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[Anton Sugar]

right, I don't deny any of that, but the show just outright tells us that. It's so on the nose and obvious about everything about these characters; so maybe that's why I haven't really gotten invested in these characters. Rust, I like, even if the whole nihilism schtick is a little tiring, but you can tell at least there's some humanity there and something genuinely compelling there, but Marty... they've done absolutely nothing to transform him from just yet another misanthropic-male-lead into a fully fleshed out character yet.

so I guess I'd be fine neglecting the mystery nitty-gritty stuff if they were really exploring these guys, but Marty comes across as borderline parody. he's just a flat character, atm. Rust just needs to shut the fuck up every once in a while.

I disagree that they haven't done anything other than make him a rah-rah male lead who fucks up.

He's shown signs of humanity even during his fights with his wife. You feel/see remorse on his face the moment after he pulls out the "even your mother thinks you're a ball buster".

He's not just a good ol' boy, as he disagrees with (and despises) the conservative "those-were-the-days" opinions of his father-in-law.

He openly wonders about his own morality to Rust ("Do you ever wonder if you're a bad man?").

Not to mention his own breakdown with his wife, where she confirmed that he's fucked up.

I think he definitely fits into more of an archetype than Rust does, but I don't think he's completely one-dimensional. In fact, I think if we didn't have the present-day interviews, I would have thought that his world and world view would shatter by the end of Season 1 and he becomes more of a misanthrope.

 

[MormaPope]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yPy0P5o6o&feature=youtu.be

Man, that's just an amazing sequence. Full six minutes and eleven seconds. Certainly raising the bar for cinematography for television, no matter what you think about the show compared to The Wire (spoiler: the two shows have nothing in common so stop comparing).

EDIT: Link was already posted.

Loved how the gun shots sound loud and menacing. Having fired guns, I can tell you they're loud as fuck. Most TV shows and movies downplay the echo and boom guns make. The ringing in Rust's ears, the stuff around Rust getting pelted, the situation felt incredibly fucked, there being no cuts/one long take also built around the hopeless and dire situation.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

Marty comes across as borderline parody. he's just a flat character, atm. Rust just needs to shut the fuck up every once in a while.

I'm kinda shocked you're still watching the show if you feel this way, honestly

 

[kingocfs]

EDIT: Link was already posted.

Loved how the gun shots sound loud and menacing. Having fired guns, I can tell you they're loud as fuck. Most TV shows and movies downplay the echo and boom guns make. The ringing in Rust's ears, the stuff around Rust getting pelted, the situation felt incredibly fucked, there being no cuts/one long take also built around the hopeless and dire situation.

"It's Christmas time, Crash, we got this sheeit!"

And then the big face turn. So satisfying.

 

[PaulKersey]

People keep saying, "next season" but I thought this was a miniseries? If it isn't then my day has just been made because I thought I only had 4 episodes left of this show. Ever.

 

[ezekial45]

People keep saying, "next season" but I thought this was a miniseries? If it isn't then my day has just been made because I thought I only had 4 episodes left of this show. Ever.

No, this is an anthology series. Each season will be its own standalone story with its own characters and plot. Much American Horror Story and the upcoming Fargo TV series.

 

[sangreal]

People keep saying, "next season" but I thought this was a miniseries? If it isn't then my day has just been made because I thought I only had 4 episodes left of this show. Ever.

Each season (if they do more -- and all indications are they will) will be a separate story with separate characters, so they're essentially miniseries. I think anthology is the term thrown around to describe it

 

[Frillen]

People keep saying, "next season" but I thought this was a miniseries? If it isn't then my day has just been made because I thought I only had 4 episodes left of this show. Ever.

It's an anthology series, which means that by episode 8 the story represent will be done, finitos and a totally new story with new characters will take place in season 2.

 

[wedward]

I think this reading is a little shallow. I don't think the show is exploring what it means to be a man. It's more interested in what it means to "be" a human being, to live in a socety where your own instincts and urges go against everything that you've been told to do in order to live a good and righteous life.

Rust thinks that nihilism is the only honest way to make sense of the world and clings to that, even though he very much wanted (wants?) a family, a wife, children, happiness.

Marty maintains the appearance of your average guy, but regularly compromises his own values and his own rules in order to stay afloat and maintain. His wife was right about him: he spends so much time lying to himself that he doesn't even realize when he does it.

Even though Marty accuses Rust of it, myopia is something that both characters struggle with every day. Neither understands or acknowledges how their actions push them further away from what they really want.

This has also been done to death.

Biggest problem with the show is that the writing doesn't incorporate these ideas into the narrative very well.

Resorting to monologues is never a good way to tell a story. Especially when the monologues are just flowery platitudes that were lifted from a text book.

 

[jtb]

I'm kinda shocked you're still watching the show if you feel this way, honestly

eh, the noir-ish vibe goes a long way with me. Everything's ridiculously great quality except for the writing, which is usually competent (and, don't take that as a bad thing—competence is something I value very highly) but little more than that. not unlike House of Cards, to be honest. right now, it's shallow fun. I'd love for it to evolve into something more than that, but if it doesn't, I'll be content with it as is.

