Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Hmm, I think I interpreted the last scene differently than some. Hart reminds Cohle of the stories we tell ourselves about the stars. Sure, Cohle found a story he could believe in, about the warm darkness, but it's just a story. Errol went to great lengths to remove himself from the narrative, whereas Cohle never had the 'constitution'.

Cohle's hypersensitive empathy, the thing pushing him towards exit, ironically drew him back to the pain of life. Another story keeps the world turning. Give the man (Rust, not Matt) an Emmy, his acting was so good that he forgot it was an act. Is that not what optimism always is? If that's a flaw, then Cohle was flawed - not the show.

Errol attained his goal. Our hero was crushed under the weight of the world and has lost himself. C'est la vie.

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Pizzolatto is trying to put distance between the first and second season already. He knows he's going to go up against his own past performance so he's acting now to diminish expectations.

Since he's turned on Weird Fiction so decisively, we can assume there will be no weird element at all in Season Two and he's trying to prepare viewers for it.
I'd almost feel sorry for the guy but he ended up sounding like such a Quisling.

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

But then there's this from the aforementioned interview:

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Spoilers for EPISODE 8:

I completely disagree. The last line of the show is the following:
"Well, once, there was only dark. If you ask me, the light's winning."

People in power continue to rape kids and the light is winning? If that is not a false victory then I don't know what is. He has FOUND himself in his near-death-experience and his pessimism was simply a step on his way. And the goal is the light. As usual.


Apart from that, I would like to quote a comment made by Matt Cardin on a TD article a few weeks ago, in which he succinctly describes the main aspect of Ligotti's ideas (which I'm sure is nothing new to you guys) that is completely lost on this kind of ending:

The Jesus imagery and Cohle's salvation was the very antithesis of Cohle's character in the beginning of the show. Some might call that "growth", I call it bullsh-t.

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Translation: "I went back to the bookshelf for more ideas to steal and happened on Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49. This one's going to be good, folks! Is it a conspiracy or IS IT ALL IN HER HEAD? Stay tuned for Season Two of True Detective!"

Wouldn't be surprised if he actually IMPROVES on the source material by...wait for it...MAKING IT MORE HARD-BOILED!

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Maybe I'm wrong and he'll rip off Far Below this time. Now there's a secret occult history of transportation for you.
Gotta love those subways.

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

I think we're not disagreeing, at least not right here. The victory was indeed false. My usage of the phrase 'lost himself' should be inverted - he lost himself in his self. Whatever the author's intent, I found the optimism hollow, which seemed to support the theme of the show and the message of Cohle's previous incarnations.

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

BTW, this thread is turning into a classic of sorts...likr the antinatalist one but without the excessive venom. Oh, if only The Yellow Jester had appeared!

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Here's a post taken from another site (it was posted anonymously, so I'm afraid I can't give credit). I think it makes for a good explanation on the ending, though it obviously requires the "death of the author" card to work:

As for Rust's apparent turn at the end, well, allow me to quote good ol' Ech-Pi-El:

“...but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the deadly light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.”

Rust's newfound optimism is a sham. He's bought into the delusion he initially opposed, after a glimpse into the true horror at the heart of the cosmos proved to be too much for his cynic little heart.

Of course, this theory borders on apologism, but I kinda dig it :drunk:

Re: Writer Nic Pizzolatto on Thomas Ligotti and the Weird Secrets of ‘True Detective’
 

Okay, then I misread your statement. Thats is certainly a possible reading of that scene, although I think it gives the show too much credit. The writing was certainly mostly good throughout its run, but never that subtle.