Paul Woodrugh was a motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol and a war veteran. He was one of the main characters in the second season of True Detective.
History[]
Paul Woodrugh was born to a showgirl and dancer named Cynthia Woodrugh. Paul was the product of casual sex, possibly prostitution, as neither Paul or his mother know who his father is. Instead of aborting Paul, Cynthia carried the baby to term, sacrificing her career in the process, a fact she is still bitter about decades later.
At an unspecified period in Paul's life, he presumably joined the United States Armed Forces, wherein he came into contact with a private security group known as Black Mountain. He served in the Middle East, namely in Iraq and Afghanistan, during which time he was suspected of having committed war crimes involving the death of innocent people. While deployed in Yemen, Paul had a sexual relationship with his squadmate, Miguel Gilb, something he is deeply ashamed about. He was discharged some time before the events of the series, possibly suffering from PTSD.
Events in California[]
Paul is introduced as being a motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol. During his beat, he witnesses a convertible veering dangerously onto the highway. He stops the car, and finds the owner - a young starlet, Lacey Lindel - visibly intoxicated. She tries to grasp for an excuse but, at the end of her rope, tries to bribe Paul with and offer of oral sex. It is implied he declines the offer, resulting in an accusation of sexual misconduct.
As a result of the accusation, Paul is put on administrative leave with pay. Returning home to his girlfriend, Emily, he takes Viagra in order for her to perform oral sex on him successfully.
Relationships[]
Career[]
Notes and Trivia[]
- The butterfly imagery makes abundant presence at Woodrugh's shelter.
- The private security group known as "Black Mountain" is a reference to Blackwater Security. It is also a clever reference to the band Black Mountain, whose song "Set Us Free" plays in Se2 Ep3 when Woodrugh is talking to prostitutes about Ben Caspere's death.
- It is also a reference to the 2004 Fallujah Blackwater incident which occurred on March 31, 2004. This was when Iraqi insurgents attacked a convoy containing four American contractors from the private military company Blackwater USA who were conducting a delivery for food caterers ESS.
Appearances[]
- 201. "The Western Book of the Dead" (First appearance)
- 202. "Night Finds You"
- 203. "Maybe Tomorrow"
- 204. "Down Will Come"
- 205. "Other Lives"
- 206. "Church in Ruins"
- 207. "Black Maps and Motel Rooms"
- 208. "Omega Station" (Mentioned only)