Time is a flat episode: I reviewed this week’s not-so-good True Detective for Rolling Stone.
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Dude, I think you fundamentally mischaracterize/misread the reason for Rust’s anger at the end of the “consummation” scene. You seem to say it’s because Rust is upset at the “perfidy” of the adultery. But Rust seemingly has no problem with adultery itself (he covers for Marty just fine).
I read Rust’s screaming (how often does this guy scream?) as the realization that this didn’t mean anything to Maggie beyond the fact that it would anger Marty. This in itself is a cliche (sensitive loner much?), but it’s more in keeping with the (admittedly stereotypical) character they have written for Rust. Look at how he hangs his head briefly on Maggie for a moment before she reveals to him it’s all about hurting Marty. This is what pains Rust; it’s a confirmation of all his cynicism about the world, and perhaps his comeuppance for covering for Marty’s adultery. He is now just a plot device in their marriage. For just one second, he thought maybe it was about him and Maggie, but no, it was just about wounding his douche partner who has the woman he wants and the life he has been denied. We routinely see Rust using emotional connections for ulterior motives (confessions), but when the same is done to him, he reacts with rage.
IF this is the case, then it should provoke a reappraisal of Maggie’s character to some degree. Why have the cops invited her back? I would hope this is not written in just as a device to continue the “interview” framing to reveal backstory. Perhaps the scuttlebutt at the precinct was that she was the cause for the rift? Not only has does she use Rust, she lies to the cops (she saw what Rust was up to back in ’02 in the “consummation” scene.) This is a far cry, from, say, Khaleesi-level worldshaping, but please don’t rob her of any more agency than the script already has.
Anyways, has any recent show used the intimation of horror as effectively as this one? The screaming of the victim was horrendous. Seems to echo Twin Peaks in this regard, too.