HBO's True Detective Season 2 - let's discuss!

[thebestMAX]

So far I think they are trying too hard to recapture the feeling of the first year of the series. Dont think they are going to do it. Dialog is now where near.

The shooter, Bird man? Egyptian god? Elk man from Hannibal? Weirdness of the first season carried over. Its a Detective show not scifi.

No saying I dont like it but .....................

 

[zinfamous]

The call back to the masked people in season 1 is interesting...

I wonder how that will tie in...

It's disturbing to think that animal mask cult is present all the way out to the west. If they play it right that common thread running through season one and perhaps all the way through season two and into future seasons could be a new modern mythology in television.


.....

The "map of Carcosa" that was shown briefly last season suggests that its influence and power runs very long. I always assumed that the background running this season would be the same network of evil, just in a different location with different people.

With non lethal rounds, guaranteed.

I guess it is possible...but it doesn't make much sense to me that a bad dude discovering a cop in his lair would have much desire to let this guy live for any amount of time. Maybe it seems like a lot of buildup for the supposed primary character to kill him off early, but again--I present Psycho. I am guessing there is still some past to deal with, so we see him throughout the season.

The field is a bit crowded as it is: you now have the Highway Patrolman to take his spot to make the 2 person team with Antigone. I'm still saying he is dead; I look at this as the cop that gets killed before the story starts and clutters the investigation; only we're now along for that part of the story. Antigone is now tasked with uncovering Farrel's connections to V Vaughn and how that part of the story plays out.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Ep 1 was decent. It didn't grab my attention like season one did. I'm having trouble with the Vince character. Something is just weird about the way he speaks and acts in this one.

Ep 2 was better. The end was a surprise. we'll have to see where that goes. The ending has me now looking forward to Ep 3.

So far, still not as good as season 1. Time will tell.

 

[blankslate]

Its a Detective show not scifi.

That's the thing, we don't know that the cult has any sci-fi elements... like real supernatural powers. It might just be a creepy cult whose influence will be felt through season 02 (and perhaps futures ones?) as well as season 1 while perhaps not being as much as a focus as it was in season 1.

The "map of Carcosa" that was shown briefly last season suggests that its influence and power runs very long. I always assumed that the background running this season would be the same network of evil, just in a different location with different people.

Good catch, I had believed that it was just about entirely in the South maybe as far west as Texas. I was lulled into believing that season 2 wouldn't have such a noticeable thread connecting it to season 1 and I was quite pleasantly surprised.

I agree on the Psycho thing.
Why do a coup de grace with non lethal round? If the goal is to knock someone out and capture them then the butt to the face would suffice...

Not only do the patrol officer and other detective have another death to investigate now we'll see if the older drunken detective becomes more active (rather than passively not caring so much) hindrance to the investigation.


....

 

[Childs]

2 shotgun blasts to the crotch and gut?

sorry bro.

Spoiler

imdb...

 

[zinfamous]

Spoiler

imdb...

Spoiler

Haven't checked it out, but as I mentioned already, Farrell could still be around for several episodes even if he is dead in the present story.

 

[Childs]

Spoiler

Haven't checked it out, but as I mentioned already, Farrell could still be around for several episodes even if he is dead in the present story.

I dont see how he could have survived either, but that spoiler tag is a reason to think otherwise. It would actually be pretty badass if he did die, cause then no one is safe.

Spoiler

It could also simply be a mistake on that imdb.

 

[blankslate]

I dont see how he could have survived either, but that spoiler tag is a reason to think otherwise. It would actually be pretty badass if he did die, cause then no one is safe.

Spoiler

It could also simply be a mistake on that imdb.

__________________

Maybe

Spoiler

they gave Colin Farrell credits for all episodes (even though he may not show up alive anymore it doesn't preclude flashback scenes of some sort) as a way to misdirect the people who might look at sites like and not spoil a death.

Google "Did True Detective Finally Deliver the Violent Madness We’ve Been Waiting For?"
and you'll find a Vanity Fair article talking about spoilers with a gif that shows the 2nd shotgun blast apparently opening up a grisly stomach wound... although the lack of blood does seem unrealistic.

Oh yeah they had a weird cameo in episode 2 from a 80's musician.

I did like the throw away line about why he never smokes e-cigarettes

"Maybe it's just a little too close to sucking a robot's dick... I don't know."

then the person with the e-cigarette stops smoking.




....

 

[zinfamous]

I dont see how he could have survived either, but that spoiler tag is a reason to think otherwise. It would actually be pretty badass if he did die, cause then no one is safe.

Spoiler

It could also simply be a mistake on that imdb.

to further confuse myself, I watched that scene a 3rd time last night:

Spoiler

the first shot, it looks more like the wind was knocked out of him--he seems to be sucking breath. Makes sense that cultist would have just butted Farrell in the head instead of the 2nd shot if the plan was to be non-lethal, but that isn't dramatic cliffhangery. Still, just because it looks like the wind was knocked out of him, that could be, well, acting. I dunno. I still lean towards dead, but I guess he could be alive.

