Nic Pizzolatto is the creator and author of the American anthology crime drama television series True Detective. The show debuted on January 12, 2014, and was televised by HBO, a premium cable network in the US. The show’s seasons are designed to be self-contained narratives that follow different groups of characters and locales and feature fresh cast combinations.
True Detective, the HBO anthology series that burst onto the scene with its critically acclaimed first season, made a triumphant return with Season 3. As we dive into this latest installment, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that creator Nic Pizzolatto is going back to what worked in that debut season, and for good reason.
True Detective Season 3- A Throwback to The First Season
Mahershala Ali takes the lead as Arkansas state cop Wayne Hays, tasked with investigating a chilling child murder case that unfolds across three different eras. It’s a structure that might feel eerily familiar to fans of the show’s first season, as we follow Hays from his early days as a hotshot detective in 1980 to his journey as a family man attempting to resurrect his career in 1990, all the way to his retired years, grappling with dementia in 2015.
In a move that could be seen as a nod to True Detective’s successful roots, this season borrows the same playbook, featuring an exceptional actor in a brilliantly tortured investigator role, much like Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle in Season 1. The mystery, again, spans multiple timelines and has our main characters interviewed in later periods, creating an intriguing narrative web for viewers to navigate. And yes, there are even hints of primitive sculptures near the crime scenes, reminiscent of the first season’s eerie Yellow King imagery.
Read More: Sex Education Season 4 Review: A Worthy Addition to Your Watchlist!
True Detective Season 3: Revisiting the Glory Days
The decision to revisit the elements that worked so well in the first season is both sensible and somewhat cynical. True Detective Season 2 was a significant departure from the formula, featuring a larger and more complicated plot, more main characters, and a stronger focus on female characters. It seemed like a response to some of the criticisms from the first season’s finale, but it may have strayed too far from what made the show’s debut season so compelling.
The return to a more familiar style is evident in Season 3, where Pizzolatto takes a step back from the narrative sprawl and again emphasizes the central characters. Mahershala Ali’s portrayal of Wayne Hays is nothing short of excellent.
He masterfully embodies all three iterations of Hays, from the young, brilliant detective to the vulnerable, elderly man battling memory loss. His performance captivates the audience, offering a fresh and nuanced perspective on a character deeply affected by his experiences as a black man in a predominantly white environment.
While Season 3 introduces Carmen Ejogo’s character, Amelia Reardon, as a more three-dimensional female character than the series has previously featured, it remains true to the overall tone of the show: dark, grim, and intense. In this season, the moments that pulse with life are juxtaposed with clichés done right, reminding us of the series’ penchant for exploring familiar antihero-drama tropes.
Read More: Invincible Season 1 Review: Exploring the Marvel of Animation!
Summary
True Detective Season 3 is a return to the show’s roots, opting for a formula that worked brilliantly in the past. Mahershala Ali’s standout performance as Wayne Hays carries the show, adding depth and nuance to a character who struggles with the demons of his past. While the season may tread familiar ground, it still manages to keep us engaged with its storytelling and compelling performances.
As we delve deeper into the investigation of young William Purcell’s murder and his sister Julie’s disappearance, True Detective Season 3 reminds us that the ethos of the series remains unapologetically dark and intense, much like its debut season. While it may not break new ground, it captures the essence of what made True Detective a captivating and thought-provoking series in the first place.