True Detective

[Saddlerrad]

Season 2 premieres on Sky Atlantic on the 21st I believe.

Enjoyed the first series even if it was a little bit anti-climatic in the end. Vince Vaughn, Brad Pitt and Rachel McAdams are amongst what looks like a pretty star filled lineup.

 

[Craig]

I'm looking forward to it too.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Loved the first series (season in case Cashis is reading) however the cast of this one isn't making me excited to watch series 2.

Might give it a go.

 

[JoeJoeJoeJoe]

Brad Pitt? Do you mean Colin Farrell?

 

[DarkSithLord]

It is on the 22nd. (The Game of Thrones slot) as its the final episode of GOT next week.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Brad Pitt? Do you mean Colin Farrell?

Yar. Mix up mate.

 

[Craig]

Wasn't Brad Pitt rumoured to be in the cast before it became official?

 

[Saddlerrad]

Possibly, that may be where I have got his name in my head from.

 

[Jockney]

Not sure how they're going to exploit a formerly niche genre vibe now they're setting it in a conventionally northern urban setting, but obvs still interested. One possibly cool scenario is that they try to riff off southern gothic elements of the first season misguidedly, because at least that would make this thread interesting.

 

[HertsWolf]

Season 2 premieres on Sky Atlantic on the 21st I believe.

Enjoyed the first series even if it was a little bit anti-climatic in the end. Vince Vaughn, Brad Pitt and Rachel McAdams are amongst what looks like a pretty star filled lineup.

As anti-climactic as the last episode of Fortitude?

 

[mistermagic]

Watching the first season on and off. It's a good show but the episodes are quite long.

 

[SALTIRE]

Not going to bother with the new series.

 

[iesty wfc]

Hope they do a wire and use a variation on the theme tune for each series

 

[Mustard]

So this was on last, night, anybody seen it yet?

 

[RavenBish]

It was really missing something. I think it was Alexandra Daddario's....err personality.

 

[SF_]

Had my doubts but the fuckers have done it again!

Class.

 

[Saddlerrad]

The theme song is fucking atrocious compared to the catchy last one.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Wow, this is one of the longest, flattest and slowest 40 minutes of my life. S1 had my hooked after the first scene. The characters all seem, very uninteresting to put it kindly.

 

[RavenBish]

You were not hooked after the first scene you massive liar. S1 was slow as fuck for the first 2/3 episodes.

Thought it was ok as first episodes go.

 

[Saddlerrad]

You were not hooked after the first scene you massive liar. S1 was slow as fuck for the first 2/3 episodes.

Thought it was ok as first episodes go.

Where the victim is hanging on the tree, the scenery, the first few exchanges...I was. Both main characters were instantly interesting.

The last 10 minutes were actually much better, so I'll give it a second episode.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

I lost patience with the first series after an episode and a half, and largely because the whole "mumbling dialogue semi-coherently = REAL ACTING' thing (necessitating me to hit rewind about three dozen times per episode) really got on my tits. I know some people find the relocation to LA rather uninspiring, but taking it out of Muttersville, Louisiana and plonking it somewhere more conventional is fine with me,

I thought Farrell was electric, but I was less convinced by the rest of the cast. I've never liked McAdams and Kitsch and saw nothing to change my mind here, while Vaughn and John Morse (sporting the least convincing old man with long hair wig since Christopher Lee's in Lord of the Rings) seem badly miscast in their roles. I might change my mind as the series progresses.

The story didn't really grab me, but I can see the potential for it to develop interestingly. The episode was certainly well paced and skilfully structured, giving us a sketchy introduction to the four principals and then tying them together with the discovery of the corpse at the end. By the way, I loved the closing shot, spiralling up and away from the torch-lit crime scene to reveal the sea, the winding coast roads, the city lights in the distance and dawn breaking on the horizon. Terrific stuff.

This might be damning with faint praise, but I found more to like than dislike. I'll definitely watch the next one.

PS – I like the Cohen track. Whole opening sequence is super, actually.

