Colin Farrell
Rachel McAdams
Taylor Kitsch
Kelly Reilly
Vince Vaughn

Created by:
Nic Pizzolatto

Crime, Drama, Mystery
2015
HBO

TV-MA

While the second season of “True Detective” has the same writer as its first, it doesn’t have the same director: Cary Fukunaga didn’t work on this season. Multiple directors have taken his place. So, this isn’t the same show; yet, already, many have compared the second season to the first … unfavorably so. But this is an anthology series, so it’s best to focus on each season as its own entity. The look will stay the same: The cinematography still depicts eagle-eye views of its locale and features a somber color palette. But the story will shift to match its setting. In season two, we’re no longer in Louisiana. No, folks. Los Angeles is the focus, instead.

Like L.A., the current season of “True Detective” is sprawling. The pacing is a bit faster, too, but the show still takes its time. As a result, this season isn’t as focused or as intense as its predecessor. But why should it be? It’s also not as deep. That doesn’t bother me, either.

Furthermore, structurally, the story lines have nothing to do with the first season’s. The only similarity is that this is still a detective story. This time, one detective is told to keep an eye on another during an investigation. This isn’t an investigation conducted after the fact. So, while they still deal with detectives who can’t trust each other, that theme is developed differently. The dynamic has changed. This is still seedy stuff, though.

There are four, instead of two, major characters, played by Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, and Vince Vaughn, with story lines to match. That’s two detectives, as I mentioned before, one policeman, and a criminal who wants to go straight, respectively. But Farrell plays the most interesting character. This season could focus on him alone and be a success. His character packs the most powerful punch … literally.

Also, during the first two episodes, Farrell gives the strongest performance. But he has a little more to work with than the others do. Not that the rest of the cast is bad. On the contrary, everyone’s doing a good job. I just hope that the rest of the main characters gain an even stronger foothold as the season progresses.

So what does all of this mean? If you’re looking for the first season, I suggest that you watch it again. However, if you’re open to a different interpretation of the show’s title, then check this out. While the vision isn’t as clear this time around, “True Detective” still delivers a competent and watchable crime drama. That’s harder to do than it may seem, because this genre has been represented more than enough in both film and on television. So far, so good.

Verdict: Good

About: (Source: truedetective2)

A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Colin Farrell is Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective in the all-industrial City of Vinci, LA County. Vince Vaughn plays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his life’s work, while his wife and closest ally (Kelly Reilly), struggles with his choices and her own. Rachel McAdams is Ani Bezzerides, a Ventura County Sheriff’s detective often at odds with the system she serves, while Taylor Kitsch plays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol who discovers a crime scene which triggers an investigation involving three law enforcement groups, multiple criminal collusions, and billions of dollars.

‘True Detective’ is written and created by Nic Pizzolatto. The first two of this season’s eight episodes will be directed by Justin Lin.