I fantasize that if I question why the first episode of
True Detective: Polar Night
(HBO Max and Movistar Plus+) had such a negative reception, Jodie Foster will appear to me, in the role of agent Liz Danvers, to snap at me, as she has been asking his protégé, Agent Peter Prior, all season, that I'm not asking the right question.
Much has been written and very well about how and why so many have become defensive when they see that with their little television toy they now wanted to play a writer and director (Issa López) and two wonderful actresses, a veteran Foster who already has us more that accustomed—if one can get accustomed—to her immeasurable talent, and a rookie Kali Reis, a true force of nature.
This is not a war of the sexes, but an offensive by those incapable of transcending their prejudices.
In their sin they carry their penance.
I think the question Danvers would approve of me in this context is what has made this season of
True Detective
different and, in my opinion, better than the previous ones.
I have seen each and every season of the series, a franchise that has never been my favorite.
Cast and location changes always made me expect something different.
The places and faces were different, but the spirit was the same.
And more than that pretended—and pretentious—depth that it tries to distill, that presumptuous torment so prone to prestige, what caused me greater rejection is that in pursuit of that patina, along the way the structure, the plot twists, were neglected. and rhythm, the basics of any
noir
.
The polar night has been a dark night of the soul, yes.
We have been guided through it, in addition to its two excellent protagonists, a wonderful supporting cast (Fiona Shaw, John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston...).
They have done so by supporting all the codes of the genre (hostile environment, agents condemned to understand each other and deal with personal problems from which they are fleeing, an investigation bigger than it seems, etc.) and putting them at their service, not believing themselves above they.
And it has been accompanied by an impeccable production (special mention to the soundtrack).
I don't know if anyone completely leaves Ennis, as Danvers concludes at the end of the series, but visiting it from the couch has been worth it.
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