'True Detective' & 'KUWTK' Aren't That Different

Sunday night, I overestimated what I, an avid television watcher, could handle. "Huge episodes of True Detective and Keeping Up With The Kardashians? Bring it on!" I said. "This is going to be so much fun!" I assumed I could properly digest the eps back-to-back. I was wrong. Following the former’s finale with the latter’s mid-season finale was more TV than I bargained for. Between True Detective 's somewhat dumbfounding conclusion and the very heavy events that transpired on KUWTK, I wound up in a weird headspace. I wasn't ready to talk about or think about the shows. I was pooped. I wanted to go to bed. And to bed I went.

Rest is what I needed, because once I woke up, I was back in action. And I had an epiphany: Though True Detective and KUWTK are very different programs, Sunday night's eps had some similar moments. Don't believe me? Think it's impossible to find any parallels between a scripted crime drama on HBO and an E! reality show in its ninth season?

Well, I found 'em. And here they are:

A WTF Moment

TD: The sky over Carcosa turns into a Sunnydale-esque Hellmouth black hole. Rust sees it, acknowledges it, and then it goes away. Is it in his mind? Is it real? Is it aliens? Is it death? Is it in our minds? It's probably in his mind, but whoa. KUWTK: Kourtney’s bizarre three braid hairdo throughout the Tucson trip is double-take worthy. Yes, I'm using the word "moment" liberally, but it's one long fashion moment. Why does she wear her hair like this? We never get an explanation. It may forever be a mystery.

A Heartwarming Moment

TD: Rust and Marty have a wonderful conversation that culminates in the two hobbling away together from the hospital. Marty literally supports Rust. SO MANY FEELINGS.KUWTK: Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, and Malika have a heart-to-heart about Lamar. It’s very sad, tears happen, but the love is there. Kim, Kourtney, and Malika figuratively support Khloe. SO MANY FEELINGS.

A Terrifying Moment

TD: Rust wandering through Carcosa while Errol provides an ominous voiceover is horrifying. I can leave it at that, yes?KUWTK: Kourtney and Scott climbing on top of a very tall and narrow post feels more like something out of a nightmare (I don’t care that they're wearing harnesses. Too scary for this gal) than a productive trust exercise. I shudder at the thought.

A Tear-Jerking Moment

TD: When Marty’s daughters and ex-wife visit him in the hospital? And says he's going to be fine? And he starts crying? What am I supposed to do, not weep?

KUWTK: The Lamar montage PLUS Kris crying about Lamar is gut-wrenching television. The tears are a-flowin'.

An Overwhelming Moment

TD: Marty is understandably disgusted and overwhelmed when he enters Errol’s house. Can you imagine walking into that pit? That creepy, awful pit of an abode? "This house is NOT a home," I'd mumble before sprinting out the front door. KUWTK: Kourtney and Scott have to dodge the camera of EVERY SINGLE PATRON as they make their way through a local Tucson bar. Geez, it'd be too much. I'd want to hide in the bathroom until the bar closed. Oh, wait. They're Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick. A bunch of strangers attacking them with cell phone cameras is nothing new or stressful. I guess this particular parallel isn't as airtight as I initially thought. Back to the drawing board!

Images: E!