The saga of True Detective's production has almost been as depressing as the show itself. The first season was a bro-ed out, gritty, noir crime drama that delivered some of the most twisted fun on TV that year. Sure, nothing Matthew McConaughey said actually made sense, but he sold that garbage, dammit. And along with McConaughey's solid acting was Woody Harrelson's great performance, and an engaging (and not overwrought plot), wrapped up in a stylish, brutal as hell package.
Season Two, while featuring some good acting moments from the ensemble cast, was boring as hell and made no goddamn sense. That, and all the tasteful stylistic choices from Season Two were completely overdone. Even HBO's president admitted that the network had failed in rushing out the second season of True Detective:
When we tell somebody to hit an air date as opposed to allowing the writing to find its own natural resting place, when it's ready, when it's baked — we've failed. And I think in this particular case, the first season of True Detective was something that Nic Pizzolatto had been thinking about, gestating, for a long period of time. He's a soulful writer. I think what we did was go, 'Great.' And I take the blame. I became too much of a network executive at that point. We had huge success. 'Gee, I'd love to repeat that next year.'
A Hollywood Reporter article on HBO's new head of programming, Casey Bloys, notes that a new season of True Detective is unlikely. As Indie Wire explains:
Tucked away in a Hollywood Reporter article about Bloys is the following aside: "...other decisions, including the fate of 'True Detective,' now fall to him. (HBO sources suggest a new project from creator Nic Pizzolatto is more likely.)" No other details are mentioned regarding either the new project or a possible timeframe for "True Detective's" return.
This might be the best possible news for the series. Given the anthology style of the show, Season One and Two each had their own respective endings (though your guess is as good as mine as to what the hell happened at the end of Season Two). If it doesn't come back, we're not left with any loose ends. The showrunners can't do any more damage in a third season, we'll always have the concise, memorable first season, and the few good parts of season two. Then, at least, Season One and Two will always be a flat circle.
