HBO: True Detective

[keg in kc]

Hits in January.

Starring Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson.

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by SithCeNtZ

It's a show that can't really figure out what it wants to be. If you want to make it about ghosts and a crazy murder(?) and mysterious videos of people being killed then you have to go all in and focus on that. If you want it to be less about the murder and more about the characters like season 1, then focus on that. Instead we have neither. There's been very little actual detective work, and most of it that has been done centers in on a murder that wasn't even the original one we see in episode 1 anyway.

I still have no idea what they could possibly find in these caves that will explain anything. The leader of the mining company saying "they can't get in those caves at all costs" was just really funny to me. Like the original murder they are investigating and maybe happened there was years ago. If you are part of some vast corporate coverup, you've had plenty of time to clean things up.

I guess the only explanation that makes sense is they are going to find out in the caves that there is some kind of chemical that is getting into the water and it causes some people to have hallucinations and go crazy and that's what happened in the original murder and the scientists at the station were trying to find a cure or something for it but it ended up getting them.

This would be unbelievably dumb; just a little less so than someone "waking up and it was all a dream". This is basically the plot from Zootopia.

[KCUnited]

Woof they’ve checking all boxes except cohesive story, realistic timelines and rooting cause

[TwistedChief]

Not a great season. But I think at least it ended in a way that didn’t involve fantasy and was more cohesive. Just wish episodes 2-5 didn’t veer off course as they did.

RIP True Detective. Season 1 was the apex of TV and 3 kept the dream alive.

[BWillie]

I really liked it. Certainly better than season 2 and it seemed to have purpose even outside of the main characters. I bet if the main characters were men more people would have liked it. It had a great unique location where you get a great feel of the local culture, a staple of True Detective past seasons.

[|Zach|]

Enjoyed it overall. Wrapped up nicely.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by SithCeNtZ

It's a show that can't really figure out what it wants to be. If you want to make it about ghosts and a crazy murder(?) and mysterious videos of people being killed then you have to go all in and focus on that. If you want it to be less about the murder and more about the characters like season 1, then focus on that. Instead we have neither. There's been very little actual detective work, and most of it that has been done centers in on a murder that wasn't even the original one we see in episode 1 anyway.

I guess I do not really understand why something has to be so rigidly set in these lanes you set up to be good.

Mysterious possibly supernatural things being explained by a more realistic series of events feels like a pretty well worn path that a lot of good movies\shows have followed.

[ChiTown]

I felt like I wandered through the desert, aimlessly, for the first 4 episodes. I mean, I had no idea what they were doing or why they were doing it. Then, out of nowhere, they decide to get some focus and purpose in the final 2 episodes - which were REALLY damn good, IMO. Last night's episode (and really E5 as well) was fantastic, and what I had hoped for the whole series.

I may have to go back and rewatch in another 6 mos or so to see if I can pick up some things I missed.

[Zebedee DuBois]

The initial scene of the last episode, where they are in the ice caves really triggered the claustrophobia I sometimes deal with. Perhaps amplified by something I took. I had to turn it off and wait until the next day to be able to watch the episode. ...but that's just me and my neurosis.

I enjoyed the story. I give it a solid B.

[SithCeNtZ]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I guess I do not really understand why something has to be so rigidly set in these lanes you set up to be good.

Mysterious possibly supernatural things being explained by a more realistic series of events feels like a pretty well worn path that a lot of good movies\shows have followed.

While I agree with you that generally this is possible, in this case it lead to having really weak plot lines that were a waste of time and diluted the show. Pete and his wife is a good example. She gets super upset with him for working really hard for a few days and suddenly this is basically grounds for divorce? Not even acknowledging, you know, the huge unsolved murder that might be a little more important than your test, which is right at Christmas for some reason. And of course in the last episode she kisses him and all is forgiven...?

Spoiler!

The finale was just terrible storytelling with so many plot holes you can drive a truck with 7 kidnapped dudes in the back through it. It's absolutely wild. So the whole explanation for why this mass murder happens is that years after the murders a janitor notices there is a secret hatch. Naturally they go to investigate and start, uh, checking all the screws and tools to see if the murder weapon is here. Of course only one screw like this has ever been made in the history of the world, so boom, you know that she was clearly murdered right here. No other explanation is possible, and naturally it can be assumed that every dude in the building had a role in the murder. Which we know happened because a crazy dude gave his recount of the story which involves a bunch of nerdy scientists rolling down the hatch, seeing a fight going on, and naturally just start stabbing the other person. Why ask any questions? If I saw my coworker fighting with someone I would immediately take their side and just start killing people and participate in a murder. It's the only option. Evil scientists are natural born killers who all take turns with the kill.

