I imagine that if I were to wonder why the first episode of True Detective: Polar Night (HBO Max and Movistar Plus+) was so negatively received, Jodie Foster in the role of Agent Liz Danvers would show up and rant at me Protégé, Agent Peter Prior, has been asking the question all season long that I'm not asking the right question. Much and very well has been written about how and why so many become defensive when they see that with their little television toy they now wanted to play a writer and director (Issa López) and two wonderful actresses, a veteran Foster, who We already have more than what we're used to – if you can get used to it – her immeasurable talent and a rookie Kali Reis, a true force of nature. This is not a war of the sexes, but an offensive of those who are unable to overcome their prejudices. In their sin they bear their repentance.
I think the question Danvers would ask me in this context is what made this season of True Detective different and, in my opinion, better than the previous ones. I've watched every single season of the series, a franchise that has never been my favorite. Changes in line-up and location always led me to expect something different. The places and faces were different, but the spirit was the same. And more than this feigned – and pretentious – depth it tries to distill, this pretentious torment, so focused on prestige, provoked greater resentment in me because, in the search for that patina, it incidentally alters the structure, the twists the plot etc. neglected rhythm, the basics of every noir.
The Polar Night was a dark night of the soul, yes. In addition to the two excellent protagonists, we were also guided through the film by a wonderful supporting cast (Fiona Shaw, John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston…). They have done this by supporting all the codes of the genre (hostile environment, agents doomed to understand each other and deal with personal problems from which they are fleeing, an investigation that is bigger than it seems , etc.) and put them into their service. , didn't think he was above them. And it was accompanied by impeccable production (special mention goes to the soundtrack). I don't know if anyone leaves Ennis completely, as Danvers notes at the end of the series, but it was worth visiting from the couch.
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