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True Detective - Season 2 - We get the Season we deserve - Sundays on HBO

Chiggs

Gold Member
think they're spelling it out pretty clear that he's gay

also the story about him beating up a guy while at the bank for looking at him.

Yeah, this is going to be interesting. His character is really awkward as it is, so watching him come to terms with his identity should be entertaining.
 

Tunic

Member
I am still not really feeling it. That episode was an improvement over the first one but it is still a snoozefest overall.
 

Mononoke

Banned
True detective killing off main characters before we get to know them


Or rock salt, kill Bill style

Which is kind of a problem when Episode 1 was almost all character set up and background and little plot.

I'm assuming it's a fake out. If not then lol No wonder Todd Vanderwerff loathed that first episode.

I am still not really feeling it. That episode was an improvement over the first one but it is still a snoozefest overall.

Yeahhhh, I'm with you. This season feels like a mess. Last season had its flaws, but this one out of the gate is all over the place and isn't really clicking with me. Kind of wish I had taken Todd Vanderwerff's advice and waited for the first 3 episodes to come out, so I could marathon the beginning of the season. I think it would have alleviated some of the things that have bothered me so far.
 

Jonm1010

Banned
So what was the stuff in the other room of that house? A camera?

I don't think he's dead either.

I get the feeling this is going to delve into the underbelly of porn. Recording and broadcasting equipment I bet.

.... Not that they didn't hint pretty heavily at it already in the first couple episodes.
 
It'd be neat if this turned out to be a fake out somehow. Like the showrunner going *wink* "J/K! Wha kinda show do you fellas think this is?"

Anyway. I'm still down for next week's episode.
 

Mononoke

Banned
It'd be neat if this turned out to be a fake out somehow. Like the showrunner going *wink* "J/K! Wha kinda show do you fellas think this is?"

Anyway. I'm still down for next week's episode pisode.

I think there is a very easy way to get around it from a logistical stand point. Do people even like the fake out anymore though? I usually see people get mad when that stuff is pulled, as people always percieve it as actual guts for pulling a move that ballsy, and then see the fake out as undoing that just for a cheap way to temporarily shock us.

Then again, I guess it does depend on how they actually execute it.

Edit: although as someone that isn't buying it, I guess it doesn't bother me that much.
 

btrboyev

Member
I don't think you hire Colin Farrell only to have him in 2 episodes with just a scratch of character development. Doesn't make any sense, so I'm not buying his death.
 

SpaceHorror

Member
Spoilers for episode 3 via the Rotten Tomatoes plot summary for it:

Ani lets Ray know she's in charge after he goes rogue on the investigation, even though he stumbles on crucial evidence that takes the case in a new direction. Meanwhile, Frank meets with his former associates in the criminal underworld, but they make it clear they're not taking orders from him anymore; and Paul hits the streets to see if Caspar's face rings a bell.

He's alive folks. Plus, there are pictures and clips in the trailer that haven't happened yet.
 
I don't think you hire Colin Farrell only to have him in 2 episodes with just a scratch of character development. Doesn't make any sense, so I'm not buying his death.

I think he might be dead, but they might keep him in the show through certain flashbacks tied to Vaughn's character?

I dunno. It could have been rock salt, but there's just not all that much logical sense to it being rock salt.
 

Bloodrage

Banned
I don't think you hire Colin Farrell only to have him in 2 episodes with just a scratch of character development. Doesn't make any sense, so I'm not buying his death.
Yeah. People actually think Colin Farrell would sign up for this only to be killed in episode 2? What would have been the point?

I could see him getting tortured next ep.
 

kingocfs

Member
Totally looked/sounded like recording equipment.

I get the feeling this is going to delve into the underbelly of porn. Recording and broadcasting equipment I bet.

That's what I figured too, I just didn't think it looked like a camera. Watching it again it sounds like it was auto-focusing.

I am really not a fan of Vince Vaughn. Such a bland character.

