I HAVE NOT WATCHED THE SHOW YET SO PLEASE NO SPOILERS

I'm looking shows to watch once I finish my current Sopranos rewatch so I was on the SeriesGraph website to look up shows. Ever since Game of Thrones I've been unwilling to invest time in a show that's currently airing out of fear that it'll end like shit, ruin everything, and waste my time. Anyway I've always heard True Detective had an incredible 1st season and that the 4th season was the next best one. Critics praised S4 almost to the extent of S1. However the IMDb user scores for season 4 are trash, like GOT Season 8 levels of bad. I find I usually agree with critics more than audiences but I was wondering why that disconnect exists in the first place.

Ok let me caveat this with saying Season 1 was just awesome. Binge watched it only recently. Season 2 was very good. Season 3 was good. But I enjoyed Season 4 more than season 3. Big caveat is I like paranormal and spiritual themes. Had a bit of an OA vibe but obviously was nowhere near as good as the OA. That said, I had very low expectations based on the sub comments. Hot mess at times but also some great moments.

Let the down votes begin.

I recently started to build a BD collection (trying to get off streaming) and found the 1-3 BD seasons cheap to buy. Decided to watch it in reverse 3-2-1 as I know that the first season is unbeatable, wanted to see how they hold with a fresh look as it was a long time ago I watched season 1.

About season 3:

I remember that I watched the whole season 3 week-by-week when first aired and really liked it. The case itself I was disappointed that it didn't had occult undertones and the final episode didn't make any bombastic reveal.

On rewatch, I just couldn't stop noticing how beautiful each frame was. Every shot, every angle either on a city or a landscape, the whole experience to watch on a big TV was fantastic. Honestly I couldn't notice any weak link on acting, the lead roles and supporting roles were flawless, really. I am not saying it lightly, it was just that good. The choice of 3 timelines was a bold one and worked, I wanted to see what happens next.

The negatives seems so minor. I know the main complaints, the case was not that interesting and it was more of a slow burn, but watching episode back to back helps a lot I admit. The case is compelling enough but that is not the main focus of the season, it is more character driven both lead roles felt human and I was invested in them not the case itself. Here I think is where Season 3 gets the major blow from the expectations of Season 1. The case is not the main focus it is just what weaves through the characters in each timeline.

In conclusion, if this happened to be our first experience with True Detective it would rival in popularity with Season 1. It is just that good.

Season 2:

Back when first aired, I was hyped to see season 2 thinking they would bring all the good things of season 1 back. And after 3 episodes I just couldn't care to finish. I didn't feel the story was going anywhere and had so many names/faces that was just confusing.

On rewatch, the first 3 episodes were the lowest of the season, the complains above are still valid. But not having to wait a week the names/faces were fresh enough to make sense of the plot. This season feels weird as it does not focus well on the characters nor the case itself, it was more on the rampant corruption of Vinci. It in the end works, you feel the potential of Vinci being explored more.

The photography is quite good here too but I didn't feel the same level of care of season 3. The wood tones, artificial lights and use of red had it's impressive moments but it was uneven experience on that regard. On acting it was also uneven, on the first episodes I just didn't like Vince Vaughn it just wasn't natural, sure he is tall and look menacing on a suite but he speaks softly? His expressions didn't have much emotion, it was like a machine. I remember one scene of him talking about being in the basement and how unnatural he was, also the one in his car crushing a pair of glasses, that scene was to see his wraith but it was just him smashing glasses with a stone expression. HOWEVER, I liked his acting on the final episodes, it seemed he felt more comfortable being Frank. The other major roles I liked them all too, specially Ferrell where you could feel his brooding darkness, McAdams I could feel how bad she wanted to look tough, untouchable.

The case itself is a mess, is not complicated and also convoluted somehow. It was really funny when the city had a caricature gang for every ethnicity. I felt it was old times Looney tunes at one point they go to a jeweller. I would not be surprised if Yakuza showed with samurai swords there. But I have to tell about the ending, I was not expecting for them to go full on neo-noir. Had the same feeling I had when watching no country for old men.

In conclusion, season 2 is uneven. Has it's moments but you feel lacking when it's not. If this was our first TD experience we would treat as like the weird season to watch before it gets real good.

I still have the BD of season 1 for a rewatch but I'll save for later. I really liked season 3 and is definitely worth a rewatch if didn't so already.

Season 4 was so ehh. I really hope they do a better job next time. We need a better story.