 

[aFIGurANT]

This has also been done to death.

Biggest problem with the show is that the writing doesn't incorporate these ideas into the narrative very well.

Resorting to monologues is never a good way to tell a story. Especially when the monologues are just flowery platitudes that were lifted from a text book.

It's all been done before maybe. But never at this level has the good cop/bad cop trope been so good. If some parts are formulaic or tried to you maybe you possess Rust's cynicism but for TV.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

EDIT: Link was already posted.

Loved how the gun shots sound loud and menacing. Having fired guns, I can tell you they're loud as fuck. Most TV shows and movies downplay the echo and boom guns make. The ringing in Rust's ears, the stuff around Rust getting pelted, the situation felt incredibly fucked, there being no cuts/one long take also built around the hopeless and dire situation.

I actually appreciated how they were realistic sounding but not necessarily loud in that Breaking Bad, kick you out of your seat out of nowhere type of sound design. It just sounded like people were shooting guns in the real world, they didn't turn the sound down on everything else just so the gun would make your spill your coca-cola.

 

[wedward]

It's all been done before maybe. But never at this level has the good cop/bad cop trope been so good. If some parts are formulaic or tried to you maybe you possess Rust's cynicism but for TV.

No. I don't.

I am still going to watch the show and I enjoy it for the most part. It's not perfect and it has some serious issues. I have the ability to enjoy things even though they may flaws.

 

[Cornballer]

I actually appreciated how they were realistic sounding but not necessarily loud in that Breaking Bad, kick you out of your seat out of nowhere type of sound design. It just sounded like people were shooting guns in the real world, they didn't turn the sound down on everything else just so the gun would make your spill your coca-cola.

Definitely. It was good and punchy without being outrageously loud. With a lot of shows these days I have to manually turn down the gunfights and turn up the dialogue, but it hasn't been a problem with TD.

 

[EverythingShiny]

I was looking up the actor who plays Charlie Lange because I thought his performance was pretty awesome despite only having a few scenes, and I found this. Thought it was pretty interesting

Musician Fighting To Record an Album Before It's Too Late!

Wow, thanks for linking that. I, too, was thinking his performance was awesome. He should be on the final season of Justified. He'd be perfect for that show.

Also, I'm not sure if you guys appreciate where Maggie was coming from in the scene with Rust. She's upset because she thought Rust would be the last person to spout the same old BS by rationalizing Marty's terrible behavior toward her and their children. That said, Rust was completely justified in getting up and walking away. That final line was a low fucking blow and I wish Pizzolatto had left it at her calling Rust out for giving the same sorry excuse for forgiving her husband's infidelity, because that's the part of the scene that truly mattered.

 

[real_slime]

I'm still astounded.

 

[jtb]

It's all been done before maybe. But never at this level has the good cop/bad cop trope been so good. If some parts are formulaic or tried to you maybe you possess Rust's cynicism but for TV.

eh, I'd argue a lot of the parts of the formula have already basically been dealt with in stuff like Seven. buddy cop dynamic, satanic serial killer, very strong nihilistic streak, the whole domestic situation of the cops, etc. and it wasn't even new ground when Seven rolled around. but maybe that's my Fincher fanboy-ism showing through.

 

[blainethemono]

Wow, thanks for linking that. I, too, was thinking his performance was awesome. He should be on the final season of Justified. He'd be perfect for that show.

I had the exact same thought. Turns out he already was on Justified though

Bobby Joe Packer in season 1

 

[Kadayi]

Bar fucking raised. I think it's actually kind of funny that with BB ending everyone was basically doom mongering about the end of the golden age of television and then True Detective comes out the gate and starts delivering haymakers all round.

I think that with the approach that HBO are taking with the show that they're really tapping into something quite profound for the medium in terms of leveraging the unity of vision that having a single writer and a director on a piece can bring and it's paying off with dividends.

 

[Juz]

Oh god, I'm speechless. What an episode.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

eh, the noir-ish vibe goes a long way with me. Everything's ridiculously great quality except for the writing, which is usually competent (and, don't take that as a bad thing—competence is something I value very highly) but little more than that. not unlike House of Cards, to be honest. right now, it's shallow fun. I'd love for it to evolve into something more than that, but if it doesn't, I'll be content with it as is.

to each their own. You might be the first person I've heard use "shallow fun" to describe True Detective however, lol

 

[Avinexus]

I'm sure its been said, but having just watched Ep. 4 that last tracking shot has to be one of the best I've ever seen.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

That was a pretty exciting episode but I officially have ZERO idea what this show is supposed to be about.

 

[real_slime]

That was a pretty exciting episode but I officially have ZERO idea what this show is supposed to be about.

The faults of masculinity as an ideal and fear.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Eh.

 

[AkuMifune]

The faults of masculinity as an ideal and fear.

To me it's about a civilization of animals pretending to be a society.

 

[Technosteve]

i don't even know what this show is about anymore. the cinematography is great tho.

 

[see5harp]

I am certain they go into all of that stuff but it's a show about two cops and an unsolved crime.

