Is anyone else watching this? It's 5 episodes into season 2, and I can say that it's honestly not as strong or exciting as season 1. Not that the cast isn't interesting, Colin Farrell is a damn good actor, just excellent. Vince Vaughn is pretty good as a villian and it's great to see Rachel McAdams in a different type of role that we are used to seeing her play. I think that the plot is predictable, yet far out there at the same time. This season has overextended itself to not replicate season 1, so much so that it's lost that spark that made season 1 so great.

If there's been anyone else tuning in, what's your opinion of the new season?

Not seen it but will watch season 1..thanks for the heads up

It's playing out more like a procedural than last season, and I think with 4 main characters -- Frank, Ani, Woodrugh and Velcoro -- it's much more plodding. The writing seems almost to be a parody at times of the brilliant S1 writing. But the acting and storylines are compelling enough.

Maybe now that they're actually back to investigating, the story will start to come together next week.

namepeace said:

The writing seems almost to be a parody at times

We actually watch it as a comedy! We're always cracking up. Missed the last episode though.

namepeace said:

It's playing out more like a procedural than last season, and I think with 4 main characters -- Frank, Ani, Woodrugh and Velcoro -- it's much more plodding. The writing seems almost to be a parody at times of the brilliant S1 writing. But the acting and storylines are compelling enough.

Maybe now that they're actually back to investigating, the story will start to come together next week.

Yeah I thought it was just me. The script this season sometimes has me wondering "this is the same guy who wrote the first season with such brilliance"? But yes the acting is excellent. I was a fan of Farrell before but now, whoa. The scene when he was beating the father of his son's bully with the brass nuckles had me at hello.

Yeah so far it's a whole lot of setup and not much action, with a few jarring exceptions. It feels like the writers are going "Oh are you bored? THIS will wake your dumb ass up".

But I'm enjoying the ride while it lasts. If it really does managed to tie together brilliantly, I'll be happy. If not, it'll go down as "bad second season" but with enough potential to justify a third.

This seems kind of disappointing. I was planning on binge-watching it when the season is through or just get the DVD when it's out, but...

I'm trying to get into it but it's moving so slow. Hopefully it will pick up.

Three episodes in, and its getting better. I think people made the mistake of assuming the first series was great because of Pizzolatto's writing, when really it was Woody and Matt's performances that made it. The end of Series One was such a cliche, inbred hick, Texas Chainsaw-esque, run of the mill thriller story conclusion, it was only the episodes before the last one that saved it.

Same thing this time round...its Farrell, McAdams, Kitsch, and Vaughn's performances that are raising it about any other average police drama on TV. The whole corrupt city officials, rough cops with bad habits thing has been done a million times already. We'll see if Pizzolatto actually does something original this time round, but I doubt he will.

And is anyone else struggling to hear the dialogue in this show? Either I'm deaf or the characters are mumbling way too much. I've had to have the volume high to hear what's going on, then an action scenes swings in out of nowhere and nearly blows my speakers!

DaveT said:

And is anyone else struggling to hear the dialogue in this show? Either I'm deaf or the characters are mumbling way too much. I've had to have the volume high to hear what's going on, then an action scenes swings in out of nowhere and nearly blows my speakers!

I agree with this. I have to DVR the episodes since most of the time I have to watch them at least a 2nd time because I know for sure that I missed something said due to the mumbling.

NinaB said:

I was so impressed with Nic Pizzoletto's writing in season 1. Have to admit I'm struggling with season 2. I like the cast (esp Colin) & the characters interest me, so I'm gonna stick with it, but I'm definitely struggling

Me too. Last seaosn was so good you cannot help but compare it, but this one is not nearly as compelling. I am sticking with it but I too feel like I need to watch it twice or rewind a scene to undertsand what they were saying in case it was plot significant.

So 2 more episodes left. I'm still feeling like the plot is moving along like a snail. I thought some significant things would be happening in these last episodes of the season but perhaps they are still holding out on that for the last two? Anyway, the performances continue to be great while the plot seems to be lacking. I continue to be mesmerized by Colin Farrell

missfee said:

DaveT said:

And is anyone else struggling to hear the dialogue in this show? Either I'm deaf or the characters are mumbling way too much. I've had to have the volume high to hear what's going on, then an action scenes swings in out of nowhere and nearly blows my speakers!

I agree with this. I have to DVR the episodes since most of the time I have to watch them at least a 2nd time because I know for sure that I missed something said due to the mumbling.

I haven't watched yet. It's here in Germany but not in English. But this is why I ALWAYS use the caption feature. I don't know how many times I've missed entire lines in a film or TV show because I couldn't understand what they were saying...went back with captions on and realized it was an important clue to the plot...mumble, mumble.

The "Church In Ruin" episode was like a mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Eyes Wide Shut. Suspenseful but gratuitous.

