missfee said:

My reaction during last night's episode from beginning to middle to end:

Paul (T. Kirtch) has been a beast during the season, last night was literally a one man army....that is until the end. It reminded me of the movie "The Professional".

And if Paul was a one man army then Frank (V. Vaughn) was a one man mafia family. I've never seen the boss actually become the right hand man, the cappo and the soldier all wrapped up into one. But Vince pulled it off smoothly. I don't like his wife at all though. Something about her rubs me the wrong way.

About time Ani and Ray gave in to their tension and just got it on.

Only one episode left and it's 90 minutes.

90 minute final episode?! That almost makes up for the fact there's only one episode left...

namepeace said:

kewlschool said:

It was okay. This season has been barely okay. So, it appears the white cop asking about the jewels was Paul's associate(s) and he must of been part of the gang that robbed or covered up the robbery in the past.

[Edited 8/3/15 22:19pm]

I'd give this season a B thus far, on the strength of the performances. The story collapsed in the middle, when there was no movement towards tying all the loose ends together.

I think this is because, unlike last season, the detectives have done little or no investigative work (but Cohle and Hart were much better detectives than Ray, Ani and Paul). Sometimes it seems like the "bad guy" (Semyon) has done AT LEAST as much investigative work as the 3 cops.

It sure seemed that way to me too. Shucks, they should have hired Semyon on the force because he was always 2 steps ahead of the cops.

RodeoSchro said:

I was going to binge-watch it on DVD like I did Season 1 (I don't have HBO) but so far all I've heard are negative or luke-warm reviews of Season 2.

It's okay. The beginning of the season started out production and directing as too serious for the plot they were presenting (It came across pretentious). I still think the first 2 seasons of the following moved faster. If your looking for something to watch and you've seen everything, it's worth turning on.

kewlschool said:

RodeoSchro said:

I was going to binge-watch it on DVD like I did Season 1 (I don't have HBO) but so far all I've heard are negative or luke-warm reviews of Season 2.

It's okay. The beginning of the season started out production and directing as too serious for the plot they were presenting (It came across pretentious). I still think the first 2 seasons of the following moved faster. If your looking for something to watch and you've seen everything, it's worth turning on.

I watched the first two episodes of that on an airplane ride last summer. Seemed like it would have been a good movie, but I can't see myself watching several hours of cat-and-mouse stuff.

RodeoSchro said:

kewlschool said:

It's okay. The beginning of the season started out production and directing as too serious for the plot they were presenting (It came across pretentious). I still think the first 2 seasons of the following moved faster. If your looking for something to watch and you've seen everything, it's worth turning on.

I watched the first two episodes of that on an airplane ride last summer. Seemed like it would have been a good movie, but I can't see myself watching several hours of cat-and-mouse stuff.

It actually gets better as the season progresses and then at the end gets a tad hokey - but all in all a good season 1.

Now that the season is over, I give 1/2 for the storyline and 1/2 for the performances by the actors.

Between Farrell and Vaughn, they should both receive some type of Emmy nomination for their performances alone. I could even see Kitsch and McAdams with noms in supporting roles. No question, the performances certainly outweighed the awfully silly storyline which made this season subpar to it's predecessor, however, I can't say that I would never watch the season again.

WARNING SPOILERS BELOW:

The biggest "dumb" moment of the episode was Ray walking into the station to find the guy who killed Caspere before he meets with Holloway. Now Ray is on the run and wanted, even spotting his picture on the news caption as he is riding up the escalator...and his only disguise is a rediculous cowboy outfit that clearly identifies him as himself? I thought this was laughable.

Another dumb moment is the motive behind Frank's demise. So here he is, in the clear, has his money, liquidated the bulk of it in diamonds, he's on his way to meet Jordan....oh no wait, the Mexicans he made a deal with are mad because he torched the clubs that he promised they could deal their drugs in. Huh?

There were others, but these two were the ones that had me

However, one of the highlights was the final scene with Vaughn, wounded, walking in the desert, hallucinating...with the crows following him. It was excellently acted.

