Chaos Reading discussion
This topic is about
The King In Yellow
Chaos Reading Bookclub
>
DISCUSSION OPEN! - EMERGENCY GROUP READ - True Detective + The Yellow King
date
newest »
newest »
message 201:
by
Jennifer
(new)
-
added it
Feb 07, 2024 08:31PM
Also HBO will be showing the next episode early, this Friday. I will watch for sure. I think they don't want to fight the Superbowl.
reply
|
flag
Mod
I thought it interesting that the voice call..."
I also felt bad for Hank. Complete douch bag humans are still human.
I was thinking the same thing about them finding Julia so quickly. I doubt we'll get anymore details, but Jennifer's point that someone could have reported seeing her on the ice, and that it's a small town and she worked at a popular local bar (and had distinctive hair) means someone in the coast guard could have recognized her, is good enough for me.
Interesting point about the voice calling her Evangeline, I think you must be right that it likely traces to her mother.
Like season 1, I expect this season to end with a rational explanation for the major events, with the door left a little wider open for supernatural interpretations as well.
Mod
But the downside is that it's then 9 days until the finale!
Mod
So far, if I'm not mistaken the polar bear has shown up to both Navarro and Danvers when both were driving (I think). Is he warning them to stay off the path/course they are on (Danvers had to veer into a snowbank so as not to hit him/it)? He doesn't seem aggressive even if he turns out to be an apparition. And Holden's plush bear is a replica of him right down to the one eye.
Episode definitely ranks up there with the shittiest of Christmases. I'm with you all in feeling for Hank being stood up and finding Navarro's sister's suicide to be like a punch in the gut. There were so many WTF things that this is either going to be the pivotal episode once the show culminates or it's going to be the one where I go back and say, yeah, this is where this season lost me.
What else do we know about the German currently? Lives on an abandoned trawler, does heroin, and sports Annie K's parka as outerwear...
Marc, I think that’s all we know. I suspect he might have been hanging around the scientists for a bit.
We didn’t talk about Danvers finding Eve with blood coming from her ears like the scientists.
The internet is saying Ennis might be Carcosa ( from Season one) because the dead are a common sight.
I know this is Iceland. I wish they had filmed some of the sweeping beautiful nothingness we have surrounding us.
I don’t know how else to describe it.
You kinda see it in the credits when they show Ennis and the mine in the distance. But it’s more.
Mod
Well, we know he mapped the ice caves where Annie was killed, and also that he had similar injuries to the Tsalal crew.
Now that you've said it, I also had similar thoughts about this episode that it had finished setting up a banger of a resolution, or that this is when it turned into an Arctic "Lost" and failed to live up to its promise. The optimist in me still expects the former.
Mod
I've never found that film or photos can ever really capture the gorgeous desolation of some locations. There's a backpacking location in Washington known as The Enchantments. It's a fairly popular destination, but no one has captured in any images the stark beauty of the place, you just have to be there.
Are there any photographs or films that you think do capture that beautiful nothingness?
Mod
I think that’s all we know. I suspect he might have been hanging around the scientists for a bit."
Ah, you reminded me that we know he knows Clarke. When asked where Clarke is he says something like "he's hiding. He went... " it's either "back down" or "under"... I think he says "under" but I can't quite recall.
And Navarro's bleeding ear! Glad you brought this up---how did you interpret it? Navarro sees Annie K floating (presumably, she may have been killed in this location), then follows the footprints, then dead Annie K screams in her ear (lots of screaming and pointing from the dead and "she's awake" statements).
I have to keep reminding myself that it isn't Alaska. Alas, I think most of my Alaska imagery comes via the reality series Life Below Zero.
Whitney wrote: "Well, we know he mapped the ice caves where Annie was killed, and also that he had similar injuries to the Tsalal crew."
This feels significant but as to how/why the Tsalal crew plays into this remains beyond me (at least, so far). I like your optimism! I'm just trying not to get my hopes up too much.
I totally forgot: This episode, hands down, has the best fake-proposal-in-order-to-reset-your-dislocated-finger scene I've ever seen. Probably that I ever will see.
