#36 - True Detective
A horrible second season was kind of pre-programmed the minute Cary Fukunaga decided not to direct the show anymore and devote his time to other projects; such as the acclaimed 'Beasts of No Nation' - Netflix's first feature film racking up accolades as we speak. Well, a smart choice on his side and an unfortunate one for the show's run. Nic Pizzolatto just isn't a great writer let alone can he run an entire show on his own, particularly one in need of a clear focus. His ideas and themes are interesting but without a strong and focused hand to guide him, like Fukunaga's were, he created a second season defined by all the issues last year was critiziced for (and multiplied that by a hundred). Full of detective and crime case clichés, hammy dialogue that verged on self-parody and even more ridiclous macho-ism than ever before, 'True Detective's second outing not only helmed an unnecessary complicated, tedious plot but drowned in exposition and unnecessary grimness making the show even more
Rachel McAdams was its saving grace giving everything in a role that was sadly but not surprisingly mostly reduced to the show's tendency of sexualizing and simplifying its female characters. Collin Farrell wasn't bad and gave a stronger turn as this season's lead than I had imagined. Both actors gave good performances without which this season would have been even harder to go through with. Vince Vaughn, predictably, didn't quite know what to do with his role and gave a strange combination of a ruthless villain while trying to humanize him at the same time; a task his performance abilities were clearly not made for. There were moments it worked even though those were as rare as hen's teeth.
However, aside from the performances this season did have one or two strong moments:
Surprisingly, the pre-announced orgy scene that sounded like a horrible idea which would surely become True Detective's low point turned out not only the best scene of the season, but was probably the best scene of the entire show. It was a cool, fresh and profound look on Hollywood's culture, sexuality and prostitution.
Mid-season's shootout was a great climax of an otherwise investigative and dull episode that combined the horrors and after-effects war veterans have to live with a rapid pace that was very welcome after a season that so far did nothing but drag on.
Thus, clearly not everything is completely lost and not all hope is gone. It wasn't all just awful and horrible and maybe with a better, focused team behind him, Pizzolatto can deliver something strong and cohesive the third time around. That's the great thing about anthologies. Even though most anthology shows so far have not stayed consistent, maybe, (ust maybe) True Detective can be the first one to benefit from this fresh storytelling format to erase its past, start anew with a clean slate and surprise us all the more. It sure would be a much more pleasant surprise.
Best Episodes: "Church In Ruins"; "Black Maps and Motel Rooms"
2014: #4
