The Great War and Modern Memory

"The Great War and Modern Memory" is the first episode of the third season of the American anthology crime drama television series True Detective. It is the 17th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto, and directed by Jeremy Saulnier. It was first broadcast on HBO in the United States on January 13, 2019, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye". The season takes place in the Ozarks over three separate time periods. In 1980, partner detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) as they investigate a macabre crime involving two missing children, Will and Julie Purcell. In 1990, Hays is questioned after the case is re-opened after new evidence resurfaces. In 2015, an old Hays with memory problems conducts an interview to discuss the case. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.44 million household viewers and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who deemed the episode as a return to form for the series, as well as praising Mahershala Ali's performance and Saulnier's directing. Plot