Streaming [HBO] True Detective

[Toump Ass]

On the supernatural elements:

Spoiler

The showmaker says that there’s not a supernatural outcome.

They just wanted to include elements of it to fit in with the strange part of the world it is and native mythology etc.

Spoiler

I read it's been deliberately left ambiguous so you can read it how you like

 

[Bjchan13]

Liked S4 Ep 1. Season 1 is probably still overall my favourite season of any television show.

 

[phantom13]

On the supernatural stuff (ill spoiler tag it even though im discussing season 1, no actual spoilers for this season).

Spoiler

the whole of season 1 alluded to and dropped heaps of hints about the supernatural/occult the whole way though, when it all wrapped up there werent really any, it was just McCoughnaheys "visions" and a bunch of shitty evil men doing or covering up. So far theres really no reason to think anything more than that is happening here.

 

[Toump Ass]

So far there's really no reason to think anything more than that is happening here.

I'm leaning towards spooky stuff personally. Remember the story Peter was angry about his child being told by the grandmother? The faces of the deceased pointing looking terrified? The (several) references to The Thing? The mass suicide of the caribou in the opening scene? The fact that 3 characters are all wearing the same parka (oh yes, the guy in the opening scene was wearing the same one).

Definitely a boogie monster about IMO.

(Disclaimer: I spent 5 minutes reading about this on Reddit)

 

[phantom13]

I'm leaning towards spooky stuff personally. Remember the story Peter was angry about his child being told by the grandmother? The faces of the deceased pointing looking terrified? The (several) references to The Thing? The mass suicide of the caribou in the opening scene? The fact that 3 characters are all wearing the same parka (oh yes, the guy in the opening scene was wearing the same one).

Definitely a boogie monster about IMO.

(Disclaimer: I spent 5 minutes reading about this on Reddit)

The spirals, the birds, the yellow king and Sarcosa from season 1.

All amounted to **** all.

Might be different this time around but also might not.

I like it and will until it jumps the shark but were a mile off that.

 

[Toump Ass]

The spirals, the birds, the yellow king and Sarcosa from season 1.

Yeah that was a massive "utensil"-tease, put a bit of a downer on season 1 for me. Massive build up to the finale and in the end the two greatest detectives that ever lived have been chasing a redneck who is bangin' his sister. Ok.

Speaking of, they brought this one back. Few people theorising the cult members from season 01 might have migrated to Alaska.

 

[Kirby]

Fantastic episode 2.

Great atmosphere of loneliness, remoteness and many an inter tangled relationship.

 

[Toump Ass]

Just finished it. Thought it was good.

Spoiler

Travis is Rustin from season 01's dad!?!

 

[Kirby]

Just finished it. Thought it was good.

Spoiler

Travis is Rustin from season 01's dad!?!

I must have missed that. Where did you get that from?

 

[Gak Attack]

Just finished it. Thought it was good.

Spoiler

Travis is Rustin from season 01's dad!?!

Wife hasn't watched s1 so we started watching that after today's ep, didn't remember Rust saying he grew up in Alaska. That and the symbols possible there will be some sort of link.

Update. Realised I missed him being directly called Travis Cohle this episode so seems it must be.

 

[Kirby]

Wife hasn't watched s1 so we started watching that after today's ep, didn't remember Rust saying he grew up in Alaska. That and the symbols possible there will be some sort of link.

Update. Realised I missed him being directly called Travis Cohle this episode so seems it must be.

Yeah me too. I didn’t take in the surname.

It could be the showmakers just messing with us?

 

[Neese]

Also noticed at the start that Matthew McConaughy was an executive producer on the episode.

I am really enjoying it.

 

[Frank Bunn]

I kind of agree with this. I found Jodie Foster kind of phoning it in in some scenes, looking awkward and not really knowing what to do. . And she reminded me of Michael J Fox for some reason.

We will see. I've never considered her a great, despite her rep. But do hope for some return to form for TD4.

Yeah, I'm not really digging Jodie Foster. It could be that her character isn't particularly likeable but she's had a long career and I've only chosen to watch 4 or 5 things that she's been in. Then again, it's hard to find a likeable character in this show. The young cop maybe and the Fiona Shaw character. The other characters all go around disliking each other even if they are awkward sex buddies.

