True Detective provides talented acting and exciting plot

HBO’s True Detective has been one of the best shows to come to television in recent years. With its riveting action sequences, sizzling erotic scenes, and amazing cast, this program, directed by Cary Fukanaga, truly provides audiences with gripping television. Set in the mid-1990s and filmed in Louisiana, detectives Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rustin “Rust” Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) are on the trail of a ritual-obsessed serial killer who adorns his victims’ bodies with antlers and other symbols. Told mostly through flashbacks, the show cuts to scenes of the detectives being interviewed in present day, with hints at their possible corruption. The excitement of the program comes with the transition between seasons, with each season having a completely new story and cast. This format ensures that the viewer is never left with a cliffhanger, as all the questions have to be answered by the last episode of each season. For me, actors have done their job when they are completely absorbed in their part and the audience no longer sees an actor, but only a character. McConaughey and Harrelson achieve this feat and truly bring these characters off the screen and into our living rooms. However, where these actors really excel is their power to tell a story. Now, one might think that storytelling comes from the writer, but the detectives’ use of facial expressions, along with slight mannerisms to get their intended message across, certainly brings the show to a whole new level. However, the area in which this series is lacking is where so many other great shows today excel—the presence of strong female characters. While the Rust-and-Martin duo is strong and well-developed, each woman they come across is paper thin. Whether they are strippers or teen hookers, it seems that their only power in the show is to remove their shirts. Nonetheless, there is one female character who rises above the rest and holds weight in the show—Marty’s wife, Maggie (Michelle Monaghan). Maggie is somewhat of an exception, as she displays her strength by walking out on Martin after discovering his affair. As goes for any series, the best way to judge it is by each season finale, and I have to say, it was captivating. The fact that the two detectives finally came together and put aside their differences in order to achieve a happy ending was a breath of fresh air. Overall, I have high hopes for this series. It had an interesting setup; I just hope that next time they’ll invest in more developed female characters. All criticism aside, True Detective is truly one of the greatest shows on television right now. With its captivating plot and extremely talented cast, the program never ceases to excite. I’m interested to see what the producers are going to try to do next year to top this amazing first season.