History YMMV / TrueDetective

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: For some (emphasis on some) viewers, the gratuitous nudity in the first two seasons (especially Creator/AlexandraDaddario's in 1) is the main selling point. A large segment of the audience noticed this series after Daddario's nude scene. There's even [[https://www.reddit.com/r/TTDSWAD/ a whole subreddit]] just for that scene. Pizzolatto seemed to notice this, as Season 3 is devoid of any nudity whatsoever, and the only two sex scenes that occur happen offscreen.

** The opening music for Season One is "Far From Any Road" by the Handsome Family.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: For some (emphasis on some) viewers, the gratuitous nudity in the first two seasons (especially Creator/AlexandraDaddario's in 1) is the main selling point. A large segment of the audience noticed this series after Daddario's nude scene. Pizzolatto seemed to notice this, as Season 3 is devoid of any nudity whatsoever, and the only two sex scenes that occur happen offscreen.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Betty Childress (Ann Dowd) might seem familiar to fans of a later [[Series/TheLeftovers HBO drama]].

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: For some (emphasis on some) viewers, the gratuitous nudity in the first two seasons (especially Creator/AlexandraDaddario's in 1) is the main selling point. A large segment of the audience noticed thiscser series after Daddario's nude scene. Pizzolatto seemed to notice this, as Season 3 is devoid of any nudity whatsoever, and the only two sex scenes that occur happen offscreen.

** The Season 1 finale, to a point. The two most contentious elements seem to be a) whether the series leaves too many questions unanswered, and b) whether its surprisingly happy final scenes jibe with the bleak tone of the rest of the show. Opinions vary greatly regarding each point. Pizzolatto was entirely up front about there being absolutely no surprises in the whodunnit aspect, and said, straight up, that the fans making up crazy theories were going to be disappointed that none of their predicted endings would come to pass.

* MartyStu:
** Rust Cohle is arguably one - a handsome, erudite warrior cop who never loses a fight or argument and dresses like a fashion model. But he's also clearly depressed from the get-go and is very sad to watch when he's by himself. His constant drug use and alcoholism also take the edge off.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Perfectly good actress, rather; some viewers were a bit perplexed that they got the fairly well-known and Emmy-nominated Elizabeth Reaser for a bit part in one episode. It was originally going to be a larger part, but got reduced.

** The season finale, to a point. The two most contentious elements seem to be a) whether the series leaves too many questions unanswered, and b) whether its surprisingly happy final scenes jibe with the bleak tone of the rest of the show. Opinions vary greatly regarding each point. Pizzolatto was entirely up front about there being absolutely no surprises in the whodunnit aspect, and said, straight up, that the fans making up crazy theories were going to be disappointed that none of their predicted endings would come to pass.

* HoYay: So much between Cohle and Hart.
** The scene where Cohle approaches Ginger with the coke-for-meth deal. [[https://youtu.be/N1eBbD6e0Mk Just watch their body language.]]

* MemeticBadass: Rustin Cohle in season 1.
** Paul "god warrior" Woodrugh in season 2.

** Cohle's philosphical nihilistic ramblings which fans like to put on Valentine's day cards. Also Reggie Ledoux himself arguably and [[spoiler: green ears as of the finale.]]

** As noted in NarmCharm, Season 1 was lucky enough to get two lead actors who could make Nic Pizzolatto's particular dialogue style sound natural. Season 2 is a rather more mixed bag, with Vince Vaughn faring the worst.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Betty Childress (Ann Dowd) might seem familiar to fans of a later[[Series/TheLeftovers HBO drama]].

* {{Squick}}: The crime scene.
* StoicWoobie: Cohle lost his daughter, and the grief tore apart his marriage. He shows few signs of it, but the loss was likely responsible for his pessimistic view of the world.

* HarsherInHindsight: The plot about a cabal of wealthy politicians using their power to abuse children and young girls especially hits differently in the aftermath of the revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's involvement in underage sex trafficking, as well his connections to numerous influential rich people across the country. The fact that Epstein had a vaguely-occult temple built on his private island doesn't help matters. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death by suicide are ominously reminiscent of the prisoner Rust talks to who commits suicide to keep the cult's activities secret.

* HarsherInHindsight: The plot about a cabal of wealthy politicians using their power to abuse children and young girls hits differently in the aftermath of the revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's involvement in underage sex trafficking, as well his connections to numerous influential rich people across the country. The fact that Epstein had a vaguely-occult temple built on his private island doesn't help matters. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death by suicide are ominously reminiscent of the prisoner Rust talks to who commits suicide to keep the cult's activities secret.

* HarsherInHindsight: The plot about a cabal of wealthy politicians using their power to abuse children and young girls hits differently in the aftermath of the revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's involvement in underage sex trafficking, as well his connections to numerous influential rich people across the country. The fact that Epstein had a vaguely-occult temple built on his private island doesn't help matters. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death by suicide are ominously reminiscent of the prisoner Rust talks to who commits suicide to keep the cult's activities secret.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: For some (emphasis on some) viewers, the gratuitous nudity in the first two seasons (especially Creator/AlexandraDaddario's in 1) is the main selling point. Pizzolatto seemed to notice this, as Season 3 is devoid of any nudity whatsoever, and the only two sex scenes that occur happen offscreen.

* MisaimedFandom: There are some fans of the show that think Rust is a cool guy because of his nihilistic views and how he doesn't concern himself with how other people feel about him or what he says. However, the latter aspect means that nobody can stand to be around him, with Marty telling him he needs to stop with the nihilistic rants. And Rust's nihilism leaves him genuinely deeply depressed and stops him from achieving any real happiness at all. It's only after a NearDeathExperience that causes him to reconsider his world view that he receives any closure and begins to repair his life.

** [[spoiler: Errol's]] old-timey Hollywood London accent comes completely out of nowhere in a setting where almost everyone speaks with a DeepSouth drawl, and sounds silly. It also perfectly compliments the strange, unnerving atmosphere of the scene. When combined with [[spoiler: his dilapidated, clutter-filled house]] and [[spoiler: half-sister's]] ramblings in the background, it will make the viewer feel more uncomfortable as the scene progresses.

** Season 2's opening credits song "Nevermind" by Music/LeonardCohen is a definite EarWorm, and the lyrics (which change at the start of each episode) perfectly encompass the feeling of the season.

** [[spoiler:Creator/Michael Rooker]] as Edward Hoyt in Episode 8 of Season 3.

* CaptainObviousReveal: At the end of season 2, it's revealed that Ray Velcoro's son is [[spoiler:Velcoro's biological offspring rather than the rapist's]]. But this should have been obvious once it's revealed that [[spoiler:the real rapist is a dark-skinned Latin or Native American who couldn't be the father of a red-headed white kid]].

** [[spoiler: Errol's]] old-timey Hollywood British accent comes completely out of nowhere in a setting where almost everyone speaks with a DeepSouth drawl, and sounds silly. It also makes him even creepier. When combined with [[spoiler: his creepy, dark house]] and [[spoiler: half-sister's]] ramblings in the background, it will make the viewer feel more uncomfortable as the scene progresses.