True Detective Review: Follow Your Nose

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Rust previously sniffed it out on True Detective - and this week Martin also began to see through the line of questioning the detectives were leading him down.

Martin asked if they were interested in hearing about the big throw down in the woods, which must be the "hero shot" Rust mentioned in the premiere. When the detectives brushed it aside, Martin, like Rust, realized there was  something new that had these detectives revisiting the Dora Lange case.

As True Detective Season 1 Episode 2 unfolded, we learned more about the fragmented nature of Rust, but we also saw a new side to his partner.

The former admitted how he can be a hard man to live with, how he can wear people down. We learned his daughter was killed by a car, contrary to my initial guess and that once she was gone, his marriage fell apart. It still remains to be seen who the driver of the car was.

He skipped over that detail a couple times. Perhaps it was him. Regardless, we also learned what makes him bad at relationships, what makes him well suited for his line of work: He is a simple man who wants little out of life.

Images in Church

Martin, on the other, hand seems to wants it all.

What good is cake if you can't eat it?

Martin

He wants the wife, the family life and the rush of the job... but also a way to unwind. Sharing a few beers after work for some is enough to put the day behind them before going home.

But Martin had a few drinks and then went looking for the love of another woman in order to put everything else in the rearview. The first real tense moment between him and Rust was, of course, because of that affair. Martin seems to compartmentalize the different parts of his life, while the many facets of Rust's life bleed into each other.

There were numerous mentions of the church Dora had supposedly found and been going to. From the moment Rust first began examining the crime scene, it was clear to him that there were religious undertones to all of this.

While at Dora's mother's home, Rust noticed a picture of what looked like a young girl, presumably Dora, standing in front of a group of Klu Klux Klan members on horseback. On True Detective Season 1 Episode 1, Martin mentioned to Dora's ex how he was surprised there even was an Aryan Nations prescience in such a small jail.

Race hasn't really factored into the plot just yet, but this was the second sign of some white supremacist presence in as many episodes. When Rust and Martin paid a visit to the bunny ranch, the madame in charge tried to scare them off with her comments about the sheriff's involvement with her operation.

Rust said he has nothing against hillbillys, but that may soon change his mind the deeper they proceed into this case.

We learned a great deal more about Rust's past with regard to his career in law enforcement. His deep cover work may have left him with occasional visions, but as Martin mentioned - and we saw - he had some moves. The scene where he went back to "question" the two guys about the bunny ranch's location was one of my favorite moments.

Compared to Rust, it's hard not to look like an optimist, but Martin did seem to think there is hope for mankind as he verbally sparred with Maggie's father. Rust, conversely, seemed more collected in the scenes where he is questioned years later, but his outlook on life still showed all the turmoil he has been through and how it still resonates within.

The hubris it must take to yank a soul out of non existence, into this, meat. And to force a life into this, thresher. Yeah so my daughter, she uh, she spared me the sin of being a father.

Rust

Despite all their differences, the two together are good police and need to continue being so if they are going to keep the case from trading hands to that task force.

Interesting how the Major mentioned how important the task force was to the governor. The governor, Eddie, is first cousins with the creepy Reverend Tuttle. I would bet more than a few Scooby Snacks that those two are up to no good.

With the second installment in the book, I can confidently say that I think we have a winner on our hands. The show reminds me more of The Killing than anything else, and that is a good thing in my mind.

It's not the first crime drama and won't be the last, but the combination of Harrelson and McConaughey I think, will set True Detective apart from the rest.

Seeing Things Review

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True Detective Season 1 Episode 2 Quotes

You know there was a time that men didn't air their bullshit to the world, you know it just wasn't a part of their job.

Martin

Martin: Your mom still alive?
Rust: Maybe.

  • Permalink: Maybe.
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