That F@%*ing Scene : The Michael Jordan of Being a SOB

I may be slightly obsessed with True Detective

The first season of the show in particular has so many wrinkles and nuances, it makes every viewing more rewarding than the previous one. Nic Pizzolatto’s show doesn’t only work because of Rust’s pessimistic monologues or the conspiratorial undercurrent. It works because it is thoroughly well-written and today I want to prove it by analyzing a scene where nothing happens. A scene purely enjoyed for the standout quality of its writing alone.

What makes the writing stand out from other cop shows on television? That’s what we’ll see. This probably won’t be the last True Detective scene discussed in this series.

What makes the writing of The Michael Jordan of being a SOB stand out?

I’ve highlighted two major reasons.

1) Rust and Marty aren’t listening to one another. What makes the dynamics of this conversation work so well is that there are two conversations running concurrently: Marty bemoaning his failing marriage and Rust trying to set up a highly dangerous operation out of their jurisdiction. It’s a microcosm of the incredible range of this series. There’s a human, intimate element to it and a purely Hollywoodian aspect. It’s a tiny dot that belongs to a greater picture.

Good dialogue evolves towards one clear direction. Great dialogue between two great characters can evolve towards multiple directions at once. Not only this scene is a microcosm of the series’ range, but Rust and Marty also stay insanely true to their respective character: one is obsessed with himself and the other is obsessed with work as a way to get out of his own head. Their fundamental inability to communicate drives them to greatness.

2) Non-verbal communication. Although it’s Matthew McConaughey’s interpretation of Rust who gets the most praise, Woody Harrelson is carrying the shit out of this scene. The hunch, the scowl, the tension in his voice. His character’s overbearing personality takes all the room. It all culminates in Marty stealing Rust’s cigarette 56 seconds in. Look at Rust’s face when it happens. It’s such a tiny detail, but it makes all the difference in the world.

Rust and Marty get on each other’s nerves.

They never say it. A lesser show would’ve had a character (probably Rust) belt it out loud, but instead the entire scene progresses towards Marty’s iconic line. The scene works so well because the characters are trying to contain themselves. Rust and Marty’s verbal and non-verbal communication are telling slightly different stories and the latter betrays traits of characters they’re actively fighting against. I rarely compliment acting, but this gave the scene extra nuance.