How so? It didn't especially focus on honor or vendettas, it was about cults, abuse, and a cover-up. Based in the South, yeah, but not getting the honor connection.

Think of Hart vs Cohle as an analogy to shame vs guilt cultures.

One particular scene I recalled when reading this article was the punishment Hart exacted on the two boys he caught with his daughter. Contrast that to his behavior towards the young women he cheated on his wife with, which is reminiscent of the honor culture described here.

Another scene he saw he a woman he was having an affair with seeing another man and proceeded to assault him in her own apartment. Again very reminiscent of the honor culture. We can see how Hart is unable to comprehend the moral inconsistency of his actions.

Contrast with Cohle, who feels deep guilt over the loss of his daughter and does not engage in any infidelity over the course of the series. (Besides the incident with Maggie, however it was something she goaded him into and he was single at the time.)

Also common thread in these situations was that the women were denied agency by Hart in his interactions with them.

You got me to watch it again, so thanks. :)

I also caught a lot more watching it the second time around!

I agree with Aaron, the major themes of the show were decline and depravity. All of the main characters were self-destructive. Honor and pride had little to do with the series.