True Detective S4 — Night Country

Really enjoyed this season! Even more than the first one, which hardly passed the Bechdel test. The atmosphere of nighttime in the far north was perfectly and eerily created. It jolts the viewer, as you're never quite sure what time it is. This uneasiness feels in line with how someone says that [spoiler] the borders between the spirit world and physical world [/spoiler] are thinner in Ennis. As with season 1, the seemingly [spoiler] mythical elements are actually psychological with rational explanations [/spoiler], but force you to grapple with bigger themes than addressed before: like how different groups and people conceive of the relationship between the living and the dead; how community is fostered or torn apart; what it means to be native to a place versus living in a place; and the role of [spoiler] vigilantism [/spoiler] given governmental corruption. Cannot wait to watch again to see the clues that were dropped along the way.

This season slapped, despite having a bit of a different tone to the others. The pacing was excellent: first half of the season being mystery after mystery, then everything unraveling in the latter half.

Great acting, especially by Kali Reis and Jodi Foster. So many great side characters went all in on their roles and it made the series much more immersive.

Great season, but there are sci-fi/spiritual aspects that don't fit the "True Detective" style. This would have done better on it's own.

For me, this was the best season yet!

I read articles about Inuit religion (mainly Sedna and related stories; seems the Baffin Island beliefs are the most prominent here) while watching this and it made it SO good. I like that she is acting throughout the series along with various other spirits, but they're never named. It goes perfectly with the themes of loss of identity and culture of native people from colonization. Some of the people have no idea what's happening, but the gods are gonna be gods whether you know they exist or not. So much religious imagery and symbolism in every single episode that tells another story hiding beneath the main plot.

Also reviews all over the internet saying that a bunch of pointless stuff keeps happening and it's boring are really showing me how poorly the general audience for this show analyzes media. Just because something happens you don't immediately understand it, that doesn't mean it isn't important like. Have you never watched media that requires critical thinking and analytical skills? I hate having everything spoon fed to me like a child

I don't care what everybody else says, this season was awesome. Better than season 2 at the very least. The supernatural elements, Alaska, grittiness, the cast, .... Amazing. Only thing: it works better when you can binge it.

Many on this site rate the first season better, and I would say the two leads in that are indeed more stand-out performances than the others, yet storywise, despite the red herrings, maybe even because of them, the fourth outing is much more impressive. The far north is both agoraphobic and claustrophobic in equal measure during its long dark winter; the slowly unfolding personal histories along the trail, and the mine versus native alaskans, with their polluted waters and marked rise in infant mortality, is a nice anchor for the rest of the mystery. More depth here definitely, and I would say it entices a repeat viewing more than the others seasons, except for season one for the performances as I said. For me anyway.

Wow, best season easily. Full of atmosphere and mystery. Of course the journey was better than the destination as many false paths laid. I was hoping some strange gas made them go doolally in a confined space and they were later dumped where they were found. Nope, just run off in their birthday suits.

I don't see what the whiners are seeing; I thought this was great and especially Jodie Foster was fantastic. Sure, the season is slow, but this isn't an action Jackson show and if you're just looking for your daily adrenaline fix, this show won't please you. The rest of us, though, may find plenty to enjoy here.

Off to a good start. Stellar cast (True Detective signature move). A wide-open mystery, with plenty of avenues to investigate. I’m excited!