Marty have it out at some point over this shit, but afterwards Marty realizes the thing is bigger than them and the police and helps Rust go deep undercover on his own mission to uncover the truth. Rust goes off the grid hunting, Marty sticks to the story that he has no idea what Rust is doing, perhaps aiding him when possible. Maybe Rust goes too deep or gets too far into the bottle, but he resurfaces and makes it known because he's ready to blow the lid off in one way or another. He's obviously got a plan and is just waiting for the new detectives to catch up/fall into his trap. Not sure Marty even knows what he's got planned.

[erickelric]

Which begs the question - Do you have a special plan for this world?  (at Rust)


and the other - What did Marty see in that elevator shaft? (and did he roll for insanity?)

[rub-a-dub]

Last episode was fantastic. Was glad to see the timeline advance and expect it to conclude in the 2012 time.

What I like most about all the M theory stuff is that it sort of makes the viewer act as that 4th dimension eternity life force by watching the television show lives run their course with the possibility of watching it happen again and again. A theme although it would seem obvious more or less unprecedented in television drama.

There was an interview where Pizzolatto confirmed that this was his intention. 

"Now, think about all the things Cohle is talking about," he said. "Is he a man railing against an uncaring god? Or is he a character in a TV show railing against his audience? Aren't we the creatures of that higher dimension? The creatures who can see the totality of his world? After all, we get to see all eight episodes of his life. On a flat screen. And we can watch him live that same life over and over again, the exact same way."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/16/true-detective-episode-5-review-the-secret-fate-of-all-life-is-the-best-episode-yet.html

[rub-a-dub]

Also, has anyone read his book, 'Galveston'?  It sounds good.

[erickelric]

I hope it doesn't get too meta, though.

That shit is cool, to a point. But a good story doesn't need it, and I don't really want it.

To me, the performance (mainly MM's), as scene-chewing as it may be, is still the focus of everything. World-building (the milieu, if you will) comes next.

One small quibble: For the Rust interrogation scenes, there should be a lot more smoke hovering about. I do sort of dig how uncomfortable that room looks, and makes you feel. They should go for a walk.

[erickelric]

Which begs the question - Do you have a special plan for this world?  (at Rust)

Even though this comment is sort of a joke, it's also legit. This is the classic question asked of paranoid schizophrenics, and Rust is exhibiting most of the symptoms of such a person.

[Vinnie]

Last episode was fantastic. Was glad to see the timeline advance and expect it to conclude in the 2012 time.

What I like most about all the M theory stuff is that it sort of makes the viewer act as that 4th dimension eternity life force by watching the television show lives run their course with the possibility of watching it happen again and again. A theme although it would seem obvious more or less unprecedented in television drama.

There was an interview where Pizzolatto confirmed that this was his intention. 

"Now, think about all the things Cohle is talking about," he said. "Is he a man railing against an uncaring god? Or is he a character in a TV show railing against his audience? Aren't we the creatures of that higher dimension? The creatures who can see the totality of his world? After all, we get to see all eight episodes of his life. On a flat screen. And we can watch him live that same life over and over again, the exact same way."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/16/true-detective-episode-5-review-the-secret-fate-of-all-life-is-the-best-episode-yet.html

That's cool. I try not to read this stuff or watch the Behind The Episodes because I prefer to form my own opinion but glad I was onto something there. Done guessing what is going to happen next just going along for the ride. Last weeks episode was my most enjoyed hour of television since maybe the Sopranos finale.

[Scrod Prickknee]

Last weeks episode was my most enjoyed hour of television since maybe the Sopranos finale.

Which was total shit.

[Scrod Prickknee]

I hope it doesn't get too meta, though.

That shit is cool, to a point. But a good story doesn't need it, and I don't really want it.

To me, the performance (mainly MM's), as scene-chewing as it may be, is still the focus of everything. World-building (the milieu, if you will) comes next.

Agreed, though I'm far more worried about future seasons after the early success of this one. I think those trappings will be more evident after they sit and try to make another EVENT or something like that. I have high hopes that it won't go too far up its own asshole this season.

[icki]

I don't watch the Behind the Episodes much, but caught one on Episode 5 where Pizzolatto mentions that Cohle asks for a beer during the interview knowing that anything he says after he starts drinking is inadmissible as evidence. Little details like that -- that it happened and that Pizzolatto calls it out in the Behind the Episode -- makes me think this isn't going to take some heavy Lovecraft dive but will stick more firmly in the realm of (really) smart procedural cop drama, maybe flirting with some of the more other worldly elements as a decoy.