HBO's True Detective - Part 2

[Doctor Jones]

Id call this a misfire whether it was the first season or the 10th. This season isnt a step down. No, its more like the show stumbled in the dark and fell down a mine shaft.

And there have been a number of posts in here critiquing this season on its own terms.

And just because this season is its own story does not mean that comparisons to the first season are not allowed or somehow invalidate critiques. Its still part of the same show on the same network. I dont see people in the AHS threads saying one season is its own story so any comparisons to a previous season are invalid and should be dismissed.

The first season demonstrated what the show could offer and do and this season hasnt offered the same quality. Ignoring the first season doesnt change the situation. This season is problematic and would be even if the first season had never existed.

And I've been saying that it's not because people are always comparing it to the first season as their reasoning. In some cases yes, but not all of them. I haven't seen it here and I've no problem with people's reasoning here. It's not like I'm trying to convert people to say that they're wrong. I'm not in denial over the reception of this season. Despite the criticisms of last season, it all around was a much more better received show.

I'm not talking about people here, again, I am referring to people and critics who are disliking it for the wrong reasons and suddenly those criticisms that I remember very well suddenly don't exist in favor of just criticizing this season. That's where it's ridiculous.

Granted, if this season was the equivalent in quality to the first, you probably wouldn't have gotten comparative critiques in the first place.

 

[MadVillainy]

Next season they should get a director who can collaborate with Pizzolatto

JohN Hillcoat (Lawless, The Proposition)
Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter)
Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The PLace Beyond the Pines)
Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station)

are all good director who I think could bring some good to the series.

 

[Smilodon]

The first person that came to my mind on who could possibly direct a season of TD was Michael Mann, but that's a pipe dream within a pipe dream given his age, the workload to handle an entire season of a show and Mann's own commitment to his creations.

That being said, I like the Ryan Coogler suggestion. Antoine Fuqua also came to mind, but now I'm just thinking of people who have done cop dramas. Fukunaga's most notable work before TD was an adaptation of Jane Eyre, so who knows what kinda talent is out there!

 

[Doctor Jones]

Next season they should get a director who can collaborate with Pizzolatto

JohN Hillcoat (Lawless, The Proposition)
Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter)
Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The PLace Beyond the Pines)
Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station)

are all good director who I think could bring some good to the series.

You mean direct all episodes again or more reputable directors to come in at various times? On a tv production schedule, that makes it more difficult.

This season kind of reminds me of Michael Mann but Michael Mann that doesn't put me to sleep or sucks. Though I know I'd find the reversal criticisms here all the same.

 

[Marvolo]

Who is writing the scripts this season? The direction this season seems consistent from episode to episode so multiple directoes handling a couple episodes each doesnt seem to be the reason for the drop in quality. They can only do so much with the scripts they are given. I think the issues this season are coming from the scripts so maybe next season just needs a different writer(s).

 

[TheBat812]

Id call this a misfire whether it was the first season or the 10th. This season isnt a step down. No, its more like the show stumbled in the dark and fell down a mine shaft.

And there have been a number of posts in here critiquing this season on its own terms.

And just because this season is its own story does not mean that comparisons to the first season are not allowed or somehow invalidate critiques. Its still part of the same show on the same network. I dont see people in the AHS threads saying one season is its own story so any comparisons to a previous season are invalid and should be dismissed.

The first season demonstrated what the show could offer and do and this season hasnt offered the same quality. Ignoring the first season doesnt change the situation. This season is problematic and would be even if the first season had never existed.

I agree, this season is weaker than the last. But to say it's fallen down a mine shaft in comparison to the first is laughably hyperbolic. It's still a very solid show with great characters and fantastic performances everywhere. It's still playing with classic detective tropes and themes and playing with their conventions. It's structure is still very similar to season 1 in the grand scheme of the 8 episode season.

