Hard to call it a show, considering (like "American Horror Story"), it's a contained series for just one season, to be replaced next season by new characters, new situations. That said, it's some of the best TV watching over the past few years.

Matt McConaughey gave the best performance I've ever seen him give (his Oscar-winning role was also great, but second to this IMHO). And Woody effing Harrelson--I had no idea he had the chops to portray such an engaging character. I thought this was the best one-two punch of actors as cops since John Kelly and Andy Sipowicz of "NYPD Blue."

The dialogue dripped like syrup with great drawls engaged in interesting topics, if not always relevant to the plot (when done right, it works and adds layers to the characters... see Tarrantino). The plot was fairly basic, but the writers in keeping it simple, allowed for the tentacles of the astrocities to take more precedence. The procedural was on-point and the use of present-time versus past-time reveals of the plot worked well.

The early reveal of the true culprit could've spoiled it for a lot of folks, but the way it was done, I feel, didn't hurt the seaason. Okay, so we know earlier than normal who did it. So what? Most rom-coms you know boy gets girl or girl gets guy, but if done well, you enjoy it for the ride. Same here. Even though the villain was revealed earlier than normal--as in, not in the final scene of the season--I was okay with it, because the ride to get there was so enjoyable, and despite the lack of any last-minute "twists" like most TV shows, movies, and novels have devised since the movie "Sixth Sense" gave us a wallop of a twist, I was just looking forward to seeing how (or if) they would take down this baddy.

And a lot can be said for the setting of this mini-series. The locations chosen for various scenes totally added to the creep factpr and helped form more of a sense of despair. Not since "Lost" has a show's location been such a thriving force for me like the bayou of LA. It was almost as if the setting was another character. Cudos to the location scout team.

While I don't consider it on the same level of "Sopranos," this show still holds its own, if just for one season, and does compare favorably to some of the best cop dramas of the past 20 years. Hate to be the cast and writers following it up.

Quoted from Manowar Hate to be the cast and writers following it up.

Given the level of writing, and the ridiculous performance that McConaughey turned in...(and the awards that will likely follow).....

this show should have no trouble recruiting more A-listers looking to go bananas off the gauntlet that McConaughey has thrown down.

I like your take on it Manowar, and I completely agree with Penoyer79.  I expect some great actors in season 2.  I know the director won't be coming back, but I'm curious if the writer will collaborate with others. From my understanding, dude basically wrote all 8 solo. That's pretty damn impressive.  

This was a pleasure to watch. My only gripe is that was only eight episodes long.

I wasn't convinced when I started watching this that yet another cop drama could be any good. But this was great.

Fine writing and acting from all. Up there with the best of them. Stands up to repeated viewing as well. Enough said.

R

I thought the series was brilliantly executed but that the ending was a bit of a let down. Almost formulaic. Still it was better than 95% of everything else that's on TV right now, easily.

I was still confused about the whole "the real killer" is still on the loose thing. I wonder why they went through all the trouble of building the case during the first seven episodes and not have the reveal?  I realize that in real life you don't always find the killer, but we're all led to believe by the clues that ol' Scarface was the killer. Just a little frustrating. Maybe someone can explain that one to me.

Otherwise, it was beautifully and stylishly shot, well-written, expertly directed, great acting. Couldn't ask for much more out of this show (except for a better ending).

Gary

Brilliant little show. Ranks right up there with BB and GoT.

Jessica Chastain has officially been offered the lead role in Season 2

I had that one pegged since the 2nd episode of season 1. lol

so predictable.

Quoted from Penoyer79 Jessica Chastain has officially been offered the lead role in Season 2 I had that one pegged since the 2nd episode of season 1. lol so predictable.

Really? How'd you peg that one?

Pitt's rumoured to have been offered a role as well. Off course all of it's rumours at the moment. We shall see.

I loved the first series. Just proves too, not all of it is in the writing. I've read the pilot and while it reads well, it doesn't exactly jump off the page. Brilliant cinematography, direction, and top notch acting resulted in a great collaboration and final product imh. The final scene of the last episode was a little twee for my liking but that's a small gripe. Hope the second series is as good as the first.

female lead role in True Detective? I think it's pretty obvious... she's arguably the hottest female lead on the planet right now...and perfect for the show. its a no brainer

http://m.ign.com/articles/2014.....only&ign_app_ios

I wanted to like this show so bad, but for me it was a real Bell curve of quality.  It started off pretty so-so, with about 3 AMAZING episodes in the middle, and then it dipped back down.  The production values were so damn high, but that just couldn't save the lackluster beginning and end for me.  I think a lot of it stems from the case being oddly boring and predictable and then being told by the creator that it's "not about the case".  Kind of annoying cop-out, IMHO.

Also: http://news.moviefone.com/2014/05/21/jessica-chastain-will-not-be-on-true-detective-season-2/

I just now watched this show and I LOVE it! To be honest, I think TV shows are a lot better than movies these days. I have always liked Woody Harrelson and I have always thought McConaughey was a real dish. He's definitely not made to be pretty in this show, but somehow I love him even more after this show.

I agree that the "monster" reveal at the end was a little bit of a let down. Super mega important in any story, I think, is that your villain is really well written. This one felt very cliche', but the show itself with its two main characters made this show such perfect series.

they're saying Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch are up for 2 of the lead roles in Season 2. (apparently there will be 4 central characters)

http://tvline.com/2014/07/11/true-detective-colin-farrell-season-2-cast/

Quoted from Penoyer79 they're saying Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch are up for 2 of the lead roles in Season 2. (apparently there will be 4 central characters) http://tvline.com/2014/07/11/true-detective-colin-farrell-season-2-cast/

Man, someone high up in Hollywood really wants us to love Taylor Kitsch.  He was great in Friday Night Lights, but the guy is very one-note.  We've seen all he can do.

This show was amazing, period.  The villain was about the only thing lacking.

Quoted from Penoyer79 they're saying Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch are up for 2 of the lead roles in Season 2.

-_-

I'll pass.