True Detective, Season 2

[tower912]

Geez, what a cast of characters.   Could they get any darker or bleaker?    Who are we supposed to root for?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Geez, what a cast of characters.   Could they get any darker or bleaker?    Who are we supposed to root for?

Just wait.  I have the first four from HBO as screeners.  I did not like episode 1, 2nd episode was ok but not great.  Going to pick up some nice steam for 3 and 4.  Having lunch with HBO Wednesday before I head abroad, hoping to hear how the rest of the episodes went. I was such a huge fan of the first season and had low hopes for this one. Still not convinced they will be able to pull it off, but at least the show is getting better.  Vaughn needs to get better, so far the acting is eh.

[MUsoxfan]

Just wait.  I have the first four from HBO as screeners.  I did not like episode 1, 2nd episode was ok but not great.  Going to pick up some nice steam for 3 and 4.  Having lunch with HBO Wednesday before I head abroad, hoping to hear how the rest of the episodes went. I was such a huge fan of the first season and had low hopes for this one. Still not convinced they will be able to pull it off, but at least the show is getting better.  Vaughn needs to get better, so far the acting is eh.

You're right. Vaughn is the weakest so far. He seems to be struggling with a less manic speaking character

[tower912]

Having a 'Game of Thrones' moment and shooting a character you were hoping could be redeemed is an interesting twist.

[CreightonWarrior]

Don't think he's dead based on all the scenes we haven't seen from previews...my bet is that it was rubber bullets

[tower912]

In the preview for the next episode, the statement was ...'one of my detectives shot'....    not killed.   Still darker and bleaker than the last one, at least so far. 

[Lennys Tap]

  Vaughn needs to get better, so far the acting is eh.

That's like saying Derrick W needs to shot his free throws better. Tons of evidence says that's not happening.

[jesmu84]

Got caught up last night. One thing I'm missing is the cultural/geographic element of the last season. The bayou was almost a character in itself. I realize you can't do LA quite the same way, so I think the writer went for more characters/deeper personal stories. Itll be really interesting to see how they wrap everything up from where we are now because it takes longer to extrapolate 4 people vs 2.

Also, grantland recaps for true detective are outstanding.

[Mutaman]

I have the first four from HBO as screeners. 

Wow what an important man he must be.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Got caught up last night. One thing I'm missing is the cultural/geographic element of the last season. The bayou was almost a character in itself. I realize you can't do LA quite the same way, so I think the writer went for more characters/deeper personal stories. Itll be really interesting to see how they wrap everything up from where we are now because it takes longer to extrapolate 4 people vs 2.

Also, grantland recaps for true detective are outstanding.

What threw me off at first was the city they were referencing out here.  They made it up...doesn't exist, but many of the other references do exist so a bit confusing at first.

[jesmu84]

What threw me off at first was the city they were referencing out here.  They made it up...doesn't exist, but many of the other references do exist so a bit confusing at first.

Never having been out your way... is there another city they could have used that actually does exist? Or, maybe, I wonder why they chose to create a fictional city? Perhaps they thought if they used a real city and portrayed it's officials as being corrupt, that would offend someone?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Never having been out your way... is there another city they could have used that actually does exist? Or, maybe, I wonder why they chose to create a fictional city? Perhaps they thought if they used a real city and portrayed it's officials as being corrupt, that would offend someone?

There actually is a city that somewhat fits the bill.  Very few people live in it, basically run by a family.  If I were to guess, this is the city the modeled the series after for this location.

Vernon, California

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon,_California

[brewcity77]

I enjoyed the second episode. The dialogue between Farrell and McAdams was fantastic. The end finally gave it a bit of kick, though I'm not a huge fan of the way they handled that.

While both of them are grossly flawed, that's part of what I like about Ray and Ani as characters. It feels like this will be somewhat a redemption story for Ray, and him turning on Vaughn seems inevitable. It also feels like Ani will be the one that guides him to that redemption, despite her own clear issues.

The one I'm less impressed with now is Taylor Kitsch. The character just feels so flat. "Can I get back on the bike?" Okay, we get it, you just want to live the Erik Estrada dream. He doesn't seem very vested in his job, or his own love life, or much of anything. Hard to care about a character who's so lackadaisical about everything.

