True Detective - Episode 1.03 - The Locked Room - Advance Review

Something that has really struck me about True Detective so far is the dialogue’s complexity, specifically when referring to Rust Cohle. Throughout the episode, I kept note of certain bits of dialogue and have decided to base my review of the episode from these quotes.

Quotes:

What do you reckon the average IQ of this group is? – Rust Cohle

Nobody here is gonna be splitting the atom. – Rust Cohle

It was made very clear from the beginning of this story that Rust Cohle is not the nicest person around. He does not partake in any of the norms of society and as a result has adopted an incredibly arrogant personality. This continues to ring true throughout this episode. These quotes actually come from my favorite part of this episode where Rust and Martin talk about religion. While Rust’s point of view on religion often angers Martin, he normally just shakes his head. It should be interesting to hear what the public opinion is of Rust’s anthropological study of a preacher. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it’s a very entertaining scene.

Your judgment is infallible piece-of-shit-wise. – Martin Hart

Always quick to dismiss Rust’s controversial beliefs, Martin continues to be the cleverer of the two. At the same time, Martin silently and arrogantly sees himself above his partner (and his family) in most ways. While things clearly change between Rust and Martin by 2010, excluding hair, the characters themselves don’t seem all that changed. Rust holds onto his odd view of the world and Martin holds onto his hypocritical arrogance.

For a guy who sees no point in existence, you sure fret about it an awful lot. – Martin Hart

Anybody who has watched the first two episodes can probably guess that this line is directed at Rust Cohle. While Cohle wants everyone to believe that he is the most anti-religious person to walk the Earth, Hart could have a point in this line. In fact, Rust’s lines in the first 3 episodes of the show have had something to do with either the social norms of the day or how he wants to be as different from that as humanly possible. Is it possible that this is all an act?

Nothing is ever over – Rust Cohle

If read out of context, this quote could seem like a small glimmer of religious belief for Rust Cohle. Unfortunately for the optimists out there, I am sad to say that Rust means something else entirely. What else? You’ll have to tune into find out.

People incapable of guilt usually do have a good time. – Rust Cohle

Arrogant? Yes. Nuts? For sure. Right about most things? Yes. Matthew McConaughey delivers this perfectly. What’s funny about this line is that sums up the relationship between Martin, Rust, and the people around them. Rust and Martin both view their profession as detrimental to their own health and seek other ways to alleviate this pain. However, while Rust admits to his own shortcomings, Martin continually finds ways to rationalize his wrong doing in a very Breaking Bad Walter White¬-esque type of way.

After a certain point, there’s a futility in responsibility. – Martin Hart

This is exactly what separates Rust from Martin. What Martin is basically saying here is that it’s useless to try to be responsible. He is unable to govern his own life responsibly, let alone another’s (HINT HINT). Perhaps what Martin is really trying to say here is that, in the end, the world is truly chaotic. In essence, Hart is throwing his hands up and denouncing reason in the world. Regardless of the interpretation of the quote, I think it’s very interesting that the show is going beyond the normal whodunit detective show. This show is investigating real philosophical questions from multiple flawed points of view. Hint on this point: Martin really likes to mow his own lawn.

I’m not a psycho. – Martin Hart

After the pilot, I would have felt comfortable agreeing with this, but after three episodes I’m not really sure about the accuracy of this statement. Hart is impulsive, rationalizing, and arrogant. I already mentioned the Walter White-esque parallel before, but it really rings true here. Martin Hart is very impulsive in this episode and does something quite rash that I myself would not have guessed. I won’t say that it’s the best part of the episode, because it’s not, but it’s definitely surprising.

The world needs bad men. – Rust Cohle 

Rust Cohle says this line towards the end of this episode and it really took me a while to try to understand the true depth behind his statement. Does he mean himself and Martin? Does he mean the killer? Or does he just mean people in general? In this case, I think Rust Cohle is directly addressing Martin. Martin has something that Cohle lost at one time, but Martin continues to take it for granted without true remorse. Knowing this, how can Rust Cohle call Martin anything other than a “bad” man?

Rating: A+ – In my last review, I asked for a little more action and while this really did not feature any action at all, it made up for it in developments in both time periods as well as the usual great acting and writing.The ending scene is definitely one you DO NOT want to miss! Also, I'd love to hear everyone's guesses for what's in the episode's titular "locked room".

Tune in to True Detective on Sunday on HBO. Be sure to come back here to SpoilerTV to let everyone else know what you thought of the episode.

About the Author - Brandon Rowe

Brandon is a senior in high school and enjoys watching a lot of TV. Brandon likes to write articles about favorite his films and especially his favorite shows which include The Americans, Breaking Bad, The Bridge, True Detective, Suits, and more than can be written on this page. Brandon also managed the "In the Hot Seat" competition here on SpoilerTV in 2012 and would like to do it again in 2014 if possible. Feel free to use the Facebook, Twitter, or G+ links below to contact him.