True Detective returned with a third season debut on Sunday night to reveal rock-solid performances across the newest cast. Mahershala Ali was downright majestic, and people were pleasantly surprised to see Stephen Dorff holding his own while Carmen Ejogo positioned her author character for future showdowns. Meanwhile, Mamie Gummer threw serious Meryl Streep vibes, and Scoot McNairy revved up for his compelling overall turn to come. And the general vibe on social media is that, from a storytelling standpoint, True Detective appears to be back in fine form, but folks are being understandably cautious for now.
For sure, it’s far too early to judge whether this season can reclaim first-season mojo, HBO felt confident enough in their product to debut two episodes on the premiere night. Well, the audience couldn’t help themselves — the temptation to theorize began to take over while the new mystery unfurled.
One episode into True Detective season three pic.twitter.com/uUPzFAqd7b
— Joey O (@joakie13) January 14, 2019
Me on Reddit reading theories about True Detective pic.twitter.com/20u1LfysDd
— Raheel Ramzanali – City Cast Houston Podcast (@The_Raheel) January 14, 2019
I have so many thoughts on #TrueDetective episode 2. I already have a theory but having one so soon guarantees it’s completely wrong.
— #1LocalBadBoy (@CourtneyHosking) January 14, 2019
Can’t wait to hate this season of true detective while I spend three hours a week listening to podcasts on theories and predictions
— Kingo Stuber (@LasonJawes) January 14, 2019
Before long, folks realized that “time is a flat circle” is an inescapable premise, and the ghost of Rust Cohle rode high over the proceedings.
https://twitter.com/ScottWamplerBMD/status/1084649710168821760
https://twitter.com/CamiloAGarzonC/status/1084635131736977409
True Detective Season 3 pic.twitter.com/qHFXmx7lrT
— Virgil van Dave (@david_oleary9) January 14, 2019
Other extremely obvious first-season vibes did not go unnoticed. The cornhusk dolls make people wonder if “more weird Carcosa sh*t” was afoot.
https://twitter.com/davevhal/status/1084646917269831680
https://twitter.com/Blacknform/status/1084694115235721216
https://twitter.com/lauren_machi/status/1084659587570003968
More weird Carcosa shit. Uh, cornhusk dolls.#TrueDetective
— BoldChild (@BoldChild66) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/thehoodgoddess/status/1084669137622917122
#TrueDetective Season 2 is going to have so many twists and turns already I can feel it in my bones, and those doll things are creepy af holy crap
— Mar (@marlene_toscano) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/ItsJennaB/status/1084653904720203777
Those dolls are carcosa! The Yellow King is back, baby! #TrueDetective
— jojo mcspicy (@aqtrans) January 14, 2019
I'm enjoying this new season of True Detective but uhhh wasn't S1 about children being murdered in what appeared to be a cult ritual too
— 🐧✨America Is Musty✨🐧 (@DragonflyJonez) January 14, 2019
One person straight-up joked that Dorff’s character is Reggie Ledoux from the first season. (Now you can’t stop seeing it, right?)
#TrueDetective fan theory – Stephen Dorff IS Reggie Ledoux. #TimeIsAFlatCircle
— Dan Renzetti (@DanRenzetti) January 14, 2019
Others noted the allusions to the West Memphis Three while wondering if there’s a red-herring afoot or … more?
So is True Detective season three just doing the West Memphis Three? #TrueDetective3 pic.twitter.com/WHzXFTxMoc
— William Perkins (@WilliamHPerkins) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/bookishbelle/status/1084679017964425218
Further distractions abounded, including how Dorff eerily looked like other actors — primarily Dennis Quaid but also with some Robert Redford mixed in, along with Woody Harrelson’s Martin Hart hair.
https://twitter.com/yrfatfriend/status/1084693828248862726
Hey Stephen Dorff, Dennis Quaid called. He wants his DNA back. #truedetectiveseason3 pic.twitter.com/Iv7P37rAPe
— Bill George (@MrBillGeorge) January 14, 2019
I can't deal with Stephen Dorff pacing around looking like Columbo right now.
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) January 14, 2019
Loving TRUE DETECTIVE season 3 so far. Stephen Dorff looking exactly like Dennis Quaid is a highlight. pic.twitter.com/w8xK47ZHQq
— Aaron Peck 🏀🏔️👑👉🏆❗️ (@AaronPeck) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/TimLandesJr/status/1084664765258047490
Is it me, or does Stephen Dorff look like a smaller version of Dennis Quaid? #TrueDetective
— LAGurl🧚🏾♀️ (@LAQueenpen) January 14, 2019
Really not impressed with this second-rate Robert Redford impression being done by Stephen Dorff on #TrueDetective pic.twitter.com/62uRfi6dn2
— amelia wedemeyer (@ameliadeew) January 14, 2019
I don't know why, but there's something funny to me about Stephen Dorff wearing Woody Harrelson's wig in the new #TrueDetective.
— Marco Sparks (@marcosparks) January 14, 2019
Really though, here’s how it’s gonna all go down. Just wait!
*SPOILER* at the end of the season Mahershala Ali says “now we will reveal who the TRUE detective is” and holds a mirror up to the screen, implying that the viewer is the true detective but also that the producers of the show don’t understand how mirrors or television work
— pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets” (@pixelatedboat) January 14, 2019
