True Detective (Collective Theories Thread)

We have had 5 glorious works of art. The story is taking shape. Each episode deserves its own thread because, yes, this show is that awesome.

However, we have too much material in our threads to wade through. Some of us have read every word of every thread and then some outside sources to try and put together and understand what it is we are watching, better yet what it is we are experiencing.

I do not think I am alone in now suspecting that we are in fact a part of the story. We are so interested because we suspect that the story has multiple levels and the forth level is the way the audience fits into the metaphysical world described by Rust in episode 5.

The Forth Level is You

Now that does not mean that the story is any less important once you figure out that you assume the role of the eternal perspective. You are that forth dimension. The story has to be good for you to keep (re)watching and re-living the scenes over and over. Yes Cohle will arrest him and Marty will shoot Reggie Ledoux over and over because you and millions of others will keep watching that scene over and over through the years. Why because the story is good.

So let's talk about our theories and see if we can put together a scenario that makes sense. We have three episodes to go and this series is going to end well, I just know it. Feel free to put forward your theory(ies).

As a side note and related to my above theory, I think we the first viewers are getting this series in its purest form. It will never be better because we are forced to live the nightmare laid out in weekly installments. And worse still, we do not know where it is going. We have a week to experience and contemplate the events of each episode before we get our fix. In the end we will have this series seared into our souls.