True Detective Season Two

[Kevin Greene]

I feel like the first season was better, as you had a focused line of antagonism in the cult/killer aspect.

So far in season 2, people are their own enemies and I think they have kind of lost sight of a greater purpose too often and too long.

 Season 1 may indeed be better but the bar is ridiculously high. This season is all over the place and I wish they were 90 or even 2 hours each week to better tell the story. Still enjoying very much though and look forward to it all coming together.

[CarolinaCoolin]

It's on par with the first season. You can already start to see the story bending back around and coming back together. You can't accurately judge the season until it's complete and you know the whole story. We are still in the dark on 3 whole episodes of information. You guys stay in this sensationalist "prisoner of the moment mindset when it comes to consuming TV. Whether be the walking dead, game of thrones, true detective. You'll have people instantly rushing to these threads to drop a comment or a "hot take" after an episode but comment on a season in general. TV and stories in general don't work that way. Episodes are equivalent to chapters in a book. You can't read one chapter and be like this book is poo. The story isn't even over yet.

[Moorgan]

It's on par with the first season. You can already start to see the story bending back around and coming back together. You can't accurately judge the season until it's complete and you know the whole story. We are still in the dark on 3 whole episodes of information. You guys stay in this sensationalist "prisoner of the moment mindset when it comes to consuming TV. Whether be the walking dead, game of thrones, true detective. You'll have people instantly rushing to these threads to drop a comment or a "hot take" after an episode but comment on a season in general. TV and stories in general don't work that way. Episodes are equivalent to chapters in a book. You can't read one chapter and be like this book is poo. The story isn't even over yet.

But surely we are capable of thought out criticism...to this point. I recognize it isn't over yet but the pacing of the story and the number of characters to this point are markedly different than season 1 and pointing that out is not jumping to conclusions. 

[CarolinaCoolin]

But surely we are capable of thought out criticism...to this point. I recognize it isn't over yet but the pacing of the story and the number of characters to this point are markedly different than season 1 and pointing that out is not jumping to conclusions. 

I'm all for thought out criticism. Most criticism from this subforum isn't really all that thought out though. With three episodes left you can't say the first season was better or worse than this one. This season like you mentioned with there being more characters and plot lines is already fundamentally different from the first. From 2 main characters, one crime, one bad guy to 4 main characters, multiple murders/cases, 2 or more bad guys. This is an anthology series. poo we didn't even get to 2012 in the first season until the end of episode 7. People were already commenting on how this season is worse after one episode. The thought out criticism is few and far between.

[Inimicus]

I'm all for thought out criticism. Most criticism from this subforum isn't really all that thought out though. With three episodes left you can't say the first season was better or worse than this one. This season like you mentioned with there being more characters and plot lines is already fundamentally different from the first. From 2 main characters, one crime, one bad guy to 4 main characters, multiple murders/cases, 2 or more bad guys. This is an anthology series. poo we didn't even get to 2012 in the first season until the end of episode 7. People were already commenting on how this season is worse after one episode. The thought out criticism is few and far between.

Callin BS on this.

I don't have to drink a whole 12 pack of Bud Light Lime to know that is going to be inferior to the 6 of Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye I had last week.

Likewise I don't need to see more than one or two episodes to know that the writing and acting of season two is inferior to season one.  Now don't get me wrong... This season is head and shoulders above 90% of the current offerings that my 200+ channels have to offer. But season 1 reset the bar for the detective dramas and season 2 is just not filling the boots of its older brother.

[CarolinaCoolin]

Callin BS on this.

I don't have to drink a whole 12 pack of Bud Light Lime to know that is going to be inferior to the 6 of Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye I had last week.

Likewise I don't need to see more than one or two episodes to know that the writing and acting of season two is inferior to season one.  Now don't get me wrong... This season is head and shoulders above 90% of the current offerings that my 200+ channels have to offer. But season 1 reset the bar for the detective dramas and season 2 is just not filling the boots of its older brother.

Your comparison is bad, and you should feel bad. On both fronts. You are comparing season 1 which literally came out of no where to a season 2 riddled with hype and high expectations while also comparing it to a drink. Literally step back from your keyboard and fug your own face.

[SmootsDaddy89]

People didn't have expectations for Season 1. That's why it's so good. It's not like it was based off of a book or something where hype might exist.

 

Season two comes along with a different cast and completely different style of story telling all while having to live up to unrealistic expectations of neckbeards based on one season that HAS to set the bar if they want to see a season 2, 3, etc. . .

