Earlier this week, I read this: http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04/did-the-writer-of-true-detective-plagiarize-thomas-ligotti-and-others/
And then today I read this: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/08/06/true_detective_plagiarized_no_nic_pizzolatto_did_not_plagiarize_thomas_ligotti.html
I don’t think True Detective is plagiarized, not any more so than that little show that could, until it wasn’t allowed to anymore, Community. But I guess the makers of True Detective could have done more to make the influences known. It’s definitely a worthwhile show, the story is complex and engrossing and the episodes feel much longer than you’d expect, and I mean that as a compliment. Was it confusing at times? Yes, maybe I was distracted or something while I was watching, but there were times when the dense nature of the show made it feel almost academic, like it was trying hard to teach the viewer something or show the viewer how knowledgeable and well read it was at the expense of entertaining the viewers. That happened mostly during the Rust Cohle speeches that everyone raves so much about. They are poetic and tantalizingly bitter, but I could see how it might be annoying. Imagine if you really knew Rust Cohle in real life? Would you want him quoting some of the most pessimistic writers to pick up a pen at you? Cohle is my kind of guy, though, so I enjoyed it, but some great dialogue, actual conversation between two people, could have made it feel less like a lecture (and I usually look to Aaron Sorkin for my pretentious soliloquies, at least I can learn something practical from him). That criticism aside, its a great show and I think Nic Pizollato uses his influences well, he should be a celebrated student of his genre, or maybe he is already a master. The best writers know how to throw their influences into the blenders of their minds, with their own ideas already swimming around, and create something new to enjoy with the blend. Borges did it, (Wes has officially renounced True Detective and actively campaigns on social media against Pizollato for the Emmy).
On a different note, did you know that Issue 7 of the PaRaLlel Serials will appear on August 11, 2014? Right here, but unlike the creations of the man of It Exists, it’ll be around for more than fifteen minutes.
Next week,
The man of It Exists is settling into life in TX. I hope he doesn’t explode anymore innocent people.
Max expounds on the importance of voting and the shame of infringement.
Detective Young, who has been snooping after the man and chasing a hunch that he is hiding something, will kick off our new PRL Signature, PRL Mysteries, in Old Man Young and the Bronx Avenger One-Shots!
The dramatic conclusion of The Origins of Magic is almost here! Are there aliens from Druont on Earth? Find out Monday.
Emma is having a tough time, will her luck turn around? Of course it will, she’ll be creating something.
Stone Hand keeps on rolling. Is he the president yet?
See you next week!
PRL Serials 