Do dummy rounds that can actually knock people out also come loaded into standard shell casings? cult dude ejected an empty casing after the first shot.

 

[Phanuel]

Do dummy rounds that can actually knock people out also come loaded into standard shell casings? cult dude ejected an empty casing after the first shot.

Yes.

Spoiler

But I'm going with he was just wearing a vest.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Ep 1 was decent. It didn't grab my attention like season one did. I'm having trouble with the Vince character. Something is just weird about the way he speaks and acts in this one.

I feel the same. The way some his dialog begins with certain contractions like "ain't" and "don't" really sounds unnatural and forced to me.

The ending of episode 2 definitely started making things interesting.

 

[zinfamous]

As to Vince Vaughn, I don't have any problem with him. I've only ever known him to play a dudebro in every single role, so to me it's fair to give him the benefit of the doubt as to what he can do with this role. I haven't really seen anything all that awkward with his delivery, yet. I think most anyone saw him in the first previews and was thinking "Aw, what the fuck man, Vince Vaughn? blah!"

Recall that season 1 was a hugely transformative role for MacCauangahgahay, and the initial reception of his participation during the previews was the same as with Vaughn.

 

[KLin]

MacCauangahgahay lol

 

[smackababy]

Didn't see that ending coming, but I imagine he could have survived. If it was less than lethal rounds, he could easily have just been incapacitated.


I am actually not really feeling bad on Vaughn's performance so far. He isn't the annoying, "funny" guy he is normally known for playing and I think he is crooked as fuck in this show.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Recall that season 1 was a hugely transformative role for MacCauangahgahay, and the initial reception of his participation during the previews was the same as with Vaughn.

I don't think that's accurate. In addition to his own dudebro roles, McConaughey at least already had a number of serious and well acted roles in his resume: A Time to Kill, Amistad, U-571, Frailty, We Are Marshall, Killer Joe, Mud, Dallas Buyer's Club...

To be clear, I'm not trying to shit on Vaughn's performance. I think he's probably delivering lines as well as can be expected. I think the actual script/writing and direction may be somewhat strange in order to assign a quirk to the character. I do think he's pulling off the image of a crook well. I get the impression of a former thug relatively newly risen to a position of real power.

 

[zinfamous]

I don't think that's accurate. In addition to his own dudebro roles, McConaughey at least already had a number of serious and well acted roles in his resume: A Time to Kill, Amistad, U-571, Frailty, We Are Marshall, Killer Joe, Mud, Dallas Buyer's Club...

Mud, Dallas Buyer's Club, and True Detective were all projects that he was working on at the same time.

We Are Marshall...hollywood schlockiness. Contact was a non dudebro role as well.

Anyway, even if they weren't dudebro-y, up to that single year he was basically stand-in handsome leading man guy. Admittedly, still way more diverse than Vince Vaughn.

Still, I always liked McConagaahey. He will always be Wooderson to me, and that's good enough. I think there was some thread here several years ago where I proposed a McCaonaghey film festival! --and that was before his more challenging roles.

 

[pyonir]

I actually came in with high hopes for Vaughn...thought it might be a great role for him. Something different. Maybe my disappointment is because I expected more from him.

 

[Charmonium]

According to IMDB, Colin Farrell is listed for 8 episodes this season. That might just be to fake us out though. It will be interesting to see how this plays out next week. It's hard to imagine that they would hire someone like him to just appear in a couple of episodes.

Spoiler

If he does survive, it could be a jump-the-shark moment for the show. I don't see how you take 2 shotgun blasts to the torso and walk away unless he was wearing a vest and even then, there's going to be extensive bruising and probably some broken ribs. And btw, has anyone noticed his wearing a vest in either of the episodes so far? If so, then maybe this won't be quite so jarringly unrealistic.

Also the idea of someone sitting in Caspere's love shack just waiting for anyone to drop by seems incredibly far fetched. So either this is a gaping plot hole or whoever killed Caspere, or ordered the hit to be more accurate, is tapped in to the same people that Semyon questioned in the episode. Setting a trap for him would make sense if the person behind the hit is also responsible for Semyon getting ripped off.

 

[smackababy]

According to IMDB, Colin Farrell is listed for 8 episodes this season. That might just be to fake us out though. It will be interesting to see how this plays out next week. It's hard to imagine that they would hire someone like him to just appear in a couple of episodes.

Spoiler

If he does survive, it could be a jump-the-shark moment for the show. I don't see how you take 2 shotgun blasts to the torso and walk away unless he was wearing a vest and even then, there's going to be extensive bruising and probably some broken ribs. And btw, has anyone noticed his wearing a vest in either of the episodes so far? If so, then maybe this won't be quite so jarringly unrealistic.

