I will start by pointing out the plain and obvious. The debut of this much discussed new television series, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, does not seem to be covering an entirely new theme.
Two mismatched homicide detectives. One serial killer. Slow burning with small reveals along the way. On paper, it sounds like something you have seen before. More than once. Possibly more than fifty times before. However, this one may just avoid being another rehash.
And even despite how it may sound on paper, the serial killer on the loose in Louisiana, is quite the scary one. The body of his victim is found in a way that is sure to spook some viewers. I will not spoil it, or give much away, but let me just say, a deer head is involved, and it is creative.
What makes this special? The main focus is not the serial killer like a lot of the other shows or films. Instead, the script takes place in both 1995 and 2012. In 2012, two younger detectives, played by Michael Potts, and Tory Kittles, are interviewing the older detectives, while 1995 is shown through flashbacks. Why? We are not sure. But they are looking for exact details, claiming that the original records were all destroyed by a hurricane.
Point is, this takes prime focus on the actual detectives instead. Seventeen years later, Matthew McConaughey's character, Rust Cohle, is a shell of his former self. He is an alcoholic, who seems like he can fly off the handle at any time. A very fascinating, yet nihilistic man, who will make you want to keep watching.
You can see the toll that the case has had on him over the years. With Woody Harrelson's character, Martin Hart, he kind of seems to be the same man, but struggles at times, especially when discussing details of his former partner. The two had a falling out, yet the reveal is something we are going to have to wait for.
An additional reveal that the writers are keeping from us are details about Cohle's daughter, who is consistently mentioned throughout the episode. The script was well written to the point where I actually care about these reveals, and will be watching to find out.
Speaking of family, the only major cliché is the family man, Martin, having a wife (Michelle Monaghan) who hates that he is a cop. This worrying, your never home, blah, blah, blah, wife character is one I have seen far too many times. Hopefully they have a twist or two in store that will make her a deeper character.
Why do I say this? Martin is a bit overly flirty at times with other women, and some scenes made my mind wonder if he is loyal. See, so much was accomplished in this thought-provoking debut. Superb acting, charismatic characters, and a compelling script has earned True Detectives a weekly watch.
Superpower Television Scale: 4/5 Hero on the rise
1. Cannot be saved
2. Requires rescuing
3. Handles its own
4. Hero on the rise
5. Saves the day
Read more at: http://worshipthylouie.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-long- bright-dark-true-detective-review/
Two mismatched homicide detectives. One serial killer. Slow burning with small reveals along the way. On paper, it sounds like something you have seen before. More than once. Possibly more than fifty times before. However, this one may just avoid being another rehash.
And even despite how it may sound on paper, the serial killer on the loose in Louisiana, is quite the scary one. The body of his victim is found in a way that is sure to spook some viewers. I will not spoil it, or give much away, but let me just say, a deer head is involved, and it is creative.
What makes this special? The main focus is not the serial killer like a lot of the other shows or films. Instead, the script takes place in both 1995 and 2012. In 2012, two younger detectives, played by Michael Potts, and Tory Kittles, are interviewing the older detectives, while 1995 is shown through flashbacks. Why? We are not sure. But they are looking for exact details, claiming that the original records were all destroyed by a hurricane.
Point is, this takes prime focus on the actual detectives instead. Seventeen years later, Matthew McConaughey's character, Rust Cohle, is a shell of his former self. He is an alcoholic, who seems like he can fly off the handle at any time. A very fascinating, yet nihilistic man, who will make you want to keep watching.
You can see the toll that the case has had on him over the years. With Woody Harrelson's character, Martin Hart, he kind of seems to be the same man, but struggles at times, especially when discussing details of his former partner. The two had a falling out, yet the reveal is something we are going to have to wait for.
An additional reveal that the writers are keeping from us are details about Cohle's daughter, who is consistently mentioned throughout the episode. The script was well written to the point where I actually care about these reveals, and will be watching to find out.
Speaking of family, the only major cliché is the family man, Martin, having a wife (Michelle Monaghan) who hates that he is a cop. This worrying, your never home, blah, blah, blah, wife character is one I have seen far too many times. Hopefully they have a twist or two in store that will make her a deeper character.
Why do I say this? Martin is a bit overly flirty at times with other women, and some scenes made my mind wonder if he is loyal. See, so much was accomplished in this thought-provoking debut. Superb acting, charismatic characters, and a compelling script has earned True Detectives a weekly watch.
Superpower Television Scale: 4/5 Hero on the rise
1. Cannot be saved
2. Requires rescuing
3. Handles its own
4. Hero on the rise
5. Saves the day
Read more at: http://worshipthylouie.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-long- bright-dark-true-detective-review/