Yeah that opening monologue put me to sleep. I had high hopes for his character, thought he'd be way more comfortable with it than he's looked.
 

Helmholtz

Member
Really good episode. I'm on board.
I think Vaughan's the weak link so far, but even still he's not too bad. Maybe he'll win me over eventually.
 

TTG

Member
Appreciable improvement over the first episode, I'll keep watching.

-Black Mountain's mom is fucking scary.

-I can't figure out if they are genuinely driving the murder mystery plot away from a conspiracy or if bird dude is like at a method actor level of commitment. Doesn't play like a professional or someone doing it for a profit at all, but how does he know to expect someone. Is the fresh blood suppose to hint at a coincidence, where bird guy was just doing some evil shit over there and so happened to run into Velcro?

-Opening scene was good. I kept expecting to roll my eyes and they just made it work.
 

Jonm1010

Banned
I just re-watched the shooting scene and I am a lot less convinced this is a fake out then I was before.

He shoots him straight on and then follows it up by shooting him point blank in the upper stomach, lower chest area. You can see the cloth blow open. No blood but it isn't like many shows/movies don't take the less is more angle in terms of the visual impact.

And the more I think about it it makes a lot of sense for Piz to completely subvert the show from last season.

Instead of making it an alpha male driven show where Farrell is the "new" McConaughey, make it about a strong woman cop and a closeted gay man struggling to come to terms with himself dealing with a case about sexuality and the porn industry.
 

Tunic

Member
Yeahhhh, I'm with you. This season feels like a mess. Last season had its flaws, but this one out of the gate is all over the place and isn't really clicking with me. Kind of wish I had taken Todd Vanderwerff's advice and waited for the first 3 episodes to come out, so I could marathon the beginning of the season. I think it would have alleviated some of the things that have bothered me so far.

I think I will follow that advice and rewatch the first 2 episodes leading into the new one next week. If it doesn't click by then I think I will hang it up.
 

Mononoke

Banned
I just re-watched the shooting scene and I am a lot less convinced this is a fake out then I was before.

He shoots him straight on and then follows it up by shooting him point blank in the upper stomach, lower chest area. You can see the cloth blow open. No blood but it isn't like many shows/movies don't take the less is more angle in terms of the visual impact.

And the more I think about it it makes a lot of sense for Piz to completely subvert the show from last season.

Instead of making it an alpha male driven show where Farrell is the "new" McConaughey, make it about a strong woman cop and a closeted gay man struggling to come to terms with himself dealing with a case about sexuality and the porn industry.

Rock Salt would get around the close range shot. Although not sure if it makes sense to do a follow up shot, I guess to confirm stunning a target?

As to your last point, it seems kind of messy to use the first episode to set up this character, only to kill him. Seems like a lot of effort for misdirection of expectations. I guess they could always do flash backs, or have his story unfold beyond his exit. But damn. Just seems really clunky. Although again, can't really judge till I see what they actually do with it.

And while it would certainly be cool to subvert expectations and have it be about those two characters, I mean, not this way? Surely. Also we still have Vince Vaughn :/
 

Chiggs

Gold Member
I just re-watched the shooting scene and I am a lot less convinced this is a fake out then I was before.

He shoots him straight on and then follows it up by shooting him point blank in the upper stomach, lower chest area. You can see the cloth blow open. No blood but it isn't like many shows/movies don't take the less is more angle in terms of the visual impact.

And the more I think about it it makes a lot of sense for Piz to completely subvert the show from last season.

Instead of making it an alpha male driven show where Farrell is the "new" McConaughey, make it about a strong woman cop and a closeted gay man struggling to come to terms with himself dealing with a case about sexuality and the porn industry.

I'll be a little disappointed if that is a fake-out.
 

Jonm1010

Banned
Rock Salt would get around the close range shot. Although not sure if it makes sense to do a follow up shot, I guess to confirm stunning a target?

