I remember when both of these guys were not really thought of as "serious" actors and then they just go and start knocking shit out of the park like this and it just goes to show you never know someone's true potential until they reach it. Wonderful stuff, super impressive and beautifully done.
@@ChaostheClown woody has always play those kind of characters that doesnt require "serious" acting... but theres always something about him thats just different,
Just watched this show FINALLY. That scene was absolutely heart pounding and done so well. The whole season was incredible. Not sure why I waited so long to watch this masterpiece. Peace
@@AdoreYouInAshXI I'm planning on watching the entire season again but with my son... still think of this season often. I cant find anything else like it.
They are actors with dosens of years of experience in the most advanced studios in the world, with the most challenging genre -- comedy. It is much harder to make a person laugh than it is to make him cry. It stands to reason that they have large advantage in dramatic performance.
@@anomanomom239 well I will take your word on that, I have not read into the theory behind acting and will not be. It could be one of those funny things how it works out, but in my personal experience it is by far the opposite. I did a lot of acting/stage performing when I was younger, just never fully perused it. However it probably is far more nuanced, some actors are better at being funny or dramatic. Some just make people laugh over the simplest things, but hard to take them serious. Then there are some that we can really connect with and feel their sadness, but their comedy does not land at all. Then there is the medium it is in will change the audience and their levels of reactions.
I liked how when Rust hears "time is a flat circle" from the first killer, he responds with something like "what the fuck is that, Nietzsche?". Implying that it sounds vaguely familiar to him, but he's unsure of why. Then later when he says the same phrase to the interrogators, he follows it up with a fleshed out explanation. Now the implication is that "time is a flat circle" stuck with him, and in the interim period he has reflected on and researched it. This so subtle it borders on trivial, but it tells you a lot about the sort of person he is.
Except it's not what Nietzsche meant, he meant that if you had to live your life over and over then you should live a life worth living. It's framed as a demon asking you if you would relive your life for eternity, the only person that would accept the offer would be someone who has lived a great life. So either the writers didn't understand it and didn't research properly or Rust is so pessimistic he just reflects on it but doesn't actually research it.
The line is "Listen Nietzsche, shut the fuck up!" The way I understood it, Rust thought Reggie Ledoux sounded pretentious and he used the Nietzsche reference to mock him.
@@tomfurstyfield yes but Reggie said it as a metaphysical claim, which caused Rust to investigate and eventually adopt the claim. When Rust talks to interviewers he references "the m-brain theory" and multidimensional perspectives. He never mentioned Nietzsche again.
There was a time when True detective, Early Walking Dead, Early Game of Thrones, AND Breaking Bad were all airing at the same time…..my goodness how we have fallen.
Was a great time. To be fair - we did have Barry, Mr Robot, Better Call Saul, and Daredevil coming out in the same two years rather recently in 2019 :)
And now it's all short comercial content, made to consume fast, one after another, miss the good and original productions, before they start trying to engage more people rather to be únic.
@@davidohanlon5605 Mr. Robot was pure idiocy for people who had somehow never seen "fight club", and therefore hadn't guessed the "secret twist ending" by the end of the first epsisode.
I Wish I could erase my memory so that I can watch S1 of True Detective for the first time again. That season was not a TV series,it was a movie. An Oscar-winning,8 hour long movie divided into 8 episodes. Nothing was left undone: the actors,the cinematography,the plot,the lines,even the music and the environment surrounding the characters was put there for a reason. God-tier TV series, thanks to her I grew up emotionally and now I'm definitely better than the person I was before the show
I've watched S1 twice. I found 'Rust Cole' such an enthralling performance. McConaughey's complete submersion into the role almost made me forget I was watching an actor playing a part. It's perhaps the most fascinating role I've ever watched. I've been thinking about it recently, again.
Rust Cohle is, in my humble opinion, the greatest fictional character to ever exist. He feels real, edgy, organic. I never once thought it felt like a performance. Just a deeply complicated and wounded man fighting his demons. Beautiful video, thank you for the amazing upload for this absolute legend of a character!
