Support NeoGAF

[Kalor]

It was an ok finale, it wrapped stuff up at least even if parts of it were convoluted. It's disappointing that the elements were there for a really interesting story with Birdman and how deeply the corruption went. The dream sequence and Franks walk in this episode were great and I wish we got more stuff like that.

If they did more with Dixon then the fact that he was corrupt could of been a big deal but he was always someone who happened to be part of the investigation.

I'm really curious what a potential Season 3 is like.

 

[thatdamnmook]

I loved season 2 and got legit emotional when frank collapsed

 

[mxgt]

It was watchable, but still not fit to wipe the arse of the first season.

There was nothing memorable about this season. No memorable characters, no memorable scenes. Farrell was the best and gave it his best shot, but his character still ain't shit compared to Marty or Rust

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I think Rust is always going to cast a large shadow over this series.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I call bullshit on everything in Ray's end, cause... he had so many plays. What, that transponder was fucking super glued to his truck? He couldn't have fucking surrendered to the FBI and just told them everything? Couldn't have jacked another car and bolted?

No, he drives out to a Redwoods forest and then does a shitty RDR ending for reasons.

 

[comedian]

Good lord that was terrible. Anyone who worked on this shit stain of a show should be embarrassed.

 

[Tugatrix]

I call bullshit on everything in Ray's end, cause... he had so many plays. What, that transponder was fucking super glued to his truck? He couldn't have fucking surrendered to the FBI and just told them everything? Couldn't have jacked another car and bolted?

No, he drives out to a Redwoods forest and then does a shitty RDR ending for reasons.

or shot the transponder and run from the SUV (they are not very fast cars)

 

[Tom Penny]

The show had impeccable writing.

"You’re a cop, right. Lady cop?" - Frank
"What gave me away? The tits?" - Ani

 

[Gorillaz]

Franks death was definitely the best one. Felt the execution was done well

Rays bugged me alot. I felt he could have lost them in the woods. Maybe not kill them all but at least lose them. I was thinking of thst fade in and out stare by rachel mcadams character at the end. Shit was so sloppy it was making me laugh all day work today randomly


Like Ray actually could have lived

 

[Omzz]

Did they really go with the telepathy shit with Ani "knowing" ray got shot up

I still can't believe it

 

[giga]

Did they really go with the telepathy shit with Ani "knowing" ray got shot up

I still can't believe it

Her midichlorian levels are off the charts dude.

 

[Spoo]

Did they really go with the telepathy shit with Ani "knowing" ray got shot up

I still can't believe it

At first I thought that, but I think it's just really a coincidence. Either it just finally hit her that she was unlikely to see Ray again, or offscreen she was told that he wouldn't be coming.

Least that's the way I took it. My brain is just filling in a lot of "shit" that makes sense of otherwise nonsensical things.

Like, Ray not taking another car near the end -- seems obvious like he should have taken another, but I think he was expecting that they had tracked him to his son's school, so at that point, they would have used his son to get to him if he didn't end it then and there, and the only way to do that was to have a stand off. Ultimately he knew he was going to die, and in a lot of ways he was okay with it because he considered himself a bad man anyway.

 

[Dany]

Did they really go with the telepathy shit with Ani "knowing" ray got shot up

I still can't believe it

It's because she is caring his child.

Same thing happened after Woodrough was shot, they cut the scene to his wife watching tv and she started crying iirc.

 

[Einchy]

At first I thought that, but I think it's just really a coincidence. Either it just finally hit her that she was unlikely to see Ray again, or offscreen she was told that he wouldn't be coming.

Least that's the way I took it. My brain is just filling in a lot of "shit" that makes sense of otherwise nonsensical things.

Like, Ray not taking another car near the end -- seems obvious like he should have taken another, but I think he was expecting that they had tracked him to his son's school, so at that point, they would have used his son to get to him if he didn't end it then and there, and the only way to do that was to have a stand off. Ultimately he knew he was going to die, and in a lot of ways he was okay with it because he considered himself a bad man anyway.

Yeah, I don't think we were supposed to think she was crying at the exact same time that Ray was dying. It was more like she had a breakdown because she left Ray behind and at some point, maybe before or after, Ray was killed.

[edit]

This scene actually made me care about Frank.