As to your last point, it seems kind of messy to use the first episode to set up this character, only to kill them. Seems like a lot of effort for misdirection of expectations.

I mean Piz is kinda of an egoist. I could 100% see this being his answer to critics saying he can't write non-alpha male type characters. Makes a season about a gay guy and a woman. Sets it up like everyone is going to be huge alpha male types. Kill off the main character GoT style early on. The one that embodies that type of character the most.

And the lack of blood is intentional to leave the audience hanging in doubt til they put the final dagger in the speculation and confirm it at the end of the next episode.

....I mean, its all gut speculation and wouldn't bet on myself. Just my thoughts on the possibility.
 

Mononoke

Banned
I mean Piz is kinda of an egoist. I could 100% see this being his answer to critics saying he can't write non-alpha male type characters. Makes a season about a gay guy and a woman. Kill off the main character GoT style early on. And the lack of blood is intentional to leave the audience hanging in doubt til they put the final dagger in and confirm it at the end of the episode.

....I mean, its all gut speculation and wouldn't bet on myself. Just my thoughts on the possibility.

Anything is possible in art.

Heh, and you are right about Piz lol I guess I'm not really feeling this season so far, so him doing it this way would kind of just pile on what I don't like. But at the very least, it would be interesting to see if he did do that, how he regroups the season and where the story actually goes once he kicks it back off again.

I will say this, now I can't wait for episode 3! So it works.
 
Preview talk -

"One of my men gets shot you better believe I'm on site." He doesn't say killed. And the other 2 don't seem too distressed. He's alive.
 

vpance

Member
If you've
watched the season 2 trailer
then you should know if he's dead or not.

Personally
I'm glad he's alive since he's got the best lines this season so far.
 

Jonm1010

Banned
Preview talk -

"One of my men gets shot you better believe I'm on site." He doesn't say killed. And the other 2 don't seem too distressed. He's alive.

If you've
watched the season 2 trailer
then you should know if he's dead or not.

Personally
I'm glad he's alive since he's got the best lines this season so far.

Well fuck. I guess that makes sense when you said the trailer. Kind was hoping my speculation would be right. Wanted to see if Piz could pull that huge shift off.
 

Mononoke

Banned
is that a pizza quote?

Heh, nah. I just meant, anything can happen if a creator wants to do it. I mean, sure there are things holding certain things back (such as network execs stepping in, writers often adhering to tried and true formulas that work with audiences, famous actors expecting to sign on for something beyond a cameo) etc. etc.

But really, this is HBO. And season 1 was very successful. I imagine that would give Piz some leeway to do what he wants. I'm still in the camp that thinks it's a fake out though.

If you've
watched the season 2 trailer
then you should know if he's dead or not.

Personally
I'm glad he's alive since he's got the best lines this season so far.

As someone that had
not seen the trailer,
I feel dumb.
 

Stoze

Member
I am still not really feeling it. That episode was an improvement over the first one but it is still a snoozefest overall.

Agreed. The City of Vinci stuff and sub-politics with the police departments or whatever is not interesting to me in the slightest, and that covered most of the episode.

Also I felt that the dialogue in the car between McAdams and Farrell felt really off, like the actors weren't sure what tone they were supposed to use or inflections they were supposed to be giving.
 

TheFixer

Neo Member
Part of the reason I think this second season has been so disorienting for most people (myself included) is that it's positing itself as a tragedy (ala the first season of True Detective) when it's really playing as a farce. If it weren't written by a sententious crackpot like Pizza Man, I'd almost call it a postmodern experiment in straddling the line between high art and full-blown pulp.

