True Detective - TV Series Review

True Detective is an anthology series telling a story of the complex murder investigations. The first season follows two detectives, Martin Hart and Rust Cohle portrayed by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey respectively, solving a disturbing ritualistic murder that occurred in Louisiana from 1995 to 2012.

Based on philosophy with a strong element of existentialism and nihilism, True Detective steps into the world of gothic south. The overall tone of the show is quite dark and introduces the audience to a distinct setting of justice being relative and the truth hard to obtain. An ominous tone is present throughout the show mostly through the visuals and the storyline.

Matthew McConaughougly and Woody Harrelson give performances for the ages in True Detective. The main character Rust Cohle is excellently played by Matthew McConaughey: he turns the viewer into the inner world of a tormented detective. In the same way, Harrelson brings out Martin Hart’s character in a complex manner though depicting a man in internal conflict. His work with parallel timelines can only be described as masterful and the series never really let go of the viewer’s attention.

The sad, atmospheric tune a the beginning of each episode, the song ‘Far from Any Road’ by the Handsome Family, is just perfect for the sustained tension of the show in general. The music fits right in the series by adding to the show’s tense mood and adding extra layers to the show’s emotions.

The show is a visual treat thanks to the cinematographer Adam Arkapaw. This kind of bright contrasting, high contrast visuals capture the spirit of the Louisiana region, and makes for a particularly engaging watch. The melancholy of the background is reflected in the lens work of Arkapaw, but also the gloom of the plot is somehow reflected.

It works great on the detailed production design of True Detective. It captures the setting of Louisiana to the letter and every location used in the series reflects the mood of the story. Not only in terms of lighting but in terms of set design as well, the show takes every opportunity to build its unnerving aesthetic.

There isn’t much use of cgi nonetheless practical effects and certain other elements to make the show realistic and tense.

The flow of the storytelling is excellent and most notably in handling the rather complex structure of splitting various time frames. Some shifts are spectacular and make the constructive contribution to the enhancement of suspense throughout the series and make sure that a viewer is interested in the developments of the show. It provides gradual arcs, with character and plotlines often taking their time to mature. This slow tempo is intentional, encouraging the audience to rack their brains over various enigmas and ethical dilemmas.

True Detective dialogue remains one of the show’s key motifs of the narrative architecture. Many of its ruminations originate from Rust Cohle, Marlowe’s lines spoken with great seriousness and deep contemplation. The dynamics of the conversation between Cohle and Hart are intense and multifaceted which corresponds to their relationship.

It mean that despite the series has the strengths in every possible aspect, some viewers might find it difficult to follow the storylines. Sometimes it can make some people annoyed since the pace is slow and the complex existential concepts may be clear only for those who are a fan of that genre. Furthermore some of the side-stories remain unresolved, being left open at the end of the show.

Due to its Origin and compelling narrative True Detective makes an indelible mark combining crime drama with metaphysical concept that lingers even after the show. It is the intellectually reflected story telling that has the only aim – to question the viewer’s outlook on the concepts of good and evil, truth and falsehood. That is the reason why True Detective can be spoken of as a critical darling of television, as well as why it delves into emotions and their shades of gray so effectively.