HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’ Episode 2 Review - Bodies Bodies Bodies

The sunless town of Ennis, Alaska, makes you feel like an insomniac. The quiet streets are sometimes disturbed by car crashes and minor mishaps. A drunk woman's car hits a lamp post in the first episode of True Detective: Night Country. In the second episode, a woman almost saves herself from a car accident. These incidents, however, are nothing compared to the mysterious death/disappearance of researchers who were working at the Tsalal Research Station. One of them, at the beginning of Episode 1, ominously declared, "She's awake." Who is this "she?" Was this "she" responsible for making those animals jump to their deaths? Something fishy is going on in this fourth season of True Detective. The presence of supernatural elements renders Ennis more mystical. The spirits seem to be coexisting with the humans. One of them even helps the police discover the bodies of three of the researchers.

In the second episode, Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Officer Peter Prior (Finn Bennett) investigate the bodies of the researchers. Meanwhile, Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) tries convincing Liz that her current case is related to a past case. What we have here is a mysterious tattoo, a woman who sees deceased individuals and frozen, naked bodies on top of each other. What's going on here? "Ask the right questions," says Liz to Prior. The scene where these two come up with possible theories and ask questions is thrilling to look at. Notice how Liz and Prior, during their discussion, end up standing together after reaching a dead end.

Foster's girlish face radiates warmth amidst this coldness. Her voice is not too harsh. Even her screams have a softness. I might have chuckled if I had been one of those policemen scolded by Liz in front of the corpses. Foster makes Liz charming, and comical - a tiny rebel who quotes lines from a rule book when someone tries to take away her case. Bennett fills Prior with innocence, and obedience. He wants to impress Liz with his skills and manages to do so here and there. This comes at the cost of stealing a file from his father, Captain Hank (John Hawkes), who looks like a skinny, crooked animal. He sends shivers down your spine when he slaps Prior.

The first two episodes of True Detective Season 4 are well-made, but they don't have a strong impact. The show should have crawled under your skin and made you alert and uncomfortable. But I have had a hard time getting into this bleak space. I have, till now, merely admired the series from a distance. Night Country is icy that way. Nonetheless, it is more intriguing than most shows nowadays.

Final Score - [7.5/10]