[Inimicus]

Your comparison is bad, and you should feel bad. On both fronts. You are comparing season 1 which literally came out of no where to a season 2 riddled with hype and high expectations while also comparing it to a drink. Literally step back from your keyboard and fug your own face.

I appreciate the fact that you think Im gifted enough to fug my own face 

All kidding aside I contend that my simile is an apt one.  Your contention is that the two seasons can only be judged in once they have both reached their culmination and I think you're wrong.  I didn't need the 3 more episodes to know that Nic fell short on the writing of this one and the parade of directors in season two fall short of the cohesive cinematic vision delivered by Fukunaga's season 1.  Likewise I don't need 3 more episodes to know that for as much as I am enjoying the individual performances of the 4 primary actors in this season they pale in comparison to the jobs Harrelson and McConaughey did in the first season.

 

Can this season redeem itself with some fantastic writing and acting in the last 3 episodes?  I tune in every week hoping so. But to suggest that it can't be judged on what its put down so far is ironically as myopic as what you are accusing others of.

[CarolinaCoolin]

I appreciate the fact that you think Im gifted enough to fug my own face 

All kidding aside I contend that my simile is an apt one.  Your contention is that the two seasons can only be judged in once they have both reached their culmination and I think you're wrong.  I didn't need the 3 more episodes to know that Nic fell short on the writing of this one and the parade of directors in season two fall short of the cohesive cinematic vision delivered by Fukunaga's season 1.  Likewise I don't need 3 more episodes to know that for as much as I am enjoying the individual performances of the 4 primary actors in this season they pale in comparison to the jobs Harrelson and McConaughey did in the first season.

 

Can this season redeem itself with some fantastic writing and acting in the last 3 episodes?  I tune in every week hoping so. But to suggest that it can't be judged on what its put down so far is ironically as myopic as what you are accusing others of.

Your simile is poo and your opinion is poo. The two seasons are different in almost every way save for the person who is writing them. No expectations/hype vs massive(almost unreachable) expectations, tight character base vs larger character base, small scope setting vs an expansive setting, one central crime vs an ever growing conspiracy. I mean you are basically comparing a finished product in retrospect to a currently on air unfinished season. It's literally apples and oranges. Comparing an academy award winning and academy nominated actors to this cast? If I see one episode of the wire or the sopranos or game of thrones and I don't like it does that mean the whole series is poo? No because that's fuging dumb.

[Johnny Rockets]

So reading through this thread, am I the only one that doesn't like Vaughn as Fran Semyon? I'm not sure if it's Vaughn I don't like or the character. He is starting to grow on me but it's taken awhile. Maybe there is too much of him in the show, or the way he talks, or how it is written. Just can't put my finger on it. Apparently everyone else loves him though. 

[Cary Kollins]

I think this was the best episode yet. As many blogs have pointed out, this episode served to reset the series, just as episode five of the first season did after the Reggie Ledeaux case. The first season had the cool trick of alternate timelines though, which was really neat.

My favorite part of this episode was Collin Farrel's Ray beating the crap out of the crooked psychiatrist. It was some kind of perverse joy watching him take out all his frustration on that sleeze ball.

I can't wait to see where the rest of the season will lead.

[Doyle]

So reading through this thread, am I the only one that doesn't like Vaughn as Fran Semyon? I'm not sure if it's Vaughn I don't like or the character. He is starting to grow on me but it's taken awhile. Maybe there is too much of him in the show, or the way he talks, or how it is written. Just can't put my finger on it. Apparently everyone else loves him though.

He is very monotone.  It's like he is just reading cue cards.

[Darth Biscuit]

So reading through this thread, am I the only one that doesn't like Vaughn as Fran Semyon? I'm not sure if it's Vaughn I don't like or the character. He is starting to grow on me but it's taken awhile. Maybe there is too much of him in the show, or the way he talks, or how it is written. Just can't put my finger on it. Apparently everyone else loves him though. 

I think it's the writing.  Vaughn has done a good job imo, but the writing makes the character kind of... idk, stiff is the best word I can come up with.  I think better writing would have put his character up there with the main characters from season 1, but I think they came up short there.

 

A certain part of the general feeling about this season was the unattainable level that season 1 set... but that's not all of it.  It's also not just that it's different characters and a different story, it's simply that the show isn't as good, which in all honesty is probably what we should have all expected.  Season 1 of TD was simply so outrageously great that a let down was inevitable.  I am enjoying it and will continue to watch to the end however.

[Cary Kollins]

I really like Vaughn's performance so far. I think he is intentionally keeping a lot of Frank's emotions inside. You can just look at his face and see all the pent up rage and frustration just about to boil over. I think that's damn good acting.