I'm not as anti-Vaughn as some. He's typecast as a comic character so this role seems odd, but I thought his take as Norman Bates was a bit underrated back in the day, and think he might be able to do well as a bad guy. They're working hard to make him seem like the villain with a heart of gold, though. Honestly, part of me wants to see Kelly Reilly turn out to be the brains (and true villain) of the Vaughn empire. Just something devious about her portrayal here.

Expecting this to live up to the first season was always a tough ask. But the first one had a slow start as well, didn't really know what was going on until 4-5 episodes in. I'm willing to be patient with this.

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/abigailtracy/2015/06/30/the-town-in-true-detective-is-based-on-a-very-real-place-with-a-very-corrupt-past/

[CTWarrior]

The one I'm less impressed with now is Taylor Kitsch. The character just feels so flat. "Can I get back on the bike?" Okay, we get it, you just want to live the Erik Estrada dream. He doesn't seem very vested in his job, or his own love life, or much of anything. Hard to care about a character who's so lackadaisical about everything.

I'm not as anti-Vaughn as some...

Agree with all of this.  I find it strange that people are complaining about Vince Vaughn when Taylor Kitsch could not be more wooden or uninteresting.

I know you are all probably right, but that double-tap sure seemed final to me.  I wonder if its only flashbacks or something for that character.

[reinko]

The best VV scene thus far was when he approached the guy who just go rear ended, but again that fit VV's lane of sarcastic, a little funny, over the top...

[brewcity77]

The best VV scene thus far was when he approached the guy who just go rear ended, but again that fit VV's lane of sarcastic, a little funny, over the top...

Agreed. That definitely utilized Vaughn's strengths, and gave a glimpse of the sarcastic, asinine villain I'm hoping he becomes. I think he's been pretty decent in the bar scenes with Farrell as well. The only scene that really felt off to me was the opening of E2 when he was staring at the water mark on the ceiling.

[brandx]

The one I'm less impressed with now is Taylor Kitsch. The character just feels so flat. "Can I get back on the bike?" Okay, we get it, you just want to live the Erik Estrada dream. He doesn't seem very vested in his job, or his own love life, or much of anything. Hard to care about a character who's so lackadaisical about everything.

He is supposed to be flat. Suffering from PTSD. Probably on anti-depressants. Doesn't want to deal with people. On his bike, he is finally free.

[Pakuni]

He is supposed to be flat. Suffering from PTSD. Probably on anti-depressants. Doesn't want to deal with people. On his bike, he is finally free.

Also, probably gay ... hence his disinterest in his girlfriend (not to mention a blowie from the starlet).

[tower912]

What is it with the male characters not enjoying BJ's?     Not a lot of movement in this episode.   Vince Vaughn's character going back to his roots was fun.     Collin Farrel trying to start down the path to clean living (water?  wow.) was interesting.     Seems like season 2 is a non-stop cameo fest.   

[Coleman]

I'm finally caught up and all I can say is...

This season sucks. I even had low expectations. It didn't need to be as good as Season 1, it just needed to be 50% as good and I'd enjoy it. And it has failed. Vince Vaughn can't act seriously. I enjoyed him in Old School and Wedding Crashers, he should stick to those types of movies. Like others have said, I miss the cultural/setting perspective offered in Season 1. Acadiana is much more interesting than LA County. McAdams and Farrell hold their own, but that is about the only positive.

[tower912]

What made season 1 so memorable was the focus on the two main characters and a reasonable pace toward a solution.    This season seems unfocused so far. 

[CTWarrior]

What made season 1 so memorable was the focus on the two main characters and a reasonable pace toward a solution.    This season seems unfocused so far. 

Besides location, season 1 had a few other things going for it that season 2 does not.  McConaughey and Harrelson were fantastic, and only Farrell approaches that level here.  Season 1 had them recounting an interesting investigation in the past and fudging things to help with character development, a device that would seem repetetive for season 2.  Also, season 1 kept throwing out red herrings (governer involved?  local church involved?  strange cults involved?) and asking potentially interesting questions that would keep you looking forward to the next episode where those questions were inevitably ignored and new questions posited that again would whet your appetite for the next episode.  None of that this season either. 

