True Detective - Night Country - Crime/Drama - Mini Series (Anthology) - JioCinema/HBO - 6 episodes
10 years back - True Detective was released as a limited series with the stellar cast of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson . Spread over 9 episodes, it was a master class of a moody detective drama, spread over 25 years of time - consuming the lives of the protagonists. The series was a critical and audience success - at that time one of HBO's best limited series- resulting in it becoming an anthology. Two other editions followed , while having a stellar cast - definitely did not hit the high notes that the debut season did.
The show is back in 2024 with a 6 episode starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis . It is set in a fictitious town of Ennis, Alaska where the long winter has just set in - around Christmas. Small town, everyone knows everyone - most people living there work for the Oil. There is also a research station, given that it is close to the Arctic circle. The scientists at the station all end up mysteriously dead - frozen and bent out of shape in the frigid cold!
A side plot is the the natives' protest against the oil company, the water is polluted and over time there are many still births/infant deaths which raises alarms. What was the research being done, why did they die, who killed them, was there any connection with the oil company is what the story is all about.
While the show explores themes of spirituality, the afterlife - it really is a very basic and does not really "surprise" you - the conclusion may be, but you definitely aren't holding your seats tight!
The show has been shot in Iceland and Alaska, it really sucks you into the cold and darkness. Cinematography is superb - the lighting and soundtrack (the title track is by Billy Eilish) also matches the mood - The acting by the leads is terrific - even though their characters arent explored as deeply as we would have liked. The support cast doesn't register as such, but for rookie cop Peter played by Finn Bennett .
Overall i think it is a not bad, but not so great kind of show - certainly better than the second and third edition, you can watch if you like the the genre or the actors (i did for Jodie Foster) - but if you havent already - definitely watch the first edition - absolute masterclass of a slow burn detective series.
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