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Author Topic: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?  (Read 9971 times)

Offline Irishrover13

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True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« on: February 25, 2014, 03:45:08 PM »
Hi all,

So I just watched the first Episode of HBO's True Detectives and I am quiet taken by it, though I warn you it is slow burn and not for those who want gun fights or fancy gagets. I don't want to give too much away but there are hints of things beyond the scope of normal reality and gods better left sleeping in reality. Great fuel for morden Cthulhu or even pulp because the name to True Detectives is a nod to the pulp genre that shares the name. I recommend it to those who like slow burn detective dramas, Cthulhu flavoured TV or shows that make you think.


Cheers

Irish
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
― C.S. Lewis

Offline Bob Murch

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2014, 04:15:22 PM »
Sounds like my cup of tea! Thanks for the heads up Irish.

Offline Mr. Peabody

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2014, 05:09:58 PM »
Very satisfying television so far. Pushes all the right buttons without going too far or way over the top.

The show has managed to walk a very fine line on the Mythos; probably the best job I've seen yet. Maybe it's just ironic, the writers are mixing stuff in a bag and pulling it out again, but it's working.

Give it a go and see for yourself. I don't want to give anything away or impose my impression of the storytelling, but I'm diggin' it.
Television is rather a frightening business. But I get all the relaxation I want from my collection of model soldiers. P. Cushing
Peabody Here!

Offline wellender

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2014, 05:35:01 PM »
Really great show.  I watched most of it over a couple days.  Kind of sucks waiting for the next one to come on now. 

Offline pixelgeek

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2014, 06:29:44 PM »
Kind of sucks waiting for the next one to come on now. 

Sign of a great show

Offline zbyshko

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 238
Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2014, 08:55:29 PM »
Sadly I do not get Sky here in the UK.  They seem to be showing it.  One to mark for the DVD collection I suppose.

I see in the Wikipedia entry a reference to the 'Yellow King' in episode two.  Interesting.  There is a certain something there I fear I should not name...
\"I drank WHAT!?!\" - Socrates

Offline pixelgeek

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2014, 08:58:36 PM »
Sadly I do not get Sky here in the UK.

Its pretty easy to download shows if you don't have direct access to them

Offline pacarat

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2014, 10:53:57 PM »
Been watching it, and caught the YK reference too. Great atmosphere, cinematography, scenery, whatever you want to call it.

No spoilers, but the last 10 minutes of episode 4 was like ... wow. MM's character has some big brass ones...

Offline LidlessEye

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  • Recovering Cultist
Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2014, 12:38:20 AM »
Just finished the second episode, and was really surprised at how overt the mythos references were.  King in Yellow and Carcosa, in mainstream programming?  Very cool.

Offline tnjrp

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2014, 07:12:17 AM »
Judging by the TD writer Nic Pizzolatto interviews I've read, the actual Lovecraft link looks to be twice removed at best. The horror author he most often refer to is Thomas Ligotti, who in turn admits being inspired by HPL, to the point of even writting a Mythos pastiche/story (but then again, rare is a modern horror writer who has avoided HPL's shadow completely).

All the same, the series does look to be more interesting than your average cop show and I hope it's going to shown in Finland shortly. The local state broadcasting company does have a deal with HBO so I'm optimistic in that regard.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2014, 07:13:51 AM by tnjrp »

Offline The Hooded Claw

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 378
Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2014, 07:07:15 PM »
Having watched it all along and getting ready to watch the final episode, I am still impressed. In addition to some great writing and characterization, there are some scenes that are just technically impressive you read some of the behind the scenes bits.

Regardless of the intent, this series is one of the best examples of how to run a Mythos story.

-Eli

-Eli

"I See Lead People"

Visit I SEE LEAD PEOPLE!

Offline Mr. Peabody

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2014, 07:55:45 PM »
Regardless of the intent, this series is one of the best examples of how to run a Mythos story.

-Eli
So very true. The Mythos, especially when starting out a new campaign, is best delivered as a trickle. Let it build to a torrent slowly.

Offline The Hooded Claw

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 378
Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2014, 07:57:47 PM »
In my opinion it never even needs to build up to something big, just bigger than the characters involved.

Far too many mythos games I hear about end with some face off against one of the Great Old Ones.

Offline Diakon

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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2014, 07:02:34 PM »
Just watched the first couple of episodes off the back of this thread and really enjoying it. Rust remind anyone else of Rorshach? Sure I read somewhere that it was heavily influenced by Alan Moore and Grant Morrison so could be a bit of a homage.

Offline uti long smile

  • Galactic Brain
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Re: True Detectives anyone else picking up on the mythos?
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2014, 07:10:08 PM »
We are totally addicted here. Outstanding performances all round and the tantalising drops of Mythos just add to a great series.
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Wargaming in the world of Cult TV

 

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