Season two of the anthology crime series just concluded and feelings towards it have been rather bitter. The majority loved season one, were praising the hell out of it and its creator, Nic Pizzolatto. Season two? Well, a lot weren’t happy. While it’s not on par with season one, it’s better than a lot are willing to give it credit for.
Season two is set in present day California, particularly the LA area with some great cinematography, particularly the various overhead shots of the vast freeway system. The opening credit sequence with T Bone Burnett’s musical theme sets the mood perfectly. The crime that drives the story & plot this season is the murder of corrupt city manager, Ben Caspere. It brings together three members of law enforcement: highway patrolman Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch), Vinci PD detective Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell), and Ventura County sheriff Ani Bezzerides (Rachael McAdams). It also prompts criminal Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn) to get involved due to his investment in a rail project overseen by Caspere.
There’s definitely a lot of brooding and introspection in the first few episodes and it can get tiresome, but the season really begins to hit its stride by the third episode. Like with the first season, the story has a lot of twists and turns, leaving you wondering what’s going to happen next. Yeah, it gets convoluted some, but thankfully not predictable. All of the main characters are well developed with their own issues. Paul is damaged war veteran who struggles with his closeted homosexuality and the fact that he’s going to have a child with his girlfriend. Ray’s a corrupt detective and struggles to maintain a good relationship with his son, who may not be his own because of his wife’s rape. Ani was raised in a free spirited lifestyle by her father and molested as a child by a man in his commune. Frank struggles to become a “legit” criminal and have a child with his wife, Jordan (Kelly Reilly). Episode four is when Paul, Ray, and Ani really come together, primarily after the violent and unexpected shootout that occurs. Episode five feels like a soft reboot as it picks up a few months after the horrifying ordeal, but it feels organic, not contrived. Episode six almost goes full on Lynch with the surreal aspect. Episode seven is tense and has one hell of a gut punch ending. The finale is gripping with a huge revelation and doesn’t wrap things up like you might expect it to.
The acting is great and Vaughn is quite the surprise as Frank. A lot complained that the show and the role didn’t “suit” him when he was cast, but he plays it well. Farrell nails his role and makes for a convincing fuck up who still wants to do right. McAdams makes Ani a strong, memorable female character and Kitsch demonstrates his dramatic range with his portrayal of Paul. The supporting cast is solid too, especially Fred Ward who plays Ray’s father.
As a whole, I liked this season and take it over any of the cookie cutter crime/police procedural shows that TV is oversaturated with. HBO continues to deliver and I'm hoping True Detective gets a third season.
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