42 review for Time is a Flat Circle: Examining True Detective, Season One

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Tone – Jan 16, 2019

   Deep dive into what made season one special. What started as a blog post about True Detective as Hard Boiled Detective Fiction has been filled out into almost 200 pages of analysis. Covering such subjects as "True Detective as Noir", "True Detective as Southern Gothic", "True Detective as Cosmic Horror" and more. Including an appendix on the music and how T Bone Burnett carefully picked each song for the series, and a chapter on the influence of graphic novels on True Detective. Deep dive into what made season one special. What started as a blog post about True Detective as Hard Boiled Detective Fiction has been filled out into almost 200 pages of analysis. Covering such subjects as "True Detective as Noir", "True Detective as Southern Gothic", "True Detective as Cosmic Horror" and more. Including an appendix on the music and how T Bone Burnett carefully picked each song for the series, and a chapter on the influence of graphic novels on True Detective.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Julian Darius – Jan 12, 2019

   Fascinating!

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Will – Feb 06, 2021

   The first half, consisting of Milazzo's academic writing on the show, is generally strong, though its insights rarely transcend the conventional academic analysis posited by someone without a background in creative art or fiction: simply a well-researched and passionate collection of essays much of the time. The chapter on the Ligotti controversy, however, is written with an ardent point of view, bravely critical of those who attacked Pizzolatto and attempted to rescind his nomination at the Emm The first half, consisting of Milazzo's academic writing on the show, is generally strong, though its insights rarely transcend the conventional academic analysis posited by someone without a background in creative art or fiction: simply a well-researched and passionate collection of essays much of the time. The chapter on the Ligotti controversy, however, is written with an ardent point of view, bravely critical of those who attacked Pizzolatto and attempted to rescind his nomination at the Emmys for Writing. It's an infectious argument, and this chapter is the only I would consider to be of five-star quality. The chapter on labyrinths, furthermore, is a shining moment in the book, and it's an effective opening for readers hoping for dense academia like I was. It not only draws upon impressive theory and mythology for analysis, but it explains a lot of Pizzolatto's intentions in doing so, demonstrating that his controversial ending of Season One is more satisfying than most might notice. I suppose it, too, is of five-star quality to my eyes. The second half (though it is where the above-mentioned Ligotti chapter is located) is far weaker, as Adam and Mark Stewart are sloppier academics than Milazzo, and the shortest chapters here feel rushed and blunt. The recommended reading, for example, is line after line citing titles: films, comics, and prose works. Ideally, stills, reviews, and quotes from the mentioned works would be included to provide a satisfying recommendation, rather than a disappointing block of text. But, with that said, my compulsion to indulge in comic fiction is newly piqued; Alan Moore's work appears provocative and enjoyable. A lot of the content in this book deals with topics I already was aware of and largely understood, and only occasionally does its writing elevate it into something superior to what you'd get from Wikipedia. It's at its finest when truly academic and theoretical. Still, it's a good purchase if you're a True Detective fan -- specifically if you've watched Season One multiple times over at this point, like I have -- because the good stuff here is worthwhile, and the weak stuff can be skipped. It understands, also, the spirit of the show, indulging in the idiosyncratic dialogue. Milazzo's essays average out to about four stars, but the book as a whole averages out to somewhere between three and three-point-five. Recommended.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   a.z. terry – Sep 28, 2019

   Melissa Milazzo takes a deep dive into the psyche that inspires the show's most complex themes, and looks at them through a historical and philosophical lens. She deconstructs the shows allegories in a way that reveals the true potential of True Detective S1. Not only is her writing charming and brilliant, but her poetic analysis made me want to rewatch the season with the book in one hand and the remote in the other. Melissa Milazzo takes a deep dive into the psyche that inspires the show's most complex themes, and looks at them through a historical and philosophical lens. She deconstructs the shows allegories in a way that reveals the true potential of True Detective S1. Not only is her writing charming and brilliant, but her poetic analysis made me want to rewatch the season with the book in one hand and the remote in the other.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Leslie –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Amanda –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Steve Taylor-bryant –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Elaine Smith –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Owen Klein –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Paul Grimsley –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Bernard –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    John Hornbeck –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Oftenevil –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Victoria Atkins –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Janet Dubrasky –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Pakane2000 –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Rachel Bellinsky –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Riley Greenwood –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Amanda Rader –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Val Delane –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Antonio HOC –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Jessica –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    João –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Melissa Milazzo – Jan 15, 2019

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Melissa Miller –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Matt –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Philipp Richard –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Daniel –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Adam Wisnewski –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Christina –

31. 

    5 out of 5

    Kirstin DeGeer –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    Mica –

33. 

    4 out of 5

    Tara –

34. 

    4 out of 5

    Smara –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Rechielle –

36. 

    5 out of 5

    Tina –

37. 

    4 out of 5

    Julian Stark –

38. 

    4 out of 5

    Nicolas Amortegui Marulanda –

39. 

    5 out of 5

    Ryan Clifton –

40. 

    5 out of 5

    Dan –

41. 

    4 out of 5

    Mike Ritchie –

42. 

    4 out of 5

    Mohab Elsheikh –