IR TV Review: TRUE DETECTIVE - NIGHT COUNTRY - EPISODE 3 [HBO/Max]
Ascertaining the reason for loss or motivation is sometimes weaved into circumstance. With Episode 3 of "True Detective: Night Country", the reasoning is balance in the how and not versus the why. With the continuing mystery of the people trapped in ice and Danvers running out of time, the investigation starts to play a little looser and searching for strands such as the use of an animal doctor to show the context of the reaction and placement of the bodies. Trooper Navarro is trying to go with her more emotional reaction but it reflects different sides of the same coin to Danvers. The reality is that when they first did the investigation, many people held back on certain secrets and yet Navarro is surprised that people would do that to her (though Danvers is not). The symbol (as it shows up more and more) is taking on more relevance though its true nature remains elusive. As the reflection in a certain way to "The Thing" takes shape, an interaction in the hospital with the only survivor of the scientist massacre is chilling but points to something in mythology, something spiritual. This means it is something very old and not from far away.
The banter between Foster and Reis is what keeps this story working though. These are actors from completely different backgrounds and complete different styles. Their characters hate each other but they understand each other enough to work together, even if one or both of them makes a mistake. One specific scene in the tundra at a nomad camp speaks to a different storyline that could be followed but it is almost abandoned. That said, it is a thread (like the similar "Twin Peaks" in a way) that could be followed up at a later time. A hunt is also underway by the seemingly rogue but aware John Hawkes as a deputy either covering up corruption or something bigger. The one thing that doesn't seem to permeate the characters though is fear. Even as Reis discovers something deeper about what she is investigating, it doesn't faze her as she will follow it to the end. B
By Tim Wassberg