Jennifer wrote: "For instance, in December 2023 at Christmas time, the moon was Full on the 27th."Good point. It was very dark when she went out onto the ice, but my wife commented later "how is it daylight already?" It did get very bright.
Mod
I wonder if "Havana Syndrome" is an inspiration for what may be happening, where many government officials thought some kind of sonic weapon was responsible for symptoms ranging from ear aches to brain damage.
It could be Aliens. 👽. There is the Alaska triangle. 🤣I am looking forward to the next 2 episodes.
Marc, I was also going to mention the fake proposal. That was good! I really like him. I hope his dogs don’t eat him.
Life below Zero is a decent show. I have run into Sue at the grocery store. I mean I have seen her.
Whitney , I will have to think of a picture or something. But you’re right. There is a whole feeling that comes with it.
Mod
I agree, Qavvik is a great character. Apparently he had a much smaller role, but after he finished filming Lopez had him flown back to Iceland and expanded his role.
Mod
Jesus Christ. I yelled out loud. And clutched my face. I am still unpacking all of it. The whole protest thing at the mine was a bit much. At least from an Alaskan perspective. We are pretty quiet, and protests are low key. At least that how I feel. Also mining is political here, but I feel that most of us are resigned to it and we have to admit, it provides jobs to areas where there not be any. We are having some anger here in Fairbanks with a mine and their trucks driving through town carrying ore. Lost of people think the mine needs to make their own road and are concerned about safety, how the trucks will damage our roads etc.
https://www.contangoore.com/project/m...
https://safealaskahighways.org/points...
But people aren't out fighting with Troopers.
I will be back with more thoughts.
Mod
The whole protest thing at the mine was a bit much. At least from an Alaskan perspective. We are pretty quie..."
I did exactly the same thing! I knew Hank was circling, but JFC. Also, fuck him infinitely for commiting suicide by cop and further fucking over his son in the process.
For the protests, I can't speak to Alaska in particular, but I think there was a larger inspiration from protests in general and the way the indigenous population is treated by authorities. Especially the recent protests about the Dakota Access Pipeline. Fire hoses being turned on natives in the dead of winter because they didn't want their water poisoned.
The entire cast in this show is incredible. Unlike season one, where the men were the main characters and the women little more than victims, whores and mommies, this season gives full fledged personhood to its male characters. John Hawkes is SO good in this role, as are the other male leads and supporting characters. (But, then, they have to be against Foster, Reis, Shaw, et. al.)
Mod
hahahahahhhhh...
$%7@ got real. Fast. Damn.
Before I forget (and get into this episode), I just realized that Tsalal is a mysterious land in Poe's only complete novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales (I haven't read it, but know of it through the satirical and brilliantly funny Pym which picks up on the expedition where Poe's tale dropped off). Lots of racial and colonialist issues.
Whatever trace of sympathy we had with Hank sure as hell went out the window, eh?!! Bastard.
Given those previews of the final episode, it feels a bit like the "pull" of the Night Country and visions for Navarro might be the biggest challenge to the dynamic duo wrapping up this case (with both of them still alive)...
Mod
Oooh, nice find! I haven't read it, either. But this bit from wikipedia may be relevant: "They discover a labyrinth of passages in the hills with strange marks on the walls, and disagree about whether these are the result of artificial or natural causes. "
I like the way they are already giving us explanations that are both plausible and supernatural. "The Night Country" is the name for the cave system, as well as the obvious spirit world implication. The spiral is a warning to hikers, and we already know the supernatural implications from season 1.
Mod
Me, too!
Marc wrote: "Whitney wrote: "Episode 5. So, a quiet little episode. Not much happening, eh?"hahahahahhhhh...
$%7@ got real. Fast. Damn.
Before I forget (and get into this episode), I just realized that Tsal..."
Boy Hank was a sleeze. A selfish man. The minute Danvers put her gun on the counter I was yelling at her to pick it back up. I thought more that the junkie got the gun and shot the kid. But that was a gut punch for sure.