The setting and the basic plot are good. Some of the dialog is on the nose and for a short season they are cramming in what looks to be unnecessary subplot characters. Maybe the lesbian daughter, the troubled sister, the inept cop Dad, the doormat boyfriend, will become relevant but at the moment they are not even serving as red herrings to the mystery or people to bounce exposition dialog off of. Some of the needle drops are a bit heavy handed.

 

[Toump Ass]

Wife hasn't watched s1 so we started watching that after today's ep, didn't remember Rust saying he grew up in Alaska. That and the symbols possible there will be some sort of link.

Update. Realised I missed him being directly called Travis Cohle this episode so seems it must be.

Rusty also mentions his Dad has leukaemia, writers definitely want a connection there.

Can't remember Season 01 but I read that Rusty had a few "hallucinations" in the show? Must be supernatural voodoo shit runs in the family, given the woman (his mother?) sees dead people.

 

[vast]

They also mentioned the Tuttle conglomerate.

May not be as good as season 1 but I am really enjoying it.

 

[Toump Ass]

They also mentioned the Tuttle conglomerate.

I missed that one. Who mentioned Tuttle? (EDIT: Nevermind I found it)

I wonder if Blue King (the name of the crab factory) is supposed to be a reference to Yellow King.

FWIW the woman working there is missing fingers, just like the picture of the boogie monster the kid drew (which I'm pretty sure was blue). Lots of blue actually, the room being painted by Angry Dad was "too blue".

Another insight brought to you by Reddit.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Spoiler

That campaigner screaming when his arm broke off at the start of the episode had me shook

 

[Father Jack]

Why are we spoiler tagging things after the broadcast date?

 

[Frank Bunn]

Rusty also mentions his Dad has leukaemia, writers definitely want a connection there.

Can't remember Season 01 but I read that Rusty had a few "hallucinations" in the show? Must be supernatural voodoo s**t runs in the family, given the woman (his mother?) sees dead people.

It's pretty clear that Travis is Rust's Dad. In S1 there's a few references to Rust spending time in Alaska with his Dad who died of leukemia. But I don't think Rose (Fiona Shaw) is Rust's mother. There was a brief reference in S1 to his Mom taking off when he was little.

Rust's hallucinations were drug induced, whereas Rose genuinely thinks she can communicate with the dead.

Spoiler

Due to a showrunner comment that I can't unsee I know the supernatural element is a red herring.

With the Tuttle and Rust connection the show is setting itself up as a season 1 sequel. They are nowhere near that high bar right now.

 

[phantom13]

It's pretty clear that Travis is Rust's Dad. In S1 there's a few references to Rust spending time in Alaska with his Dad who died of leukemia. But I don't think Rose (Fiona Shaw) is Rust's mother. There was a brief reference in S1 to his Mom taking off when he was little.

Rust's hallucinations were drug induced, whereas Rose genuinely thinks she can communicate with the dead.

Spoiler

Due to a showrunner comment that I can't unsee I know the supernatural element is a red herring.

With the Tuttle and Rust connection the show is setting itself up as a season 1 sequel. They are nowhere near that high bar right now.

I wont hold anyone to that standard, that 8 eps is pretty comfortably the best limited season TV ive ever seen.

If its HALF as good it will be worth watching.

 

[Toump Ass]

Yup defo not Rust's mother, I done goofed. Good thing I'm not a detective.

 

[Frank Bunn]

I wont hold anyone to that standard, that 8 eps is pretty comfortably the best limited season TV ive ever seen.

If its HALF as good it will be worth watching.

I don't hold shows to that standard either. The script, the performances of McConaughey and Harrelson, the settings and cinematography make it probably the best stand-alone season of TV ever. Seasons 2 and 3 had similar themes but went their own way with the story - a bit like Fargo where each season is self-contained.

My point was that if this current season is dropping big hints to be linked to the events and characters of the first season, almost as a sequel, the two seasons are going to be compared against each other. So far, it's not coming close. Half as good sounds about right. I would rate S1 as 10/10 (intriguing, compelling) and S4 so far as 5/10 (watchable, interesting).

 

[Bjchan13]

Finished ep 2. Got both the Cohle and Tuttle references back to S1, and then the spirals and ornaments in the caravan, will be interesting to see how they tie it in. I like the constant dark and snow

 

[phantom13]

When did they reference Travis being a Cohle?

I picked up the Tuttle reference etc. but not that one

 

[jerry springer]

Spoiler

That campaigner screaming when his arm broke off at the start of the episode had me shook

****ing scared the shit out of me

found out wife has never seen season one. now 3 episodes in.

its a masterpiece