McConaughey did give a brilliant performance in 'True Detective'; there were no 'poor' performances but, his did stand out. Possibly because his character was so closed at the beginning, there was no other way it could go. Regardless; it was absolutely a career-defining role. The first season of TD was so much more than just a mystery, or a police procedural. It had all the hallmarks of a marvelous Southern Gothic tale, and held references to works, not widely appreciated. Well-done, all around. :)
@@BluGiant14 It was a fun show, wasn't it? I just happen to be re-watching TD's 1st season, and I think I'm enjoying it more the second time. Instead of wondering where and what and how - I can sit back, and just enjoy the marvelous writing, acting, cinematography - all the various arts and crafts that go into film/TV show productions. I'm remembering what fun I had, noticing hints of Ambrose Bierce, Robert Chambers, and HP Lovecraft. Put those together within the framework of Southern Gothic, and a story set in modern times; I think this show will stand as an example of what TV can be, for a very long time. I wish you well :)
i just watched a video from the writer of this movie, and he said something like “they wouldn’t let me make a movie about two guys driving around talking, so i had to throw a murder in there.”
I think true detective may be one of the best things I've ever watched. An 8 hour film with two top actors at the top of their game. And this performance and the character are fascinating and incredible. This is one of the peaks of the medium. Maybe THE peak.
"World needs bad men, we keep the other bad men from the door". Great video. Watched season one about 10 times now, the thing i love the most is that the characters are so deep, well written and greatly played by Woody and Matthew that the show becomes a drama more than a crime story (wich also is very good). Gives me chills EVERYTIME i see a picture of it. My favourite show of all time, of course.
amigo, I would like to suggest a show called: Zero Zero Zero. very solid/gritty show, in my opinion, it's the 2nd best show I've ever watched (of courdse after True Detective 1)
@@sultanaljuhani1571 my friend, i really appreciate che advice 👍🏻👍🏿 i actually love ZeroZeroZero as Roberto Saviano is the author i love the most here in Italy 🙏🙏🏿
Even when rust meets Marty in the bar after not speaking for years.....and Marty says to him he doesn’t dwell in the past...and rust replies ....well that must be nice ...it’s just special and I cannot explain it
hands down the best thing to be ever filmed for ‘TV’ .. the writing . the philosophy . the acting . the comic relief . the cinematography .. pure genius!
McConaughey and Harrelson delivered amazing performances. They all did. I was completely immersed. Let's not forget the writing and direction. They're still trying to get to that level.
As an actor, you dream of being able to fully embody the life of someone else and in all honesty, this is probably the best complete performance of a character of all time. With ONE season, you are taken through the journey of grief and how it manifested in one talented detective. It’s a masterpiece and masterclass of a performance.
@@c.f.875 i def respect that answer cause that is also a masterclass of acting. I happened to prefer what Matthew did here because not only was it truly unexpected the complexity he would portray, the last scene of the show were he finally let himself feel the full emotion of what just transpired is some of the best acting I’ve ever seen in a single scene.
@@JLtheactor Have to agree with you here. While James Gandolfini did a superb job playing Tony there was just something so nuanced about Rust as a character, something that took more subtlety to pull off. And I think the fact that we watched a back and forth of Rust from older to younger made a big difference aswell, that was some damn good screen writing.
@@c.f.875 @C. F. you are objectively mistaken. in fact I believe you are not even understanding your own argument. James had five seasons, 13 episodes each + last season with 21 episodes to develop Tony, and, like I said, I love Sopranos just like the next sane person, but season 1 Tony is far, *far* from what we could call a great performance. It's good, but not great. Matthew Macconauhey had eight hours to show his Rust, and what he delivered was acting in its highest level from start to end. It's pristine. this has absolutely nothing to with opinion, another misunderstanding of yours. I'll give and opinion: I think True Detective is a better TV series than Sopranos. That's an opinion. If you would tell me that you disagree and you think Sopranos is superior, that would be your opinion, which is completely fine. Like you said, "everyone is entitled to their opinions". That doesn't fit here though.
