@Steven:
I can understand the discomfort, but the New York article irks me. It seems to be playing off the point that because True Detective is a serious show, it can't afford to have scenes that feature misogyny or gratuity. If you compare this to something like the criticism of Girl__s for not having any minority characters in New York City, (although that's more funny when you read Lena Dunham's blog about a Japan trip), this seems a little more…I dunno, forced? Maybe I'm not seeing it as clearly because gender politics has always been a weak point of mine, but in terms of other shows that do this kinda stuff--Mad Men gets a pass all the time because its a period piece and can claim to be making some sort of vague social commentary. GoT gets a pass because...what? These guys are supposed to be dbags and there are some strong female leads? With TD, I just sort of look at the narrative and call a spade a spade.
Like I said, though, maybe it's just something I'm not seeing clearly.
I agree, it seems forced, though not all points made are invalid in my view. The way i see it, True Detective, as the name might suggest, is about 2 detectives, who could not be more different, thrown into a mysterious case, showing that they might share some similarities after all (a few examples here and there). All the other characters shown do not get much focus and only serve in connection with either Rust, Marty or both. This is where i disagree with her. Why criticize the lack of female characters that are explored and developed in a show that has 8 episodes to deeply flesh out its 2 main characters and at the same time explore an engaging murder mystery with almost mythical background? Why is she not criticizing the lack of any character besides Rust and Marty who get developed, why differentiate? I mean, i am all for bringing up gender issues where it is due but basically asking for a female character, just because, in a show that has a clear goal and only 8 hours to make it happen, is not the place if you ask me.
On the other hand, she has a point with the sex scenes. Marty´s affairs are basically supposed to show his way of dealing with the shit he has to go through in his job, so that he can return home to his family as the strong patriarch he wants to be (instead of seeking the support and warmth of his family, something he seems to regret in the 2012 timeline). The thing is though, there is certainly no need to show them actually having sex to make that point, it does not really add much to the narrative. It just seems to be one way to attempt to appeal to a mature audience, not only in True Detective, but, like she already pointed out, in cable shows in general.
Other than that though, i can´t agree with the arguments that she brought up.