Another was the driving scene with Ray, talking to Ani while contemplating going to see his son (which he eventually does). The emotion there was well displayed...I believe this was the only episode where we see Ray actually smiling, if only for a moment, then it all ends with the next decision he makes which ultimately seals his fate. While it was expected that Frank wasn't going to survive, there was still a possibility there that at least Ray would have a happy ending, but seeing him smile automatically let me know that he wasn't going to survive.

[Edited 8/10/15 7:27am]

missfee said:

Now that the season is over, I give 1/2 for the storyline and 1/2 for the performances by the actors.

Between Farrell and Vaughn, they should both receive some type of Emmy nomination for their performances alone. I could even see Kitsch and McAdams with noms in supporting roles. No question, the performances certainly outweighed the awfully silly storyline which made this season subpar to it's predecessor, however, I can't say that I would never watch the season again.

WARNING SPOILERS BELOW:

The biggest "dumb" moment of the episode was Ray walking into the station to find the guy who killed Caspere before he meets with Holloway. Now Ray is on the run and wanted, even spotting his picture on the news caption as he is riding up the escalator...and his only disguise is a rediculous cowboy outfit that clearly identifies him as himself? I thought this was laughable.

Another dumb moment is the motive behind Frank's demise. So here he is, in the clear, has his money, liquidated the bulk of it in diamonds, he's on his way to meet Jordan....oh no wait, the Mexicans he made a deal with are mad because he torched the clubs that he promised they could deal their drugs in. Huh?

There were others, but these two were the ones that had me

However, one of the highlights was the final scene with Vaughn, wounded, walking in the desert, hallucinating...with the crows following him. It was excellently acted.

Another was the driving scene with Ray, talking to Ani while contemplating going to see his son (which he eventually does). The emotion there was well displayed...I believe this was the only episode where we see Ray actually smiling, if only for a moment, then it all ends with the next decision he makes which ultimately seals his fate. While it was expected that Frank wasn't going to survive, there was still a possibility there that at least Ray would have a happy ending, but seeing him smile automatically let me know that he wasn't going to survive.

[Edited 8/10/15 7:27am]

^ I agree with all of thee above. Altough the actors were all good, IMO they could not rise above the lackluster material. The story was just a dud and at times excruciatingly slow. I was hoping that at least Ray would survive, but alas they both met their demise. Having the two women get away was the consolation prize I guess. I just didn't really care that much about any of them. I will not be watching this seaosn again either.

I give it

[Edited 8/10/15 7:58am]

DiminutiveRocker said:

missfee said:

Now that the season is over, I give 1/2 for the storyline and 1/2 for the performances by the actors.

I'd say the same, but we're grading on a steep curve after S1.

Between Farrell and Vaughn, they should both receive some type of Emmy nomination for their performances alone. I could even see Kitsch and McAdams with noms in supporting roles. No question, the performances certainly outweighed the awfully silly storyline which made this season subpar to it's predecessor, however, I can't say that I would never watch the season again.

As good as Vaughn and McAdams were, I'd say Farrell and Kitsch were the standouts.


The biggest "dumb" moment of the episode was Ray walking into the station to find the guy who killed Caspere before he meets with Holloway. Now Ray is on the run and wanted, even spotting his picture on the news caption as he is riding up the escalator...and his only disguise is a rediculous cowboy outfit that clearly identifies him as himself? I thought this was laughable.

It had a real 12 Monkeys type feel to it.


Another dumb moment is the motive behind Frank's demise. So here he is, in the clear, has his money, liquidated the bulk of it in diamonds, he's on his way to meet Jordan....oh no wait, the Mexicans he made a deal with are mad because he torched the clubs that he promised they could deal their drugs in. Huh?

Again, I thought he might go the way of Carlito Brigante, and sure enough, it had a Carlito's Way feel to it.

There were others, but these two were the ones that had me

However, one of the highlights was the final scene with Vaughn, wounded, walking in the desert, hallucinating...with the crows following him. It was excellently acted.

Yeah, but it seemed to be lifted from The Sopranos.

