Lashley
Why does he wear the mask!?
I hope no. Nobody else interests me
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True Detective - Season 2 - We get the Season we deserve - Sundays on HBO
- Thread starter Cornballer
- Start date
I hope no. Nobody else interests me
ZackieChan
Member
Looking back, I'm not sure why so many reviewers felt compelled to snarkily point out the LA freeway shots as if they are a bad thing. Cinematography on those establishing shots is fucking amazing.
No doubt. Those shots are awesome.
There's been critique of that??
Well, two options. Velcoro calls it in himself, since he's going to be in bad shape and isn't going to just hobble away and pretend nothing happened. Or, the mystery man phones it in after doing this. An LEO shot on scene will prompt a far bigger response than some vague tip about a house of interest.
Anton Sugar
Member
I don't think anyone is complaining about the cinematography, they're complaining about where, when, and how they're used.
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
Adria Arjona is a shining beacon on this show. They need to make her the fourth detective. Just stand around, pouting, bein' all beautiful.
0.1.1.2.3.5.8.13.21.34.55
Banned
Moff
Member
vaughn is crap, I bet he thought he had a McConaughey moment with that monologue in the beginning. nope
Farrell is definitely trying, looks great, has great lines. I like him. oh and absolutely not dead.
I dig McAdams the most, though, cool character and cool actress
and the complete opposite of that for Kitsch, just plan terrible acting and character. I'm sad he didnt kill himself in the first episode. they could have had him just crash his bike in the body and that's how they found it. same outcome but much more enjoyable.
best thing are the landscape, city and highway shots, though. absolutely love and enjoy them.
Farrell is definitely trying, looks great, has great lines. I like him. oh and absolutely not dead.
I dig McAdams the most, though, cool character and cool actress
and the complete opposite of that for Kitsch, just plan terrible acting and character. I'm sad he didnt kill himself in the first episode. they could have had him just crash his bike in the body and that's how they found it. same outcome but much more enjoyable.
best thing are the landscape, city and highway shots, though. absolutely love and enjoy them.
ZackieChan
Member
Yeah, perhaps I jumped the gun and was mixing reviewers' comments about those shots up with their general lack of enthusiasm for the first three episodes. I remembered them being more snarky, but looking back it isn't so bad.
They are beautiful, though.
Seriously. It all looks great.
This isn't a bad show.
It just hasn't been a very engaging one.
They set up too many barely explained plots.
There is no way that
Episode 2 was better than episode 1 for sure
It just hasn't been a very engaging one.
They set up too many barely explained plots.
There is no way that
Ray is dead. But how the fuck do you survive having your chest riddled with shotgun pellets? Are bulletproof vests really that effective?
Episode 2 was better than episode 1 for sure
Anton Sugar
Member
Vests are actually very effective against most shotgun pellets.
Good episode. Some thoughts:
-Vince's basement story was good.
-Colin's scene in front of the school was heart breaking. I really felt terrible for him watching his desperation over losing his son.
-Taylor's character is clearly gay. I had that theory in the first episode with the Viagra and total disinterest in his blow job... but it was a little early to call it. Once he mentioned the fag he wanted to punch, I was sure... and then the watching the gay folk on the street was just more evidence.
-Colin getting shot... If he isn't dead then I'm really interested how they will explain it. Point blank in the gut with a shotgun... that's a tough one.
I gave the first episode some slack due to the amount of info they had to introduce. This episode had everything starting to focus in nicely.
-Vince's basement story was good.
-Colin's scene in front of the school was heart breaking. I really felt terrible for him watching his desperation over losing his son.
-Taylor's character is clearly gay. I had that theory in the first episode with the Viagra and total disinterest in his blow job... but it was a little early to call it. Once he mentioned the fag he wanted to punch, I was sure... and then the watching the gay folk on the street was just more evidence.
-Colin getting shot... If he isn't dead then I'm really interested how they will explain it. Point blank in the gut with a shotgun... that's a tough one.
I gave the first episode some slack due to the amount of info they had to introduce. This episode had everything starting to focus in nicely.
