true detective

Confession: Three episodes in, I'm obsessed with HBO's True Detective. I'm basically ready to start a damn zine over this show.

Matthew McConaughey portrays the character of Rust Cohle and oh my god I don't have the right words for Rust Cohle. He's unlikable on the surface, a judgmental nihilist and probably an addict, and he delivers monologues that would be heavy handed in the mouths of other actors. Oh, and he sees things (McConaughey, I apologize for any ill word I ever spoke about you during your romantic comedy era. You have so made up for it.)

Rust's partner is Martin Hart, played by Woody Harrelson, a family man of sorts with his own terrible choices. Harrelson is also showing up and knocking it out of the park with his acting here. All the awards for everyone!

Rust and Marty kind of hate each other now, but they're circling each other and feeling their relationship out, as all good partner-cop dynamics begin. As if this smoldering McConaughey/Harrelson chemistry wasn't enough, True Detective has a possible serial killer, Louisiana's landscape and revival religion, and we're only on episode three. So far the female characters are not as strong (surprise!) but I can't count this show's writing out just yet.

The third episode had two mesmerizing scenes. (Honestly, they're all mesmerizing, but these two stood out.) There is a scene with dancing and Rust's body language, his stiff posture and taut hand, were like some kind of "Intro to Acting w/ your Body" class, and I know nothing about acting. The second was Marty watching Rust interrogate a suspect. Ugh Rust Cohle, why are you so disturbing and yet so dreamy?

Are you watching this show? Are you dying over it not being on this week b/c of the Superbowl? Is my crush on Rust Cohle a sign of latent insanity?

Further Reading:
Art of the Title
Anne Helen Peterson and Peter Maciak

Images via: 1 / 2