Problems with season 2 for me have been it's pacing being kind of all over, which is likely a function of no fukuhara to unify the vision with his watchful eye. The mystery/case is less at the forefront and because it happened to somebody we dislike, there isn't that same need for justice that keeps the audience needing to come back for more. More characters and motivations seem to be a challenge for some viewers, but that hasn't been an issue for me. None of these are close to deal breakers for me as I still really like each of the characters, but they still are noticeable flaws in the show.

So much of what I loved about season 1 was also it's tone, and that continues into this season - ya that bars depressing, but I love it. It feels like a fictional cig gone to ****, ala Gotham (the fictional city, not the show). It still feels like the weight of their lives and jobs are crushing their spirits.

Anyway, my point is that in isolation, the show is still a strong show, well made, well acted, well written and well presented. It's just not as good as season 1, which really did work very well the whole way through. It's supernatural tint and existential feeling still carried over to this series, but it's more spread out. I actually like how he's tried to reframe that feeling for this season instead of just straight up doing the same kind of thing like most people would've done. If season 1 was a 10/10, this season is at least an 8, imo. And I hope it's last three episodes can bring it up to a 9.

 

[TheBat812]

Who is writing the scripts this season? The direction this season seems consistent from episode to episode so multiple directoes handling a couple episodes each doesnt seem to be the reason for the drop in quality. They can only do so much with the scripts they are given. I think the issues this season are coming from the scripts so maybe next season just needs a different writer(s).

Every single episode of the show has been written by one guy. But I do think getting somebody to work with him on it would be beneficial to the show, if anything to offer some objective perspective on how it's shaping up.

 

[Marvolo]

Every single episode of the show has been written by one guy. But I do think getting somebody to work with him on it would be beneficial to the show, if anything to offer some objective perspective on how it's shaping up.

In that case then its safe to say that cary fukunaga probably was a big influence on the quality of season one. Perhaps next season will have directors that can as you say collaborate with the sriter and to point out weak sections and sections that can be made more gripping.

 

[Kane52630]

I really enjoyed this episode over the last one. You had real tension at times and looking at next week, we're gonna be in for a treat.

 

[StarLord]

I stopped watching after episode 3. I'm waiting until it's finished so I can watch it right through.

 

[Travesty]

 

[slimshady247]

Didn't somebody already post that in here like a week or two ago?

 

[Travesty]

Not sure, I haven't been in here, cause I haven't really been enjoying it. I just saw it.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I'm hooked on Season 2.

So far there has only been one bad episode (#3). Vaughn struggles at times to deliver his lines and the stuff with his wife lacks any on-screen chemistry. Yet Farrell, McAdams, and Kitsch are carrying the torch. Velcoro is a force of nature waiting to be unleashed again and that cliffhanger from last night's episode was intense. The whole episode itself was amazing - especially the scene with Woodrough and his mother. All four leads brought their A-game.

I see a lot of complaints being that not everything is being explained right away and it has taken its time getting going. I love that about it. I don't want to be told everything right away, which allows me to use my mind and try to speculate. I'm getting a nice slow stew and then hit with an exciting back nine. Sooooo many eccentric characters in this from Pitler, Chessani, Antigone's father, etc. etc which also makes this fun to watch.

I find season one gets more praise than it deserved. It was carried tremendously by a handful of McConaughey existential pontifications and the episode with Rust's shootout in the hood. After that I was bored until the finale. Don't get me wrong, overall I enjoyed it but viewers really need to let go of it and stop watching season two thru that lense. Some deny they're not doing that, but it's pretty clear they are.

If I could change anything about this season, it would be one director the whole time and for it to not try so hard to force the eccentric dialogue for every line spoken. Sometimes viewers need a break from the shtick. There are times when it's almost like watching Shakespeare. Still some great lines in there though, my favorite being when Bezzerides calls Velcoro a mood ring after they got done talking to her father.