Because of all those unanswered questions last season, the final resolution was quite a letdown.  Perhaps this season's lesser build up will pay off with a more interesting resolution.  I've invested 3 hours so far, so regardless I figure to watch the next 5 to see how it turns out.  I suppose that's part of the beauty of an 8 week run.  By the time you figure out it isn't any good, you're too invested not to finish it out.

[PGsHeroes32]

People who say VV can't act truly don't really know good acting then.

The guy is real good. His issue is he picks a bunch of crappy comedies recently. He's at his best when he's improvising and going manic in things like Swingers, old School and Wedding crashers.

But watch Clay Pigeons, Domestic Disturbance/Psycho(even though both movies suck) and especially Return to Paradise(phenomenal). The dude can act.

[brandx]

People who say VV can't act truly don't really know good acting then.

The guy is real good. His issue is he picks a bunch of crappy comedies recently. He's at his best when he's improvising and going manic in things like Swingers, old School and Wedding crashers.

But watch Clay Pigeons, Domestic Disturbance/Psycho(even though both movies suck) and especially Return to Paradise(phenomenal). The dude can act.

Agree. I think the people disappointed in Vince want him to be like he was in the comedies.

I like this season's True Detective better than last year's. More main characters means more time to develop all the backstories. Love the pace of the show. Love that the show doesn't rely on car chases or explosions or CGI.

[ChicosBailBonds]

People who say VV can't act truly don't really know good acting then.

The guy is real good. His issue is he picks a bunch of crappy comedies recently. He's at his best when he's improvising and going manic in things like Swingers, old School and Wedding crashers.

But watch Clay Pigeons, Domestic Disturbance/Psycho(even though both movies suck) and especially Return to Paradise(phenomenal). The dude can act.

He is currently raned 42nd in the top 50 worst actors in Hollywood history one one list.

He has been panned all year for this.  I was running the HBO business the last 6 years for DTV when I moved on last August.  When I heard he was one of the new actors, I cringed.  Just not in the same league.

[PGsHeroes32]

He is currently raned 42nd in the top 50 worst actors in Hollywood history one one list.

He has been panned all year for this.  I was running the HBO business the last 6 years for DTV when I moved on last August.  When I heard he was one of the new actors, I cringed.  Just not in the same league.

Panned for this???

Uhhh no lol. The critic reviews are lukewarm on the season with like 65% ish on rotten tomatoes but VV has been high lighted as a bright spot on most reviews. Hit up rotten tomatoes if you want.

Now Kitsch, yeah you can say he's not in the same league.

Colin Farrel has been surprising in how good he is.

[PGsHeroes32]

Agree. I think the people disappointed in Vince want him to be like he was in the comedies.

I like this season's True Detective better than last year's. More main characters means more time to develop all the backstories. Love the pace of the show. Love that the show doesn't rely on car chases or explosions or CGI.

I don't think I put it up there with 1 yet but I agree with you. I like that we got 4 conflicted characters who still have 5 episodes to be fleshed out.

People are trying to hard to compare this to S1 which isn't fair to begin with and just stupid when you consider we are not even half way thru the season yet.

Gotta let it all play out. See where the writers vision goes and then critique if you don't like it. But critique it as its own story.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Someone actually believes this season is better than last year's?  Well, I guess there is always someone somewhere.

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/13/true-detective-episode-4-dead-bodies-everywhere.html

[Coleman]

I didn't even finish watching last night's episode.

Maybe we'll get around to finishing it later this week...but maybe not. We might have given up on the season.

It was that bad.

And the comments defending Vaughn's acting are funny. By all accounts he seems like a good guy and  the dude will certainly have a long comedic acting career, but he is unbearable in True Detective.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I didn't even finish watching last night's episode. Me and my wife were bored.

Maybe we'll get around to finishing it later this week...but maybe not. We might have given up on the season.

It was that bad.

And the comments defending Vaughn's acting are funny. By all accounts he seems like a good guy and  the dude will certainly have a long comedic acting career, but he is unbearable in True Detective.

As I said a few weeks ago when they sent me episode 3 and 4, it picks up.  I'd finish episode 4, as it definitely picks up in a big way in the second half of the episode. 

Vaughn is not good.

[brewcity77]

The last 15 minutes were pretty intense. Not as epic as last season's mammoth tracking shot scene, but worth watching.

[Coleman]

Alright, thanks for the info, we will finish it. We gave up with 30 minutes to go.

