Warning: Contains SPOILERS for True Detective: Night Country episode 2.
True Detective: Night Country episode 2 confirms a big theory about Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle, which changes season 1 and could have an impact on the rest of season 4 too. Rust Cohle and his partner Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) cast a long shadow over True Detective, as subsequent seasons have failed to match the first. Night Country may actually come as close to any, and part of that is by going back to what made season 1 work so well.
That isn’t just because True Detective season 4’s cast has two clear leads, but in some specific details too. Spiral patterns are all over True Detective: Night Country like they were in season 1, and the general mood, darkness, and weirdness certainly fits. However, following on from episode 2, there’s an even bigger link to the past, which could help inform the future.
Is True Detective: Night Country Based On A True Story?
True Detective: Night Country, season 4 of the HBO anthology series, revolves around the disappearance of eight men – is it inspired by real life?
True Detective: Night Country Confirms Travis Is Rust Cohle’s Father
After True Detective: Night Country episode 1, it was theorized that Erling Eliasson’s Travis was Rust Cohle’s father. He had a certain resemblance, and was similarly enigmatic. Plus, with Rust’s father known to be called Travis and having lived in Alaska, the pieces fit together. That’s directly confirmed in episode 2, with Rose Aguineau (Fiona Shaw) calling him “Travis Cohle,” making it absolutely explicit this is Rust’s dad.
Every Song In True Detective: Night Country & When They Play
True Detective: Night Country’s soundtrack has several atmospheric songs that effectively channel the brooding and mysterious ambiance of the show.
Rose revealed a few other details about Travis Cohle. This included that he was dying of Leukemia, but he refused to let the cancer take him. Instead, he went “into the ice,” with his body found by Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis). However, that wasn’t the end of Travis, as Rose has continued to see him since, saying he only comes when he wants something. With him appearing in episode 1, it seems like Travis wanted to tell her what happened to the researchers in True Detective: Night Country.
Since True Detective season 4’s central mystery involves spiral patterns, antler symbolism, and even a mention of the Tuttles (who were the villains behind season 1), then having Rust Cohle’s father be involved feels very pertinent. It’s possible this mystery does connect back to the Yellow King theories of season 1, and may be part of a much deeper mystery.
How Travis Being Rust Cohle’s Father Connects To (& Changes) True Detective Season 1
In True Detective season 1’s finale, Rust mentions that, while he was unconscious, he felt his pop. It felt like a relatively normal spiritual moment for the character, but after Night Country episode 2 it could have been something deeper. Since Travis can appear to Rose, did he also appear – or at least attempt to appear – to Rust back then? If so, was there a particular reason for his appearance: something he was trying to tell him, or just guiding him back to life?
Knowing that people can see the dead, and Travis specifically, makes that moment all the more powerful. It’s also possible, though, that it’s part of something bigger still. As mentioned, this could connect back to season 1. At the time, there was some disappointment that the case’s resolution was decidedly human, not supernatural. But with elements coming back and very literal ghosts of the past haunting True Detective: Night Country, maybe season 1 was rooted in something supernatural or paranormal all along, and it’s only now going to be uncovered.
Will Matthew McConaughey Appear In True Detective: Night Country?
With the introduction of Rust Cohle’s father, it’s natural to wonder whether Matthew McConaughey’s detective will return in True Detective: Night Country. With so many connections to the case he worked on and a family link, there is something set up within the story, but it’s extremely unlikely. There’s been no word of McConaughey returning, and the actor himself has only previously said he’d return in “the right context.” [via The Rich Eisen Show] It would be an almighty cameo to keep secret, which isn’t impossible, but is implausible. Travis Cohle may be around, but Rust probably won’t be.
True Detective
In this anthology series, each season follows a different detective or set of detectives as they forced to confront some horrific truths about their town and themselves. No matter the setting and characters, each detective must unravel lies and clues to solve the chilling mysteries around them.
- Release Date
- January 12, 2014
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey , Woody Harrelson , Colin Farrell , Rachel McAdams , Taylor Kitsch , Mahershala Ali , Carmen Ejogo , Michelle Monaghan , Michael Potts , Ray Fisher , Jodie Foster
- Seasons
- 3
- Story By
- NIC PIZZOLATTO
- Writers
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Network
- HBO Max
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu , HBO Max
- Directors
- Cary Fukunaga
- Showrunner
- Nic Pizzolatto
