True Detective Season 5 Should Be a Western

The latest installment in the HBO anthology series True Detective recently aired its Season 4 finale, and fans are already buzzing about the possibilities for Season 5. Since the show premiered in 2014, each season has explored a new narrative weaved within the backdrop of a new setting. Season 1, arguably the best season of the franchise, was deeply rooted in the identity of Louisiana, while True Detective Season 2 encompassed a town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The third season steeped itself in the Ozarks, while the fourth season brought viewers north of the Arctic Circle in the fictional Alaskan town of Ennis. The location of each season played a pivotal role in how that particular season’s narrative ultimately developed and, in many ways, acted as a character in and of itself.

Given the importance of the show’s setting, where the creators decide to go next will inevitably play a vital role in the tone and essence of the series as it moves forward. While the show has already utilized a fairly wide range of locations, there are still a slew of others the show could certainly make use of. One locale, in particular, would serve the series well and capitalize on the show’s embodiment of a gritty Americana aesthetic. Without a doubt, the fifth season of True Detective should move to a Western setting. With such a backdrop, the possibilities for what a new season could look like are boundless.

Will There Be a True Detective Season 5?

Despite the war with the show’s original creator, Nic Pizzolatto, the latest season of True Detective has undoubtedly been classified as a resounding success. Aptly subtitled Night Country, the fourth season is now the most watched of the entire series, according to HBO, with a record 12.7 million viewers across its platform. It also has the highest critical rankings when compared to its counterparts, according to its Rotten Tomatoes score. As such, the series has been renewed for Season 5 and will return with creator Issa López, the brains behind Season 4, at the helm.

Currently, there are no firm details as to what the fifth season will explore. While there have been abstract discussions about bringing back Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Navarro (Kali Reis) from Night Country, such a story would unlikely ever come to fruition. Doing so would counter the anthology aspect of the series that allows it to explore a multitude of interesting stories and people. Telling a complete story every season is one of the reasons the show can thrive. Furthermore, the narrative arc for the characters of Season 4 reached a natural end that made sense, and bringing them back would undo such well-crafted work. That said, Season 5 should enter new territory just as every season has before, so the show should move to a Western setting next.

Why a Western Setting Would Work for True Detective

If the upcoming fifth season moved to a Western setting, the series could easily explore a storyline during the 1800s. While the series hasn’t jumped back more than a handful of decades, diving deeper into the past might be an interesting concept worth exploring. Given the idea of law enforcement was just beginning to fully develop, the thought of “true detectives” doing their best to enact justice and solve a crime would be compelling when overlaid with such a distinctive setting.

As more people migrated to the Western parts of America, they encountered the land’s indigenous populations. As such, the inevitable conflict would make for great drama, especially in the hands of López. Viewers have already seen how well she allows indigenous voices to highlight their perspectives and lead compelling narratives. She would likely succeed in doing so once more.

However, a Western setting doesn’t necessarily mean the story must unfold in America’s past. Plenty of current areas fit the mold of such a locale. If a show like Yellowstone or films such as Hell or High Water and No Country For Old Men are any indication, the concept of a modern Western is still alive. As such, Season 5 of True Detective would benefit from shifting to such a setting.

Furthermore, the Western aesthetic fits perfectly into the American spirit of the series overall. The series has already explored four different places that are uniquely American. However, the most unique setting in America has yet to be considered: the West. In a show that aims to exude a level of grit so synonymous with the ideals of American individualism, which were born out of the rugged and violent history of the American West, a Western setting, past or present, is the next logical place for True Detective to tell its forthcoming story. All four seasons of True Detective are currently streaming on Max.