Very satisfying conclusion to what will undoubtedly be seen as the best TV show of the year. I'll offer no spoilers, just reflections.
First, it was *exactly* My Kinda Series because it was almost completely character-driven. As series writer Nic Pizzolatto confirms in a long interview today, the plot involving the serial killers and the murders was merely a structural device that he needed to provide a framework for the story he was really interested in telling. That is, an analysis of the characters and relationships of two men, over a period of 17 years. As compelling as the plot sometimes was, it simply *wasn't the point*. It could just as easily have been a robbery, except that the statue of limitations on robbery probably doesn't last that long in Louisiana. Second, he confirms my earlier rant here against those who looked down on the philosophy that Rust Cohle spouted, calling it "hogwash." He points out that to believe that, you pretty much have to consider Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche hogwash, because the philosophy was theirs, sometimes verbatim. So much for the education levels of mainstream TV critics. Third (having already seen a couple of completely dumbass reviews after the final episode), he pooh-poohs the idea that Rust "finds God," pointing out that at best he's moved about 5% away from his previous dark view of life. It's not an insignificant 5%, but certainly not a shift to being a believer. Fourth, I am filled with nothing but admiration for Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughhey's performances in this series, which will without question earn them both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. Woody's work is less flashy, which will mean that he probably won't win, but he was just as good as Matthew's. And fifth, I look forward to more of "the same, but not really" next year. "True Detective" was always intended as an anthology, with completely different sets of characters and plots each year. Pizzolatto even gives a hint in his interview as to what next season will bring: "It's about hard women, bad men, and the secret occult history of the United States transportation system." Can't wait...it'll be like a Dan Brown novel, but created by someone who can actually write. :-) hard women, bad men and the secret occult history of the United States transportation system. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-looks-back-on-season-1#1wW88PixZCHuYuFx.99 http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-looks-back-on-season-1#1wW88PixZCHuYuFx.99 hard women, bad men and the secret occult history of the United States transportation system. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-looks-back-on-season-1#1wW88PixZCHuYuFx.99 http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-looks-back-on-season-1#1wW88PixZCHuYuFx.99
