Ice cold and dark Alaska is a beautiful scene for the dark fourth season of True Detective. The series True Detective: Night Country can be seen on HBO Max from January 14, 2024. In Ennis, Alaska, all scientists from the Tsalal Arctic Research Station disappear from the face of the earth. In that small town it is often icy and freezing, but it is also pitch dark 60 days a year, hence the subtitle Night Country for this fourth season of True Detective. Detective Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster, Paper Moon) investigates the disappearance of the scientists and then we quickly roll into the background of Ennis and its inhabitants.
Ennis is a mining town, from which half of the residents derive their income directly and indirectly. Another part of the residents is concerned about the consequences of mining: damage to culture and nature and pollution of the water. This causes tensions between the residents of the town, which have been going on for years and it also turns out that an old unsolved murder case is related to the events at the Tsalal Research Station.
Each episode begins with Billie Eilish's beautiful and appropriate “Bury a Friend” from 2019 under the opening credits.
Each episode begins with Billie Eilish's beautiful and appropriate “Bury a Friend” from 2019 under the opening credits. The series builds up slowly and as a viewer we are drawn into the story. Not through big action scenes, but by always showing a small part of the background of the protagonists. And many characters have a (very) dark side. Liz Danvers works with her team, first of which is her former direct colleague Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) a descendant of the original Inupiaq inhabitants. These two ladies have worked closely together in the past on an abuse case that we are increasingly learning more about. There is also Captain Hank Prior (John Hawkes, Deadwood), his son Peter Prior and Captain Ted Connely (Christopher Eccleston, Doctor Who).
This season is really different from all previous seasons. Although mystical and supernatural situations also occurred in the first season, they now play a greater role. The Alaskan backdrop also plays an important role in defining the feel of the series. Although the build-up is slow and steady, the tension under the house remains palpable. I also like that this time they opted for six instead of eight episodes.
The image quality is very good: the high definition presentation of the images beautifully portrays the snow-covered landscapes and the (empty) highways. The matching sound also does justice to those beautiful images: the music and effects really stand out. The two Blu-ray discs come in the standard blue plastic box surrounded by a sturdy cardboard sleeve. Fortunately, the edition also has some extras. This therefore offers clear added value, also for fans who have already seen the episodes. A number of nice short documentaries have been recorded. In the three-minute 'Meet the True Detectives', the two new detectives are introduced in a conversation between Foster and Reis.
The equally long 'New Chapter: Night Country' highlights the place in the True Detective franchise and the approach of the new season. This is discussed in more detail in the five-minute 'Exploring Indigenous Themes, when the history of the Inupiaq is highlighted. In the very light-hearted three-minute 'Max's Inkblot's Challenges', Foster and Reis interpret inkblots. 'Welcome to Ennis' of approximately two minutes discusses the locations of the episodes. Finally, short reviews of the previous episode are included in the form of Episode recaps. This Blu-ray edition, which was released on July 10, 2024, is highly recommended.