[PGsHeroes32]

I didn't even finish watching last night's episode. Me and my wife were bored.

Maybe we'll get around to finishing it later this week...but maybe not. We might have given up on the season.

It was that bad.

And the comments defending Vaughn's acting are funny. By all accounts he seems like a good guy and  the dude will certainly have a long comedic acting career, but he is unbearable in True Detective.

It's not defending. It's literally what's right if you know acting at all.

Try watching his dramas once then.

Your the minority. Don't try and twist it.

[Coleman]

It's not defending. It's literally what's right if you know acting at all.

Try watching his dramas once then.

Your the minority. Don't try and twist it.

LOL. Ok.

Dramas? Like Psycho? The one with 37% on Rotten Tomatoes?

Check out his ratings post 2008. They are terrible. The good ratings are all of his funny stuff from 2007 and prior, which I all agree with.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/vince_vaughn/

[CreightonWarrior]

My problem with VV in this show is none of the words feel like they're his character's. Every line feels like it's being delivered straight from the script.

[brewcity77]

I've really been hoping to see Kelly Reilly emerge as the villain of the piece. Just something about her, the right mix of innocence and deviltry. I'm not near as down on VV as many are, I think he's been decent, but I really like her villainous potential. Kill him off in E6 or so, let her prove to be the true devious brains behind his operation.

I am a little afraid they've neutered her too much the past two episodes, though, for that to work.

[brandx]

I've really been hoping to see Kelly Reilly emerge as the villain of the piece. Just something about her, the right mix of innocence and deviltry. I'm not near as down on VV as many are, I think he's been decent, but I really like her villainous potential. Kill him off in E6 or so, let her prove to be the true devious brains behind his operation.

I am a little afraid they've neutered her too much the past two episodes, though, for that to work.

Very interesting character who seems to lack any sense of morality. And I like that they haven't made her a "main" character even though she may have a very big affect on the outcome of the show.

[PGsHeroes32]

LOL. Ok.

Dramas? Like Psycho? The one with 37% on Rotten Tomatoes?

Check out his ratings post 2008. They are terrible. The good ratings are all of his funny stuff from 2007 and prior, which I all agree with.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/vince_vaughn/

Lol see that proves you don't know what you are talking about.

That's a rating for the MOVIE. The movie sucked. He was good. Great Gatsby blew...obviously The greatest actor of all time was still great in that movie.

Pre 2007? Clay Pigeons and Return to Paradise were drama he was heavily praised for well before 2007.

Obviously your just saying things at this point. So we will leave it there.

[Golden Avalanche]

I've really been hoping to see Kelly Reilly emerge as the villain of the piece. Just something about her, the right mix of innocence and deviltry. I'm not near as down on VV as many are, I think he's been decent, but I really like her villainous potential. Kill him off in E6 or so, let her prove to be the true devious brains behind his operation.

I am a little afraid they've neutered her too much the past two episodes, though, for that to work.

Funny how subjective and polarizing television is as I see Reilly in a terrible light who's never been good when she tries to play American. In this, she's too much like a Stepford Wife with her dull expressionless face for me to take her seriously.

Don't believe anyone is great in this but my rating of lead performance would be in pods:
a) McAdams/Farrell
b) Vaughn
p) Kitsch
z) Reilly

[CTWarrior]

Funny how subjective and polarizing television is as I see Reilly in a terrible light who's never been good when she tries to play American. In this, she's too much like a Stepford Wife with her dull expressionless face for me to take her seriously.

Funny, I see her like the typical sports movie girl who is getting in the way of the man trying to do what needs to be done.  Giving him a little grief about going back to basics to rebuild some capital, etc, instead of taking care of their baby issues.

I was hoping like brew that she was going to be a major player in this, but it seems she exists solely to be another obstacle for Vaughn to overcome as he attempts to recover and re-ascend.  This shown appears to be willing to take abrupt turns, so I suppose anything is still possible.

[CreightonWarrior]

Eyes wide shut, hey?

[MUsoxfan]

Eyes wide shut, hey?

Worst episode of the series so far

[brewcity77]

Worst episode of the series so far

Shows how subjective taste can be. I feel it's continued to get better as it went and thought this week was solid. They've done a good job ratcheting up the tension. I also thought this was Vaughn at his best.

