True Detective | Season 1 (Review)

 ***This review will contain spoilers***

True Detective is an anthology series where each season follow a new case and new detectives to uncover the truth. Season one follows Louisiana State Police homicide detectives Rustin "Rust" Cohle and Martin "Marty" Hart. Each True Detective as they investigate the murder of Dora Lange from 1995 to 2002.

As far as tv shows go, I tend to lean more towards supernatural and tv crime dramas. Series like Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Criminal Minds and I pretty much grew up watching CSI so I'm quite used to those type of shows. True Detective, however, is in a league of its own. I've never watched a tv show like this before. My review will only cover the first season. I figured since each season is a new cast and case that I might as well divvy it up this way.

Surprisingly, my boyfriend and I watched the first season quite quickly. And when that happens, it's an indicator that it was interesting because we've come across some shows that have taken a very long time to go through. Hopefully, the following seasons of True Detective are just as captivating. 

I loved everything about the show, from the actors, the plotline, the characters were well written, the music and the opening credits! Everything meshed really well. I will say there were instances where I was able to foretell what something was going to happen or who would sleep with whom but I will chalk that up to my deduction or detective skills lol. 

You wouldn't think that two detectives like Marty and Rust would work well together, however, they have opposite personalities working towards the same goal. They want to bring those who have done bad to justice in whatever means possible whether legal or illegally... 

Everyone from the main characters to supporting cast did a wonderful job acting together and really brought the characters to life. From Marty's infidelities, Rust's compulsions and even Maggie's righteous anger it all blended well together on screen and made their personalities come to life. 

Marty and Maggie were never meant to last. Maggie represented every woman who has ever been cheated on while Marty is a representation of every man who says they'll do better but yet still find a way to make it worse. In the first episode, Marty is depicted as a family man who loves his wife and that image is quickly shattered. He has had multiple affairs and the older he got the younger his mistresses became. It truly tiptoed on the verge of disgust and shameful. He lashed out at his eldest for having sex with two guys while he was having an affair with a girl similar in age to her. Him projecting his anger and disgust at her was a lot more telling about him and his character. While I do not condone marital affairs, the best FU Maggie could've given him is by sleeping with his much more attractive partner aka Rust. It was sweet revenge when she told him. It's okay when he does it yet when given a taste of his medicine it's grotesque. Definitely, well written between those two. 

My favourite scene was from episode 4 the 6 minute long shot. That was cinematography at its best! That alone elevated the show to a whole other level and I know many others loved it as well. My second favourite scene was from the final episode where Rust was stabbed by Erol but despite the major size difference he still held his own long enough for Marty to come in and shot Erol. It would have been so poetic if they died together after solving decades+ case and falling into a rabbit hole of corruption. Alas, we do get happy endings and I love that despite both men losing the people they love the most they can count on each other to achieve such an amazing feat. 

While many will chalk this up as a simple tv show, one thing rang true throughout it. Corruption is everywhere within any level of government. It's one big party that us regular folks are not invited to and for the better. It's chilling to know that evil people will do anything to cover up their disgusting behavior but there will always be good in this world. A bright shining light that will bring forth all the darkness to justice. 

Rating:

5 stars on 5! I think it's safe to say that when my reviews are short it's an indicator of how much I enjoyed it. True Detective is in a category of its own and I truly hope that the following seasons are just as good.