Warning: This article contains spoilers for season 2, episode 2 of True Detective
In last week’s review of True Detective, I commented that the show’s second season was setting its eyes on a more ambitious narrative than the first season. The first episode established an elaborate array of personalities, plotlines and philosophies; in the second, the connections between them became more defined. The web of this season’s mystery seems more tangible than ever – and with it comes a clearer vision of this season’s future.
The episode opens on Frank (Vince Vaughn), languishing on the fragile and “paper mache” nature of his luxurious lifestyle. He recalls a time when as a young boy, he was trapped in a basement and believed death to be upon him. Every moment since has felt like an illusion, one made worse by the murder of his business colleague. His fortune has vanished from a dead man’s pocket, forcing him to leverage every remaining asset (including Ray) to keep afloat.
Meanwhile, the case of the gruesome death of Ben Caspere, Vinci’s city manager, has pitted three departments against each other, each enlisting an agent to work the case toward the most profitable resolution for their department. Yet of course, each of them also has an alternative motive to be taken into consideration. Ani (Rachel McAdams) has emerged as the closest thing this season so far has to a morally good protagonist, though slightly naive in her practical viewpoint on life. Her commitment to the case stands conflict with Ray (Colin Farrell) and Paul (Taylor Kitsch), who only seem interested in the case as a means to return their lives to a state of normalcy.
Paul’s life in particular has come to be defined by mystery. He’s clearly not in touch with his own sexuality (decrying a “fag” who hit on him at the bank, while gazing at flamboyant passers-by from his apartment), has mental and physical scars caused by some private militia work and can’t imagine a life beyond where he presently resides. He’s a blank slate, though that may just be a side-effect of Taylor Kitsch’s untapped acting capacity.
But finally, let’s touch on the only plotline that people will likely recall from this episode. Ray, arguably the biggest lead of this season, gets a couple shotgun rounds to the gut. It’s a moment foretold by the episode as a whole, which was almost overwhelming with hints of finality in his dialogue. Robbed of the only thing in his life giving him meaning, his excursion into the dead man’s sex den with no clear backup or significant defense seemed moreso motivated by suicidal thoughts than a desire for answers. Of course, it’s hard to say if Ray has truly passed at all. But if the glamour shots of Caspere’s corpse are any indication, perhaps we should hope that those two shots were fatal.
Follow Chris Berg on Twitter: @Mushroomer25