It still hasn't hit the heights of last year but it hasn't been as bad as most want to make it out to be. I'd love to see the reviews in a vacuum. I really think season 1 is coloring everyone's opinion of this.

[jesmu84]

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/true-detective-season-2-episode-7-black-maps-and-motel-rooms/

Vince Vaughn has played the bad guy very well the last couple episodes. Also, his wife's boobs are awesome

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/true-detective-season-2-episode-7-black-maps-and-motel-rooms/

Vince Vaughn has played the bad guy very well the last couple episodes. Also, his wife's boobs are awesome

VV was good last night...agree

[tower912]

A lot to tie up in 90 minutes.    But there were loose threads in season 1 and we all survived.   

[PGsHeroes32]

Seeing the badass Frank was awesome.

This season really picked up from the gunfight to end Ep 4 to now.

Sunday's episode was probably the best TD episode of both seasons. Simply great.

S1 was brilliant tv but it didn't end fantastically the last couple episodes. This season seems to be the opposite, starts a little slow and ramps up. If it sticks the landing we could have a legit comparison.

This season is also more in depth and bold.

Hopefully the finale delivers

[brewcity77]

This week's episode was good. Tension was well built. For me it still hasn't reached the heights of Season 1 (tracking shot episode was ridiculously amazeballs), but it's improved consistently and I'm looking forward to the finale.

I also like the development of Vaughn. They've done a good job building him up as that guy you aren't sure if you should cheer for or against. That's actually one thing I like about many of these characters. Vaughn is the guy who built himself from nothing only to see it all being taken away. Why he does what he does makes sense. Velcoro turned after his wife's rape, it all makes sense. That's the part of this show I really like. Bezzerides, Paul, their storylines are understandable and relatable.

This is definitely a show that should improve with a second viewing. I'm confident there's stuff from the first couple episodes that will be missed, and that the storyline will become even more clear a second time around.

[ChicosBailBonds]

S2 doesn't compare to S1 in any way shape or form in my opinion.  Going out to lunch Friday with my old HBO counterparts, but I suspect they feel the same.  Last week's episode was good, but last year I literally couldn't wait until the next episode each week.  It was a build up, folks at the office all into it.  This year, not anything close to the drama, the acting, etc.  IMO.  No way would I put last week's episode as best of both seasons, but again to each their own. 

I do agree the last episode last year was a bit of a disappointment, but part of that is because each week was so brilliant the bar was set high.  The reason last week's episode ranks well, is because most of this year has been not great....low bar.

[JoeSmith1721]

S2 doesn't compare to S1 in any way shape or form in my opinion.  Going out to lunch Friday with my old HBO counterparts, but I suspect they feel the same.  Last week's episode was good, but last year I literally couldn't wait until the next episode each week.  It was a build up, folks at the office all into it.  This year, not anything close to the drama, the acting, etc.  IMO.  No way would I put last week's episode as best of both seasons, but again to each their own. 

I do agree the last episode last year was a bit of a disappointment, but part of that is because each week was so brilliant the bar was set high.  The reason last week's episode ranks well, is because most of this year has been not great....low bar.

Exactly.

Season 1's worst episode is better than any episode from this season. Two different levels completely.

[PGsHeroes32]

This week's episode was good. Tension was well built. For me it still hasn't reached the heights of Season 1 (tracking shot episode was ridiculously amazeballs), but it's improved consistently and I'm looking forward to the finale.

I also like the development of Vaughn. They've done a good job building him up as that guy you aren't sure if you should cheer for or against. That's actually one thing I like about many of these characters. Vaughn is the guy who built himself from nothing only to see it all being taken away. Why he does what he does makes sense. Velcoro turned after his wife's rape, it all makes sense. That's the part of this show I really like. Bezzerides, Paul, their storylines are understandable and relatable.

This is definitely a show that should improve with a second viewing. I'm confident there's stuff from the first couple episodes that will be missed, and that the storyline will become even more clear a second time around.

It was 100% makes more sense when you don't have to wait week after week and are not sure where they mare building too.

I've already re watched the first 3 eps(weakest ones on first viewing) and they are far better because I actually know what the heck is going on 100% of the time.

Hoping the finale comes together.

