Ep 1. The Great War and Modern Memory

In the first episode of True Detective season 3, entitled "The Great War and Modern Memory," viewers are introduced to new characters and a new mystery. Set in the Ozarks in rural Arkansas, the season follows Detective Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) as he investigates the disappearance of two children, Will and Julie Purcell. The story is told over three different time periods, with Hays depicted as both a young detective and an aging man.

The episode begins with Hays and his partner, Roland West (Stephen Dorff), responding to a call about a missing boy. The two detectives quickly realize that the case is more complicated than they initially thought and that the boy's sister, Julie, is also missing. As they investigate the case, they begin to uncover a web of secrets involving the Purcell family, their neighbors, and even themselves.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given glimpses of the three different time periods in Hays' life. In the present day, Hays is an old man who is grappling with memory loss and trying to piece together the case from his past. Flashbacks to 1980 show Hays and West as young detectives working on the case and establishing a rapport with the Purcell family. And in the 1990s, Hays is a private investigator who is pulled back into the case when new information comes to light.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the episode is the way it explores memory and how it can be unreliable. Hays' struggles with memory loss in the present are juxtaposed with flashbacks to his younger days where he is able to remember details with remarkable clarity. The narrative also plays with time and perspective, showing events and conversations out of order and from different characters' points of view.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that the disappearance of the Purcell children is linked to a larger conspiracy involving local politicians, law enforcement officials, and a shadowy figure known only as "the tall man." Hays and West must navigate through a tangled web of lies, misdirection, and paranoia to get to the truth.

Overall, "The Great War and Modern Memory" is a captivating start to the third season of True Detective. It introduces new characters while retaining the show's trademark themes of darkness and moral ambiguity. The use of multiple timelines and the exploration of memory add extra layers of depth to the story, making it not just a whodunit but a meditation on the nature of truth and perception. Fans of the show will be eager to see where this season goes.