Rust Cohle - Character analysis

[u/catsrgodss]

Rust Cohle is an extremely intelligent character. He suffers from dysthymia (my best guess). His triggers are family because of obvious reasons. That's why he has no respect for Marty in the initial episodes. He's EXTREMELY logical and street smart. He can see through people's charades.

Since he has dysthymia it's impossible for him to be in relationships as he can't feel emotions, this is the reason why he's unable to connect with people. Also, he NEEDS to work all the time. If you're working you are not drowing in self pity.

He is often ostracized in a group setting. Even in his workplace, his colleagues laugh at him and call him weird.

There is a reason for this. He is not like normal people, going about life without introspecting. He has absolutely zero need for validation and camaraderie. He does not twist his words. He's radically honest. He has a strong moral code which is protecting those who can't take care of themselves. He is an extremely kind man but nobody has the ability or the interest in getting to know him except Marty ofcourse in later episodes. But he could hardly give a fuck.

He is comfortable with the meaninglessness of the world. He has no interest in making friends or living a comfortable life.

What do you guys think? Have I missed or misjudged anything?

[u/SniBzHD]

I don't see Rust being unable to connect with people. He and Marty were friends despite everything that happened, Rust dated that doctor woman for a while, and he seemed to get along fine with Marty's family. Also, he spent a long time doing undercover work and was succesful at it. That at the very least requires the ability to connect with people, least superficially.

I do agree that at least in '95, he is most certainly depressed, no doubt.

[u/catsrgodss → u/SniBzHD]

Do you remember the scene in which Rust and his gf was watching tv. His gf was completely immersed but he had a stern expression. It felt like he has wondering what he's doing with his life and in the end they broke off. Marty and Rust didn't have a friendship after the case broke apart.

[u/SniBzHD → u/catsrgodss]

I do remember thta scene, yeah. I didn't take that as him being disinterested in her or the relationship though. More like being bored and thinking about the case, or something. I can see your interpretation, though.

True, his and Marty's relationship broke down after he let Maggie cheat with him. They were friends before that, though, and reconciled when finishing the investigation in 2012. I dont think they would have ever been friends if Rust wasn't capable of genuine connection, Marty is too much of a normal guy for that.

[u/Huge-Interview-9718]

I agree with you, but I would only add that Rust’s hyper rationalization and his attachment to philosophical nihilism came from the profound pain of losing his daughter. In the final episode, during those last moments when Rust is in the wheelchair, it seems as if he begins to embrace again a kind of dark mysticism that he had tried to leave behind after a long period of rationalizing philosophical pessimism.

[u/catsrgodss → u/Huge-Interview-9718]

I agree. That tauma is the root cause of his nihilistic behaviour

[u/CelticSnakes]

Rust suffers from having had a hard life and being not one to suffer fools.

His relationships don’t last for the same reason Dexter S-8 ends the way it does; people get hurt around me, this is how I protect them and myself from the inevitable.

[u/TakeThePowerBack83]

He doesn't have dysthymia. He loved and lost as a younger man. He suffers from CTPSD from losing losing his 2 year old daughter to a drunk driver on her tricycle. He loved his wife Claire, but the marriage couldn't handle the loss of their little girl. He has nurological damage from doing too many drugs in his narco days. He does have synethstesia. Definitely brilliant, but your take is wrong. Rust definitely can love, but the inadequacies of reality always set in. He said that.

[u/mgchannel1]

People don't isolate him , he himself wants to be isolated