Ep 4. The Hour and the Day

In True Detective season 3 episode 4, titled The Hour and the Day, detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) continue their investigation into the disappearance of two teens in the Ozarks in 1980. As they delve deeper into the case, they begin to uncover new leads that challenge their previous assumptions about what happened to the missing children.

The episode opens with a flashback to 1990, where an elderly Wayne Hays is being interviewed by a documentary filmmaker about the case. Hays becomes emotional as he reflects on the toll the investigation has taken on his personal life and his relationships with others.

Back in 1980, Hays and West follow up on a lead that takes them to a local hog farm. They question the owner, who seems uncooperative at first but eventually admits to seeing something strange the night the kids went missing. He tells them about a car with Texas plates that he saw parked nearby and describes a man and woman who seemed to be arguing.

Later, Hays and West receive a call from a nearby convenience store about a disturbance. When they arrive, they find a young man who fits the description of one of the suspects they've been seeking. They chase him down and manage to apprehend him, but he insists he had nothing to do with the missing kids. While in custody, he tells them about a group of teenagers who were out partying in the woods the night the children went missing.

As Hays and West continue their investigation, they begin to uncover more evidence that suggests the case may be more complex than they initially thought. They find a hidden compartment in the trunk of a suspect's car and discover some disturbing photographs that suggest a possible link to a pedophile ring operating in the area.

Meanwhile, Hays struggles to reconcile his work with his personal life. He becomes increasingly distant from his wife and children, and his son struggles with the aftermath of his father's involvement in the case. Hays' deteriorating mental state is further compounded by his memory problems, which seem to be worsening as he gets older.

Throughout the episode, the tension builds as Hays and West race to uncover the truth about what happened to the missing children. The Hour and the Day is a gripping installment of True Detective that showcases strong performances from the cast, particularly Mahershala Ali, who continues to impress as the troubled and complex Wayne Hays. With its intricate plot and haunting atmosphere, this episode is not to be missed.