True Detective - Rating Every Episode
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- CreatorNic PizzolattoIssa LópezStarsVince VaughnColin FarrellRachel McAdamsAnthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Series Overall ★ 8.9 ★
One of the greatest first seasons ever produced. Enticing, enthralling at every turn and powered by an unrivalled performance by McConaughey, 'True Detective' elevated what was possible with precision TV storytelling.
Season 1: ★★★★★⭐
Season 2: ★★★
Season 3: ★★★★½
Greatest Episode: "The Secret Fate of All Life" (S1, E5) - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanIn 2012, former detective partners Rust Cohle and Martin Hart recap one of their very first cases together involving a serial killer, back in 1995.Rating: 9.0
An enticing opener which presents a pessimistic (or perhaps realist) view of reality and mankind. While it may feel a little slow to some, the pacing is perfect for what's to come. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanCohle and Hart travel around trying to track down leads to their case. Darker sides of Hart's personal and family lives are revealed.Rating: 8.8
Builds expertly on the premiere with a heavily psychological episode which questions reality and the importance of self. Exploring hard-to-handle themes with beautiful cinematography - - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanCohle and Martin finally get a new wind in the case and can confirm a suspect. Martin's mistress gets on with somebody else leaving him furious. Cohle's theory becomes increasingly more convincing than ever.Rating: 9.0
An episode which highlights the excellent attention to detail of the first season. You'll feel unnerved listening to Rust talk about his beliefs and perceptions on life and religion. It's brilliantly executed and topped with another phenomenal performance from McConaughey. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanMartin is faced with marital problems. The search for Reggie Ledoux leads the detectives to a motorcycle gang called the Iron Crusaders, which Rust worked undercover in the past.Rating: 9.5
Expertly executed and full of drama, tension and unbelievable performances. This episode cements Rust Cohle as one of the greatest characters in TV history. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanHart and Cohle share the spoils of a solved case; Papania and Gilbough confront the detectives with troubling new intelligence.Rating: 9.7
A mesmerising experience. Lay witness to one of the greatest episodes ever produced - not just for action, though it does have plenty of great sequences, but for its handling of the story and the huge season altering reveal that comes with it. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanCohle's activities in 2002, when his partnership with Hart disintegrated and he quit the force, are recalled by Maggie.Rating: 9.2
A huge episode which depicts marriage as if in the eyes of Rust. As with the rest of the episodes this season, it’s expertly handled and while partly straying from the case as somewhat of a filler in terms of the general season arc - it provides something just as important by taking our perceptions of these characters and their intentions, to a deeper level. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanCohle and Hart try to discover if a series of missing persons reports could be related to the Dora Lange murder and the Tuttle family.Rating: 9.0
A penultimate episode which sets up the finale beautifully. Ending with a big reveal that may determine the outcome of the case that has plagued Rust's life, Fukunaga & Pizzolatto deliver another storytelling masterclass. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsMatthew McConaugheyWoody HarrelsonMichelle MonaghanAn overlooked detail provides Hart and Cohle with an important new lead in their 17-year-old case.Rating: 9.6
The phenomenal first season comes to a close with what must be considered its creepiest episode. The reveal of the killer and his lifestyle. Ending with the eternal quotability it become revered for. 'Form and Void' left us wanting more - though it was never quite discovered in the same way again. - DirectorJustin LinStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschA bizarre murder brings together three police officers and a career criminal in the corrupt city of Vinci, California.Rating:
This underwhelming intro offers some interesting angles and characters, though you can tell straight away the season is going to be majorly overstuffed (maybe that's the only way they imagine they could replace McConaughey's Rust). - DirectorJustin LinStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschRay, Ani, and Paul are assigned to Casper's murder case. Frank tries to keep his business deals going, even after Caspere's death.Rating:
- DirectorJanus MetzStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschPaul works the prostitute angle; Frank receives the first casualty in a secret war.Rating:
- DirectorJeremy PodeswaStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschThe detail works a pawn shop lead to close in on a suspect in the Caspere case. Frank revisits his past to pay for the present.Rating:
- DirectorJohn CrowleyStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschRay and Frank consider new life choices; Ani and Paul go up to the coast to follow a lead.Rating:
- DirectorMiguel SapochnikStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschDesperate to locate a missing woman with intel about Caspere, Frank meets with Mexican drug dealers; Ani infiltrates an exclusive inner circle, with Ray and Paul keeping close tabs.Rating:
- DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschAs Ani, Paul, and Ray get closer to finding out the truth about Caspere, circumstances become more dangerous for them all and everyone around them. Frank deals with an inside betrayal, learns important information, and plans his next move.Rating:
- DirectorJohn CrowleyStarsColin FarrellRachel McAdamsTaylor KitschRay and Ani attempt to escape their desperate situation while Frank ties up some loose ends.Rating:
- DirectorJeremy SaulnierStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffThe disappearance of a young brother and sister leads to a frantic search which will haunt one detective for the rest of his life.Rating: 8.8
An intriguing story which throws in a few surprising revelations and nice callbacks to season one. If they were to be more than just nods to the series opening season, then we may see something special unfold. Outwith that, the main arc of the episode doesn't explore much in terms of new ground, though the tracker aspect of Ali's character is alluring. The format of multiple time periods (three this time!) is a welcome return - though the showmakers have added a somewhat frustrating aspect to it. The most frustrating part of the series opener though is that despite Ali's performance - he wholly omits the strangeness which made McConaughey's character so interesting. - DirectorJeremy SaulnierStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffAs the search for Julie continues, the doll discovered at the crime scene provokes a reaction, while Wayne and Roland learn of a potential suspect.Rating: 8.7
While the strange from season one has dissipated, its hard to avoid drawing comparisons between the seasons (which is, of course, a good thing). By structuring the story across three distinct timelines and showing how Detective Hays has been so overwhelmingly effected by this case, the parallels are uncanny. With the namedrop of the 'Crooked Spiral', the religious connotations of the boys murder and the oddness of the wooden dolls- you've got to think there's a likelihood of a complete crossover between the seasons, regardless of the showmakers attempts to steer us clear of that scent. - DirectorDaniel SackheimStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffThe search for Julie brings Wayne and Amelia together again, Wayne and Roland retrace their investigation to spot missed clues, while one White Finger resident receives a warning.Rating: 8.5
A slow hour which feels mostly filler, though its contributions are likely to be important to the overall story. Extremely well made - a praise you cannot withdraw this season. - DirectorNic PizzolattoStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffWayne and Roland investigate possible connections between the local church and the Purcell crimes as tensions in West Finger reach boiling point.Rating: 8.7
Explosive, but not too engaging. The mid-way point of the season draws out frustratingly slowly - even if it ends with a boom. - DirectorNic PizzolattoStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffIn 1980, all hell breaks loose at the home of Woodard, while in the present, Wayne and Roland reconnect after Wayne makes a discovery.Rating: 9.1
As multiple timelines converge, the story is moved forward significantly, as the final arc begins to take shape. The strange-level of season three is awesomely beginning to pick up a bit of speed, as the potential suspect list continues to grow. The best episode of the season thus far! - DirectorDaniel SackheimStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffIn 1990, Wayne and Roland revisit the Purcell case to uncover previously hidden or forgotten clues, while Tom looks for answers and two faces from the past resurface.Rating: 9.1
An hour to match that which preceded it! Although this season's story hasn't grabbed me as much as season one (to be fair its probably impossible) it is still making a good go of it. This methodical episode is elevated by the end as the the weird continues to grow. - DirectorDaniel SackheimStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffIn 1990, following an apparent suicide, the Purcell case is deemed solved, but Wayne and Roland have other ideas, which leads them to a defining course of action.Rating: 9.1
I'm still struggling to decide what I make of this season. There have certainly been some good moments - but all I could think throughout this episode in particular is how predictable it all was. Sure, the reveal of what happened between our two mains made for some interesting scenes but the end result seemed all too obvious to me. With that said, the closing out of the 90s case was handled particularly well; helping to highlight problems that still exist in the legal system today in the process. As has become accustom this season, the episode ends with a bang that keeps you clinging on for next week...hands down the best part of the episode though, was the callback to season one. - DirectorDaniel SackheimStarsMahershala AliCarmen EjogoStephen DorffWayne struggles to hold on to his memories, and his grip on reality, as the truth behind the Purcell case is finally revealed.Rating: 9.4
Some won't receive it well as it seems to leave questions unanswered or open-ended, but I think the openness was exactly what the finale needed. It covered enough to keep you satisfied with the emotional conclusion of Hayes story while teasing the exact fate of Lucy Purcell may not be so cut and dry, leaving fans to speculate. Most shockingly though, the season actually wrapped with a positive arc, which given the dark nature of the series, is truly daring storytelling.