Also the idea of someone sitting in Caspere's love shack just waiting for anyone to drop by seems incredibly far fetched. So either this is a gaping plot hole or whoever killed Caspere, or ordered the hit to be more accurate, is tapped in to the same people that Semyon questioned in the episode. Setting a trap for him would make sense if the person behind the hit is also responsible for Semyon getting ripped off.

Spoiler

Remember the hooker that said Caspere seemed weak and liked to watch. Who was he watching? If it was the hooker and another person, perhaps THAT person is connected to both his murder AND staying at the scene / watching the house. Clearly, they were after the money of Caspere or some information involving the business dealings he has been doing. They could easily be following up on the or watching the house. Plus, with the crooked mayor and the players Vaughn's character is bringing in, who knows who is really behind it. I don't think it is far fetched for them to be watching this "secret" house, especially if they didn't get the money Caspere had.

 

[MongGrel]

I actually feel about Season 2 like I did about Season 1.

I really didn't think the first session took off fast out of the chute, but I loved it by the end.

The ties to the first season are pretty nicely done, for just two shows so far I'd say well done, even if I was not ever a Vince Vaughn fan really myself.

It has a lot of room to grow atm.

One of those series I actually have to watch a few times each episode myself just picking up things, and don't mind a lot.

 

[Charmonium]

Spoiler

Remember the hooker that said Caspere seemed weak and liked to watch. Who was he watching? If it was the hooker and another person, perhaps THAT person is connected to both his murder AND staying at the scene / watching the house. Clearly, they were after the money of Caspere or some information involving the business dealings he has been doing. They could easily be following up on the or watching the house. Plus, with the crooked mayor and the players Vaughn's character is bringing in, who knows who is really behind it. I don't think it is far fetched for them to be watching this "secret" house, especially if they didn't get the money Caspere had.

Good point. It will definitely make the show more interesting if we have to keep guessing about who's behind which actions.

Spoiler

I've also since read the posts about different kinds of rounds. That idea had definitely not occurred to me especially after the coup de grace shot. But can't bean bag rounds be lethal at close range? IDK. Whichever way they go I think I'm probably going to have some issues with it.

 

[zinfamous]

Spoiler

Remember the hooker that said Caspere seemed weak and liked to watch. Who was he watching? If it was the hooker and another person, perhaps THAT person is connected to both his murder AND staying at the scene / watching the house. Clearly, they were after the money of Caspere or some information involving the business dealings he has been doing. They could easily be following up on the or watching the house. Plus, with the crooked mayor and the players Vaughn's character is bringing in, who knows who is really behind it. I don't think it is far fetched for them to be watching this "secret" house, especially if they didn't get the money Caspere had.

Spoiler

I think that was more than a lovenest: animal heads/costumes, hard drive and equipment downloading/uploading whoknowswhat. Unless that was merely Caspere's files and the cultist was after more than murder. well, obviously they would be...but I feel it is all some sort of creepy snuff cult...well, basically Carcosa in LA.
And there is still plenty of opportunity to put Farrell in 6 more episodes, dealing with the past between him and the Vaugn character. This is why I keep mentioning Psycho: Janet Lee was probably the top leading lady of that time, and she's killed off in the first 15 minutes. This was a HUGE shock to audiences.

 

[zinfamous]

Good point. It will definitely make the show more interesting if we have to keep guessing about who's behind which actions.

Spoiler

I've also since read the posts about different kinds of rounds. That idea had definitely not occurred to me especially after the coup de grace shot. But can't bean bag rounds be lethal at close range? IDK. Whichever way they go I think I'm probably going to have some issues with it.

Spoiler

I think so. That's why even accepting that the first shot, and Farrell's reaction may have been losing his breath, the close range on that second shot looks deadly, regardless of rounds. And as was already said, the only reason to do that, instead of clocking his head, would be silly TV drama.

 

[Childs]

Maybe

Spoiler

they gave Colin Farrell credits for all episodes (even though he may not show up alive anymore it doesn't preclude flashback scenes of some sort) as a way to misdirect the people who might look at sites like and not spoil a death.

Google "Did True Detective Finally Deliver the Violent Madness We’ve Been Waiting For?"
and you'll find a Vanity Fair article talking about spoilers with a gif that shows the 2nd shotgun blast apparently opening up a grisly stomach wound... although the lack of blood does seem unrealistic.

Yeah, guess we'll find out in a few days. Definitely got my attention, just like in LA Confidential. In retrospect, all the actors are kinda the same caliber...they've seen better days. No one is really a lead. Well, I would be shocked if Riggins ended up being the lead, but no actor in the show is too popular to kill off.

 

[MongGrel]

The fact the other guy got shot in the crotch with probably 00 makes it a bit of a cliffhanger there.

See what happens.