It's funny how some of the best discoveries happen when you least expect them. Just recently, whilst handing in some donations at the local Oxfam, my eye caught something unexpected: the True Detective Season 1 DVD set, priced at a mere £3.99. I'd never actually seen the show, despite knowing of it and having heard a lot of praise showered upon it over the years. It felt like a sign, a little nudge from the universe to finally see what all the fuss was about.
Not bad for £3.99 eh?
Beyond the general acclaim, what truly piqued my interest were the whispers I'd heard about its thematic depth and atmospheric qualities. I'd heard comparisons to The King in Yellow, the unsettling cosmic dread of Robert W. Chambers' work, which immediately resonated with my love for the uncanny.
Then there were the mentions of Twin Peaks, a show that masterfully blends surrealism with small-town mystery, Alan Wake, with its dark, psychological horror wrapped in a literary narrative and Deadly Premonition 2 with its wizened old main character flashbacking to the case that broke him. The recurring theme of Southern Gothic also tickled my fancy, promising a rich tapestry of decay, dark secrets, and a unique sense of place. All these elements are firmly in my wheelhouse, so the decision was made. For less than the price of a fancy but ultimately disappointing coffee, I was ready to dive into what promised to be a journey into the heart of darkness, Louisiana style.
The anticipation of seeing how these influences might manifest, how the show would weave together a compelling narrative with such rich thematic undertones, was palpable. So, with the DVDs in hand and expectations set high by a confluence of critical acclaim and personal genre preferences, I plonked myself down for my first viewing of True Detective Season 1. So, how was it?
The story stars Matthew McConaughey, playing Detective Rust Cohle, and Woody Harrelson, playing his partner Detective Martin Hart, who are investigating a series of disturbing, ritualistic murders in Louisiana. This quickly spirals into a much larger and darker narrative involving occult practices and a deeply unsettling meta-psychotic killer. The show is a police procedural but with unreliable narrators abound, it is a show that demands attention.
Over the course of 8 episodes, the show masterfully weaves together different timelines and perspectives as they pursue a killer tied to the unsettling concept of The King in Yellow, Carcosa and The Green Man. This all leads them down a rabbit hole of existential dread and profound psychological instability. Cohle's nihilistic and philosophical outlook is a defining characteristic, contrasting sharply with Hart's more grounded, family-oriented perspective (until his penchant for affairs that is). As both men delve deeper into the dark heart of man they find themselves forever changed.
I has always heard that the show was known for its complex themes, atmospheric storytelling, and powerful performances but boy, was I blown away by the beautiful cinematography and sense of place. It's always a hoary old thing to say that 'the setting is a character' but in this case, Louisiana sets the sweaty, uncomfortable mood perfectly. It's uncomfortable conditions, with its portrayal of different lifestyles and wealth, are evocative portrayed by the character actors with deep, meditative silences adding to the palpable terror of what will be found at journey's end. The make-up team does an outstanding job of aging and de-aging up the protagonists, especially McConaughey who looks all haggard and wrinkly, but Woody Harrison's wig, which he wears for his youthful flashbacks, are hilarious as his de-aging process just seems to involve him whipping the rug off.
Over the course of a few nights, I watched the entire season and loved it. I can see why the series is so well regarded and put forward as a keystone in the Golden Age of Television that many believe started with The Sopranos.
The McConaissance hype is real as it was amazing to see McConaughey show his acting chops after spending the best part of a decade leaning against stuff and looking cheekily at the young starlet over his shoulder. I will now look at watching the other series to see if they can live up to the very high benchmark set here but, from what I gather, this was the zenith that has yet to be surpassed.
LINK: The King in Yellow- Book Review
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK: Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review
LINK: The Offworld Collection- Book Review
LINK: Shadow of the Colossus- Book Review
LINK: Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
LINK: The Midnight Library and the Idea That You Can’t Go Home Again
LINK: The Transportive Nature of Objects (And the Power of Mini Consoles)