True Detective - Rust Visits the Preacher

Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law

[kingpiece]

The interesting thing about this scene is when you look back on Rust's judgements about the preacher and his ministry he's very harsh, and has some heavy-handed critiques on their intelligence, education, and the authenticity of their morality.

In this scene, the preacher reveals himself to be both an educated and moral man, as well as a depressed alcoholic with a mind for philosophy. He and Rust could have been friends in different circumstances.

[BatmanHQYT]

This is one of the best scenes in the entire series. Shea Whigham acted this scene beautifully.

[MelancoliaI]

When I first saw the Preacher I dismissed him as another tent revival huckster. Eloquent, yes, but just looking to shake a few dollars loose from the flock like all the rest. But when he comes to the defense of the castrated mentally hanndicapped man, I saw something. This scene completed it. Here is a man who honestly tried to do some good in the world and accidentally brushed up against true, systemic, organized and institutionalized evil, the kind of evil that is inherently designed to self-perpetuate. And it wrecked him. I would gladly visit his junk shop to browse and have a chat. *TL;DR, Shea Wigham is one hell of an actor and did a lot with a small role.*

[ViperVizier]

This is not a man who is broken. This is a man who felt betrayed by his faith and yet try his very best to keep on holding tight to that very same faith. He is a struggling man.

[wendelldallas]

The fact that Rust pretty much becomes the Shea Wigham character come 2012 really adds a layer of straight up eerie feelings to this scene

[joerafferty]

2:35 I don't know why but I love that the preacher feels the need to clarify what the book was rather than simply say, "I knocked over a book and a folder fell out". Just a little detail that I love hearing when I rewatch this scene.

[LacoSinfonia]

Shea Whigham is a powerhouse in every thing he’s in

[kaylanilges]

That little glance he gives Rust at 2:22, trying to decide if he's going to tell someone this story for the first time. Gives me goosebumps.

[AofD]

The way that he gives him the drink back once he starts talking is just fantastic writing.

[ManofUlster]

Coming back here after Night Country so I can see what competent writing and acting look like

[andrewlopez]

"All my life I wanted to be nearer to God. The only nearness... Silence." I honestly can relate. It's when I'm alone and in silence is when I feel closer to God. Not when I'm around an organized religion with an agenda to convince me of something I feel that they have to preach to convince themselves.

[jloo]

I truly believe that what separates true detective s1 from everything else except maybe breaking bad is these side characters. The level of acting in this show is not only impeccable but also deep and consistent across every aspect of it

[pedrocajada]

At 2:21 the look he gives Rust when makes the decision of telling him is awesome. A crazy cool detail and Whea Shigam killed this scene, you can feel the intensity

[Duskets]

I like the bewildered look on Rust’s face at 1:00 seeing that this man, who he initially assumes to be some hick charlatan, is actually incredibly well-spoken and articulate.

[TomBreezy]

Its tough seeing a broken man who was once so filled with optimism and hope

[Mexican_Marauder]

This is one of my favorite conversations in the entire season.

[aaronhewlett]

Look at how the preacher glances up at Rust just before he lights his cigarette at 2:21
It’s almost as if he’s quickly trying to assess whether he can trust Rust with what he’s about to reveal. Expert level acting

[toughlikerocks]

Shea Wigham is a seriously underrated actor.

[stevenglansberg]

“The only nearness...silence.” Man, I love this scene.

[animalmotherx]

God, the way he takes the booze from him…and then intuitively knows when he is going to need it again during the “meat of the story”. Rust knows what is coming, and that the Reverend doesn’t like thinking about it. He’s going to need a pull of that whiskey.