True Detective

[Ubik]

New HBO series that I'm only just catching up on via the web.

Much hype abound and it's been hard to ignore if you read any of the SF/TV critic related sites. Thus far it abolsutely lives up to all the glowing reviews. If you're into Lovecraft, Ligotti and Machen, and weird/cosmic horror fiction in general there are some wonderful little easter eggs and refrences. It's essentially a mystery / thriller cop show with some odd twists. The pacing is slow and measured, but it's building a very rich world and set of characters. It puts me slightly in mind of the first season of Twin Peaks. There's a real stark intensity to everything.

The core performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are absolutely out of this world, some real heavyweight acting. I'm only three episodes in, and it's already grabbed me by the throat and won't let go.

It's superb, pretty much everything from the acting, to writing, to cinematography, to music is damn near perfect.

Could very well be some of the best TV we see this year, and I know that sounds like hyperbole... but it's THAT good.

I think this truly is the golden age of TV!

[Ubik]

This continues to be gripping and intelligent. Get on it people!

[Garibaldi's Hair]

Your recommendation is duly noted ... but I am holding off on watching anything new until I have finished my degree in June and will then catch up over the Summer.

True Detective has been duly added to the list as one to try.

[JoeD80]

Just watched the first episode. I like the feel of it so far. I did get that twin peaks feel too. Feels like this arc actually knows where it's going.

[Ubik]

Just watched the first episode. I like the feel of it so far. I did get that twin peaks feel too. Feels like this arc actually knows where it's going.

Trust me, it definitely does!

I'm bang up to date, and for me what really makes the show are the characters. The plot is great, but Rust and Marty are so well realised as characters. It almost makes me sad the show will follow an anthology format, so we'll get a new set of characters next season.

It does, however, stop things from getting stale and prevents writers from resorting to 'soap opera' style antics to keep things interesting.

[Capt.Montoya]

It was a great drama show. I liked it. Great performances by the two male leads, but also by practically all the supporting character actors.
And the cinematography! with those beautiful views of the bayous and landscapes.

Very well written, very well made.

[JoeD80]

Finally finished it last night. Very well done. Intensity was kept through the whole thing. I think I echo Matthew McConaughey's thoughts - this wasn't a series, just a very long film! High quality drama. I like the philosophy and horror elements thrown in there too. I was surprised at the end when

Rust and Marty end up surviving.

Really liked the ending where there was a denouement with the characters instead of just going for bad guy caught/fade out.

[Ubik]

Superb wasn't it. Best TV I’ve watched in ages. I’ll have to sit down and re-watch it again, as I can imagine it might benefit from multiple viewings. At first I wasn’t too sure what to make of the ending, and initially I had this niggling feeling that they’d played it a bit straight given all the supernatural touches and references to obscure horror literature.

However, in retrospect, it felt very refreshing that here was no forced twist or big reveal. There was more than enough to chew on without that.

Rust may be one of my favourite characters in quite some time.

[Babel-17]

I thought Rust, by way of his survivalist dad, was involved with the cult as a kid. Hehehe, I thought my suspicion confirmed when he was addressed as a "young priest".