May your blue balls of the heart rest in peace.

 

[hokahey]

Ray wasn't sure how long the tracker had been there. He was worried about where they might go, so he led them away, and to a place his panicked mind thought he might have a chance at hiding. He didn't see the SUV. He also couldn't get it off. And shooting at a tiny box, close range, near a fuel tank, is dumber than anything that actually happened this season.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

The show had impeccable writing.

"You’re a cop, right. Lady cop?" - Frank
"What gave me away? The tits?" - Ani

You're a woman - You have dignity!

Says the man who treats his wife like shit and runs an escort service in his poker room.

lol.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Yeah, I don't think we were supposed to think she was crying at the exact same time that Ray was dying. It was more like she had a breakdown because she left Ray behind and at some point, maybe before or after, Ray was killed.

[edit]

This scene actually made me care about Frank.

May your blue balls of the heart rest in peace.

Vince Vaughn was the MVP of this episode. One of the best scenes of this season.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

[edit]

This scene actually made me care about Frank.

May your blue balls of the heart rest in peace.

That was the best scene in all of Season 2.

However, wouldn't it have been interesting if his wife was actually dead because everyone double crossed him and that's why he was seeing her?

 

[Kadayi]

A few more articles:
- Poniewozik for Time: True Detective, Louie, and the Limits of TV Auteurism
Slate on the finale
- IndieWire: The True Colors Of 'True Detective' Season 2: Nic Pizzolatto’s Bleak Worldview Of Fatherhood & Legacy

Good reads.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

Just finished watching the finale. At this point, my contempt isn't with the direction, the writing, nor the weak actors they've had on the show. At this point, my contempt is with the audience, and the individuals who prop up this retrograde garbage as high art or anything resembling mediocre. It's you why we have such mediocre movies and television at times.

I could write more, but whatever. The people who would agree have moved on and the people who disagree don't know what they're talking about. I'm done.

I hope this season doesn't hurt the talented that were involved and left to flounder in the muck.

 

[Einchy]

Just finished watching the finale. At this point, my contempt isn't with the direction, the writing, nor the weak actors they've had on the show. At this point, my contempt is with the audience, and the individuals who prop up this retrograde garbage as high art or anything resembling mediocre. It's you why we have such mediocre movies and television at times.

Jesus christ, get off that high horse before you get hurt.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Ray wasn't sure how long the tracker had been there. He was worried about where they might go, so he led them away, and to a place his panicked mind thought he might have a chance at hiding. He didn't see the SUV. He also couldn't get it off. And shooting at a tiny box, close range, near a fuel tank, is dumber than anything that actually happened this season.

I think he worked out his kid wouldn't be safe if he ran. He pretty much drove around recording a final message to him, then jumped in front of a bunch of bullets.

 

[Borboleta Amarela]

It was impossible to be as good or better than season 1, so I wasn't that disappointed with this season with that thought in mind. What saved this season was the acting of the main characters because let's face it, the writing was terrible. The story was mediocre at best.

 

[plasmawave]

Vince Vaughn was the MVP of this episode. One of the best scenes of this season.

Yep.
I could see him doing more serious roles after this.

 

[mre]

Just finished watching the finale. At this point, my contempt isn't with the direction, the writing, nor the weak actors they've had on the show. At this point, my contempt is with the audience, and the individuals who prop up this retrograde garbage as high art or anything resembling mediocre. It's you why we have such mediocre movies and television at times.

Jesus... Some people. You need to get with this guy and start a club: http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1093473&page=1

 

[vpance]

Ass Pen vs Chad vs Venezuelan Ray Jr for S3 - True Detective: Sins of the Father. Make it happen!

 

[ghostjoke]

Just finished it in 2 sittings, 4 yesterday, 4 today, which I think it may have benefited from. I can definitely see issues arising from waiting a week between eps due to the convoluted plot - which was actually simple enough but the meandering threads made it seem a whole lot more complicated than it really was. Overall, I enjoyed it. Doesn't live up to season 1, but I knew that was going to be an unfair comparison going in. Definitely had its moments and the characters were mostly interesting bar a few of their threads that seemed unnecessary. Music was awesome. Oh cruel world, why can't I have a full version of the Nick Cave/Warren Ellis cover of "All The Gold In California"?