[brewcity77]

Solid ending, albeit predictable. Stronger ending than S1, but still not as good overall. I just rewatched the last 20 minutes of S1E4 yesterday. Absolutely breathtaking stuff, arguably the greatest thing I've ever seen on television.

[ChicosBailBonds]

It was good, but because the season mostly sucked it stands out more.  S1 the season was so great, the bar impossibly high to have an ending that would satisfy most.

[tower912]

I liked the acting by the four principals.    I really liked what Vaughn did at the end.   However, the writing, the plotline, the directing,  were just plain bad.    I spent too much of the last two episodes trying to remember characters who had 5 minutes of screen time during first few episodes.    Summed up perfectly by McAdams going into the clinic with the lights out and finding the director dead of a 'suicide' and the files gone.    Two minutes of 'huh'?   Too many answers from left field too fast.   Meeting the two kids, one of them the murderer that started the whole series,  from the jewel robbery that was the precipitating event for the entire series and then having them disappear in 10 minutes?   

Ultimately, a fail in my book. 

[brewcity77]

I liked the acting by the four principals.    I really liked what Vaughn did at the end.   However, the writing, the plotline, the directing,  were just plain bad.    I spent too much of the last two episodes trying to remember characters who had 5 minutes of screen time during first few episodes.    Summed up perfectly by McAdams going into the clinic with the lights out and finding the director dead of a 'suicide' and the files gone.    Two minutes of 'huh'?   Too many answers from left field too fast.   Meeting the two kids, one of them the murderer that started the whole series,  from the jewel robbery that was the precipitating event for the entire series and then having them disappear in 10 minutes?   

Ultimately, a fail in my book.

I do think that ending style is somewhat Nic Pizzolatto's style, and we saw it in the first season as well. In most stories like TD, the villain is usually among the characters throughout, or someone the characters are familiar with. Pizzolatto in both seasons pretty much only brought his main villain in at the end, so it feels a bit disjointed. It takes some of the mystery out of the show when the viewers couldn't possibly guess what's going on because they don't get all the clues until the end.

[MU82]

I gave it the ol' college try.

I watched episode 1 -- hated it. I watched episode 2 and was bored. I got halfway through episode 3 and dozed off -- and I just about never doze off when watching TV.

I thought maybe I missed something, so I re-watched episode 1. Hated it even more.

That was enough.

I sat through the entire season of John From Cincinnati, and I wasn't going to do anything like that ever again!

I love lots of shows on HBO and Showtime (as well as AMC and FX and Netflix), but they put out clunkers sometimes, too.

I really enjoyed season 1 of True Detective, and I'll give season 3 a chance, too.

[brandx]

I sat through the entire season of John From Cincinnati, and I wasn't going to do anything like that ever again!

I wasted 12 hours of my life on that one too. Started with some interesting characters, so the assumption was that something would happen in the story. It never did.

[MU82]

I wasted 12 hours of my life on that one too. Started with some interesting characters, so the assumption was that something would happen in the story. It never did.

Yeah, thank goodness for chat boards like this one. That's the kind of thing a person can only admit under the cloak of anonymity!!

[ATWizJr]

So, who was the man who took Bezzerides into the woods for 4 days, or was that only a device to show that she had low self esteem as a child?

[Cheeks]

Saw the first episode of season 3 tonight, won’t come out until January officially.  Very good.  Feels like we are back on the right track like season one.

The lead actor was in Hidden Figures and Moonlight....Mareshala Ali.  Good stuff.  Anyone that saw season two was disappointed, but this has a lot of promise.  Set in the Ozarks in the 1990’s.  Harrelson and McConeaughy are both exec producers on this.

[Lennys Tap]

Saw the first episode of season 3 tonight, won’t come out until January officially.  Very good.  Feels like we are back on the right track like season one.

The lead actor was in Hidden Figures and Moonlight....Mareshala Ali.  Good stuff.  Anyone that saw season two was disappointed, but this has a lot of promise.  Set in the Ozarks in the 1990’s.  Harrelson and McConeaughy are both exec producers on this.

Just saw Ali in "Green Book" with Viggo Mortensten. Both were excellent, so was the movie.

[Jables1604]

Marquette’s own Brian Distance (Class of 87) is in “Green Book.” He was a lacrosse teammate of mine at MU. Fantastic human being. There was a recent article about him on the MU Twitter feed.