 

[thespus]

I lost patience with the first series after an episode and a half, and largely because the whole "mumbling dialogue semi-coherently = REAL ACTING' thing (necessitating me to hit rewind about three dozen times per episode) really got on my tits. I know some people find the relocation to LA rather uninspiring, but taking it out of Muttersville, Louisiana and plonking it somewhere more conventional is fine with me,

I thought Farrell was electric, but I was less convinced by the rest of the cast. I've never liked McAdams and Kitsch and saw nothing to change my mind here, while Vaughn and John Morse (sporting the least convincing old man with long hair wig since Christopher Lee's in Lord of the Rings) seem badly miscast in their roles. I might change my mind as the series progresses.

The story didn't really grab me, but I can see the potential for it to develop in interestingly. The episode was certainly well paced and skilfully structured, giving us a sketchy introduction to the four principals and then tying them together with the discovery of the corpse at the end. By the way, I loved the closing shot, spiralling up and away from the torch-lit crime scene to reveal the sea, the winding coast roads, the city lights in the distance and dawn breaking on the horizon. Terrific stuff.

This might be damning with faint praise, but I found more to like than dislike. I'll definitely watch the next one.

PS – I like the Cohen track. Whole opening sequence is super, actually.

I think this is the best review of the first episode I've read. I disagree with your thoughts on the first series, though it did get a bit overrated. I actually think McAdams was another acting bright spot in addition to Farrell and I think the evolution of her character throughout the series will be telling for the writer, Pizzolotto. He receives a lot of flak, at least in American media, for writing poor female characters and relying on several gender stereotypes. I'm currently reading his novel, Galveston, which I'd argue also displays some archaic, submissive stereotypes of women. Then again, it is set in the deep south (in the 1980's, too) and deals with folks whom grew up without much money (white trash, he deems) so it might be a more accurate character portrayal.

Overall, much of the backstory felt contrived and unfocused, but I do think there is great potential with the story-line. I also like the location change; it helps prevent an unconscious associated with the first series by giving it a dramatically different background. The closing shot was as beautiful as anything shot by director of the previous series, whom was lauded for his cinematography. The episode received largely negative reviews with US media outlets, but I too think there was more to like than dislike. A lot of the negativity surrounded the "cliche of True Detective themes", which I find an odd comment. Do we expect, or even desire, a sudden change of themes? This review in particular I found to be rubbish: http://www.vox.com/2015/6/21/8822159/true-detective-premiere-recap-season-2

 

[iesty wfc]

If there is a third series it will be set in another part of the us again. Its how they have said its going to be and I can see how they are going to be similar form a visual point of view but the show will convey the contrast in lifestyles which I am looking forward to

 

[SF_]

Some people are criticising the episode because of a fucking theme tune?....really?

It seems certain people, especially the pretentious internet 'critics' seem desperate to hate this second season, the same people who would rip it to pieces if they came back with a similar setting and cast. I loved the first season of True Detective but it was a show that got better as it went on, the first episode of season 2 was much better than the premiere of season 1 imo.

Can't wait for episode 2.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

Overall, much of the backstory felt contrived and unfocused, but I do think there is great potential with the story-line. The episode received largely negative reviews with US media outlets, but I too think there was more to like than dislike. A lot of the negativity surrounded the "cliche of True Detective themes", which I find an odd comment. Do we expect, or even desire, a sudden change of themes?

I too find that line of criticism weird. The show has been relocated and completely re-cast. There's been a notable shift in tone, a shift away from it seeming so ostentaciously weighty. The narrative framework is much simpler. The dialogue is (for the most part) more parred down. There is no Rust Cohle Mark II drawling misery guts 'philosophy' from the passenger seat.

Yes, it's still about crime and high level corruption. Yes, it features damaged characters with troubled pasts. Yes, it looks like lying, self-delusion and hypocrisy are still prominent themes. Yes, it looks like weird voodoo sex malarky is still a thing. But it's a second season. Even in an anthology series like this this one, you need some common threads. If people want something that has all the aforementioned changes AND a completely different thematic outlook, perhaps they should just seek out another show.

To address one of your other points (and some of the points in the review you linked to), I do think the various gripes about heavy/clunky exposition, but especially those regarding to Ani and Ray, are warranted. My gut feeling is it might have been better to reveal some of that gradually and more subtly over the course of of 3-4 episodes rather than dump it on at the start. But I dunno… it's hard to judge things that have to do with pacing and structure until you have a fuller picture of the season as a whole. Probably best to defer judgement when we're just one episode in.

