True Detective Review: The Big Never (Season 3 Episode 3)
Frustrations run wild on True Detective Season 3 Episode 3, “The Big Never,” as fear takes hold of Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and the investigation widens into stranger territory.
“The Big Never,” when it focuses on the relationships of its characters, proves to be a more powerful force in driving the narrative.
The investigation provides some clues in the bag of toys found in the woods and the brown sedan, but the clues don’t seem to fit into anything quite yet. It’s a piecemeal approach which, three episodes in, is fine, but is not giving much of a fix on propelling the story forward. The 1990 side, with the investigation reopening and Roland bringing Wayne on, could be the shot in the arm it needs.
But it’s still in these characters where there’s more to find.
Showing how lives change in a decade gives “The Big Never” solid grounding, where Wayne is stuck behind a desk, seemingly far from his heyday; and Roland is stuck behind a much fancier desk, now a lieutenant. We are used to seeing Wayne at the forefront and Roland off to the side, so the shift in power will be a great dynamic moving forward.
Even Tom Purcell (Scoot McNairy) has his life together in 1990, five years sober, though his wife Lucy (Mamie Gummer in 1980 sequences) has passed away. It’s pieces of lives lived in, outcomes far different than the 1980 scenes could have hinted at.
The episode also provides deeper meaning to Wayne’s life. Wayne is scarred from the murder of one child and the disappearance of another from the case, even a decade later, when his daughter goes missing for a few moments in a Wal-Mart. It’s moments like these where the show shines, showing how devastating the line of work can be on someone over a lifetime.
The spotlight on Wayne and Amelia continues to be a source of intrigue, as their courtship in 1980 and marriage in 1990 could not be farther in their separation. 1980’s Wayne and Amelia are careful but trusting, while 1990’s Wayne and Amelia find themselves on edge and wanting something else, something more.
Amelia’s double life sort of role, which she mentions she loves to Wayne in True Detective Season 3 Episode 2 “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” is a fun look at the psyche of her character. She jumps at the chance to be or act as someone else when she’s with Wayne in the car and claims herself a divorcee when at the police station.
It’s a fascinating trait, and one Carmen Ejogo plays with subtlety and charm.
It’s like a distraction from her marriage to Wayne, or her life in general, while Wayne’s frustration boils over from the Purcell case and his possible failure coming back to haunt him. They can have their fun, momentarily in the car outside of Walgreen’s, but it’s fleeting and followed later by bitterness.
The hallucination sequence near the end of the episode is particularly gripping, as the memory of Amelia eats away at Wayne. The scene offers a lot of jumping off points for their relationship and how it potentially ends, Amelia mentioning “you’re worried what they’ll find, what you left in the woods.” Is this a hint of Amelia’s fate, or something else?
True Detective can be a slow burn, and for the most part this episode was an example of this. But in doing so, it manages to allow rewarding characters with a deep and solid foundation for what’s ahead. If only the investigation would be as interesting as they are.
Some observations:
- Wayne Hays is right, Wal-Mart’s are too big.
- The music in two particular scenes, with Wayne in the woods finding the toys and the hallucination sequence, is astounding. Excellent and ominous score from Keefus Ciancia.
What did you think of this episode of True Detective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
True Detective airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.