True Detective

The Western Book of the Dead

Something happened. That's not a phrased used in the premiere, but it comes within the first three episodes, which I've had an opportunity to see, and it speaks to the theme a bit. Something happened to the people we're introduced to in True Detective Season 2 Episode 1 to bring them to this place in their lives. They're all pretty dark. Only one of them seems to be grasping at the light, and after the events of the premiere, you get the impression that any remaining light is abo... more

Night Finds You

That was a hell of an ending. Without a reason for a bulletproof vest, we were left wondering about the fate of Colin Farrell's Ray Volcoro at the end of True Detective Season 2 Episode 2. Eh, do we really expect him to die? Probably not. But it was a shocking scene, nonetheless. "Night Finds You" gave us more insight into the team of detectives investigating the Vinci City Manager's death, and it's even more clear than before they are a messed up bunch. It makes you wonder if by ... more

Maybe Tomorrow

Ray Volcoro lives! The opening scene of True Detective Season 2 Episode 3 was probably one of my favorites so far. So much about this season feels surreal, and Ray's experience as he was knocked out from the rubber buckshot (riot gear) fit right in. Forgive me if I'm thick, but I cannot for the life of me figure out in what direction the case is going. Some of the dialog is disturbingly comical and throws off the scent of the big picture. However, it felt like we were given a bet... more

'True Detective' Creator: Season 3 Was Definitely Not a Dream the Whole Time

There’s very little that’s off-limits on “True Detective.” In Season 2, Vince Vaughn’s character stares up at a stain on his bedroom ceiling. The first season’s climax took place in a winding maze of overgrowth and may have included a portal to another realm. But series writer and creator Nic Pizzolatto draws the line at season-long hallucinations. Speaking after the end of last week’s Season 3 ender, Pizzolatto addressed the enigmatic final sequence, which re... more

'True Detective' Review: Episode 3 Shows Why Relationships Matter More Than the Case

Hoo boy, a whole lot happened in “True Detective” this week! Turns out the Purcell kids didn’t go over to Ronnie’s house as many times as they say they did — so who were they seeing? The evidence in William’s recovered backpack points to an adult — who else would buy all those toys for him? How does the communion photo figure into all this, given Will’s body was left in a similar, praying pose after his death? And what about the dice, the bloody rocks, and the house near the suspected murder site? Speaking of the ... more

TV Review: 'True Detective' Season 3

With its new installment “True Detective,” one of TV’s most baroque series, is keeping things simple — relatively speaking. Some things haven’t changed: Yes, the third season restlessly jumps through time. (It moves between 1980, 1990 and 2015, to be exact.) And as Det. Wayne Hays, a cop investigating the disappearance of two children in small-town Arkansas, Mahershala Ali lends gutsy commitment and a willingness to be shrouded in old-age makeup, just as Matthew McCo... more