[Coleman]

Ha, just read all of my old comments on this thread, and stand by all of them 100%.

Season 2 sucks. With the further passage of time everyone seems to agree, even HBO: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/hbo-reveals-why-true-detective-season-2-sucked-a6798516.html

I do hope Season 3 is back to something resembling the quality of Season 1. I will give it a shot.

[Cheeks]

Ha, just read all of my old comments on this thread, and stand by all of them 100%.

Season 2 sucks. With the further passage of time everyone seems to agree, even HBO: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/hbo-reveals-why-true-detective-season-2-sucked-a6798516.html

I do hope Season 3 is back to something resembling the quality of Season 1. I will give it a shot.

I've handled the HBO biz here for most of the last 10 years, and they will tell you the same....season 2 was not good.  I enjoyed season 3 first episode, has potential.  Cast is pretty strong, and Woody and Matthew are involved in this as executive producers. Fukunaga, the director for season one, is also an exec producer this year.  I think you will like.

[Cheeks]

Mahershala Ali won the Oscar the other night for Green Book, he is amazing on True Detective.

Did you know he played D1 basketball at Saint Mary’s for four years from 1992-1996?  Point guard.

Averaged 7 points per game his senior year.

[Coleman]

Mahershala Ali won the Oscar the other night for Green Book, he is amazing on True Detective.

Did you know he played D1 basketball at Saint Mary’s for four years from 1992-1996?  Point guard.

Averaged 7 points per game his senior year.

Did not know that. He is one of my favorite actors. Still need to check out Season 3.

[tower912]

Did not know that. He is one of my favorite actors. Still need to check out Season 3.

You won't regret it.   

[MU82]

I was mildly disappointed in Season 3.

It was miles better than Season 2, don't get me wrong, but based on what I had heard, I thought it would be at least as good as Season 1. And it wasn't. A lot of hopping around from one year to the next, some hard-to-believe plot turns, I won't spoil anything about the ending. The acting in general was very good, though.

Again, not saying it was bad by any means. I just went in with too-high expectations, I guess.

Back to GOT now. Mrs. 82 and I are halfway through Season 6. (I've seen the whole series once, this is her first time watching. Love it!) Should be able to finish up before Season 8 starts in a month and a half.

[Coleman]

My wife and I have been waiting for GOT to come back to re-activate HBO. We will probably catch up on True Detective at that point.

[tower912]

Better than season 2.  Not as good as season 1.    I like the time slips.  The ending felt too neat and too contrived.    Well acted.  I enjoyed it.

[Jockey]

I was mildly disappointed in Season 3.

It was miles better than Season 2, don't get me wrong, but based on what I had heard, I thought it would be at least as good as Season 1. And it wasn't. A lot of hopping around from one year to the next, some hard-to-believe plot turns, I won't spoil anything about the ending. The acting in general was very good, though.

I loved Season 3.... until the last episode. Way, way too contrived of an ending. Spoiled the entire season.

[MU82]

Better than season 2.  Not as good as season 1.    I like the time slips.  The ending felt too neat and too contrived.    Well acted.  I enjoyed it.

This is how I felt but I didn't want to say anything about the ending for those who haven't seen it.

The last episode gave far too neat an ending. And really, the whole notion that 2 very old ex-cops, including one with Alzheimer's, could solve a case that had been cold for decades ... look, I'm willing to suspend reality a little when I watch TV. It's TV! But really.

Having said all that, I liked the season (just didn't love it as I thought I would), especially the first 5-6 episodes, and I thought the acting was top-notch.

[Archies Bat]

Better than season 2.  Not as good as season 1.    I like the time slips.  The ending felt too neat and too contrived.    Well acted.  I enjoyed it.

Agree. Season 3 had a good buildup to a bland end.  My wife and I loved it up until then and said "Ehh" about the final episode.

[CreightonWarrior]

Agree. Season 3 had a good buildup to a bland end.  My wife and I loved it up until then and said "Ehh" about the final episode.

Have actually seen every episode but the finale (only watch the show when the SO isn’t around). Perhaps this explains why they aired it during the oscars?

[Coleman]

Finished Season 3. Leaps and bounds better than Season 2 (which isn't saying much), still doesn't live up to Season 1, but it was worthwhile television. I really like Mahershala Ali.