Aaaaand...breathe. It's been eight long, almost interminable weeks but, last night, we finally reached the end of True Detective. Nic Pizzolatto and Cary Joji Fukunaga's superlative crime drama has inspired more think pieces than HBO's none-more-different series Girls, more analysis than Breaking Bad, and more fan art than My Little Pony: Princess Is Magic (well, maybe not quite, but close). The story of Louisiana detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey at the height of his "McConaissance") and Marty Hart (who has never been further away from Cheers) investigating cult-ish goings on amongst the marshes has come to a close. And a definitive close, too, since the show will follow an "anthology" structure kinda like American Horror Story, with each season taking up with a completely new story, set of characters and cast. Which makes this first season of True Detective all the more unique. Every episode was infused with literary allusions, mysteries hidden in the set design - possibly even opening credits - and genuinely believable, complex characters. Which lead not only to the critical acclaim but also a rabid fan base seemingly pouring all their energies into discussing the relationships, unpacking the references, and trying to piece together who on Earth this "Yellow King" fella is (I still reckon it's the yellow dude in the crown spied in almost every scene). That's a lot of energy and enthusiasm that now has no place to go. And I know the feeling; as amazing as the show - and that finale - was, it's left me kinda empty. Where am I meant to get my fix of Southern Gothic now? Is there anything similar to True Detective in TV, films or books? Where did this Pizzolatto guy come from, anyhow? Fear not, my fellow obsessives, for I've put together a little reading/watching list of stuff that compliments our dearly-departed TV fixture quite nicely in tone, plot, and style. I'm gonna assume that we've all seen the more obvious stuff - like Se7en, whose religious fanatic serial killer almost looks tame now - and instead delve into the murky, seedy underbelly of crime and humanity that Rust Cohle so gleefully splashed around in. Best enjoyed with a six pack of Lone Star. Perhaps poured into a Big Hug Mug.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