 

[Red_Man]

Marty was looking like elmer fudd in the biker club

Glad I'm not the only one who thought this :lol

 

[SCHUEY F1]

Bar fucking raised. I think it's actually kind of funny that with BB ending everyone was basically doom mongering about the end of the golden age of television and then True Detective comes out the gate and starts delivering haymakers all round.

I think that with the approach that HBO are taking with the show that they're really tapping into something quite profound for the medium in terms of leveraging the unity of vision that having a single writer and a director on a piece can bring and it's paying off with dividends.

Those people haven't seen enough TV, lots of good stuff out there.

 

[nin1000]

just got to see the last episode and HOLY SHIT at that last sequence !
The series was great up to that point but now its on another level

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I am certain they go into all of that stuff but it's a show about two cops and an unsolved crime.

I think the show is really suffering from week to week syndrome. Its a huge rarity I watch shows in real time and TBH the tone and general feel of True Detective is immediately compelling and arresting but I haven't the faintest clue whats going on. Its just not that interesting. I was really high on the first two episodes because I was genuinely terrified of the occult imagery and murder, but episode 3 was a nonstarter for me and this last episode felt super out of context, almost as if it was a different show.

Its a fun show, its a fine show, I don't think its a great show.

 

[hamchan]

That was a pretty exciting episode but I officially have ZERO idea what this show is supposed to be about.

It's more about the two main leads and how fucked up they are, rather than the mystery I think.

 

[see5harp]

I think the show is really suffering from week to week syndrome. Its a huge rarity I watch shows in real time and TBH the tone and general feel of True Detective is immediately compelling and arresting but I haven't the faintest clue whats going on. Its just not that interesting. I was really high on the first two episodes because I was genuinely terrified of the occult imagery and murder, but episode 3 was a nonstarter for me and this last episode felt super out of context, almost as if it was a different show.

Its a fun show, its a fine show, I don't think its a great show.

Really? I think the show is doing a fine job of keeping people interested. I found episode 1 and 3 to be not only good, but great episodic television. They dangle some bait out there and hint at future episodes. The acting and writing is great. Plotwise I think they have run in place a bit up until now but a lot of times it's the journey. We've already seen both Marty and Rust change pretty dramatically from the first episode until now. While I do agree that the tone changed very dramatically with episode 4, at least it made sense. It was earned.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Hey, I'm liking it. Thats praise enough.

 

[Spinluck]

I really dont get the constant pissing contest stuff. Some people seem incapable of enjoying something on its own merits, they need to arbitrarily list and judge things to make order of sense of quality work. Maybe there is a time and place for that, but it isn't 4 episodes into the first season.

totally agree. i think it can be fun innocuous discussion if people can keep civil, but they don't. it becomes an incessant dick measuring contest of my taste is better than your taste. which leads to nowhere.

this is a hell of a show so far though.

my biggest fear is that any following seasons won't match it, but i'll let this season end before i worry about that.

 

[RustyNails]

I honestly don't think Rust is going to bone Maggie...the guy is too cynical for his own good.

 

[Z..]

That long take was very good. This show is becoming something truly worth watching.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I was actually really pleased with the scenes in Rust's apt after Marty had moved in or whatever. It was great.

 

[H2Yo]

WOW at that long shot. Amazing!

 

[Spinluck]

Taken from the True Detective subreddit.

i lol'd at this part.

rust just said fuck this shit. i wonder how many relationships i could've saved doing this, instead of spouting bullshit back and forth lol.

sidenote, i'm kind of bummed that i wasn't strong enough to hold off till the end of the season and watch it in bulk. my favorite way of watching any tv show. waiting a week sucks, and it's also a shitty reminder of how much time passes by while you wait. fuck.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

Speaking of True Detectives, Who's Harry Crumb is now on Hulu plus.

 

[Ninja Beagle]

So was this shootout before they rolled up on the gask mask dude? The ending of episode 3 is a little fuzzy to me.

 

[real_slime]

So was this shootout before they rolled up on the gask mask dude? The ending of episode 3 is a little fuzzy to me.

Yeah this is before. We're building up to the crazy shit in the woods, this wasn't even mentioned before which is part of what makes it so good.

 

[Askherserenity]

So was this shootout before they rolled up on the gask mask dude? The ending of episode 3 is a little fuzzy to me.

Yeah. And they didn't talk about this because it is supposed to be all hush hush. I love how they pulled this off in the show.

 

[Frustrated_me]

So wait, this is good? I thought it was terrible from the first reviews that were written.

Good to hear.

 

[Wilbur]

Wow. The amount of choreography and planning that must have gone into that scene was absolutely incredible. There's been thousands of long takes before obviously, but for that one to legitimately be one shot with that much mayhem and carnage going on... incredible.

McConaughey gets better every week too.

 

[Kikarian]

i don't even know what this show is about anymore. the cinematography is great tho.

The past, present and the future. An on-going unsolved crime.

 

[Cornballer]

So wait, this is good? I thought it was terrible from the first reviews that were written.

I'm kinda curious which reviews you were reading since they were almost universally positive with just a couple middling ones.

 

[Solo]

Holy fuck. THAT. EPISODE. I've never seen anything like that last 10 minutes in a television show ever. SOOOO good.