Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Something Deep and Dark Detectives - The Good from 2014 in Television

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 2014

I am going to do something different this year with my year end lists. As the title of this post would indicate, I am going to focus on one title that was in my humble opinion the best or with the subsequent posts progressively worse. Let's get started with the best show on Television during the 2014 season (Whether it is new or returning).

The Good - The year in Television



True Detective

It is not shocking that an HBO show would be a hack reviewer's favorite show of the year. Outside of True Detective, HBO had several strong shows this past year, whether it was the return of Game of Thrones, Veep or PORTEmaus staff favorite, The Leftovers. Any of these might be solid choice for the best television show of the year but frankly, each of these shows pale when compared to True Detective. Prior to its release, I was intrigued by the promos and the possibility of Matthew McConaughey actually killing it as a lead actor (Sorry, I was not too impressed by his performance in Dallas Buyers Club, it was good not great).

True Detective is a clever and well-written mystery with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey as detectives being confronted about a murder that they solved in 1995. The season takes place in both real-time and through recollections of the past to highlight the case and the volatile relationship of Harrelson and McConaughey's, Det. Hart and Det. Cohle. In the end, the season becomes a redemption tale of sorts as Hart and Cohle seek to apprehend the true perpetrator behind the murder of Dora Lange.

To put it simply, True Detective is a damn good show. It is kind of a shame that season two will not have Harrelson and McConaughey but it will be interesting to see if Nic Pizzolatto have lightning strike twice with Farrell and Vaughn. Honestly, if the Pizzolatto's writing remains at the level that it was for season one, it is possible to recapture the magic. It will be interesting to see how the second season comes together with the change in cast and structure for directing the series. I know that all of us here at PORTEmaus will be curious to see how it plays out.

Honorable Mentions: The Leftovers, Hannibal, Veep

Parting Thought: I wonder if season two is going to have a bitchin six minute long take...

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