True Detective: Night Country Season 4 Episode 4 Review: Part 4

True Detective: Night Country Season 4 Episode 4, “Part 4,” finds the residents of Ennis experiencing a collectively crappy Christmas. It feels more character-driven than plot-driven. While elements of the former undoubtedly work, it’s challenging to see how the creative team will tie loose ends with only two episodes left. 

Part 4

“Part 4” hones in on the dynamics between these characters, perhaps more so than previous installments, as everything falls apart around the holidays. Couple that with the unforgiving, unrelenting terrain that comprises Ennis, and you’ve got a downright depressing Christmas. 

It’s not all hopeless, though — we see Kayla, her grandmother, and Leah bonding in the kitchen as Leah digs deeper into her Native roots. However, these glimmers of hope are few and far between. What makes matters worse is Julia’s suicide, leading to Navarro’s isolation feeling more realized in this windswept, snowy landscape. Loneliness is a huge crux for this season. Navarro even acknowledges this, stating that everyone’s alone. 

Last week’s episode shed more light on Navarro’s past as she told Qavvik about her mother’s murder. This week, we learn that Navarro, Julia, and her mother are under a “family curse.” They can see things beyond the natural world and hear voices calling them. Navarro tells Danvers about Julia’s multiple mental diagnoses, but the real truth is that she was cursed. 

Is It All Supernatural? 

Admittedly, this feels like choppy waters to navigate if one starts assigning supernatural explanations to legitimate mental health issues. Yes, True Detective: Night Country relies more heavily on the fantasy/horror aspects of the show than its predecessors. Yes, this season brings much-needed Indigenous representation to the screen, celebrates their traditions, and highlights the importance of mental health in Native communities. There are too few resources for the latter, and Natives are, unfortunately, ignored in that regard. 

That said, the show isn’t quite sure of the direction in which it wants to lean. It’s noncommittal. Is there an otherworldly reason for everything that transpires? Or does it boast the appearance of something out of this world, but, in reality, there’s a natural explanation? This lack of commitment leaves audiences floundering. 

As for the performances, Jodie Foster continues to shine. She and Kali Reis are understandably given more to work with in True Detective: Night Country, although “Part 4” gives most of our main cast room to play. Foster and Christopher Eccleston, in particular, are a delight together. It’s fun watching Eccleston play a hardened, tough-to-love, morally dubious cop, and he sinks himself into this role. Danvers’ relationship with Connelly is messy and downright toxic, but it sure is entertaining. 

Tragedy Strikes 

Additionally, “Part 4” is a platform for Reis. Navarro loses her sister on the worst day imaginable while already under stressful circumstances. It makes sense that Navarro wouldn’t be the kind of person who falls to her knees and sobs upon hearing she lost a loved one. It feels in character for her to go into full-throttle anger mode where she beats the snot out of anyone who so much as looks at her “wrong.” 

However, something holds Reis back in these scenes. Navarro’s ire doesn’t quite land. It isn’t viscerally or tangibly felt. It’s heartbreaking, to be sure, and specific moments feel genuine. Whether it’s the direction or certain acting choices is difficult to ascertain. That said, Navarro’s scene with Danvers, where she discloses her sister’s death, feels more grounded in truth than anything, as does her scene with Qavvik. The quiet, subdued honesty feels real. Perhaps we’ll see more of that down the line as Navarro moves through the different stages of grief. 

The investigation in “Part 4” slows to a crawl, with a few crucial developments sprinkled in for good measure. The hour-long runtime feels uneven, with the creative team seemingly unsure of how to balance the characters’ rich inner lives, which are vital to storytelling in general, with plot momentum. With only six episodes, the narrative cannot afford to drag. 

Lingering Mysteries 

Despite the lagging in certain places, there are enough breadcrumbs to whet our appetites. The marriage of religion and the supernatural isn’t an original angle, but it’s done well here. Navarro and Danvers’ discussion about their faith (or lack thereof) is quite interesting and ties organically into the story, whether the supernatural elements are real or not. 

“Part 4” touches the surface of lingering narrative mysteries, such as Danvers’ son and the questions surrounding his death. While it feels like we’re no closer to getting those coveted answers, True Detective: Night Country is hell-bent on taking its time. Whether that will be to its detriment remains to be seen. For now, there’s still enough to enjoy (particularly the performances and stunning views) as we see the light at the end of this narrative’s tunnel. 

Stray Observations: 

• This series woefully underutilizes the badass Fiona Shaw. Here’s hoping she plays a more significant role in the final two episodes. 
• Piggybacking off the above, what is it about Ennis that allows folks, i.e., Rose, to see their dead loved ones? Is it the several months of perpetual darkness? Or that it’s seemingly situated at the edge of the world? I’d love to learn more about the mythology behind this town. 
• The mini light-up Christmas tree on Navarro’s front porch gives Charlie Brown vibes. 
• Connelly and Hank should’ve watched Elf together. Hank was already super sad because his fake fiancée ditched him. Why not make new friends on Christmas Eve and bond over a beloved holiday film? 
• Is this a safe space? I’d let Qavvik send me 100 bottles of SpongeBob toothpaste. I hope this season makes Joel Montgrand a star. He delivers one of my favorite performances — there’s something grounded and comforting about it. It anchors us amid the supernatural/horror elements. 
• Navarro sees the massive, one-eyed polar bear in episode one. Now, Danvers almost hits it in episode five. We know her young son had a stuffed polar bear. Is this supposed to be a physical manifestation of it? 
• The orange, cross necklace, and other aspects of the story regarding Navarro and Julia’s mom are cleverly understated in their presentation in “Part 4.” Remember when Navarro chucked that same necklace out of her car window? 

What did you think of this episode of True Detective: Night Country? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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True Detective: Night Country airs Sundays at 9/8c on Max. 

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