<i>True Detective</i> Theories

Not since Lost has a show captivated and confused the nation like HBO's True Detective. Fan theories, some more compelling than others, have popped up everywhere. Central amongst them is the question of the so-called Yellow King's identity. I did a bit of sleuthing and hopefully my insanely stupid and convoluted theory can shed some light on this mystery.

Stefan J. is a writer living in Vancouver. You can read his personal blog here and follow him on Twitter here.

I took this screencap from Episode 3, “The Locked Room” (that’s a mystery right there…what is in the locked room? I forget if we actually found out or if the room is just a metaphor). I’ve subtly pointed out the crown-like smudge located above Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey). This is some convincing ass shit. First of all, the smudge is yellow, much like a certain king we’ve heard so much about. Secondly, it is above his head. Need I remind you where crowns usually go? Also, there’s a typewriter and an old computer monitor right behind Rust, which either symbolizes his inability to let go of the past or that budget cuts have forced the police department to perform their interviews in a storage room.

I’ll tell you one thing, we know what was previously on the detective’s head: a goddamn yellow crown smudge. They’re basically just rubbing it in our faces at this point. Even the text is in yellow, for Christ’s sake. I’ve helpfully circled it in case you didn’t notice.

Not sure how this one fits in with my overarching theory, but for real, look at that hat. Come on now, Woody. Seriously?

Can’t get much more obvious than this. Somebody has written “The Yellow King??” with an arrow pointing right to Rust Cohle. Ah, oh shit. I wrote it. Shit. Still, can you imagine?

This screencap comes from episode 4, “Who Goes There”. Who goes there, indeed? Yet another curveball being thrown our way by the guy in charge of episode naming. At first, I didn’t think much of this image. Just a fellow being shot, and then falling down. Wait a second. Fellow down…yellow crown? The broken window also looks like a jaggedy ass tiara. Definitely intentional.

I’ve circled all the important aspects of this picture. I don’t think I need to connect the dots for you.

So, what does it all mean? Well, in the most recent episode, Woody Harrelson’s Marty Hart had this telling quote:

“I think my brooding weirdo partner is the Yellow King. He did all the murders. In my police detective opinion, he is the bad guy who did the killings.”

Strong stuff , but what does it really tell us? McConaughey’s Rust Cohle also gave us some interesting information in the last episode:

“As you just heard, my partner Marty Hart thinks I am the killer. Hell, I could be. I could be the Yellow King murder man. The world is a vampire.”

As for me, I believe that Rust is the killer, but he also might not be. It might be somebody completely different. But, again, it might be Rust. Or someone else entirely. Essentially, my theory is great because a) I can’t be wrong, and b) I get to fuck around in MS Paint, drawing circles on Matthew McConaughey. Two episodes remain in True Detective’s first season: this Sunday’s “Rust Is The Killer, Definitely,” and next week’s finale, “Or Is He?” The mysteries are only beginning…or are they?