 

[JtheDreamer]

It's taking a bit but, I'm digging this season. For me, mainly the biggest adjustment is there is no character as interesting as Rust Cohle. They could have gone some place else aside from Cali as well. Plus, just the structure of season 1 with the two different time periods and how you were trying to piece together what went down in between with just the information given each week, it was a lot more engaging. This season is still good, in my opinion, though.

Speak for yourself. I find Velcoro just as interesting and Farrell's acting job is on another level compared to the stoned-out persona of Cohle. He's just so raw and emotive.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I co-sign. I personally like this season, ep for ep compared to the first. The first season had many eps that dragged, plus...

.......i think people are just still fascinated with the reveal of Alexandra Daddario's tata's...

But ohhhh were those tatas nice.

 

[Six]

We're never going to enjoy it because it's not enjoyable.

Oh... I guess I didn't get the memo.

 

[MadVillainy]

You mean direct all episodes again or more reputable directors to come in at various times? On a tv production schedule, that makes it more difficult.

This season kind of reminds me of Michael Mann but Michael Mann that doesn't put me to sleep or sucks. Though I know I'd find the reversal criticisms here all the same.

Direct all the episodes just like Cary did in season 1

 

[BestGirl]

Count me among those who are still enjoying the season. I love how the investigation is finally coming together. I don't understand the people who say that they don't care who killed Caspere. It looks to me like the killer is trying to use Caspere's murder to expose the corruption of men in high places, and some of this nefarious activity involves disappeared women.

Frank was better this week than he's ever been. Hope there's some payoff with the baby story though and it's not just some time waster. I can't wait to see him and Ray square off next week. Frank was kind of an idiot to assume the real rapist would never get caught.

Kitsch acted really well in that fight with his mom. Again, I hope the whole gay subplot has a point. I like him better now that he's getting more involved with the case.

Who sent Vera's sister the photos? Was it Vera? I've been assuming it was Birdman trying to jumpstart the case.

I didn't get the part about the one investor driving his car off a cliff. Obviously he was murdered, but why? Is Catalyst trying to get their hands on the land he bought?

So I take it Dixon wasn't working for the mayor, otherwise Vinci PD wouldn't've had to ask Ray questions about the photos found at his place. Who was he working for then?

I hope Ray grows his mustache back. He had the absolute worst line of the night with the whole "sublunar" business. A pity since the episode had been pretty good on the dialog front up to that point.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Oh... I guess I didn't get the memo.

 

[Warhammer]

And just when Frank was becoming sympathetic. Those man tears were effective. Then he just had to be f***ing Velcoro over and being the catalyst for how s***ty his life is.

 

[mkilban2]

Loving this season, but seeing a ton of hate from random ppl. I like the slow burn of shows like this and Hannibal. I think a lot of people are complaining simply because they can't understand the story, which isn't an excuse imo, a normal adult shouldnt need everything explained to them, plus that's part of the thrill of the show, being in the dark.

I originally didn't care for having 4 leads, but it's growing on me. I honestly wouldn't have mined just Farrell and McAdams with Frank/Other cop as smaller roles. Woulda gave a bit of a feeling to the prior season, but as I said it's become fine with me.

 

[JtheDreamer]

Loving this season, but seeing a ton of hate from random ppl. I like the slow burn of shows like this and Hannibal. I think a lot of people are complaining simply because they can't understand the story, which isn't an excuse imo, a normal adult shouldnt need everything explained to them, plus that's part of the thrill of the show, being in the dark.

Agreed on all accounts, especially loving the slow burn.

 

[BestGirl]

Dr. Pitlor was scary looking, almost inhuman the way his skin was so smooth. That scene where Ray beat him up was great. It was so intense it was almost like it were really happening.

The messages Ray leaves for Chad are unintentionally hilarious. "I wanted to be an astronaut, but they don't even go to the moon anymore" and "Pain is inexhaustible". Poor Chad must be freaked out listening to them.

 

[Warhammer]

Maybe this season would have been better had I waited to binge watch them all. Maybe it would come off as more cohesive. I don't know. I binge watched the first season and was hooked by the third episode.