You can check out one of the greatest shows of all time, and it’s only going to take you eight hours to get through the entire thing. The list of greatest TV shows of all time is probably different for everyone, but there are some series, like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and Twin Peaks, that make everyone’s list.

While you may want to see all the wonderful shows on these lists, the time it takes to complete them can be intimidating. Even a five-season series like The Wire, which is relatively short, requires around 60 hours in front of the TV. So this universally beloved series is worth watching for the short commitment time alone.

True Detective Season 1 Is One Of The Best Television Shows Of All Time

The Season Is Exceptional In Every Way

True Detective season 1 is arguably one of the greatest seasons of TV ever. In fact, it’s so good that it alone elevates the entire series to best TV show levels despite the next three seasons being somewhat disappointing. It’s a season of TV that you will turn on and stay up for as long as possible to finish.

A sunken eyed Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth in True Detective season 1

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“One Of The Greatest Events In TV”: Why Matthew McConaughey Thinks True Detective Season 1 Was The Best

Audiences and critics alike were blown away by True Detective season 1, and its star, Rust Cohle actor Matthew McConaughey, agrees with the hype.

It’s set in the rarely seen location of deep Louisiana, establishes a time-jumping narrative that is crucial to the viewing experience, stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in possibly their best roles, and features a mystery both intriguing and horrifying. It is simply a must-watch.

True Detective’s Anthology Formula Means You Don’t Have To Watch The Other Seasons

Each Season Focuses On A Completely Different Story

Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) staring at the spiral all from True Detective season 1

True Detective only takes eight hours to watch because it’s an anthology series. It’s probably the best anthology series on television, and a true anthology at that. There is almost no crossover between seasons, save for the occasional Easter egg, so you can pick and choose which to watch. Though you should pick season 1.

The seasons don’t connect, but you know a True Detective episode when you see it.

What there are between each season is consistent themes. Redemption, regret, dissatisfaction, and hate are a part of each season, and watching the many ways that those emotions can be confronted is a part of the greatness of the series. The seasons don’t connect, but you know a True Detective episode when you see it.

Why You Should Still Give True Detective’s Other Seasons A Chance After Finishing Season 1

Each Season Of True Detective Still Stands Above Other Crime Shows

Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) kneels to look at a crime scene in True Detective

Season 1 of True Detective is far and away the best of the four seasons of the series, and seasons 2 through 4 are either forgotten or even mocked for their perceived faults, but that’s too harsh. They are certainly worth watching.

Season 2 is as LA noir as the genre gets, and Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch are playing the most singular characters of their careers. Season 3 uses time-jumps even more effectively than season 1, and has a compelling and strikingly sad story to boot.

Season 4, True Detective: Night Country, features an impressive performance by Jodie Foster and is set in the wonderfully unique and frightening Alaska tundra.

Each season of True Detective is worth watching; they’re like flavors of ice cream. You may jibe with cookie dough more than pistachio, but ice cream is ice cream. If you have a choice, choose cookie dough and watch season 1 first, but don’t turn your nose up at the other flavors.


True Detective

ScreenRant logo

8/10

Release Date

January 12, 2014

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Nic Pizzolatto