Slowly but surely, that’s probably the mantra for Season 2 of “True Detective.” Following last week’s Season 2 premier, the HBO crime drama was met with a different tone from critics claiming there was a huge change of pace compared to the madness that was the show’s pilot episode.
For a show that is expected to replicate or surpass the success of its predecessor, it’s no wonder critics came flying on the show’s negative side when the latest season premier came off underwhelming to say the least. Then again, who are critics to judge one whole season by a lone episode right?
Last year, in a span of eight episodes, fans of the highly-acclaimed TV series were able to go on an enthralling roller coaster ride following the intertwining lives of Louisiana homicide detective partners Rust Cohle and Marty Hart played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, respectively.
Right off the bat, Season 1’s first episode already established some solid mysteries and plot threads that ran through all season long, not to mention having the show transitioning from two timelines 16 years apart, just gave the show all the attention and accolades it deserved.
Show creator and writer Nic Pizzolatto, who initially wanted it as a novel, engineered “True Detective” as a crime anthology with a completely different plot and cast ensemble after every eight-episode order. Every season has a whole new story to tell with crime being the only common factor showcasing Pizzolatto’s clever work. After a successful pilot season run, Pizzolatto has signed on for three more seasons with HBO securing the show’s fourth season on television.
Set in the fictional town of Vinci, California, Season 2 of the top-rated show follows the lives of three officers from cooperating police departments and an entrepreneur who has a felonious past. Collin Farrell stars as estranged and troubled Detective Raymond Velcoro of the Vinci Police department; Taylor Kitsch as Officer Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and a member of the Highway Patrol, main female cast Rachel McAdams plays straightforward Detective Antigone Bezzerides who works for the Sheriff’s office and Vince Vaughn as the former criminal turned businessman. From the episode’s flashback, Farrell’s detective alter ego is seen to have a shady history with Vaughn’s character.
With Season 2 premiering last June 21, fans were dismayed with how HBO played out the much-awaited season opener, which came out flat and stoic. Wired reports the second season premiere felt very familiar and something everyone has seen before unlike the former season’s pursuits which were engaging and handed something to the audience no show has offered yet.
According to a report by Cleveland, the way the characters were introduced to the revelation of the lot this season appeared disappointedly sluggish and dragging. Aware that the season would only last eight episodes long, fans continue to hope that the coming episodes will allow the plot to reach its full potential by August.
Probably due to sheer anticipation, this season’s debut episode titled “The Western Book of the Dead” received the show’s ratings that are considered the show’s second-best to date. The Hollywood Reporter explains the load of expectations following a very effective and popular season was one of the dilemmas that Season 2 had to overcome. Had Season 2’s plot been integrated as another show, it would not get criticized the way it was.
Reports say the show considerably lacking its charisma may be the result of the different plot for this season with Pizzolatto giving it a touch of reality by trekking on more society-centered issues such as corruption and crime unlike last season which dealt with murders and cracking mysteries.
Nonetheless, the season’s unhurried opener was possibly its method to mystify its viewers. Just thinking about the clamor that the second season should top the first would be every writer’s goal to outdo but for a show to stand out and be talked about, strategies must be enforced.