@@drdj2626 Good argument, at least from your side. Both actors gave career defining performances here but it is kinda hard to make a side-by-side comparison imo. Most likely Gandolfini knew that his portrayal of Tony would not be confined to just one season, whilst Matthew McConaughey could see that his arch for Rust would have just only 8 episodes to unfold. Which is great for us really as we got to witness a hypnotically good slow burn of a performance with Tony, and a nuanced powerhouse performance fit for an academy awarding-winning film with Rust. I am still yet to witness a single stand alone season that matches that of True Detective S1. Thank god they didn’t try to bring the character back for another season because S1 is near perfection.
Rust is my absolute favorite role he’s done. I’d hate to say it’s a performance he’ll never touch because that’s unfair to him but I can’t see it being surpassed.
@@dallastexas5653 Agreed. I was surprised that Dallas Buyers Club got so much more attention. It's a fine performance but not nearly as interesting as True Detective.
@@iliovininino if we are talking about Mads Mikkelsen performance, it was good but not so close to Sir Anthony Hopkins’s performance. I think I would put Tony Soprano instead. But damn, Kevin Spacey did an amazing job in House of Cards, got me binge 5 seasons of a political tv show
@@zamfirrazvan2254 i know what you mean but remember its totally different times mikkelsen's is young and still learning his craft and trying to stay hidden among people.
The moment when Marty figures out that the new coat of green paint is the direct link and Cole says F@ck you man', is for me an incredible way to show his respect for Marty, a great detective also, I smile everytime in this little but beautiful interaction..
Mcconaghey showing the world that he is in fact an incredibly talented actor was one of my favourite actor rejuvenations ever. This single season is brilliant and watching him completely steal the show week after week was such a treat. Incredible writing acting and directing a true master class from everyone involved.
That first season was remarkable. At the time, I was spending all of my free time in the bottom of handles of Canadian Club. At the same time, my job was so repetitive that I couldnt tell the difference between Monday and Tuesday. Literally. I would think I had done something I needed to do, but I was remembering having done it the week before. Then I'd go home at 4am and watch True Detective until I passed out drunk. Id wake up several hours later, the show still going in the background. I'd go outside and smoke, come back inside and figure out where I left off, and restart the process until I went back to work. Given the tone of the show, and the context and pacing, and my life at the time, it made the show feel extraordinarily real. It was almost a psychedelic experience. Fun times...
What I think was really clever about choosing to use The King in Yellow as a framing device for S1 of True Detective is that it naturally invites viewers who are familiar with Chambers’ literature to draw a connection between the cultist killings and the madness it induces upon Rust as a character, and whether this is due to his naturally inquisitive nature or whether something genuinely supernatural is at play. In the same way that the play itself drives others to madness, this case drives Rust to the absolute brink because his obsessive nature means he *just won't quit.*
Excellent analysis of one of the greatest seasons in all of television. The character of Rust Cole was everything: the mental state, the edge, the tension. You've summed it as I remember, and now I must watch it again. Thank you.
Best. Television. Series. Ever. The dynamic between the two characters and the actors who played the roles, the writing, the direction, the stage design. Amazing.
Ah that bit about the rarely exhaling flew by me when I watched it, good catch. That is so rare to see of smoking in cinema, come to think of it. "Maximum damage with minimal spectacle" is such an on point assessment of Rust. Great work
True Detective Season 1 is one of the finest script writing and acting seasons ever done in any series. I have often said it should be shown to those who want to pursue this craft. It is how its done and done right! The exchange between Matthew and Woody is mind-blowing like they grew up together with the same parents and they are brothers. Fighting and loving in the same scene! I have watched this series several times and it never gets old.
I’ve watched this season several times several years apart and while I generically noticed MM made changes as the character aged I didn’t notice how detailed this was or how it was tied to his inner tension about the case as it related to his trauma. Great video.
This is the best breakdown of McConaughey's performance in True detective I've seen yet. You're the only other person I've seen to even remotely touch on the sheer amount of nuance he brought to his portrayal of Rust Cohle.
