Who Goes There

Forget for a moment the overall superb quality of the series to date.

Forget the writing, the acting, direction.

Forget it.

And here is why.

The most effective dramatic technique for viewer connection, for viewer entertainment, is also the riskiest. The most effective dramatic technique is simply to take everything that has gone before before AND BURN IT TO THE GROUND and take the viewer on an unexpected trip to the edgiest ride in the amusement park.

And that is what we have here. I have never seen it done so well. And, as I often say, I watch a lot of TV. The Neilson people once took me down with a tranquilizer dart, tagged me, and released me back into the wild.

Forget the serial killer. Forget the dogged procedural work. Forget the marital issue. In one of the most unforgettable performances I have ever seen in my life, film included, Matthew McConaughey goes back into an undercover life he once ran from and -- simply to make an arrest! -- risks it all.

I am on the edge of my chair. And you will be too.

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Who Goes There", 4th episode of "True Detective" season 1 was a highlight of the season at that point. I remember watching it back to back when it came out, and was blown away by it. After rewatching the entire first season now almost 10 later i still found this episode to be very captivating, with last 20 min or so just being absolutely stunning moviemaking. Story did move forward here, but its the mesmerizing directing and acting what made this episode so tense and unforgettable.

Basically, "Who Goes There" felt like a bit of a detour but an terrific one. Just might be the best episode in the entire 3 seasons at this point.

Possibly the best episode I've watched in my life. Ending of the episode was something else. Loved the Pizzolatto cameo. Hats off to everyone, this was insanely good.

Episode four officially opens up the second act of the three act first season with most likely one of the most astonishing pieces of television ever. Not only is the episode inexplicably well written and acted, shot and composed, but it is gripping and enthralling on the highest level imaginable. I try to keep these reviews absolutely spoiler free and that's for a reason. You will be at the edge of the seat and that should not be spoiled for anyone.

It's nice to see that Harrelson's and Monaghan's character get some real development in this episode. We see some great development between the two detectives, as usual we learn more about Mcconaughey's dark mysterious and brutal past, which catches up to him in this episode. It goes without saying that the acting is without a doubt superb, but even minor characters like Brad Carter's character or Alexandra Daddario's are portrayed beautifully with a lot of passion from the actors. You can see that there is a lot of love and dedication involved in making this show.

It closes with one of the best tracking shots in cinema history, that will without a doubt go down in history. It is absolutely jaw dropping and the complexity of the shot is incredible. Yet it's not confusing or misleading, at every single second of these six minutes everything is clear. The haunting soundtrack that slowly buzzes in the background, the helicopter sounds, distant gun shots and screaming, make this shot just unbelievable, it's just too good to be true. There is a complete immersion that this shot creates, for these six minutes you're not sitting in your chair watching a show, you're right there with Det. Cohle. And that is the definition of cinema, it is supposed to let you forget your life, to dream for a certain amount of time, just enjoy it.

I can not praise this show enough, if the other 4 episodes are only slightly as good as this one, then True Detectives first season will turn into a masterpiece. The six minute tracking shot definitely already is one.

11/10

All I can say is: what an episode! I didn't see it coming. TD for the most part is not your average thriller; here the violence is implied or occurs between the scenes, there are no pyrotechnics, no car-chases, nothing. Yet it still manages to keep you anxious with a style of its own.

In a way, the first three episode set the platform and the fourth one was where everything went boom. TD has been criticized for its sedentary, drawn-out story telling but I think, this is what makes tonight's episode even more rewarding. We have been treated to excellent character development, philosophical monologues and an endless barrage of nihilism from Rust but there was nothing in TD that really got your heart racing, until tonight that is.

To be concise, "Who Goes There" is a pinnacle of storyboarding. A lot of ground is covered in this episode that completely revamps the makeup of this series. We see gunfights, chases, comical jibes and some excellently chosen music.

I will really be looking forward to next week's episode and see how the series follows-up from here.

P.S: The final 6-minute, unbroken tracking shot following Rust through a not-so-comfortable situation is brimming with sustained tension. Not since Breaking Bad's final few episodes have I lingered so close to the edge of my seat.