"Black Maps and Motel Rooms" is the seventh episode of the second season of the American anthology crime drama television series True Detective. It is the 15th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto, and directed by Daniel Attias. It was first broadcast on HBO in the United States on August 2, 2015.
The season is set in California and focuses on three detectives, Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell), Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) and Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch), from three cooperating police forces and a criminal-turned-businessman named Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn) as they investigate a series of crimes they believe are linked to the murder of a corrupt politician. In the episode, Velcoro, Bezzerides and Woodrugh use the information they obtained to finally connect all cases, while Semyon sets out to take care of his loyalties.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.18 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received very positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, character development and ending.
Plot
After escaping from the mansion, Velcoro (Colin Farrell), Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams), Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch) and Vera (Miranda Rae Mayo) stay at a motel. Bezzerides is so panicked after the events that she seeks comfort in Velcoro, but he rebuffs her advances. Velcoro and Woodrugh check the stolen documents, which link Catalast and McCandless (Jon Lindstrom) to Osip (Timothy V. Murphy). During this, Woodrugh is privately sent pictures of his sexual encounter with Miguel, via an unknown number.
Velcoro visits Semyon (Vince Vaughn) at his casino to disclose information on the people involved at the mansion, revealing Osip's role. Semyon in return reveals Irina's death and that she contacted a police officer for information. Velcoro meets with Davis (Michael Hyatt) to disclose the new information but is shocked to discover her dead. Woodrugh moves Emily (Adria Arjona) and Cynthia (Lolita Davidovich) out of the city while Bezzerides does the same with Athena (Leven Rambin) and Eliot (David Morse), putting them in care of Ilinca (Michael Irby). Bezzerides also asks Vera about the diamonds, where she identifies some people involved for a woman being tortured at the shed in Guerneville.
Woodrugh retrieves information from the police department, discovering that Burris (James Frain) and Dixon were involved in meeting with Irina. He also discovers that Bezzerides is wanted for questioning for killing the guard at the mansion and they later find that Velcoro is a suspect in Davis' murder. Using the information that Velcoro provided, Semyon brutally attacks Blake (Christopher James Baker), who confesses to conspiring with Osip and Tony Chessani but claims that no one knows who killed Caspere. He confesses to killing Stan and reveals that Osip and McCandless are meeting at Ojai, where Osip will pay for Caspere's shares. He also warns him that they have bought the loyalty of all of his henchmen, with the exception of Nails (Chris Kerson) and offers to work as a double agent for him. Semyon is not interested and kills Blake.
Back at the motel room, Velcoro, Bezzerides and Woodrugh conclude that during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Burris, Holloway (Afemo Omilami), Dixon and Caspere worked together to steal diamonds, which they used to buy into the Vinci power structure. This explains the supposed robbery at Caspere's house, as they were looking for the diamonds. However, they are still unsure on who killed Caspere; neither Burris, Holloway or Dixon would do it as it would draw attention to them. Woodrugh is once again contacted by the stranger, claiming that they need to meet or he will leak the pictures, forcing him to leave the motel.
Semyon asks Jordan (Kelly Reilly) to pack her stuff and leave for now, with Nails accompanying her. Semyon then starts getting money, tickets, new IDs, cars, and weapons, intending for them to flee to Venezuela. He also meets with Chessani (Ritchie Coster), informing him of Tony's partnership with Osip and McCandless. He is also approached by Osip, who claims that he is buying the casino and offers him a position working for him, something that Semyon goes along with it. Later, Semyon evacuates the casino on a false alarm, kills one of Osip's guards and burns down the casino and some other properties.