Last week’s installment of the HBO crime drama welcomed us into the eerie atmosphere that has enveloped the small town of Ennis, Alaska. It introduced us to the already established dynamics between the residents and the isolating disconnect of their shared histories.
The second chapter began to turn the pages of the characters’ pasts, slowly but surely, allowing us to learn more about the human drama that’s in the middle of a potentially non-human mystery.
Read below for a summarized review of True Detective Season 4, Episode 2: ‘Part 2’, divided into positives and negatives.
True Detective Season 4, Episode 2 Review
+ A deeper dive into Rose Aguineau’s character.
Episode 1 of Night Country introduced us to a mysterious old lady living in town, experiencing visions of her dead husband, Travis, who leads her to the uncovering of the frozen bodies in the last scene. However, we didn’t get to learn much more beyond the woman’s name, Rose Aguineau.
Almost at the start of Episode 2, Rose was questioned by detective Navarro (Kali Reis) in regards to her visions of Travis, which gives us a glimpse of clarity into her mysterious character. Rose's connection to the dead isn’t delivered or received with any surprise. With that, Rose introduces an intriguing insight into the supernatural happenings that bind the people of the small town and continue to reappear throughout the episode, the element of seeing the dead as a normal occurrence.
Advertisement
+ The recurring theme of seeing the dead.
“This is Ennis, man. You see people that are gone sometimes. Even the dead get bored.”
At multiple points in this week’s episode, residents of Ennis and workers at the research station hint at seeing potential figures that weren’t there. The intriguing part comes from the fact that the characters don’t seem to be surprised by any of those encounters, it’s as if it’s part of their routine in Ennis.
“It happens around here all the time. I think the world is getting old, and Ennis is where the fabric of all things is coming apart at the seams.”
It’s a refreshingly subtle way to explore the line between the dead and the alive, a supernatural theme that’s been overdone in an array of TV series like True Detective.
+ Peter’s character dilemma.
Peter is a rookie cop who is studying under detective Liz Danvers’ (Jodie Foster) guidance. He follows her orders and completely trusts her decision-making on the field. However, we see that come clashing with his personal life and morals when he is forced by Danvers to steal files from his father or to stay on the job overnight.
The show is beginning to carve quite a compelling character out of Peter, with a complex position in the case. His inner dilemma between the personal and the professional is subtly led by family-passed insecurities, threatening to bubble up in future episodes.
Advertisement
- Occasional cliche moments.
As the season develops, there is the inevitable sporadic overstepping into cliche territory. It’s in some of the dialogue exchanges or the common idea of the creepy ancient rune sign that’s quoted to be “older than ice."
Thankfully, the story’s momentum isn’t hindered too much by its familiar and stereotypical aspects.
- Liz Danvers’ character.
Detective Liz Danvers, who finds herself at the center of this strange case, isn’t exactly the most likable of the bunch. Although we are primarily focused on her point of view, her character displays little to no redeemable qualities to root for.
Of course, that is highly likely to change as Season 4 continues, but with 2 episodes now down out of 6, it still remains difficult to breach detective Danvers’ vulnerability in the same way we’re able to see from all other characters.
Read this article to find out more about the release date and time of True Detective Season 4, Episode 3.
Advertisement