Another was the driving scene with Ray, talking to Ani while contemplating going to see his son (which he eventually does). The emotion there was well displayed...I believe this was the only episode where we see Ray actually smiling, if only for a moment, then it all ends with the next decision he makes which ultimately seals his fate. While it was expected that Frank wasn't going to survive, there was still a possibility there that at least Ray would have a happy ending, but seeing him smile automatically let me know that he wasn't going to survive.

Ray's end had a Heat-type feel to it, when De Niro's character was in the clear but couldn't let go of his need to get Wayne Groh, and it cost him his love and his life.

[Edited 8/10/15 7:27am]

^ I agree with all of thee above. Altough the actors were all good, IMO they could not rise above the lackluster material. The story was just a dud and at times excruciatingly slow. I was hoping that at least Ray would survive, but alas they both met their demise. Having the two women get away was the consolation prize I guess. I just didn't really care that much about any of them. I will not be watching this seaosn again either.

I give it

The writing seemed like a mishmash of stories that had been done before, including the first season. I'd give the show, overall, , saved by the actors.

[Edited 8/10/15 7:58am]

I see I'm in the minority here, but I thought the last three episodes were strong enough to still give the season high marks overall. The finale in particular I watched through my fingers because like in a horror film, I knew they weren't all going to survive.

sexton said:

I see I'm in the minority here, but I thought the last three episodes were strong enough to still give the season high marks overall. The finale in particular I watched through my fingers because like in a horror film, I knew they weren't all going to survive.

I thought the last three episodes were good. But it's not enough to revisit this season again.

Ray going to his child was plot BS. And let's say Ray would go there out of character need instead of plot development, there wouldn't be a car full of cops waiting. 1 cop on the look out or two not more than that.

DaveT said:

Well, how thoroughly depressing was that?! And the whole baby thing ... finishing on another big cliche. Starting to think Pizzolatto doesn't know how to conclude a story other than follow what's already been done too many times before.

good point

kewlschool said:

sexton said:

I see I'm in the minority here, but I thought the last three episodes were strong enough to still give the season high marks overall. The finale in particular I watched through my fingers because like in a horror film, I knew they weren't all going to survive.

I thought the last three episodes were good. But it's not enough to revisit this season again.

Ray going to his child was plot BS. And let's say Ray would go there out of character need instead of plot development, there wouldn't be a car full of cops waiting. 1 cop on the look out or two not more than that.

That was another one of the many "dumb" moments I was speaking of. It's like the writing got lazy or writer's block or whatever because there had to be some reason for Ray to sabotage his "out".

Meh, I don't have a problem with Ray going to see his son one last time in the end. It was established early on that Ray really loved the guy so I buy the thought of never seeing him again being too much for Ray and something he had to address.

sexton said:

Meh, I don't have a problem with Ray going to see his son one last time in the end. It was established early on that Ray really loved the guy so I buy the thought of never seeing him again being too much for Ray and something he had to address.

It wasn't a real problem, but it was CLEARLY derived from the third act of Heat. Ray pulls off the heist, has a clear path to leave the country with his newfound love, but he can't bring himself not to turn back, and it cost him his life.

namepeace said:

sexton said:

Meh, I don't have a problem with Ray going to see his son one last time in the end. It was established early on that Ray really loved the guy so I buy the thought of never seeing him again being too much for Ray and something he had to address.

It wasn't a real problem, but it was CLEARLY derived from the third act of Heat. Ray pulls off the heist, has a clear path to leave the country with his newfound love, but he can't bring himself not to turn back, and it cost him his life.

I've never seen Heat so it didn't register as being derivative.

sexton said:

namepeace said:

It wasn't a real problem, but it was CLEARLY derived from the third act of Heat. Ray pulls off the heist, has a clear path to leave the country with his newfound love, but he can't bring himself not to turn back, and it cost him his life.

I've never seen Heat so it didn't register as being derivative.

Good movie, sorry I spoiled the ending. But I felt like the last episode built in storylines from the endings of 12 Monkeys (Velcoro in terminal); Heat (Velcoro's end) and Carlito's Way (Frank Semyon's end).

namepeace said:

sexton said:

I've never seen Heat so it didn't register as being derivative.

