The Future of True Detective and Television

"True Detective" has taken over my life. I think this could be said for a lot of people. Currently, it is
everyone's new addiction. Whenever you can spend about two hours on Reddit diving into different rabbit holes about the theory plot lines, it is a pretty good show. There is nothing like a show where heading into the final two episodes and you have the slightest idea what will happen in those final two episodes. There is no telling what the final answer will be of the show.  With all the hype and attention the show is getting right now, what's next for the show, could we be glimpsing into the future of television?  And what would have happened to "Homeland" and others if they decided to originally go this route.

Ep 1-3 = Act One. Ep 4-6 = Act Two. Ep 7 & 8 = Act Three. #TrueDetective
— Nic Pizzolatto (@nicpizzolatto) January 22, 2014

This is a great tweet from the show runner Nic Pizzolatto telling the audience on his first tweet you will get the show in basically three acts like a play. If this were a traditional television show, we would have the whole thing start in 1995 versus a 17 year timespan. There might be some flashbacks stuff, but the answers we have received in six hour-long episodes are probably worth about two or three seasons with some of the bigger shows of the recent decade. Would some things get expanded more so than they did in different episodes? Without question, but they are able to condense a whole concept in the span of eight hours of television. There is the reason to fall head over heels for this show.  

"True Detective" saw the model created by "American Horror Story" where they decide to do something different with related ties through all three seasons, but nearly different characters every time giving them outlets to try new things. "American Horror Story" did not capitalize like "True Detective," and let's remember the show was not supposed to begin as an anthology, the only reason they did it was to win more Emmy's which they did for season one. "True Detective" begun as anthology and will continue to be one in seasons to come with different characters, different plots. The hope is the next "True Detective" might take place in Seattle or northern Minnesota, Florida, western Pennsylvania with slight nods to the first season but being its own boss.

There is much discussion as to who will be the new detectives and what the case might be, but let's hope for whomever is acting, the show does not start for at least 18 months or so. There is no reason why it could not be slated for July 2015 as "The Newsroom" says farewell after this year or even wait until the Fall when "Boardwalk Empire" finishes their five year run. With a couple HBO shows leaving, it leaves the door open for HBO to at least find places for "True Detective" that are not just every January we get a new season. I think that's unfair on Pizzolatto given how much detail needs to go into a brand new version and avoid the inevitable comparisons to the first one.

The last time I saw a show get this much hype out of the gate was Homeland's first season which I keep thinking about watching this show. For those who may have forgot, it won countless Emmy's and racked in some Golden Globes as well. SPOLIER (I mean it is lame I have to put this after three years, but odds are someone will bitch if I do not) if "Homeland" went with their original idea and killed off Nicholas Brody's character in season one starting completely fresh in season 2... 

A.) They would have gained all of the respect the Internet had to offer which we all know matters more than Emmy's.  

 B.) Which is more important, they would have been heralded as trail blazers of television, not afraid to kill off a main character doing it in a non-book form as "Game of Thrones" was forced given the book prior to it.  "Homeland" could have been like "True Detective," yet they relied on a tried storyline that dragged on for two seasons.  You have to think Alex Ganza and others involved with Homeland kicked themselves a bit when hearing about True Detective's success.   

"True Detective" is tremendous dedication, and there is a chance it will be duplicated, but never replicated. Showtime will have their own anthology series, I can almost guarantee that one. Same for AMC, but they will try to extend for an entire year making it real awkward around award season. I am willing to bet FX tries something different than American Horror. "True Detective" is the first wave of many in the anthology genre because different cable networks will know if they are able to lure in big talent both in front and behind the screen for a short while, it could translate into bigger paychecks and more awards.

An anthology will probably not be the best show ever. But if "True Detective" keeps delivering with different seasons with different big name stars, it might end up making a case. Right now, it should be enjoyed with your own theory of what will happen along with what might be the blowback from television executives in the next year.  

Charlie.