Talk of the subversion of the tropes that defined True Detective in season 1 is sort of besides the point. It doesn't really matter whether or not a hoary, gruff male drunkard cop or an attractive but equally dour female drunkard cop ends up delivering inane aphoristic one-liners that would make Dostoevsky blush. What people have struggled accepting is that season is, in fact, VERY similar to the first season in structure, style, and writing. What's different here - and why people have gotten uncanny vibes from the progression of the plot so far - is the tonal dissonance that's coming to the fore. People bought the terror-teetering-on-the-edge-of-absurity dynamic in the first season because that town in Bumblefuck, Louisiana passed well as a supernatural little slice of hell. McConaughey taking method acting to a histrionic extreme was the only appropriate way to carry out a script equally loaded with nonsensical blather and armchair philosophizing, and it WORKED because he's a silly enough actor to bring home how fucked up that town really was. Vinci's most eerie quality is being a capitalist shithole full of graft and dipsomaniacal plutocrats. It's hard to buy these four dour sourpusses when it's played so straight. If, however, the show veered tonally into something more akin to Sin City rather than its current dynamic of being like Inherent Vice if Pynchon actually respected literature and had no sense of humor, then the show would work quite a bit better.
 

140.85

Cognitive Dissonance, Distilled
Dicks shown in porn, dicks gettin blown off, dicks that won't work and accusations of asking for dick sucking. True Dicktective.
 

coleco

Member
This season is very poor so far.

I have to say I also felt the first season was overall quite weak other than a few strong moments, but at least it seemed to be more focused and had some direction and fresh ideas, something that I'm missing so far. Too many cliches and rehashed characters and ideas, to the point of caricature. Even the opening Cohen song feels like part of the joke.

Too early to tell but they haven't been able to do much with the first two hours of the season. So far it's been a boring waste of time.
 

Helmholtz

Member
This season is very poor so far.

I have to say I also felt the first season was overall quite weak other than a few strong moments, but at least it seemed to be more focused and had some direction and fresh ideas, something that I'm missing so far. Too many cliches and rehashed characters and ideas, to the point of caricature. Even the opening Cohen song feels like part of the joke.

Too early to tell but they haven't been able to do much with the first two hours of the season. So far it's been a boring waste of time.
So you... didn't care for the first season, haven't cared for the first two episodes on season two... why are you watching? Do you enjoy watching things you dislike? I'm not saying it's not okay to dislike it but... I find it odd that someone would do this to themselves.
 
I'm all in brehs. First ep was good, but I needed to see another just to see how everything worked together (specifically the detectives). That was a pretty good episode, although it did rack up a couple more coincidences.
 

KHarvey16

Member
I thought this was much better than the first episode, but that's to be expected when there's a lot of character and plot set-up to do. I like the group dynamic and where they seem to be going with it.

I also don't think he's dead.
 

wenis

Registered for GAF on September 11, 2001.
Great episode!

Anyone know the names of the artists who did he paintings in the Casperes residence?

And of the lady playing guitar in the bar?


Really dug this episode. They're making moves. Some actors are still a bit stuffy, but it's being sorted.

Loving the Hotline Miami masks.
 
Show is trying too hard and exhibits an outdated style of moral/social decay that was presented more suciently in Seven 20 years ago.

Vaughn isn't cutting it, either. Behind the forced demeanor his funny side is trying desperately to come out.
 
This season is very poor so far.

I have to say I also felt the first season was overall quite weak other than a few strong moments, but at least it seemed to be more focused and had some direction and fresh ideas, something that I'm missing so far. Too many cliches and rehashed characters and ideas, to the point of caricature. Even the opening Cohen song feels like part of the joke.

Too early to tell but they haven't been able to do much with the first two hours of the season. So far it's been a boring waste of time.

First season quite weak? Lmaoo okay buddy why even bother continuing to watch?

Anyways, Vince Vaughan is clearly the weak link here. The McAdams and Farrell scenes were really great - shades of S1.
 

kai3345

Banned
another boring episode for the most part. I liked Vaughn's monologue at the beginning and the scene with Ferrel and McAdams in the car. I think I'll give it one more week to see if I want to give up or not
 
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