True Detective: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2018 Ratings

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9.1

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9.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2018 Ratings

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True Detective

Now Playing: True Detective

Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: January 12, 2014

Starring: Michael Potts, Michelle Monaghan, Woody Harrelson

Summary: A 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana begins with Detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) joining the search in this eight-episode anthology series.

Creator: Nic Pizzolatto

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. Form and Void
Air Date: March 9, 2014
tbd
S1:E7. After You've Gone
Air Date: March 2, 2014
tbd
S1:E6. Haunted Houses
Air Date: February 23, 2014

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Jeff Korbelik

Mar 27, 2014

The drama is quite riveting. Read full review

100

Robert Lloyd

Jan 10, 2014

True Detective runs slow and steady without ever seeming to drag. Even minor characters get room to breathe, and seem independently alive; the briefest scenes seem to imply life beyond the frame.... The dance [Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson] do together here is work of a very high order, and all the reason you need to watch. Read full review

100

Tim Goodman

Jan 2, 2014

The acting--by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson--is off the charts. The writing and the concept, by series creator and novelist Nic Pizzolatto, undulates from effectively brash soliloquies to penetratingly nuanced moments carried by sparse prose. Lastly, director Cary Joji Fukunaga has created a beautiful, sprawling sense of place (the series is shot and set in Louisiana). Read full review

100

Sara Smith

Jan 13, 2014

After True Detective, all the other TV cops hunting serial killers are going to look like copycats. It’s that the taut script and spot-on dialogue takes us on a ’90s noir roller coaster ride of Shakespearean tragedy with fearless literary aspirations, delivered by two actors at the top of their game. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jan 10, 2014

The crime they're investigating often takes such a back seat to the show's tricky structure and the all-pervasive angst you may once again wonder what exactly HBO has against the notion of narrative urgency. But be patient with this slow-burner of a disturbing, demanding drama. These detectives are truly fascinating. Read full review

David Hinckley

Jan 10, 2014

Happily, Harrelson and McConaughey play the characters well enough, and the script is crafted ingeniously enough, that we want to know where it all goes next--and don't focus on the likelihood it will be no place good. Read full review

Emily Nussbaum

Mar 27, 2014

Whatever the length of the show’s much admired tracking shot (six minutes, uncut!), it feels less hardboiled than softheaded. Which might be O.K. if True Detective were dumb fun, but, good God, it’s not: it’s got so much gravitas it could run for President. Read full review

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User Score

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9.1

User Reviews

BogKid

Jan 13, 2014

Just another lover of "True Detective". Yes, it does remind me of several other detective/procedural series on TV but it is so much more subtle, so much better acted. Harrelson and McConneghy are far from being among my favorite actors but on "True Detective", they simply show how it isJust another lover of "True Detective". Yes, it does remind me of several other detective/procedural series on TV but it is so much more subtle, so much better acted. Harrelson and McConneghy are far from being among my favorite actors but on "True Detective", they simply show how it is done. Excellent!… Expand

42 of 46 users found this helpful424

popester123

Jun 10, 2014

True Detective, This has to be the best pairing in a powerful, captivating show I have seen to date.
Harrelson, just bloody brilliant, and McConneghy, well, he gets into his character with such convincing realism. This show is awesome, if these two didn't come back together as a two copTrue Detective, This has to be the best pairing in a powerful, captivating show I have seen to date.
Harrelson, just bloody brilliant, and McConneghy, well, he gets into his character with such convincing realism. This show is awesome, if these two didn't come back together as a two cop show, just wouldn't be the same...just saying Matthew....just saying… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

bugsbunny2109

Aug 26, 2014

Indeed a perfect TV show. The greatest, most sophisticated writing and acting combine to tell the story of a 17 year hunt for a serial killer! It's not just another serial killer show. It focuses on the minds of ordinary people living in a world of crime.
I cannot possibly underrate this show!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Ethanol314159

Mar 7, 2014

This show is easily one of the best shows I have ever seen. It has fantastic acting and great writing all wrapped up in a fairly original murder mystery. It also has many deeper philosophical implications and ideas that, while extraordinarily dark, are incredibly thought-provoking, andThis show is easily one of the best shows I have ever seen. It has fantastic acting and great writing all wrapped up in a fairly original murder mystery. It also has many deeper philosophical implications and ideas that, while extraordinarily dark, are incredibly thought-provoking, and provide a view on our lives and the universe that i have never seen portrayed in a TV show before. I have often found myself agreeing with many (not all) the points Rust makes about the universe and religion (though i don't think that they are all idiots like he does) and i find it fascinating how much this has changed some of my views. i also just have to give Matthew McCounaghey credit for saying all the **** he says about religion, while at the same time being a very religious person; he seems to completely abandon some of his religious views for the role which i have to give him props for.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

NBAluke579

Mar 1, 2014

With only one season under it's belt True Detective has already proved it's greatness and is already in my eyes one of the great series we have on TV at the moment. Spectacular acting by McConaughey and Harrelson. Their characters are interesting,complex and their banter and interplay isWith only one season under it's belt True Detective has already proved it's greatness and is already in my eyes one of the great series we have on TV at the moment. Spectacular acting by McConaughey and Harrelson. Their characters are interesting,complex and their banter and interplay is endlessly riveting. The cinematography is in few words:Spectacular. Moody,atmospheric and extremely well-realized. A particular scene in the 4th episodes is one of the most impressive scenes I've ever seen on a TV show, its that good. The show feels realistic, sincere and it never feels artificial or derivative. It takes its time in telling it's compelling story and you are there for the ride. The idea of this being an anthology series is very interesting, cant wait to see where the show goes from here.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

notforbreakfast

Nov 1, 2014

The refined acting and writing help make this drama overcome the soapy, grotesque feel the show has at times. Don't get me wrong: the show is visually stunning. It just needs the extra push.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

StrongHarm

Mar 25, 2018

Season1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programmingSeason1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programming for the rest of my life (no exaggeration). While True Detective is one of the best shows I've ever watched, it's also the worst. With great writing and great actors, why did they have to add over the top disturbing and depressing turns? That's not "edgy", that's ruining something that could have been great. Art is supposed to evoke emotion and passion, but there's a point in which it can cross the line and become corrupt.… Expand

1 of 14 users found this helpful113

SEE ALL 235 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

73

Series Overview
Season 3

72
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 13, 2019
Season 2

61
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 21, 2015
Season 1

87
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 12, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E8. Form and Void
  Air Date: March 9, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E7. After You've Gone
  Air Date: March 2, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E6. Haunted Houses
  Air Date: February 23, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Secret Fate of All Life
  Air Date: February 16, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E4. Who Goes There
  Air Date: February 9, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Locked Room
  Air Date: January 26, 2014
- 8.2
  S1:E2. Seeing Things
  Air Date: January 19, 2014
- 7.0
  S1:E1. The Long Bright Dark
  Air Date: January 12, 2014