Fixed it for you.
bodyofanamerican
Member
You survive by being shot with rubber bullets or rock salt.
LegendofDragoonLives
Member
If Kitch's character is gay, do you think he couldn't get it up when she tried to blow him? Might explain why she ratted him out because she got embarrassed?
He popped a viagra then "took" a 30 minute shower. He had an erection for the bj.
Freedom = $1.05
Banned
Ahh right, right. I agree with you on that, she definitely made it up.
CopperPuppy
Member
I'll preface this by saying I adored the first season. For the second, I'm still (perhaps unsurprisingly) undecided after the first two episodes. I can't find any fault with the visual composition and scoring, both of which are top-notch. As someone mentioned above, I've also read a few baffling criticisms of the wide aerial shots. Not sure what the basis is, as these are as stunning and effective at establishing "place" as their counterparts in the first season.
Sadly, the writing falls woefully short. The plot movement itself has been erratic, which is really a minor offense so early in the season. The true blunders are peppered throughout the dialogue, which is so hackneyed and melodramatic as to make the protagonists' motivations and character revelations implausible or unconvincing. Despite an impressive cast, the acting has suffered as a result. I hesitate to criticize our primary quartet for what I believe is genuinely lackluster material.
Also, and maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I had to roll my eyes a little at how this episode casts Ani's choice of internet browsing and Paul's obviously closeted sexual preference, in that I'm not really sure why each was framed as "dark" or "seedy." I suspect it's because these things are sources of denial for each character, though this still changes nothing about the silly execution.
Sadly, the writing falls woefully short. The plot movement itself has been erratic, which is really a minor offense so early in the season. The true blunders are peppered throughout the dialogue, which is so hackneyed and melodramatic as to make the protagonists' motivations and character revelations implausible or unconvincing. Despite an impressive cast, the acting has suffered as a result. I hesitate to criticize our primary quartet for what I believe is genuinely lackluster material.
Also, and maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I had to roll my eyes a little at how this episode casts Ani's choice of internet browsing and Paul's obviously closeted sexual preference, in that I'm not really sure why each was framed as "dark" or "seedy." I suspect it's because these things are sources of denial for each character, though this still changes nothing about the silly execution.
Enjoyed episode...ending was nuts.
One thing...
McAdams drove up to the precinct, it rack focused from the emblem on the building to the car they were in...they talked briefly, and then he got out and walked to his front door. I was like...what the fuck, when did they drive to his house???
Side note, the cinematography is garbage compared to last season.
One thing...
McAdams drove up to the precinct, it rack focused from the emblem on the building to the car they were in...they talked briefly, and then he got out and walked to his front door. I was like...what the fuck, when did they drive to his house???
Side note, the cinematography is garbage compared to last season.
MrGreencastle
Member
But who is the birdperson?
SuperInuit
Member
Much better than the pilot, chalk me up for Taylor's character being gay. Seems like Colin Farrel is doing the best work acting wise, though Vaughn's monologue was quite forced in all honesty. Still not sold on the cinematography - the establishing shots are wonderful but don't seem to have a reason, but the rest of the show just looks a little... cheap to me.
That ending was great, hope they didn't kill the best character two episodes in.
That ending was great, hope they didn't kill the best character two episodes in.
Lan Dong Mik
And why would I want them?
His house is literally right next door to the precinct haha.
Kadayi
Banned
I'm liking it. Ending was a huge rug pull for sure (a bit like LA confidential in that regard)). I think it's a ballsy move though as it means that everything is out of kilter. Semyon is down his bent cop, but he needs results, so he's going to have to deal with Bezzerides and Woodrugh.
Also not being a native of the US I really like the cinematography. Gets across that sprawling nature of LA.
Also Woodrugh certainly seems to be in denial, but what's more intriguing is whatever happened during his military time.
Also not being a native of the US I really like the cinematography. Gets across that sprawling nature of LA.
Also Woodrugh certainly seems to be in denial, but what's more intriguing is whatever happened during his military time.
