Geekscape Recaps: True Detective – “Down Will Come”

Back when LOST was on its original run, I did recaps here on Geekscape. The purpose was to gather all of the information viewers might have missed and put it in one place. It was also meant to create a discussion. You don’t have to agree with me, in fact, I would like to invite you to share your thoughts on this episode below in the comment section! In any case, we can all agree that with each episode of True Detective, there’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get started.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Fertility

First, I’d like to address a central theme in this episode. Through each of our protagonists plots this episode, the fertility motif appeared and reappeared. The first sight of it came within the first minutes of the episode in the form of Frank’s avocado trees. Frank begins to get angry when he learns that his avocado trees aren’t growing. The gardner tells him that seeds are there, but suggests the problem may be the dirt. There is something wrong with the fertilization.

This scene was interesting because it foreshadowed issues Frank and his partner will be having for presumably for the rest of the season, assuming she survives the season.

The fertility motif especially follows Frank from scene to scene. The bakery sequence is evidence of this. Frank visits some acquaintances with the hopes of establishing some new cashflow after losing everything as a result of Caspere’s disappearance. The scene begins with this shot:

Even appearing the background are children’s birthday party decorations and candy.

Sticking with Frank on his search for money, the show takes us to an apartment complex managed by a man who Frank seems to know from past dealings. Again, the scene is preempted with a shot of children playing in the grass/dirt.

Frank walks past the children playing as he makes his way to the managers office.

Okay, so Frank’s plot is consistent with the motif. We get it. So we’ll move to Woodrugh, whose connection with the motif is obvious enough. In this episode, we find out Woodrugh is going to be a dad and thus professes his love to his ex-girlfriend claiming that this was the best thing that could have happened to the both of them.

The motif is also present in Velcoro an Bezzerides’ plot in tracking Caspere’s whereabouts. Caspere’s GPS information leads them out to an area that has not been developed. After getting an official from the Environmental Protection Agency to their location, they learn that the land is bad. In fact, most of the farmers have left and families are giving up.

Sure, the problem with the land not taking is pretty much the same situation we saw Frank in the start of the episode, but the motif still fits.

Woodrugh

Woodrugh had a tough time this episode. After a few weeks of guessing whether or not he was gay, Woodrugh sorta figured it out himself when we woke up in his former military squadmate’s apartment wearing nothing but his underwear. Woodrugh doesn’t remember how or when he got there, but he did sleep with his friend.

Woodrugh immediately becomes disturbed and embarrassed. He leaves hastily and takes a cab to his motorcycle. Now, here’s an interesting scene. In the cap, Woodrugh begins to cry. We can assume it’s because he’s reacting to the events that unfolded the previous night, and maybe this is just me, but when Woodrugh’s tear begins to roll down his cheek, it almost seems as if we can hear a woman screaming as if he’s remembering something from his time with Black Mountain.

In the previous episode, Woodrugh explains to this same friend that he’s moved past what he’s done while working for Black Mountain and that his friend should do the same. It is at this point where his friend begins to confess that he thinks about him, which prompts Woodrugh to react violently and storm off. I’m only guessing here, but is it possible Woodrugh killed women and children in the Middle East?

In any case, once Woodrugh gets out of the cab to find his motorcycle is missing and it starts to set him over the edge.

As Woodrugh approaches his hotel, he is greeted by a mob of reporters. They instantly start to ask him about his ties with Black Mountain and specific events he may have been involved in.

Interestingly enough, one reporter shouts something about Woodrugh’s allegations to a history of abuse against women. Woodrugh takes off into full sprint, but no one really chases him. Were the reporters really there?

As he further falls into a hole, Woodrugh’s bout with identity becomes the focal point of his troubles. After being picked up by Ray, Woodrugh confesses that he’s “I did everything they said, man. Army, PD, it doesn’t matter. I’ve been listening to them for so fucking long, I don’t even know who the fuck I am.”

All the Best Cowboys…

Velcoro’s daddy issues make another appearance. In the previous episode, we were treated to Velcoro’s dad, who seems to be disenchanted with the LAPD and his son. Having been a former cop, Velcoro’s dad reminisces about the old days of the police force and condemns Velcoro’s career and the current police force.  However, Velcoro still sees his father as a hero, regardless of what he thinks in present day. There are two major events that make me believe this:

1. In the previous episode, during Velcoro’s dream, Velcoro’s father is dressed in his uniform. This is symbolic of the way Velcoro sees his dad and he desperately tries to live up to his standards. Unfortunately for Velcoro, he’s feels as though he’s failing. This is evidenced by the fact that in the dream, the father refers to Velcoro as a boy running from giants.

2. Velcoro sees his dad’s police badge in the trash can and takes it out. He asks then asks if he can take the badge to give to his own son. The passing of the badge occurs this episode.

Velcoro wants his son to see him as Velcoro sees his own father: A hero. The badge signifies that and chooses that to be his parting gift, as Velcoro prepares to surrender his visitation rights.

Shootout

It’s obvious now Vinci’s mayor and police chief are closer to the people behind Caspere’s murder than we may have previously thought. While they did assign Velcoro to keep tabs on the investigation, his life was essentially put on the line and in turn revealed how expendable he is to the mayor and chief. It’s going to get interesting tonight and I expect our true detectives to become tighter knit.

Got theories, questions, or comments? Please don’t hesitate to share!