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True Detective

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Sawall 1
Evonna Sawall
Professor Kaefer
English 1A
12 April 2014
Evaluation Essay: True Detective True Detective is an extraordinary TV series, written by Nic Pizzolatto, about two Louisiana State Police detectives investigating a series of ritualistic murders. Pizzolatto has created a series beyond brilliant. The amazing structure, impeccable writing, marvelous acting, and frame story have made True Detective an immediate classic. At the end of each episode you will be on the edge of your seat craving another hour.
True Detective is based on two investigators, one of them is a typical overconfident investigator, Woody Harrleson, and the other is an intellectual, nihilistic man, Matthew McConaughey. This series alternates between 1995, when detectives Martin Hart (Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (McConaughey) start working a case together, and 2012, when the two detectives work a new case that has strong similarities to the case in 1995. State internal affairs detectives are interviewing both men separately and believe that Rust may have committed the old crime, new crime or both. Rust and Marty investigate a ritualistic murder in rural Louisiana. As they attempt to uncover leads in this disturbing case, their own lives intersect in fascinating, yet explosive ways. Though the investigation itself is interesting, the interpersonal behavior of the obsessive and frequently conflicting lead characters makes this drama seem so much fresher than all other criminal television series.
The structure in this series is unique. In 2012, two detectives are interviewed about a case that occurred in 1995. This series is primarily set in 1995, but has several scenes in 2012. We get to watch Rust and Marty at the beginning of their journey and at their rock bottom. This is a drama that began with its ending in mind. This series is in no rush, so it is able to go at a slow pace. I’m sure there are many people that desire their answers A.S.A.P., but the slow pace throughout the series helps give the show a more realistic feeling. This series’ anthology structure makes it different than most television shows. Although it would be nice to see more of Matthew McConaughey (Rust) and Woody Harrelson (Marty), there’re gone for good. Season two will have a whole new cast and storyline, which is refreshing.
The writing in this series, by Nic Pizzolatto, is excellent. The plot is witty and intriguing, the dialogue is legitimate and believable. The way Pizzolatto portrays Marty and Rust is clever. Marty is unable to "think outside the box" like Rust always does. Although Rust is the better investigator, police administrators look at Marty as the superior one because unlike Rust, he obeys their directions and plays well with others. Rust may be a little psychotic, but in a good way. He just has a different way of doing things. The stunts he pulled, when trying to find the killer of Dora Lang, were insane, but his spontaneous acts lead to Rust and Marty to the killer. Marty, however, is boring. He goes along with everything Rust says; he doesn’t have his own opinion. The fact that Rust and Marty are so different from one another makes things much more intriguing, that’s what really hooks the audience. Pizzolatto’s work is brilliant; he has helped create a masterpiece.
A great deal of credit should go to McConaughey and Harrelson for bringing liveliness to these two characters. It is the strange chemistry between Rust and Marty that gets you hooked right away. The dialogue between Rust and Marty is astonishing. They bicker in almost every conversation they have. Rust generally talks about meta-psychoses, while Marty tries his hardest to avoid the strange babble. They are complete opposites, which makes their relationship even more interesting. McConaughey and Harrelson are doing a fantastic job. They are compelling and believable. Rust and Marty each change dramatically throughout the series. Rust is at his rock bottom in 2012. He transformed into a hobo looking maniac. His hair, streaked with white and diminishing on top, is tied in a ponytail down to his mid back. On the other hand, Marty changed into a calm, depressed, bald-headed man. They both do an outstanding job with the characters they have. They are a big reason as to why this show is so successful. Overall, their performances are breathtaking. The frame story by its self increases the show’s attraction. The frame story leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it (Wikipedia). True Detective may be about the criminal case of a Louisiana serial killer, but it’s dominantly about the cast and expressing how these two detectives have transformed from 1995 to 2012. True Detective examines one’s effects when he/she faces demons that are unexplainable. Marty went from being an arrogant family man to a calm, depressed, family-less man. Rust descends into extreme alcoholism and transforms into a hobo looking hippie, but he still has his nihilistic thoughts and crazy obsessiveness.
Although True Detective received outstanding reviews and ratings, Emily Nussbaum, one of New Yorker’s critics, wrote, “True Detective wreaks of macho nonsense. The series, for all its good looks and its movie-star charisma, isn’t just using dorm-room deep talk as a come-on: it has fallen for its own sales pitch.” In a sense Emily is right. It is a very male-dominated series. Neglecting women may be one of the show’s minor downfalls, but it is a key theme in the series. On True Detective, each female character is a prostitute, psychotic killer, or a nag. True Detective is about the terrible things males do to females, things that commonly get looked over. No one cared about Dora Lange, the girl Rust and Marty found dead in 1995. Marie Fontenot, another young lady who was found dead in 1995, vanished and the police allowed a hoax from continuing their investigation. True Detective is not about women. Everyone else, despite his or her gender, have little purpose. True Detective not only neglects women, it neglects all other characters as well. The show’s main focus is simply on two characters, Rust and Marty.
With two talented actors, brilliant writing, magnificent structure, exquisite frame story, and spectacular acting, True Detective is ranked one of the highest rated TV series of 2014. It is truly a marvelous series. Work-Cited
Nussbaun, Emily. "Cool Story, Bro The Shallow Deep Talk Of "True Detective"" New Yorker. N.p., 3 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. Wikipedia. "Frame Story." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
True Detective. Dir. Carry Fukunaga. Home Box Office (HBO), 2014

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