True Detective: Paul Woodrugh

The 4th main character in True Detective, Season 2 is Officer Paul Woodrugh of the California Highway Patrol, played by Taylor Kitsch. Woodrugh didn’t have much of a part in the premiere episode. He got put on suspension because of a false accusation of a sexual nature made by an actress he stopped for speeding. He wanted to be back on the highway patrol after he was cleared and told his sympathic commander: “I like the bike, sir. The highway– it suits me. I’m no good on the sidelines.”

He has a girlfriend, Emily (Adria Arjona), who is having a very hard time getting to know him, but not as hard of a time as he is having pretending he is into her. He won’t talk about all the scars he got in the Army, he has to take a performing enhancing pill just to get it on with her. Then he goes off on his bike and after an intense ride, working off whatever demons are driving him, he comes across the dead body of missing city manager, Ben Caspere at Mugu Point.

In the next two episodes “Night Finds You” and “Maybe Tomorrow”, Woodrugh is assigned to a task force to investigate Caspere’s murder headed up by Det. Ani Bezzerides of the Ventura Sheriff’s Dept. Det. Ray Velcoro of the Vinci P.D. is second string. Woodrugh is promised the possibility of a detective’s shield but he is still intent on returning to the highway patrol.

He pays a visit to his mother, Nancy Spencer (Lolita Davidovich), who is a floozy and obviously has not made the best choices when it comes to men nor been the best influence in Woodrugh’s life. His physical and emotional unavailability becomes a bit too much for Emily and she gives him the heave-ho.

All clues to his character point to him being a gay man in denial and that continues when he hangs out with an old Army buddy named Miguel who reminds him of 3 days they spent together that he obviously does not want to remember.

What else does he do? He takes a trip with Ani Bezzerides to Mayor Chessani’s house where Chessani’s son, Tony (Vinicius Machado), is a more interesting character than he is. Tony can work the “from da hood” accent while living in a Hollywood mansion.

And, oh yeah, Ani Bezzerides suggests to Woodrugh that he sue the actress who made the false accusations after it’s over because she is loaded. That would probably be a lot more entertaining to watch than this skulking around, looking tormented.