TV Sleuthdom and its expectations

Last week, I had a...shall we say "spirited discussion" with a co-worker on the HBO series True Detective.

(and if you haven't watched the show but plan to, you might not want to read this post)

He said he enjoyed the show but thought the writing was bad.  Pressed for examples for some insight, he added that the crime and ultimate resolution was "like Law & Order: SVU."  Now, if you know me, you know saying such a comment is a heavy insult.  You could find deeper characters in what's left of the Sunday comics section of your newspaper than any of the L&O shows.  But I did my best (read: a poor job) of calming down and then heard this key nugget:

"There were too many twist and plot things that made me think it would go another way.  I thought Rust was going to be behind it, or Marty's wife, but it..."

Ah, the viewer detective nature of crime shows these days.  That's the problem.  And just how many are out there in the audience?

These are the folks who play right along with the game as if they're right by the main character's side.  Talking to the TV, texting their friends that they just KNOW who did it and why.  I think I've watched, read about, and worked in entertainment (particularly TV) long enough to ask: is there anything wrong with just being entertained?  Even if you do guess correctly, do you think the channel or writer is going to show up the next day with a congratulations balloon and an ice cream bar?  Way to go - here's your "Junior Adventure pin" - wear it with pride!

Interesting to me that you rarely if ever hear this about comedy...maybe because so many sitcoms are conditioned to end on a note that "it's over."  And even in movies, you can be entertained (or not) on how it was done since you've invested money and some sort of emotion.  Dining out, same thing.  (Well, for some people...others know exactly what the Fish Filet combo meal includes each and every time)

All these amateur sleuths who think they know how things will end possibly started this skill watching Dodgers games.  (Turns to wife)  "Honey, I think they're going to blow this one...late innings."  (Wife nods, goes back to People Magazine)