When I watched the 1st season of True Detective, it changed how I viewed TV series. I was blown away of how good the writing, the acting, they directing, the production was. I still haven't watched a series that will make me feel the same way.
I think it was mentioned Rust drinking during interview by police is because if he say something, its dismissable in court. Under influence by alcohol so they cant accuse him
this series (and specifically this season) always drew me in, and I always powerfully identified with Rust. thanks for going into why it was so powerful, and for letting me know it's not just me
Season one of True Detective is one of the greatest things ever put to screen. And this is far and away his best performance. Woody was great too!! The whole cast was. From the writing, acting, directing, it was all top notch. And you can rewatch it several times and always find something else you missed in their performance.
I recently rewatched this for the first time in quite a few years and was blown away at how insanely good so many aspects of the movie are. Just everything was perfect that first season. Both lead actors were amazing and they had incredible writing to work off of. There are also so many supporting characters that just fit perfectly with the casting and their performances as well. The cinematography and sound design and music was also fantastic. Then the director topped it all off with such a remarkably well paced and constructed storyline. This really was a magical creation. One of those things where everything falls together perfectly to create storytelling perfection. I always remembered loving it from the jump and had seen it several times all the way through, but as I said it had been a while and I forgot just HOW good this show really is. If you have seen it already and really liked it, but it has been a few years since... I recommend you go back and experience it again.
PHENOMENAL. You did an amazing job at shining a light on a topic already blinding. This is by far one of the best Rust breakdowns I’ve ever seen. Thank you.
this was an incredible breakdown. you're really good. i just saw this series for the first time a few months ago and it was one of the few times I have seen show where from the first scene I could tell "oh wow, this is going to be really good, isn't it?"
Yes, these sort of videos is why i love this channel! Its is such observations that are so incredibly interesting and sum of them create the greatnesst of that show, to me TD season 1 might be one of the most perfectly executed shows i ever watched, it is simply brilliant 👍👍👍Thank you!!
I haven’t thought about this show for a while. It was so amazing. Rust was my favorite character by far in the show and in McConaughey’s entire catalogue.
This is as great a performance as I have ever seen in anything. Show, movie, miniseries etc. The layers he has to put on.....and that he does so convincingly. It's unlike anything I've seen elsewhere
Rust was so good. So realistic, cant look away for a second. the acting is so good because he makes you forget about Mathew McConaughey and all you see is rust Cohle
I can still remember how I was having a hard time choosing between mindhunter and true detective for a binge watch. Then planned one watching first episode of each show to choose which one to proceed to. The first episode of true detective season 1 hooked me so much I forgot that I had to watch another series. I never expected the first episode to be such impactful.
I watched the whole first season in one sitting, paying close attention and giving it the love it deserves. Little did I know I was giving that love to myself in that same act. Thanks for putting this together!
Incredible detailed analysis, without a doubt my favorite show of all time. Mathew goes so deep as Rust its hard for me to see him as anything else now. The scene in the interrogation room in 2012 when he tells the detectives that his Childs death spared him the sin of being a father, you see these cracks forming in his nihilistic world view anytime his daughter is brought up throughout the show ultimately to the end where a part of him is reduced to nothing and the only thing that keeps him going is that feeling of her love still being with him.
I made it maybe 20 mins into the live premier before I realized we were watching a performance that would defy all expectations. All these years later, I still consider this the finest performance in modern television.
Extremely well done, thanks for this. Just rewatched S1 for the first time since it aired- I thought about it all the time in the years between, mostly because of McConaughey's performance. That character in that setting with top tier writing, directing, and every department at the top of their game is an actor's dream but you broke down beautifully how very few could actually give a performance as good as he did. An absolute masterclass and every bit worthy of the attention and accolades he's received for it. I don't think it's overstating things to say this is one of the greatest on-screen performances ever; and to do it over 8 hours instead of 2 is even more remarkable. Genius
The details about the way he smoked was really interesting. When I first watched the show I was surprised to see someone smoking the same way I used to. Even down to the way he held the cigarette. I have always been able (and felt comfortable) to hold my breath quite long and I did so without even thinking each time I took a long drag of smoke. It was so cool to hear that mannerism broken down. 😃
Just watched this with my Wife who had never seen it, at first she didnt want to watch it but at the end she was blown away by how good it was. It was my second viewing and its crazy how much I had missed. One of the best seasons of television ever!
