# True Detective - HBO - McConaughey / Harrelson \[SPOILERS\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 11, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697 "2013-06-11T03:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Dgoodfella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@Dgoodfella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dgoodfella)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/361 "2014-03-05T14:48:11Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > It could have been a hallucination. Check out bohemian grove on google, then you’ll see why there just so happens to be an owl on top of a burnt down church. Symbolism of a falling church with the owl over it. Not an hallucination because you could still see the owl thru the rafters at the end of the scene when the camera was panning out. ---
**Author:** ![Dgoodfella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@Dgoodfella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dgoodfella)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/362 "2014-03-05T14:54:03Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Speaking of symbolism, when they went into the burned church there was an owl sitting up on a rafter or something right over their heads. Impossible to miss. I though for sure it was going to swoop down on them or something. If I walked into a place like that and saw an owl like that, the first thing I would have said was, “Shit ! Look at that owl!” Instead - nothing. The writers couldn’t have put there for no reason could they? Just to add to the general spookiness maybe? > > I agree with the overdone cigarette smoking. It seems more common in recent years. If a character smokes, he smokes but can he not have a brief moment where he doesn’t have a cigarette in his hand? Check out bohemian grove on google, then you’ll see why there just so happens to be an owl on top of a burnt down church. Symbolism of a falling church with the owl over it. Not an hallucination because you could still see the owl thru the rafters at the end of the scene when the camera was panning out. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/363 "2014-03-05T18:28:54Z")
But was the owl in that burned out church a hallucination? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/364 "2014-03-05T19:19:34Z")
[This guy has a pretty solid theory about the Yellow King.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8zTSDFiI24) (YouTube link, open spoilers but only for previous episodes). ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/365 "2014-03-05T20:08:17Z")
I would say that the owl was an homage to one of the production companies of the show: Parliament of Owls. ---
**Author:** ![Athabasca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Athabasca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athabasca)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/366 "2014-03-05T20:12:12Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > [This guy has a pretty solid theory about the Yellow King.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8zTSDFiI24) (YouTube link, open spoilers but only for previous episodes). Ok, that was damn funny. A good poke at fandom. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/367 "2014-03-05T22:54:39Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > [This guy has a pretty solid theory about the Yellow King.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8zTSDFiI24) (YouTube link, open spoilers but only for previous episodes). Note: this is a purely humorous joke, with no spoilers of any sort. Watch it right now. (I just came into the thread to post it myself.) ---
**Author:** ![Tarwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@Tarwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarwater)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/368 "2014-03-06T14:41:39Z")
So here’s something I didn’t realize until just now: Nic Pizzolatto, the creator and sole writer of this show, was a staff writer for _The Killing_. He was also one of the two people responsible for the unmitigated disaster of _The Killing’s_ season one finale. So, I’m excited to see how this Sunday turns out! ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/369 "2014-03-06T16:05:03Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I also keep forgetting Lawnmower Guy as I theorize. My suspicion is that he’s the actual killer; similar to LeDoux he played a role in the conspiracy, but where LeDoux fixated on little kids, Lawnmower Guy ritualistically killed adult women. Did you notice that Lawnmower Guy was mowing in a spiral pattern? Coincidence? I think not! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/370 "2014-03-06T16:49:04Z")
> [@Tarwater](#): > > So here’s something I didn’t realize until just now: Nic Pizzolatto, the creator and sole writer of this show, was a staff writer for _The Killing_. He was also one of the two people responsible for the unmitigated disaster of _The Killing’s_ season one finale. I think it’s a stretch to blame any of The Killing’s problems on Pizzolatto. He’s a good novelist (nominated for several prestigious writing awards, including an honorable mention for the Pushcart Prize) who also taught fiction and literature at both UNC and the University of Chicago. I’m not worried. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/371 "2014-03-07T03:31:47Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I also keep forgetting Lawnmower Guy as I theorize. My suspicion is that he’s the actual killer; similar to LeDoux he played a role in the conspiracy, but where LeDoux fixated on little kids, Lawnmower Guy ritualistically killed adult women. > [@Labdad](#): > > Did you notice that Lawnmower Guy was mowing in a spiral pattern? Coincidence? I think not! At this point nothing is a coincidence! Speaking of which… > ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/372 "2014-03-07T03:56:32Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I think Maggie is involved and she showed up to find out what the know… How did Maggie even find Rust? Also, in the Fontenot video, we see 5 adults. That means that a 6th was filming. Maggie’s dress when she’s talking to Marty has what appear to be 6-sided star-like flowers. I predict Maggie’s dad is the 6th person. Also, I wonder who Mr. Sawyer is. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/373 "2014-03-07T04:07:01Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > At this point nothing is a coincidence! Speaking of which… > > [https://mobile.twitter.com/pattonoswalt/status/441384353285681154?screen\_name=pattonoswalt](https://mobile.twitter.com/pattonoswalt/status/441384353285681154?screen_name=pattonoswalt) That’s very cool. 😃 Lawnmower man’s mowing pattern also resulted in a flat circle. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/374 "2014-03-07T15:32:15Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > How did Maggie even find Rust? Also, in the Fontenot video, we see 5 adults. That means that a 6th was filming. Maggie’s dress when she’s talking to Marty has what appear to be 6-sided star-like flowers. I predict Maggie’s dad is the 6th person. Also, I wonder who Mr. Sawyer is. To add to this, there was a scene a few episodes back when Marty mentions something about “the answer being right under my nose[/paraphrase]”. He was referring to his family life, but perhaps it was foreshadowing of the answer to the mystery. Total speculation, but if Maggie’s father’s involvement was somehow the cause of Audrey’s behavioral problems, then maybe the answer was quite literally under his nose. This doesn’t mean that Audrey was directly victimized. Maybe one day she popped in one of her grandfather’s VHS tapes and watched the Fontenot video, and repressed it ever since. Again, the doll scene in Audrey’s room quite accurately reflected the gruesome killing of Fontenot. 5 people and 1 girl. But again, someone was filming it and thus not in the picture. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/375 "2014-03-07T17:16:06Z")
I think it’s possible that Audrey was molested by her grandfather but that this was independent of the Tuttle rapes and murders. One if the themes of this show is misogyny, and it might be pointing out that this problem exists independent of a vast sick multi-generational conspiracy by a powerful family. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/376 "2014-03-08T16:24:20Z")
Now here’s a cool little theory… **One Last Wild True Detective Theory Before the Finale** [One Last Wild True Detective Theory Before the Finale - Paste Magazine](http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/03/one-last-wild-true-detective-theory-before-the-fin.html) ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/377 "2014-03-08T21:25:10Z")
Interesting theory. It prompted me to watch the first episode again. There are two figures, seen only in shadow, but it sure looks like they’re both alive. It doesn’t look at all like one is carrying a body – they’re both moving, crouching a bit but upright. So the theory that Rust moved Dora’s body to that site and then set the cane on fire so the body would be found doesn’t really work. We’ve also seen a body suspended in a tree. Am I interpreting his theory correctly? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/378 "2014-03-08T21:55:06Z")
I don’t think Marty really quit because of the baby in the microwave. Sounds too ULish too me. I think the real reason has something to do with the wild daughter. (Or maybe the two are mixed in some way.) What are they going to do with the Sheriff on the boat? Kill him? Presumably others know he went out with Marty. Let him go? A Louisiana sheriff is going to Do Something about them. Hold on to him until …? Put him in the ditch with Ginger? One thing that frustrates me over and over is how little these two act like true detectives. They’re talking to the LeDoux cousin. He talks about the scarred guy and the hunting camp. They don’t ask for the guy’s name or where the camp was! This has happened far too often. So many, many loose ends and such have been thrown out there, there is no way this will wrap them all up in the final episode. And since neither star is returning for season 2, presumably this storyline has to end then. Prepare yourself for a lot of “But what about that thing …?” questions. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/379 "2014-03-08T22:38:20Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Interesting theory. It prompted me to watch the first episode again. There are two figures, seen only in shadow, but it sure looks like they’re both alive. It doesn’t look at all like one is carrying a body – they’re both moving, crouching a bit but upright. > > So the theory that Rust moved Dora’s body to that site and then set the cane on fire so the body would be found doesn’t really work. We’ve also seen a body suspended in a tree. > > Am I interpreting his theory correctly? Hmmm, I see one person carrying something that’s bobbing up and down a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697/380 "2014-03-08T22:59:21Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I don’t think Marty really quit because of the baby in the microwave. Sounds too ULish too me. I think the real reason has something to do with the wild daughter. (Or maybe the two are mixed in some way.) . . . > > Prepare yourself for a lot of “But what about that thing …?” questions. To the extent that your reference to urban legends implies it didn’t really happen, we have no indication that any flashback we’ve seen is anything other than what really happened, and multiple instances of flashbacks reflecting what really happened while the witness lies about it to people in a later timeline. So I think we should take at face value that Marty saw a microwaved-to-death baby. Whether that really inspired him to quit is more questionable, but I’m inclined to go with it. I do agree that there will be some fridge logic moments with this show. But I pretty much trust Pizzolatto not to have Marty or Rust be the killer, or some crazy twist out of left field. As far as the last-ditch conspiracy theory - again, I like the idea upthread that a person involved in the cult has gone rogue. The conspirators didn’t stage Dora Lange, but someone who’s an insider and gone too crazy or has an axe to grind (a child who experienced abuse?) did it and the cult is most likely trying to take them down just as much as the detectives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-detective-hbo-mcconaughey-harrelson-spoilers/660697.md?page=20)