'True Detective: Night Country': Liz Danvers grapples with guilt over her son's death

The finale episode of 'True Detective: Night Country' delves deeper into Liz Danvers' traumatic past
UPDATED FEB 20, 2024
Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers in 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)
Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers in 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)

Contains spoilers for 'True Detective: Night Country'

ENNIS, ALASKA: The final episode of HBO's crime anthology series 'True Detective: Night Country' aired on Sunday, February 18.

Bringing closure to the mysterious murder cases of Annie Kowtok and the researchers, the finale provided a satisfying conclusion for each character.

Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster), in particular, found a well-deserved happy ending, as the creators delved into her traumatic past, setting the stage for a promising future.

Liz Danvers struggles to cope with her tragic past

A still from 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)
A still from 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)

Throughout the season, we see Liz Danvers struggling to cope with her tragic past. The nightmares of her dead son, Holden keep her awake most nights. Through brief flashbacks, we know that he died in a car crash and Danvers hesitates from speaking about the tragedy.

In the gripping finale episode, Danvers finally opens up about her anguish, recounting the harrowing incident where her son was trapped in a car, terrified, injured, and desperately calling for help.

The weight of guilt over her inability to save her son burdens Danvers and transforms her into a lonely, frustrated woman.

Stranded at the Tsalal research station due to poor weather, Danvers follows Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) into the frigid outdoors. In a moment of disorientation, she envisions her dead son beneath the ice.

Driven by the belief that she can rescue him this time, Danvers starts digging into the ice, causing it to crack, and she plunges into the frigid water.

Fortunately, Navarro arrives just in the nick of time, pulling her from the freezing depths and ultimately saving her life.

Evangeline Navarro helps Liz Danvers escape the guilt

Kali Reis as Evangeline Navarro in 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)
Kali Reis as Evangeline Navarro in 'True Detective: Night Country' (HBO)

Following the incident, Danvers undergoes a profound shift in her beliefs as she finally embraces the existence of the supernatural realm.

Evangeline Navarro, gifted with the unique ability to connect with the beyond, receives visions of Danvers' dead son. She tells Danvers that Holden has a message, assuring her that he sees her.

Through Navarro's vision, Holden reassures his grieving mother that he is okay. This liberates Danvers from the burden of guilt over her inability to save her son and helps strengthen her bond with her stepdaughter Leah Danvers (Isabella Star LaBlanc).

'True Detective: Night Country' is available on Max.

RELATED TOPICS TRUE DETECTIVE

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Idris Elba reprises his role as the negotiator, this time in a different mode of transport
18 minutes ago
Anson Mount shared an album on social media that put Spock and Pike in focus
1 hour ago
'Pushing Daisies' premiered on ABC in 2007 and ran for two seasons before being cancelled in 2008
3 hours ago
While you wait for Glen Powell’s ‘Chad Powers’, all six episodes of Season 1 are available for streaming on Hulu
3 hours ago
'Ripple' chronicles the lives of four strangers living in New York City who develop a newfound sense of fraternity
6 hours ago
Mickey Haller is on the defense of his life as Netflix confirms ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Season 4 will return in early 2026
8 hours ago
The film unites Spielberg with several of his long-time collaborators, including David Koepp, the writer behind the screenplay for 'War of the Worlds'
9 hours ago
A fan-favorite star is returning to CBS, and his high-stakes cameo on 'Ghosts' may unravel more chaos than anyone living or dead is ready for
10 hours ago
The new instalment introduces Miya Cech's Toph Beifong in live-action for the first time.
23 hours ago
From new characters to ringing in some changes from the book, there have been significant differences
1 day ago