Mikes Film Talk

True Detective Season 4 Night Country Part 1 could have been titled “She’s awake.” Or failing that “The Alaskan Snooze Fest.” She’s awake is first uttered by one of the scientists at the Tsalal research centre in Alaska. It is spoken, whispered or murmured several times throughout the episode.

This is an apparent attempt to put a supernatural bent to the proceedings. Sadly, at least one viewer will not be hanging on the edge of their seat waiting to see if a ghost, ghoulie or myth appears. Before the first episode ends at least one prospective viewer has called time on this travesty.

This is one we really wanted to like. It stars Jodie Foster, Fiona Shaw and John Hawkes. Hawkes has been a favourite since his portrayal of the doomed liquor and convenience store clerk in From Dusk Till Dawn and of course his brilliant portrayal of a down and out P.I. Small Town Crime (2017). Here however, he seems to have little to do as the second banana on a small Alaskan police force.

The first episode features six men who vanish when the lights go out. But not before a shivering man gasps out the phrase, “She’s awake.” So far, so creepy. Sadly, the Alaskan mumbo jumbo “scary” hook that these missing men promise is quickly and somewhat messily disregarded by the writers.

There is, however, the inclusion of an indigenous woman’s tongue found at the scene.

Leaden portrayals by main characters does not build any enthusiasm for the show. We are not pointing fingers at Kali Reis here. The former athlete turned actress does immediately leap to the fore however. Perhaps it is the setting. A long night in Alaska where everyone moves as though they are in a somnambulistic dream; a boring one.

There is something wrong with a series that evokes a Matthew Hope mystery title with just one scene three quarters of the way through the first episode

State Trooper Navarro is driving down a snowy street in the middle of the Alaskan town where she lives. The trooper slams on her brakes. Eyes wide and mouth dropped open, she stares at the polar bear in front of her vehicle.

The bear has one eye, the scars around the missing orb resemble an oddly shaped cross. Immediately the Hope mystery springs to mind. The title? Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear. Penned by Ed McBain, as Evan Hunter, and set in Florida. Miles and miles away from this snow mystery.

A lot of folks, mostly on Reddit, have complained about the piercings in the troopers face. A glaring mistake made by someone who knows little about the vagaries of Law Enforcement. Tattoos can be approved but it is highly unlikely that any “cop-shop” would permit facial piercings, a look that is still evocative of the punk movement.

Between the leaden performances, even by screen veteran Foster, and the inexplicable decision to have a lead character wear facial piercings. This is a bomb. Each and every time the trooper appears that is all one notices.

Sadly, there is too much wrong with Night Country, AKA True detective Season 4. This viewer will head on back to better written and acted days. Season 1 perhaps, or 2 or at the very least Season 3; that splendid bardo moment that haunts us still.

This one is a miss. The teaser trailer is more exciting than the actual show. She’s awake may wish she’d stayed asleep.