 

[Gator]

The first episode was a pilot, which explains why it was essentially an hour long prologue. The second episode has a distinctly different vibe and pacing to it, and was a marked improvement imo. I do wonder if it's going down familiar territory and the escort services, cosmetic surgery elements were a bit too conveniently 'LA Confidential'. I was relieved that most of the clunky dialogue from episode 1 was not prevalent. (Don't do anything when you are hungry, not even eat) C'mon man. Farrell is excellent in it though I must say, always found him an underrated actor, he was brilliant in In Bruges, and the ending of episode 2 was great. Justin Lin's propensity for freeway ariel shots combined with drumbeats in what I can only see as a homage to the shots of the bayou from season 1 are starting to get a bit repetitive though.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Some people are criticising the episode because of a fucking theme tune?....really?

It seems certain people, especially the pretentious internet 'critics' seem desperate to hate this second season, the same people who would rip it to pieces if they came back with a similar setting and cast. I loved the first season of True Detective but it was a show that got better as it went on, the first episode of season 2 was much better than the premiere of season 1 imo.

Can't wait for episode 2.

I hated the theme tune, the last one was dead catchy. Last 10 minutes of the episode improved and it made me intrigued enough to give the second episode a go, however, I was hooked by the characters instantly in S1, this time it was very hard. As C.S has pointed out, some of the key players have been cast by questionable actors for their role. More than happy to be proven wrong though.

Rachel McAdams was probably the best performance in the opening episode.

 

[SF_]

I hated the theme tune, the last one was dead catchy. Last 10 minutes of the episode improved and it made me intrigued enough to give the second episode a go, however, I was hooked by the characters instantly in S1, this time it was very hard. As C.S has pointed out, some of the key players have been cast by questionable actors for their role. More than happy to be proven wrong though.

Rachel McAdams was probably the best performance in the opening episode.

I was referring to the article Thespus posted rather than your posts, trying so hard to find faults with a one hour episode. Cringe.

There was nothing in that first episode to suggest to me this won't be another great series, although i've watched plenty of good pilots over the years which have resulted in average-to-turd TV shows.

 

[thespus]

I liked the second episode but I admit I feared the worst after that bizarre opening scene with Frank telling stories about his Chicago childhood to his wife. Later on you learn the pressure he is under, but that scene still felt contrived; it certainly didn't need to last as long as it did. McAdams and Farrell were both excellent again. I'm still impartial towards the bike cop's character despite his improved dialogue in episode two. I watched it with my missus while we cooked curry, so I fear I missed some of the softer dialogue between Ray and the Mayor/his people. Was there foreshadowing for whom may have wanted Ray shot? Obviously there was foreshadowing to his "welcoming judgement" and likely death, but this seems premature if it does happen. Frank could plausibly have a reason for wanting Ray whacked, despite his desire to have the case solved and his faith in Ray, but it seems outside the spectrum of his character arc. Vince Vaughn is a naturally charismatic actor, so perhaps that tinted my view of his "caring" gangster persona.

Edit - Does anyone sense overtures pointing towards the male leads various masculine downfalls? I.e. Ray's machismo which sees him ruin his life (losing his wife, his son, and his career) before ultimately losing it completely? Frank's struggle stems from ambition and greed. Paul seems to be having a ridiculous internal sexual struggle (which might explain the odd fellatio face in first episode). Every issue in his life seems related to sex. Ani's (stereotypical) male vices and struggles seem of interest, too. We are introduced to a scene where she desires a sexual act from her partner that he isn't comfortable with. She evidently struggles with gambling, smoking, and drinking, too. Not that women aren't prone to these vices/flaws/what-have-you as well, but it seems to fit in with the rest of the puzzle. It's a contrast to season one where the two lead characters' struggles juxtaposed one another; Harrelson's straightforward stance on masculinity to McConaughey's existential woes. Their character growth had more obvious paths despite the plot itself being more convoluted and shrouded in mystery than this season (thus far).

 

[SF_]

Superb yet again, the 'creepy' element which added to the first season didn't seem likely in the last episode but we've got it now.

Not sure how to process that ending.