Good movie, sorry I spoiled the ending. But I felt like the last episode built in storylines from the endings of 12 Monkeys (Velcoro in terminal); Heat (Velcoro's end) and Carlito's Way (Frank Semyon's end).

Even the plot turns that weren't derivative were predictable. The overall story just wasn't that compelling and suspense was doled out quite infrequenty. The episode that featured the high-end brothel (ep 6?) was the best of the season, IMO.


In season one I thought the characters and their flaws were far more interesting - every episode peeled back another layer and kept you hooked. The characters in season 2 seem to be far more stereotypical. Good actors... but sub par storyline.

namepeace said:

sexton said:

I've never seen Heat so it didn't register as being derivative.

Good movie, sorry I spoiled the ending. But I felt like the last episode built in storylines from the endings of 12 Monkeys (Velcoro in terminal); Heat (Velcoro's end) and Carlito's Way (Frank Semyon's end).

Agree 100%

DiminutiveRocker said:

namepeace said:

Good movie, sorry I spoiled the ending. But I felt like the last episode built in storylines from the endings of 12 Monkeys (Velcoro in terminal); Heat (Velcoro's end) and Carlito's Way (Frank Semyon's end).

Even the plot turns that weren't derivative were predictable. The overall story just wasn't that compelling and suspense was doled out quite infrequenty. The episode that featured the high-end brothel (ep 6?) was the best of the season, IMO.


In season one I thought the characters and their flaws were far more interesting - every episode peeled back another layer and kept you hooked. The characters in season 2 seem to be far more stereotypical. Good actors... but sub par storyline.

Yes!

I already said I knew how it was going to end, but being predictable didn't necessarily make it not enjoyable. It was still a good ride for me. I'd rate the first season 5/5 and this season 4/5.

Kind of interesting... I'd agree pretty much.

I DVR'ed like the first 6-episodes and Deleted all of them just-becuz....I wonder if True Detective Season 2 will "Go Black"? It ain't like Jamie Fox & Will Smith making any worth-while Movies...Hell, might as well throw in Martin Lawrence just-becuz..

It felt so badly written and directed. But we kept watching believe it or not... as a comedy! We cracked jokes all the way through.

It was written in the way a school kid might mimic what was thought of as high brow and dramatic, but it was simply posturing. Like a town made of false paper thin walls that look incredibly strong from a distance before you reach them. If a middle school kid was obsessed with Chinatown, Heat, etc.

But really, that second episode monologue by Vince Vaughn could represent the quality of the whole thing.

It did have some great cinematic style here and there. I liked the sequence were she went into the party undercover and was drugged out of her mind.

ufoclub said:

It felt so badly written and directed. But we kept watching believe it or not... as a comedy! We cracked jokes all the way through.

It was written in the way a school kid might mimic what was thought of as high brow and dramatic, but it was simply posturing. Like a town made of false paper thin walls that look incredibly strong from a distance before you reach them. If a middle school kid was obsessed with Chinatown, Heat, etc.

But really, that second episode monologue by Vince Vaughn could represent the quality of the whole thing.

It did have some great cinematic style here and there. I liked the sequence were she went into the party undercover and was drugged out of her mind.

My favorite scene was when Colin Farrell used his police connections to find the address of his son's bully, went to the house, beat up the bully's dad with brass knuckles and then threatened the boy. I know I re-watched that scene like 5 times.

missfee said:

ufoclub said:

It felt so badly written and directed. But we kept watching believe it or not... as a comedy! We cracked jokes all the way through.

It was written in the way a school kid might mimic what was thought of as high brow and dramatic, but it was simply posturing. Like a town made of false paper thin walls that look incredibly strong from a distance before you reach them. If a middle school kid was obsessed with Chinatown, Heat, etc.

But really, that second episode monologue by Vince Vaughn could represent the quality of the whole thing.

It did have some great cinematic style here and there. I liked the sequence were she went into the party undercover and was drugged out of her mind.

My favorite scene was when Colin Farrell used his police connections to find the address of his son's bully, went to the house, beat up the bully's dad with brass knuckles and then threatened the boy. I know I re-watched that scene like 5 times.

We did rewatch that... but it was so over the top, it was funny to us.