BUT. Even though they are cold blooded killers, they are no match for the janitor seal team 6. Who, despite no tactical training and no physical ability to over power anyone if they would choose to fight back, execute a perfect mission right as the guy was taking a video to record some scientist convulsing and saying "she's here". Perfect timing. And of course the killer scientists offer no resistance and they ask no questions. We have to then have this ghost be the real killer because we have no explanation otherwise. But it's perfectly fine murdering a bunch of guys on a hunch that they killed your friend. Who among us hasn't done that? And the 20 people or whatever all keep it a secret and it never comes out. The end. Masterful. Can't see anything wrong with this at all. I suppose it's all made better by finding out Davers child "sees her". Really put a bow on things. And was worth all of those flash backs that didn't have any meaning at all.

[smith11]

Originally Posted by SithCeNtZ

While I agree with you that generally this is possible, in this case it lead to having really weak plot lines that were a waste of time and diluted the show. Pete and his wife is a good example. She gets super upset with him for working really hard for a few days and suddenly this is basically grounds for divorce? Not even acknowledging, you know, the huge unsolved murder that might be a little more important than your test, which is right at Christmas for some reason. And of course in the last episode she kisses him and all is forgiven...?

Spoiler!

The finale was just terrible storytelling with so many plot holes you can drive a truck with 7 kidnapped dudes in the back through it. It's absolutely wild. So the whole explanation for why this mass murder happens is that years after the murders a janitor notices there is a secret hatch. Naturally they go to investigate and start, uh, checking all the screws and tools to see if the murder weapon is here. Of course only one screw like this has ever been made in the history of the world, so boom, you know that she was clearly murdered right here. No other explanation is possible, and naturally it can be assumed that every dude in the building had a role in the murder. Which we know happened because a crazy dude gave his recount of the story which involves a bunch of nerdy scientists rolling down the hatch, seeing a fight going on, and naturally just start stabbing the other person. Why ask any questions? If I saw my coworker fighting with someone I would immediately take their side and just start killing people and participate in a murder. It's the only option. Evil scientists are natural born killers who all take turns with the kill.

BUT. Even though they are cold blooded killers, they are no match for the janitor seal team 6. Who, despite no tactical training and no physical ability to over power anyone if they would choose to fight back, execute a perfect mission right as the guy was taking a video to record some scientist convulsing and saying "she's here". Perfect timing. And of course the killer scientists offer no resistance and they ask no questions. We have to then have this ghost be the real killer because we have no explanation otherwise. But it's perfectly fine murdering a bunch of guys on a hunch that they killed your friend. Who among us hasn't done that? And the 20 people or whatever all keep it a secret and it never comes out. The end. Masterful. Can't see anything wrong with this at all. I suppose it's all made better by finding out Davers child "sees her". Really put a bow on things. And was worth all of those flash backs that didn't have any meaning at all.

given this show came from HBO I think the message was that vigilante justice is ok if you're killing white guys i.e Navarro and the lady janitors...

[Fish]

Ending was kinda meh. Overall it wasn't great, but it wasn't super bad either.

Spoiler!

It sucks that they Scooby Doo'd it up so much. So many hints of paranormal, but nope. It's just a bunch of shitty people with no redeeming qualities.

Another series where it kinda felt like the writers had planned and hinted for a more complex and mysterious plot, but couldn't come through.

[TinyEvel]

(scrolled past the spoilers) we just watched up through episode 4. so far pretty boring and all over the place.

Still trying to wrap my head around Jodie Foster sleeping with all the men in town.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

(scrolled past the spoilers) we just watched up through episode 4. so far pretty boring and all over the place.

Still trying to wrap my head around Jodie Foster sleeping with all the men in town.

Hottest chick in town obviously.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Just another generic detective show. Bummer

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by L.A. Chieffan

Just another generic detective show. Bummer

See alot of detective shows in Northern Alaska do ya?

Ill take any over a super hero show.