The most compelling part of the episode was the faceoff between Velcoro and Semyon.

namepeace said:

The "Church In Ruin" episode was like a mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Eyes Wide Shut. Suspenseful but gratuitous.

The most compelling part of the episode was the faceoff between Velcoro and Semyon.

Yeah see I have to watch that part again....well I have to re-watch the whole thing really. The shots where you see both of them face to face at the table is reminiscent of the same shot of Pacino and De Niro in the movie "Heat".

I have not seen season one. But from the first episode (season 2)it seemed the show was taking itself way to seriously. Attention show runners tone down yourself importance when creating this show. It's okay, not as entertaining as the first 2 seasons of The following.

kewlschool said:

I have not seen season one. But from the first episode (season 2)it seemed the show was taking itself way to seriously. Attention show runners tone down yourself importance when creating this show. It's okay, not as entertaining as the first 2 seasons of The following.

Last night's final 30 minutes was the best of this show yet!

missfee said:

namepeace said:

The "Church In Ruin" episode was like a mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Eyes Wide Shut. Suspenseful but gratuitous.

The most compelling part of the episode was the faceoff between Velcoro and Semyon.

Yeah see I have to watch that part again....well I have to re-watch the whole thing really. The shots where you see both of them face to face at the table is reminiscent of the same shot of Pacino and De Niro in the movie "Heat".

I can see that.

missfee said:

namepeace said:

The "Church In Ruin" episode was like a mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Eyes Wide Shut. Suspenseful but gratuitous.

The most compelling part of the episode was the faceoff between Velcoro and Semyon.

Yeah see I have to watch that part again....well I have to re-watch the whole thing really. The shots where you see both of them face to face at the table is reminiscent of the same shot of Pacino and De Niro in the movie "Heat".

Totally thought that as well, a fantastic scene. Episode 6 really upped the quality of the show; I hope they keep the momentum going over the last two episodes.

Anyone else really digging Vince Vaughn as a gangster? I had my doubts before hand, but he's amazing in it.

DiminutiveRocker said:

DaveT said:

missfee said:

Yeah see I have to watch that part again....well I have to re-watch the whole thing really. The shots where you see both of them face to face at the table is reminiscent of the same shot of Pacino and De Niro in the movie "Heat".

Totally thought that as well, a fantastic scene. Episode 6 really upped the quality of the show; I hope they keep the momentum going over the last two episodes.

Anyone else really digging Vince Vaughn as a gangster? I had my doubts before hand, but he's amazing in it.

Oh yeah. I love Vince Vaughn as the funny man in comedies but I've seen him play villians before and think he does a great job at it.

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.

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.

As good as it was, the episode just shows how much opportunity was wasted before finally Getting To The Point. Taylor Kitsch has "shown and proven" this season, and I hope he gets more chances to shine. (SPOILER: you knew he wasn't getting out alive when he went into the dark).

Semyon channeled his inner Carlito Brigante for this episode. I hope he doesn't meet the same fate next week. I'm getting uneasy about the wife, but think she simply hasn't been given enough to do. Ditto for Ani's family.

This season simply wasted time on the front end, and ran out of time on the back end (tho this season's shorter than S1).

namepeace said:

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.

As good as it was, the episode just shows how much opportunity was wasted before finally Getting To The Point. Taylor Kitsch has "shown and proven" this season, and I hope he gets more chances to shine. (SPOILER: you knew he wasn't getting out alive when he went into the dark).

Semyon channeled his inner Carlito Brigante for this episode. I hope he doesn't meet the same fate next week. I'm getting uneasy about the wife, but think she simply hasn't been given enough to do. Ditto for Ani's family.

This season simply wasted time on the front end, and ran out of time on the back end (tho this season's shorter than S1).

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]

namepeace said:

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.

As good as it was, the episode just shows how much opportunity was wasted before finally Getting To The Point. Taylor Kitsch has "shown and proven" this season, and I hope he gets more chances to shine. (SPOILER: you knew he wasn't getting out alive when he went into the dark).

Semyon channeled his inner Carlito Brigante for this episode. I hope he doesn't meet the same fate next week. I'm getting uneasy about the wife, but think she simply hasn't been given enough to do. Ditto for Ani's family.

This season simply wasted time on the front end, and ran out of time on the back end (tho this season's shorter than S1).

YES! It takes FOREVER to get to the point! Really unnecessary and distracting.

Although this season is shorter - it feels twice as long as S-1. I will however see it through to the end - 90 minutes here iIcome.

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.

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.

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.

Loved season 1, one of the best TV shows I've ever seen, only let down by the cliche last episode.

Season 2 take about 3 episodes to get going, but its worth staying with. I think the negative reviews were after the first two episodes and didn't really give it long enough to find its feet, especially when comparing it to the classic season 1. Vaughn is fantastic in it!...see it for him if nothing else.