1. Whats up with Audrey's toys? That looks exactly like the cassette footage. Ive read a theory that Audrey couldve actually been a victim of abuse, somehow escaped and never told anybody. That would explain her obsession with sexual themes early on and her rebellious and promiscuous attitude as a teenager. Has there ever been an explanation, any interviews, etc?

https://preview.redd.it/pubgbzouhpfe1.png?width=781&format=png&auto=webp&s=ef75bdd764d906d7c4b2fa74d37469a3ddf98127

2. Did Rust intentionally stay at Marty's house for dinner longer because he liked Maggy or just because he's antisocial and didnt budge to the pressure of having to leave just because he's supposed to?

3. Has the director ever talked about what happens to Rust and Marty after the show ends? I mean driving off a hospital when you can barely walk doesnt look like a good idea. Do you think Rust joined Marty's PI agency?

4. Does Rust ever follow up on the Childress officer that took the pharmacy robber to his cell before the latter killed himself? Did he ever find out he was actually a Childress? I dont remember that bit, but have since read about the officer's identity revelation.

5. How realistic is Rust? Anyone know people like that with a bleak outlook but also extremely capable and high-functioning at their job? That dont just succumb to the misery and disorders, but can actually do shit at a high level? I feel like thats the only actual exaggeration with his character, most if not all people with that mental state are usually underachievers. Thats also why a lot of normies and wannabe Travis Bickles flock to his character; he looks like the idealized version of themselves, where you dont feel the need to answer to society but also actually contribute to it in a specific, but major way.

EDIT: Extra question, why did Rust break up with his gf? As Mary says, reality happened, what is that supposed to mean? My guess is that he just couldnt bear the thought of starting another family after the trauma he had with the death of his daughter and the dissolution of his marriage, but idk.

i think the closest i have ever come to discover anything remotely similar to true detectives season 1 was breaking bad and Mindhunters and Fargo season 2 in terms of quality are there any other shows out their that are similar

They both lost their children and the guilt tormented them, the fact that they are both so good at what they do to get into the skin of their enemies, their pessimistic way of seeing the world, their dependence on alcohol, the parallel between the incident in which Rust killed an addict by giving his daughter methamphetamine to purify her / when Mike allows a guy to kill his wife and that leads him to not leave things half done. Obviously they have too many differences. But they have an atmosphere of discontent with life and indifference as to whether they are alive or dead.

Hes a cool character but I empathize more with Marty. If I knew Rust I would probably think he’s an asshole

I just recently started watching (and bingeing) True Detective…..I just have to say I can’t believe people don’t quote some of the lines that these characters are dropping. It’s so funny and I’ll randomly burst out laughing then husband looks over like are you okay.

Finished it today after bingeing over 2 days. I watched season 1 years ago and of course loved it like the rest of us. Colin Farrell is so damn sexy. I don’t understand the Vince Vaughn hate? I wish more people could appreciate differences between seasons, that’s the beauty of anthology shows. Can’t wait for season 3!!

Do you agree?

So I started watching Fallout, horrible IMO. Then I look at the IMDB/Rotten Tomatoes score and Fallout is rated considerably higher than TDS1, wtf is wrong with people’s brains

Would he carry on his crusade against the cult that survived? I doubt it but, maybe. I doubt he would continue in any type of law enforcement or investigation. He may become a published philosopher, or maybe something of an anti-cult leader, almost like the tent preachers that he judged. The character has an arc in the series and his story is over. That is why TDs1 is a superior product. Still, curiosity persists.

I just finished my rewatch of Season 1, and a thought crossed my mind during the finale. When Marty and Rust chase Errol William Childress into Carcosa, the building complex is covered by decades of overgrown vegetation, and it's a great visual, which is still incredibly creepy.

But prior to the vegetation taking over those brick buildings, what were they supposed to be? The circular hallways and individual chambers wouldn't have made much sense if it was a school or hospital.

I thought it could have possibly been a fort that got abandoned, as there does seem to be a ring of hallways around a separate inner structure. But I couldn't figure why a fort would have a dome at the center.

Anyone have a better idea of what that was supposed to be?

Swear he does this little arm thing every episode

Its obviously too late now, as it been 11 years but this is just my "fanfiction" of a new season. Gilbough and Papaina are the main characters. We dont see them that much in the first season, however i think they would do fine as the main detective duo. In this season we can see them being fleshed out alot more. Following their private lives etc. This season takes place a few years after season 1. Around 2015. The "main case" for them is linked to the Tuttle cult. It makes sense, since they were investigating Childress murders in season 1. It wont necessarily give all the answers regarding the cult, but the cult is more fleshed out here, whilst still having the mystery sorrounding it. Rust and Marty could reappear as side characters. Would you watch this season?

High praise from a bartender

I was listening to this song and I noticed Rust Cohle's voice. Been listening to this song on repeat.

https://youtu.be/PkjnajKlNns?si=Tld-49b8ZycPLOan