True Detective - Série 2

The first half of the season was severely lacking in atmosphere, which the creators made up for in the second half. But then several predictable things found their way into the plot, thus ruining my overall impression. Plus, the finale was full of pathos – like in a film in which heroic American marines fight off a space invasion. 4*- (09.11.2017)

Yeah, the first season was better, it was more interesting schematically, more consistent in terms of direction and its atmosphere of lost human souls in the American backwaters was more absorbing. The second season treads its own thematic path, and treads it so surely and unpredictably that I think only words of praise are fit to describe it. Bringing together so many interesting and (like in the first season) lost characters with heavy souls, so many potentially negative or ambiguous characters from high politics, the mafia or the police, and one mysterious murder into a voluminous web of intrigue, violence, corruption and relationships present or long past, without a single one of them getting lost and each of the title characters not given enough space to be fully fleshed out, call it what you will, I call it orgasmic television mastery. And as far as the actors are concerned, I would build not a Hollywood star, but a temple to all of them, especially to Farrell, who definitely belongs to the highest acting league, and McAdams, who’s rather untypical in her rough-and-fragile role, but handles it fantastically. (18.07.2016)

Well, it’s a fact, Nic Pizzolatto is currently the best writer of detective stories. The series is told in an intricate way, with many plot lines that come together perfectly in the end, without ever forgetting the poignant fates of individual characters (Farrell and his relationship with his son!). The atmosphere of an alienated industrial conglomeration, just made for criminal offences, was nauseating. Episode 6 – the visit to a brothel for the wealthy – had an almost horror-like feel. And the actors? Everyone is fantastic, every single one of them, but I'd single out two: Taylor Kitsch, whom I wish had a lot more acting opportunities, and Vince Vaughn, whose multi-faceted expression fits the ambiguous mobster character like a glove. He should stick to serious roles, they suit him. (01.04.2016)

The story of Marty and Rust has begun to fade in the distance, which helped to show that this was definitely an atmospheric spectacle, but certainly not a groundbreaking moment in television history. That's why it's good that it's starting in a completely different environment, the urbanistic Vinci. Politicians and police here are happy to make some extra money on the side, the chain of erotic services is thriving, and there's always something stinky happening. The death of one of the local bigwigs sets off a chain of events, leaving behind a few dead bodies – and maybe something more. And it's an interesting chain of events, so it's all the more disappointing that, just like before, there are deep and meaningful dialogues, but without Matthew McConaughey's unique character (and voice) they lack meaning and just seem like a bad joke. Moreover, the action scene at the end of the fourth episode forces us to wonder if it's really there just to surpass the legendary shootout from the same episode of the previous season. Fortunately, however, what's reversed is the progression. The first season started in a grand style, only to fizzle out a bit in the end. Instead, the Californian anabasis deceives the body, as nothing seems to happen for five hours, and then, just when the more impatient viewers have already given up on the whole thing, it introduces a deadly atmosphere of a pulsating hostile environment and justifies the initial sluggishness with a perfectly functioning finale. After everyone was showering McConaughey with acting honors not long ago, I'm surprised that there's silence after Rachel McAdams, who is cast against type, and the flawless wreck portrayed by Colin Farrell, who found the role of a lifetime with a cigarette and a drink in just a few lines. In short, True Detective is a story and a series full of contradictions. While it seemed to be for everyone after eight episodes, after sixteen more there are multiple camps pitted against each other. But for me, it's a guarantee of (specific, but undeniable) quality. (14.01.2019)

I can't help it, but I just wasn't that into the second season. The characters here are problematic, much like in the first season, but I liked both detectives in that one. I found myself not relating to basically any of the characters here, perhaps most of all Vince, which was what I least expected. And the last episode, which is great, just won't save it. (29.07.2017)