It may not have been such a good decision to have so many main characters this season. They all feel kind of half baked. I'm not sure what it was about the duo in the first season but they just kinda hooked you in, little by little.I remember after seeing the pilot I was like, alright, there's definitely some promise and intrigue here. It didn't feel like they were trying to force the viewer to like the characters. They were simply presented to us; here's their story as it happened.
Now it feels like everything is very calculated, and the characters don't feel like real people. They seem like they were "designed" to be interesting or something like that. For example that basement story was well written, and Vaughn acted well enough, but it didn't feel like an important moment for the character more than it felt like scene designed to make us feel empathy for the guy.
I hope that for the next season the writers would really just go back to the basics. It's understandable they maybe tried too hard this time around, trying to exceed people's expectations and whatnot. The plot might get interesting from here on out, maybe the characters will get more interesting as well, but I don't think the tone and vibe of the show will change radically. Which is a shame because I haven't really felt anything emotionally during these two episodes besides the scene where Velcoro lectured "his" son.
Now it feels like everything is very calculated, and the characters don't feel like real people. They seem like they were "designed" to be interesting or something like that. For example that basement story was well written, and Vaughn acted well enough, but it didn't feel like an important moment for the character more than it felt like scene designed to make us feel empathy for the guy.
I hope that for the next season the writers would really just go back to the basics. It's understandable they maybe tried too hard this time around, trying to exceed people's expectations and whatnot. The plot might get interesting from here on out, maybe the characters will get more interesting as well, but I don't think the tone and vibe of the show will change radically. Which is a shame because I haven't really felt anything emotionally during these two episodes besides the scene where Velcoro lectured "his" son.
Langdon Alger
Banned
I think Ani watching bondage porn is meant to be more evidence of her being sexually abused as a child in that bizarre commune.
twentytwo22
Member
I recently marathoned the first season and wasn't hooked until episode 3/4, so I'm willing to be patient with season 2 (even though I thought episode 2 was pretty good).
Trashcan Man
Banned
I honestly feel like some people here are trying to find reasons to hate this.
Anton Sugar
Member
Anton Sugar
Member
It's just telegraphing a bit too much for me. Like, criss-crossing highways are all over the poster, the intro, and shown 3-5 times per episode.
I wonder if they'll be thematically significant in some way!
Trashcan Man
Banned
There are legitimate complaints about the show, but some people here feel determined to find a reason not to like it.
PhoenixDark
Banned
I assumed McAdams was pegging that dude.
LegendofDragoonLives
Member
How many shows actually have this plotline, maybe 1 or 2? How is that cliche?
Trashcan Man
Banned
-I don't think Kitsch is gay
-I'm pretty sure she was watching her sisters porn
-I agree with that
Anton Sugar
Member
The problem isn't necessarily the larger cast (although that doesn't make anything any easier for them), it's that that the material used in that little time to build the characters has been less than stellar. At times, it's just bad.
Like, nothing down the line is going to make me think, "Hmm, you know, maybe that dialogue wasn't so awful".
Seriously, the criticism here is so overblown that I can't take most of it seriously. Everybody is Grantland these days
Freedom = $1.05
Banned
Vince feels less like he's out of $10 million and broke and more like someone took his lunchbag from the work fridge and he's kinda just not feeling it
He's not showing his hunger I guess.
Anton Sugar
Member
Don't know about shows, but it was a tired cliche even in American Beauty.
Having said that, cliches can be starting points for interesting characters. I just don't know if Pizza can pull it off. Sometimes I feel like his approach to character conflict is a little...undercooked? I don't know what it is.
Right? I often forget what's going on with his character, because his segments are forgettable. "Realizing all the money's gone" scenes can be fucking amaaaaazing, too.
Freedom = $1.05
Banned
I mean, the most recent show to do a scene like that was what Breaking Bad? they killed it with that moment but they had seasons to get there.
Then again, maybe i'm not giving VV enough credit. Maybe you act like a wet fart when youre broke and just found out that the thing you went all in on looks to be a bust because you don't feel any attachment to this life. I guess that's what the opening scene is all about, him having an existential crisis and feeling unattached to the real world.