Stacey Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Did anyone watch this? I'm partial to anything that has Matthew McConaughey. The murder in it seems to have occult overtones - woman wearing stag antlers bent in front of tree with blue spiral on the back with something called 'bird traps' around the body hanging in the tree. First episode synopsis explains it a bit better: Louisiana, 1995. Detectives Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rustin "Rust" Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) investigate the ritualistic murder of former prostitute Dora Kelly Lange, found with a symbol painted on her back and wearing a "crown" of deer antlers. A twig latticework, like a Cajun bird trap, is found with her body. Cohle is convinced that this is not the killer's first victim, but Hart is skeptical. Their investigation brings up the case of Marie Fontenot, a little girl whose disappearance five years earlier was not investigated. Another report is brought up, of a little girl who claimed to be chased through the woods by a "green-eared spaghetti monster." Hart invites Cohle over for dinner, unaware that it is Cohle's deceased daughter's birthday. Cohle reluctantly accepts but, losing a battle with alcoholism, turns up drunk. Hart and Cohle follow up on the Fontenot disappearance with a visit to Marie's uncle Danny. In a dilapidated playhouse, Cohle finds another twig latticework. It was brilliant start, very atmospheric, fantastic acting. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of it plays out. But for anyone who did watch it, did the elements of the crime scene mean anything to anyone folklore wise or symbolically? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I watched it and thought it was pretty fair with great acting by the two leads. The item that caught my eye was the ritual symbol on the woman's shoulder. It looks familiar to me but I cannot place it. I will be following the show and see how it plays out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikki Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Matthew McConaughey, 'Rusty Cohle' is an interesting character, for sure... He's got the spidy sense. "Do you believe in ghosts?" "This place is like someone's memory of a town, and the memory is fading. Like there wasn't anything here but jungle" Rust - See more at: http://www.tvfanatic.com/quotes/shows/true-detective/episodes/the-long-bright-dark/#sthash.0tiTjnCO.dpuf"I get a bad taste in my mouth out here. Aluminum and ash. I can smell the psychosphere." (brilliant line) The symbol, spiral.is the symbol on Dora Lange's back. Spiral - The Spiral, which is the oldest symbol known to be used in spiritual practices, reflects the universal pattern of growth and evolution. The spiral represents the goddess, the womb, fertility and life force energy. Reflected in the natural world, the Spiral is found in human physiology, plants, minerals, animals, energy patterns, weather, growth and death. The Spiral is a sacred symbol that reminds us of our evolving journey in life. When used as a personal talisman, the Spiral helps consciousness to accept the turnings and changes of life as it evolves. The acceptance of change is one of the greatest freedoms a human can experience, putting consciousness in the present moment where the power of creation is condensed. On a larger scale, using this symbol assures all beings are reminded of their inward and outward evolution, a balanced and centered state of mind. On water, it carries the power to flow and change. The little lattice like things, I've seen before.... I think they were called, Devil Traps. The name says it all. From what memory serves, I'm getting a New Orleans, Voodoo vibe... for what it's worth --- which come to think of it, LA is the setting for the plot.Oh nice, i like when things work out like that. Does Green-Eared Spaghetti Face Monster remind anyone of anything? Looked like a classic Green Man to me. Dora was tied to a tree. So, I wonder.... I think I'm going enjoy this show for symbol hunting and quoting Rusty alone !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Who else was blown away by the season finale? I do not want to give any spoilers away for those who have not seen it yet; I would just like to say.... That was some of the best writing and finest acting by the two main actors that I have seen on TV in a LONG time. Edited March 11, 2014 by Galen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kupala Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I agree! It was fantastic (and perfectly creepy!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacey Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 The season finale was great, I know a lot of internet commentators felt it was a let down because it didn't address everything but I think it kept true to the original crime and premise in the first episode. They solved the original crime but I think people wanted all of the supernatural elements to have some bigger purpose instead of it being a plot device to explain the insanity that leads to cruelty and deviancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreen47 Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I LOVED the show! The setting itself was like a character and added so much to the plot. Plus, Harrelson and McConaughey were just superb. If anyone is interested, a lot of the mythology (the yellow king, Carcosa) was inspired by a collection of macabre short stories from the late 19th century called The King in Yellow by Robert Chambers. The King in Yellow is a play within the book that drives anyone who reads it insane. Chambers was also a big influence on Lovecraft. But anyway, I'm excited for season two of True Detective. I'm a fan of the anthology series format even though I'll miss Hart and Cohle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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