True Detective - Série 1

50 years of the detective genre shrunk and sculpted into one eight-part series that masterly combines the psychology of Se7en with the atmosphere of the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Especially in the interaction between the two protagonists, so different and at the same time inseparable, True Detective trumps all TV competition, not to mention the brilliantly constructed script and, of course, the performances, which in the case of Harrelson and especially McConaughey are at times unbelievable. And the brilliant opening credits and the superb theme song, HBO knows how to do it. (14.07.2016)

Being close to the battle between light and darkness may not always pay off, but in some conflicts, it does. I felt right at home in this world of forests, visions, antlers, strange inhabitants, and Rusty's rambling monologues, despite the initial difficulties in getting on the right track. It is clear to anyone who has come across this profile that the forever furious Woody Harrelson and the worn-out Matthew McConaughey steal all of True Detective for themselves, but that's all right. Every conversation or disagreement is played out to perfection, and it is precisely the bond between the two main characters that leaves such a positive impression after the first story. The longer they know each other, the more they differ, and paradoxically, the more interconnected they are. Unfortunately, during moments when both are fully focused on investigating the murder, my attention wandered in all directions due to the deliberate pace, with no help but the promise of hearing yet another opaque metaphor. It wasn't until the final two episodes that I finally got into the search for clues, but I could have done without the somewhat forced switching of timelines at the beginning. In short, we have been treated to an audiovisual and acting masterpiece; most of the rumors about this exceptional event were true. However, the reasons for suddenly condemning television productions outside of HBO remain a greater mystery to me than the identity of the central killer was to this main odd couple. (14.01.2019)

The beginning of the first season was good, but I wouldn't say I was completely hooked. I didn't enjoy the part with the bikers at all, but the gradual unraveling and excellent portrayal of the characters eventually led me to thoroughly enjoy the first season of the series. And yes, it's built on great actors, without whom it wouldn't be as compelling. (02.06.2017)

The connection between Nic Pizzolatto and movies is not a hit parade, but in the series he has clearly found himself. Starting with the excellent The Killing and ending with this eight-hour treat, it's as if you're sitting in a fancy restaurant, eating premium caviar and topping it off with a 50-year-old Riesling. Surprisingly, it’s a bit, but really only a tiny bit, spoiled by Matthew McConaughey and its overacting in places,and an accent you don't trust so much, but script-wise it's flawless. The story spans many years, yet the character development of both detectives is believable and it builds up nicely in the end. The Louisiana setting explicitly invites some redneck nastiness, the locals are proper rednecks and the killer rightly murderous. And the way the script relativizes the line between good and evil at times is downright delightful. (21.01.2024)