True Dectective Season 1 - Episode 1 (2014) Review

True Detective, Episode 1, Season 1
"The Long Bright Dark"

This slow burning story is an astonishing first episode of the season. The acting is just great with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing a strange and offbeat cop duo. The subjectmatter is dark and the tension builds drawing you in. It reminds me a bit of Wire in the Blood the UK series because McConaughey's character plays a similar cerebral type detective that analyses the criminal mind. The cinematography is interesting, using different techniques to separate the current timeline from the past timeline. There is a sort of charm to the buddy cop aspects that is morbidly funny and is a tribute to McConaughey and Harrelson's on screen chemistry. This is a great establishing episode because it builds the characters beautifully; setting up past history while adding to personality and mannerisms subtly along the way. It is already clear the different dynamics between the characters, slipping us into the story that feels like it's been going on already. Refreshingly unlike many serialised cop dramas it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but instead has more of a realisation towards the end that draws more on intrigue than a cheap hook. This episode was long at 50 plus minutes and it's left me wanting more. Definitely a must watch for those who are fans of shows like The Wire which has some similarities.