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

 

[Afrocious]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

More humor. Perhaps characters to call out the cast on their dialogue and monologues.

Have the characters more involved with the story being told as well as with the case.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

The final episode tied things up well but the main problem I had of just not caring was never really answered. Other problems like the poor dialogue and over reliance on beating information out of people and resorting to violence contributed to this. The series just showed a nihilistic world of people talking pretentious shit while living violently and dying violently. Because they didn't have a perfect family life or something so it's a deep comment on society?

 

[Kraftwerk]

So did Franks wife also die?

 

[Soyongdori]

So did Franks wife also die?

Did you watch the episode?

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

So did Franks wife also die?

Nails is nailing her now.

In Frank's honor.

 

[OrlanisWorks]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

Make the story less convoluted; make it so the audience can remember names and faces.

 

[Gorillaz]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

I think it needs a bit more optimism. Does it have to pay off in the end? No but it would be nice to see it in the show. It's the main reason I want them to have a "green" detective next season. Someone who hasn't basically seen it all like every main character in the series

Story wise shit doesn't have to be as vague as it was this season. Less is more sometimes

 

[Jarnet87]

Anybody actually find themselves in the mood to go back and watch season 1?

I was going to go back after the end of season 2, but ended up doing in after episode 1 or 2 of this season. Season one is still fantastic though after seeing season 2 you do pick up more on some of the silly dialogue. Thinking about how well Rust and Marty worked and how having so many characters for season 2 didnt, if the show just would have been Ray and Frank it would have worked much better. The other 2 detectives ended up being supporting characters anyways, they tried to make them more important then they were. they were never developed like Ray and Frank.

 

[Kraftwerk]

Did you watch the episode?

Lol I was just kidding. Just trying to say how Confusing the whole thing has been.

 

[BizzyBum]

This scene actually made me care about Frank.

May your blue balls of the heart rest in peace.

Shoulda shown the vultures eating his corpse.

Also, he's been getting shitted on all season, but I feel VV did a good job. Rough in the beginning but he was way better during the second half and this was with a less than stellar script.

 

[Deku Tree]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

Fire Pizzaman, and keep Cary Fukunaga as director with a writers room. Change about the s2 story? IDK seems hard to salvage anything too good from it.

 

[BlueTsunami]

Just bring Lera Lynn back for Season 3, everything else can take a break.

Eight episodes season of Lera Lynn crooning over abstract film of highway overpasses

 

[Dr.Acula]

It's because she is caring his child.

Same thing happened after Woodrough was shot, they cut the scene to his wife watching tv and she started crying iirc.

I laughed when it happened with Woodrough, I can't believe they did the "psychic baby-daddy death crying" scene twice in a row.

My biggest problem with the finale was there was no reason for it to be 90 minutes. It really did not feel as if they packed 90 minutes worth of plot into that ep. It felt like they stretched out a 60 minute episode.

It was so slow at times. Scenes of people staring silently or musical montages on top of nothing. Long shots of people walking and standing. Conversations that went on forever for no reason.

The biggest surprise for me was how unconcerned any of the characters were with clearing their names. They couldn't wait to run off to South America. And THEN Rachel McAdams suddenly becomes very concerned with laying down all the evidence and divulging the truth?

And why'd she run off with Vince Vaugn's wife? They don't know each other AT ALL.

Hey, you think they'll meet up with Dexter's kid and that serial killer lady?

And what's the timeline here? How did Rachel McAdams fall in love with Colin Ferrell after knowing him over two brief investigation periods? She's been super cold and uncommittal towards men all her life and she falls in L-O-V-E like a school girl with Colin Ferrell after about a minute.

And before all those "you watched it therefore you liked it" comments come in, you have to fight the "you can't judge it until you've seen all of it" people. This was a mediocre summer show that took up an hour a week, there's no hockey. There's nothing else on on Sundays, it's not that big a deal to watch a middling show.

 

[hydruxo]

I laughed when it happened with Woodrough, I can't believe they did the "psychic baby-daddy death crying" scene twice in a row.

My biggest problem with the finale was there was no reason for it to be 90 minutes. It really did not feel as if they packed 90 minutes worth of plot into that ep. It felt like they stretched out a 60 minute episode.

