We Need to Talk About the Final Minutes of True Detective

From its opening sequence, True Detective has been a good mystery series, but this week, it becomes a great one. Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) are edging closer to uncovering the truth about Dora Lange's ritualistic murder, and they get some good hints by following a trail to gonzo preacher Joel Theriot (Boardwalk Empire's Shea Whigham) — but forget about that for a second. Forget about that superawkward double date and the unprofessional interrogation. What makes this episode so good is the final minute or so. As Cohle waxes poetic about monsters, we finally meet one for ourselves.

He's tall, in his underwear, carrying a machete, and wearing a horrifying S&M mask with what I'm pretty sure is mace dangling off the front. (Or is it a simple gas mask?) The scene is transfixing. I was equally disgusted, terrified, and curious. Is it the drowned girl's boyfriend? Who is that mace for? Are things about to get a lot worse? What is going on?? Discuss.

HBO