Brilliant analysis. McConaughey's performance throughout, but specifically in the interrogation room is insanely good. The speeches, the philosophy are so on point I still go back to it regularly.
Love how comparatively mellow 2012 Rust is with Marty. It reinforces the importance of their relationship, considering we just watched 6 hours of 2012 Rust embodying his earlier incarnation while dealing with the interviewers. He lets his guard down with Marty
How on earth you do not have more views on this video is a wonder to me. I have yet to see True Detective, but your video (another excellent one at that) makes med want to see the show once and for All. Again, really great video, and I cannot wait until I see the next one. Keep up the GREAT Work. Not good, but great, amazing and excellent
i grew up in parts where that show took place (matthew did as well) and so to see what unraveled combined with my memories of hanging out in the backwoods swinging wooden swords and constant exploring... this one sent chills through me. i recall being sickened when i learned he and woody would only be doing the first season. your analysis was fantastic. this must have set hooks in you as it did most of us commenting. thx for sharing (edit: no oddity that the algo swept me up w this essay)
I loved this breakdown, even though I’ve never watched True Detective. You have an amazing way of exposing and describing all the nuanced, subtle changes in an actor’s performance. Bravo!
Hmmm . .. very good points man. I watched this season and analyzed it a lot. So far 11 times every episode. I didn't notice the cigarette inhaling thing at all.....like , I completely missed it. Well done video!
Well done sire, I love the breakdown. Rust misses his man in 95 & only because he was so closed off and despondent. It's always been one of my favorite performances I've ever seen. Absolute Masterclass in character evolution.
The Walking dead and Game of thrones had come out and there was a new level in TV/series, but True Detective was the first show that truly had cinematic grandeur. To this day the best series ever made.
This was excellent. Didn't think there was much more that would be said about this great series but there was. I think the narrator went deep and was spot on in his analysis of the Cohle character and Macs creation of it. And I think that first season was so multi layered that we could have analysts come forward for years and still find something new and compelling to discuss about it.
Such a great story season 1 is. When episode 3ended w rust saying, “Like a lot of dreams, there's a monster at the end of it." Then a shot of the killer walking in his underwear w a machete wearing a gas mask, fuckin mind blowing
I am gonna start apologizing for my not perfect English... His performance got me from the beginning. I feel like his voice was the first thing I caught myself paying attention to. In a second I was observing Rust's nuances, how Matthew e was delivering pain, loneliness... While still being an amazing detective. I mean everything seems so spot on, the script, the acting. Favorite performance of all time.
Your English is actually very good. Totally agree with you though, it's a masterpiece that stands out from and above any similar show or movie in the same genre. Not a wasted line or scene in the whole series and every single actor felt natural while they nailed their part
I just watched true detective for the first time idk how i went this far with out knowing of its existence. It came out in 2014 😵💫 it was amazing tho, every line from Matthew is quotable. Specially when he's like "i lack the constitution for suicide" im sure a lot of us can relate...
Brilliant video dude, thank you! You brought up some really interesting things that I had never noticed. I cannot even guess how many times I have seen this season but one of the many things I love about it is always discovering something new upon every viewing. And your video has done the same thing for me, so cheers! His performance and every other element of this show is so mesmerizing and rich. I have never seen anything like it and it is definitely the best film making I have ever seen, either television or movie.
All I want, not world peace, not love, not money, all I want is another season of woody and Matt, back together running cases. Their the greatest to ever do it.
I just watched the series recently, absolutely loved season 1, season 3 was just fun imo. The period piece style and remembering the past through interviews is such a great narrative concept. I hope the new season uses this same tool to tell its story
