I was being interviewed for another publication once and the writer asked who is my (fictional) dream man. Without hesitation my answer was Rust Cohle.
It’s interesting because Marty is much more of a dominant personality socially. The first thing you notice about Rust is that he’s almost non functional in a group; it’s a serious problem for him in getting what he wants done that nobody likes him enough to help him - in fact, most of his colleagues seem like they would have actively hindered him if that wouldn’t also have been hindering Marty - and without Marty’s easy charm Rust would likely have been unable to make use of all of his individual brilliance. It’s the complexity of these two characters that make S1 great in my view.
I would push back on "Rust is a greater man than Marty by any given estimation". He's smarter but marty pokes a lot of holes in his beliefs. The church scene is a great example. "Do you think that notebook is a stone tablet?" "For a guy who thinks existence is pointless you sure fret an awful lot about it". He genuinely counters rusts POV without completely understanding everything he rambles about.
Rust admits that the world needs bad men and he self identifies as one of them. He is lonely, bitter, overly cynical, socially inept to a large degree and anhedonic to unhealthy extents. He's also an alcoholic. His philosophies are interesting but he probably wouldn't self identify as someone who "mogs" or is proud of himself. He's one of those characters that you idolize on TV because of how polarizing he appears but wouldn't want to spend a second in his shoes.
For as interesting of a guy he is, he has nothing to really show for it besides his contempt for humanity.
I initially found Rust the more interesting character, largely because he quotes whole passages of Ligotti, which sound very deep but are (deliberately) black holes spiritually.
Marty is an actual human character, and I appreciate him more on rewatch. He is also much funnier than Rust (admittedly not difficult).
Both of them are living pretty sad, desperate lives. Rust chose despair when his daughter died. Marty, as you note, self-destructed in a typically stupid fashion.
Although his horrible wife no doubt didn’t help. With that shrew at home it’s no surprise he was fucking someone else.
On first watch I was seduced by Rust’s nihilism, and found his final “the light’s winning” speech a disappointing ending. Now I appreciate the turn, and the small amount of hope he has. The spiritual encounter with his daughter has changed his life.
I was being interviewed for another publication once and the writer asked who is my (fictional) dream man. Without hesitation my answer was Rust Cohle.
This is hardly a perceptive take on a show. There is so much more to it.
It’s interesting because Marty is much more of a dominant personality socially. The first thing you notice about Rust is that he’s almost non functional in a group; it’s a serious problem for him in getting what he wants done that nobody likes him enough to help him - in fact, most of his colleagues seem like they would have actively hindered him if that wouldn’t also have been hindering Marty - and without Marty’s easy charm Rust would likely have been unable to make use of all of his individual brilliance. It’s the complexity of these two characters that make S1 great in my view.
Fantastic article and analysis, Med. this is excellently written
I would push back on "Rust is a greater man than Marty by any given estimation". He's smarter but marty pokes a lot of holes in his beliefs. The church scene is a great example. "Do you think that notebook is a stone tablet?" "For a guy who thinks existence is pointless you sure fret an awful lot about it". He genuinely counters rusts POV without completely understanding everything he rambles about.
Rust admits that the world needs bad men and he self identifies as one of them. He is lonely, bitter, overly cynical, socially inept to a large degree and anhedonic to unhealthy extents. He's also an alcoholic. His philosophies are interesting but he probably wouldn't self identify as someone who "mogs" or is proud of himself. He's one of those characters that you idolize on TV because of how polarizing he appears but wouldn't want to spend a second in his shoes.
For as interesting of a guy he is, he has nothing to really show for it besides his contempt for humanity.
I gotta say, not that it matters much, but if you were born in Louisiana and your old man was born in Louisiana you’re from Louisiana. Not Italy.
a really good overview of both characters, i am glad i read this piece.
I initially found Rust the more interesting character, largely because he quotes whole passages of Ligotti, which sound very deep but are (deliberately) black holes spiritually.
Marty is an actual human character, and I appreciate him more on rewatch. He is also much funnier than Rust (admittedly not difficult).
Both of them are living pretty sad, desperate lives. Rust chose despair when his daughter died. Marty, as you note, self-destructed in a typically stupid fashion.
Although his horrible wife no doubt didn’t help. With that shrew at home it’s no surprise he was fucking someone else.
On first watch I was seduced by Rust’s nihilism, and found his final “the light’s winning” speech a disappointing ending. Now I appreciate the turn, and the small amount of hope he has. The spiritual encounter with his daughter has changed his life.
Definitely not something from a Ligotti book.