The Secret Fate of All Life
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Episode 5
| "The Secret Fate of All Life" | |
|---|---|
| True Detective episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Cary Joji Fukunaga |
| Written by | Nic Pizzolatto |
| Cinematography by | Adam Arkapaw |
| Editing by | Alex Hall |
| Original air date | February 16, 2014 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Secret Fate of All Life" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American anthology crime drama television series True Detective. The episode was written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto, and directed by executive producer Cary Joji Fukunaga. It was first broadcast on HBO in the United States on February 16, 2014.
The season focuses on Louisiana State Police homicide detectives Rustin "Rust" Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Martin "Marty" Hart (Woody Harrelson), who investigate the murder of prostitute Dora Lange in 1995. Seventeen years later, they must revisit the investigation, along with several other unsolved crimes. In the episode, Cohle and Hart find Reggie Ledoux's location and set out to catch him. The events lead to serious repercussions to their careers and personal life.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.25 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the performances, directing, writing and character development. For the episode, Nic Pizzolatto received an Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series nomination at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2012
Rust (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty (Woody Harrelson) separately tell Gilbough (Michael Potts) and Papania (Tory Kittles) about their role in a gunfight with Reggie Ledoux and his cousin, claiming that it involved a chaotic shootout where they barely managed to kill both. At some point, Gilbough and Papania tell Rust about his suspected role in multiple murders, showing evidence of him being present. Reverend Tuttle's death - which occurred shortly after Rust returned to Louisiana - is also raising their suspicions, especially as Rust won't let them inspect a storage unit he is keeping. Upset with the accusations, Rust leaves his interview.
Based on their interrogation, Gilbough and Papania tell Marty that Rust may be involved with the killings, citing some coincidences and reserved personality, something that Marty rebuffs. However, as the detectives start piling up more possible scenarios for Rust, Marty starts to wonder about the idea.
1995
At a bar, Ginger (Joseph Sikora) arranges Rust to meet Dewall Ledoux (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), Ledoux's cousin and meth-cooking partner. Rust tries to get him to change his business but Dewall rejects cooperating with Rust. Rust leaves Ginger tied up in a ditch and joins Marty in tailing DeWall's car to Ledoux's compound in the woods.
Rust and Marty infiltrate the house, arresting Ledoux (Charles Halford) and bringing him outside. As Rust holds Dewall at gunpoint, Marty inspects the house and opens a trailer parked in the house. After seeing its content, he goes outside and kills Ledoux, who was taunting Rust with knowledge of "Carcosa". Dewall tries to escape but is shot by Rust, and accidentally steps on a landmine, killing him. The contents of the trailer turn out to be two children, one of whom was already dead, who were kidnapped and abused in the house. Rust and Marty then start planting evidence in the area to make it appear like a gunfight took place, and that they had shot Ledoux in self-defense. They then leave the area with the children as authorities arrive.
Rust and Marty are hailed as heroes by the media and their own colleagues. Marty is promoted to Detective Sergeant while Rust receives commendations. The events also help Marty with his marriage, with Maggie (Michelle Monaghan) now agreeing to let him spend time with his daughters.
2002
Marty and Maggie are now in a better position with their marriage and often go on double dates with Rust and his new girlfriend, Laurie (Elizabeth Reaser). Rust's reputation also improves among the police department for his ability to get confessions from suspects.
Marty's relationship with his daughters also takes a turn, as Audrey (Erin Moriarty) starts rebelling against her parents. Eventually, Audrey is arrested for having sex with two adult men, an event that angers Marty. During an argument, Marty slaps Audrey, causing friction between his family.
Rust interrogates a murder suspect named Guy Francis (Christopher Berry) and coaxes a confession out of him. Desperate, Francis demands a plea bargain, claiming he knows about the man who killed Dora Lange and suggesting that Rust and Marty failed to capture the real killer. Rust dismisses his claims until Francis mentions The Yellow King. Realizing Francis could be telling the truth, Rust begins to hit him, demanding he give up names. Other officers restrain Rust and remove him from the interrogation room. The next day, Rust and Marty return to get more details from Francis. They find that Francis has killed himself. They are told Francis received a call from his attorney shortly before. Rust and Marty trace the call to a payphone in the middle of nowhere.
Rust visits the tree where Dora Lange was found dead, which is now adorned with twig sculptures, similar to the ones found in Marie Fontenot's playhouse. He then returns to the Light of the Way Academy, finding macabre imagery on the walls and a litany of twig sculptures.
Production
Development
In January 2014, the episode's title was revealed as "The Secret Fate of All Life" and it was announced that series creator Nic Pizzolatto had written the episode while executive producer Cary Joji Fukunaga had directed it. This was Pizzolatto's fifth writing credit, and Fukunaga's fifth directing credit.[1]