It was so slow at times. Scenes of people staring silently or musical montages on top of nothing. Long shots of people walking and standing. Conversations that went on forever for no reason.

The biggest surprise for me was how unconcerned any of the characters were with clearing their names. They couldn't wait to run off to South America. And THEN Rachel McAdams suddenly becomes very concerned with laying down all the evidence and divulging the truth?

And why'd she run off with Vince Vaugn's wife? They don't know each other AT ALL.

Hey, you think they'll meet up with Dexter's kid and that serial killer lady?

And what's the timeline here? How did Rachel McAdams fall in love with Colin Ferrell after knowing him over two brief investigation periods? She's been super cold and uncommittal towards men all her life and she falls in L-O-V-E like a school girl with Colin Ferrell after about a minute.

And before all those "you watched it therefore you liked it" comments come in, you have to fight the "you can't judge it until you've seen all of it" people. This was a mediocre summer show that took up an hour a week, there's no hockey. There's nothing else on on Sundays, it's not that big a deal to watch a middling show.

Spoiler

Frank told Ani to meet his wife at that park in Venezuela or whatever. You can assume that since both of them have to start their lives over again in a foreign country that they'd probably stick together for some company at the very least.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I laughed when it happened with Woodrough, I can't believe they did the "psychic baby-daddy death crying" scene twice in a row.

I hope you don't actually think this is what was literally happening in those scenes.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Frank's death scene was definitely top notch. Vaughan did well in it as well. I still remember the seen of Velcoro at the bar. That dream sequence. This season had random glimpses of awesome it's a shame that it couldn't maintain it throughout.

First season was definitely the peak of this series and Hart/Rust are probably the best characters this series will ever have. It's tough following years and years of hard work and the perfect casting in such a short period of time. It was pretty bad overall but somewhat entertaining enough for me to keep watching. Can't say I followed a ton of it. I probably thought more about McAdam's jeans than the story.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

all they have to do for s3 is get a writer that doesn't donnie darko

 

[Dr.Acula]

I hope you don't actually think this is what was literally happening in those scenes.

Obviously not, but it's really heavy-handed story telling to kill off a man, and then show his love interest in another location having a cry. And they did it *twice*.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Wait, wait, wait. Hold up.

Reading a few more responses in here and people actually think Ani knew the moment Velcoro was offed? You people need help.

His death scene was just intercut with her coming to the grips of reality that she was fooling herself and let herself be fooled by Velcoro into thinking he would ever make it out alive.

Those of you criticizing that scene for being incredibly dumb need to realize you're criticizing an invention of your own making.

 

[mujun]

I'm curious as to what you guys would have changed about this season

There was a lot of character development separately for the three characters because it didn't make sense to have then talking to each other and developing them that way considering their jobs and the case. Problem is none of it made me care about them when they died anyway. I guess it would need to be written better or their situation changed so they could spend more time together ala Rust and Marty.

The plot was pretty simple in the end. It felt like the writers were intentionally obfuscating it to make it seem cooler or something. Have a more complex plot or make it easier to follow and find cool in some other aspect.

Hammy acting and/or terrible lines. Probably down to the script and the director. The big words especially seemed out of place unlike season 1. Have the characters sound appropriate to their backgrounds. Easier for the actors, too.

Have some sort of hook that makes it true detective. The conspiracy would have been way cooler if it had gradually have been revealed as pretty much encompassing anyone and everyone in power. It could have been uncovered piece by piece and gotten more and more shocking as the story progressed. They could have given it a real dark feel in terms of the futility in trying to uncover it and had the characters situations become more and more hopeless the more involved they got. Something like the occult angle from the first season that makes the show less like every other gritty cop show out there.

More stuff they could do, I'm sure.

 

[ahoyhoy]

wtf did I just watch...

Fucking amazing.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

While watching it, I was actually hoping for a bait and switch - where we were being set up to believe Velcoro wasn't going to make it out alive, but he does and Ani is the one that is offed.

I feel like the empowerment of women in TV and film has resulted in another kind of sexism lately, where leading women are allowed to go through some shit, so long as they're never the ones to be unceremoniously killed in the end. I can't think of a leading woman whose been allowed to die like Woodrough or Velcoro. Instead it's once again the women mourning the martyrdom of the men - and I kind of hate that.