And him finding out that they really just killed Weaver .... who probably didn't kill the girl. It was something else. So Weaver has turned out to be important.
In all the build up, nothing was wasted in the slowish episode, it was all set up for this.
I did a search and found out that there are 365 Alaska State Troopers for the entire State.
So thoughts on the last episode ?
Mod
What did you think?
My wife and I were in disagreement over whether we thought Navarro committed suicide or not. Thoughts?
Mod
I liked that the show left many things without a tidy explanation; the polar bear, the orange, Travis, and especially the tongue. I thought it was disappointing how season 1 ended by completely dismissing any hints of the supernatural by just attributing them to the cult. This season lets the supernatural / spiritual exist with the rational explanation of the crime, which is also may be more in keeping with the worldview of many indigenous populations.
On examination, I do think there were a few loose ends and unlikely events, such as the issues with law enforcement that Jennifer brought up, the exact timing of Danvers move to Ennis, details of Navarro's and Danver's history et. al. I think these are largely quibbles, as the show stayed focussed on the larger picture. I am compelled to say that lungs don't work that way if you're taking that as a lesson in sinking dead bodies.
I don't think that Navarro commited suicide. I think she achieved piece from the voices calling her when they gave her her name. I think the scene on the deck with Danvers implied she was still in touch with her, but I still appreciated the additional touch of ambiguity.
Mod
In that sense, it felt sort of daring---like, hey, we're not going to tie this up in a neat bow for you. Quite in fitting with the landscape/setting and the indigenous supernatural beliefs. Even the minor characters (who someone online called "Auntie Team Six" which I thought was pretty funny) said, "Their clothes were right there, they could have come back and got them."
I interpreted Navarro's ending/actions the same as you, Whitney, especially because the supernatural provided her native name giving her some sort of peace with her ancestry/sense of belonging.
Great, now I have to unsubmerge those bodies I ditched last night if the whole puncture-the-lungs-so-the-body-sinks method isn't legit...
I think it was excellent. I liked that we are still left with the supernatural as it should be. Some things are left for the wind. If that makes sense. I am not sure if I agree Navarro did not commit suicide. But I am fine with the ambiguity. It brings more power to the ending.
What I did like was the focus on how Native peoples, esp women are treated and thought about. We have a large number of missing people in reality. There is an annual "protest" here at the court house about this.
How did Clark die so fast like that ? We know it was the spirits. I like that he met his fate and could not escape it.
Have you seen that Nic whats his name the original writer for season one, hates this season. Also here is going to be another season :
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/true...
Mod
I was stoked to see that Lopez is getting another season!
I am looking forward to see where they go next. She has a lot to live up to. Night Country was excellent. I am going to watch it over. Maybe even watch Season one and then this one. I want to look for little things.
Have you seen the chatter about another season ? https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainme...
what do you think? Not gonna lie, I love me some Nic Cage.
Mod
Sweet! I've loved cage ever since "Birdie", although my fondness was severely tested during his "take any role to pay off debts" era.
I'm also stoked to see Issa López is going to direct again. Extra schadenfreude knowing Pizzolatto is probably fuming about it.
I think another discussion is in order! "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" viewing for extra credit. One of his most underrated roles.
Whitney wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Have you seen the chatter about another season ? ..."Sweet! I've loved cage ever since "Birdie", although my fondness was severely tested during his "take any role to pay off deb..."
Oh he has some stinkers for sure. But at least he is honest about that. I will watch Bad Lieutenant for sure! People seem to forget he won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas.
Mod
Whitney wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Have you seen the chatter about another season ? ..."Sweet! I've loved cage ever since "Birdie", although my fondness was severely tested during his "take any role to pay off deb..."
I watched it this weekend. Jogged my memory and I had seen this way back when in the theater.
Chaos Reading
Books mentioned in this topic
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales (other topics)Pym (other topics)
The Tsalal (other topics)
Noctuary (other topics)
The Conspiracy Against the Human Race (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ernest Hemingway (other topics)Marion Zimmer Bradley (other topics)
