The Long Bright Dark

"The Long Bright Dark" is the series premiere of the anthology crime drama True Detective, initially broadcast on HBO on January 12, 2014 in the United States. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and written by creator Nic Pizzolatto, the episode introduces True Detective's core cast of characters, led by Louisiana State Police homicide detectives Rustin "Rust" Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Martin "Marty" Hart (Woody Harrelson). The storyline is non-linear and jumps between timelines in 1995 and 2012.

Pizzolatto conceived True Detective as a novel, but felt it was more suitable for television once the project took definite form. Producers chose Louisiana for the show's setting after they obtained tax credits to subsidize the costs of shooting. "The Long Bright Dark" was shot entirely in 35 mm film, and principal photography for the season lasted 100 consecutive days.

"The Long Bright Dark" was well received in the media. Critics praised the show's storytelling approach, sleek production, and actors, often singling out McConaughey and Harrelson for their onscreen chemistry. However, the writing's exposition and execution of ideas were occasional sources of criticism. The initial broadcast of "The Long Bright Dark" drew 2.3 million viewers, becoming HBO's highest rated series premiere in several years.