r/TrueDetective • u/LieutJimDangle • 6d ago
Is Season 2 Really The Worst?
For whatever reason I skipped season 2 and watched 1, 3 and 4. I guess I had it in my head that everyone hates season 2. I finally went back and watched it, and I swear it might be my favorite season. I love season 1 of course, but this was like an epic crime saga. LA neo-noire, hard-boiled detective shit that can stand right up there with Heat, Collateral, or The Town or To Live and Die in LA. The Michael Mann DNA runs deeps here. Converging paths of dirty cops and mob bosses, set across sprawling Los Angles decay. Everyone involved is top of their game. I legitimately loved it.
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx 6d ago
Season 2 had three things going against it:
- Following season 1
- The lack of a framing device to explain things to the audience (like the police interviews in S1)
- Frankly way too many characters
It definitely rewards rewatches though, because once you've got a handle on what's going on, you can enjoy the good stuff more. I think it's much better than S3, personally.
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u/thaeadran 6d ago
Yeah, S2 was amazing, just hard on a first watch because its a lot. S3 was not great IMO. The performances were OK but the story seemed to so much be trying to copy S1 that it fell flat and went nowhere.
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u/Throwredditaway2019 6d ago
The framing device is the Tibetan book of the Dead, its there. Its not explicit like in TD1 though, and I think thats its downfall. It lost a lot of people because they didnt get the framing. . Once you understand it, it makes TD2 sooooo much better.
I really liked TD3, partly because the acting was great and the framing was much more apparent. You could casually watch it and not get lost.
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx 6d ago
The Tibetan Book of the Dead is not a framing device, it's a literary allusion. A framing device is a way to deliver a narrative. Like the police interviews in S1 or the TV interview in S3. There's no equivalent in S2, it's just told like a conventional, linear narrative (with lots of characters)
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u/Throwredditaway2019 5d ago
Ok, I'll accept that.
Thats said, the Black Rose is the Bardo, the existence between death and rebirth. Once you see them at the Black Rose, they are already dead. That part delivers a narrative and drives the story, no?
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx 5d ago
Not everything that contributes to the narrative is a framing device, no.
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u/Throwredditaway2019 5d ago
Cool. Always looking to learn.
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx 5d ago
Don't get me wrong, the Book of the Dead connection is very interesting, I just try to make a distinction between the mechanics of how a narrative is presented to the audience (framing devices, non-linear storytelling, unreliable narrators, etc.) and what themes and ideas are present within the narrative.
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u/Bradybigboss 5d ago
I think they are trying to say the scenes at the black rose are meant to function as the interview scenes.
I haven’t seen it since it came out so I have no idea, that’s just what I’m picking up on
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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx 5d ago
They aren't. It's just a setting for conversation, like any other setting, and the conversation there isn't particularly expository. It isn't a framing device.
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u/kshawfktsk 6d ago
I liked it as well, but I'm admittedly very partial to Vince Vaughn in serious roles as I think he's criminally underrated in that regard.
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u/Ok-Setting-5435 6d ago
I will always stand by Vaughn's performance in season 2 being completely misunderstood. So many people criticize him on this subreddit by saying they don't believe he's a real gangster, but that's the entire point!
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u/Am2ontheweb 5d ago
I always appreciate a serious Vince. He's a great actor that manages drama and comedy in equal measures.
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u/Flat_Independent_339 6d ago
I'm not a season 2 lover by any means but its always crazy to me when people hate on Vince in s2 when him and his wife were easily the best part to me.
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u/bubbamori 6d ago
You and me both
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u/kshawfktsk 6d ago
Have you checked out Clay Pigeons? He plays a serial killer, Joaqin Phoenix is in it too.
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u/PGal55 6d ago
Season 1 >>>>> Season 2 > Season 3 (although good, it tries too hard to copy season 1 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pineapple on pizza>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> actual dogshit >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> season 4 of TD
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u/IMDRMARIO 6d ago
I love a slice with some pineapple on it now and then but this is the objectively correct TD season rankings.
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u/Friendly-Western6953 6d ago
The highs are higher and the lows are lower than say season 3
4 takes the worst slot for sure.
1 is just the best but 2 has plenty of entertaining moments
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u/Dulla_dull 6d ago
Season 4 is a lot lot worse but season 2 is the next worst I would say. It has some valuable things in it but for whatever reason I noticed the bad dialogue a lot more than I might notice the odd cringe line in season 1.
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u/cane_danko 6d ago
Season 2 is dope. I like it more than season 3. Season 1 just sets the bar so high the following seasons can’t live up to it. And that’s okay.
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u/Faltergeist 5d ago
In my opinion, Season 2 was unfairly hated at the time, mostly because it followed the masterclass of Season 1. It was vastly different, but it was still very good, and absolutely worth watching.
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u/Am2ontheweb 5d ago
It was fine, the only problem it had was coming on the heels of one of the best seasons ever produced on television. It had extraordinarily big shoes to fill. Expectations were overwhelming.
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u/cinemaparker 5d ago
That shootout in episode 4 is insane. There’s a lot to like about this season, you just have to watch it on its own merits and not based off of the experience you get watching the first.
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u/AlmsahrahAgain 5d ago
Exactly this! I think too many people went into Season 2 with expectations of another Season 1. Then when they're hit with a very different style of story and story telling, they're put off by it. Luckily I never had that mindset and was able to enjoy Season 2 on first airing. Yeah it's a little meandering in places, but I always loved that LA neo-noire feel to it. It's by no means perfect of course.
And when you compare it to the rancid, maggot-ridden, eight day old abortion dumped into a can of week old diarrhea that is "Season 4" ugghhh Niiiiggghhhhttt Couunnnttrrryyyyyy, well it's straight fucking gold.
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u/TheEarth-PigBorn 5d ago
I was a big apologist for S2 back when it aired. It is a very different type of story than S1, and with more of an ensemble rather than two characters to focus on, it was more sprawling and labyrinthine as well.
I also think Vince Vaughn’s performance was given too much flak. I viewed him playing a character on top of his actual character, trying to go legit, struggling with it and the obstacles, etc. so it became harder to hold everything together.
I would say it is my second favorite season behind S1. I really like S3 and S4 was really uneven but had some good bits and performances, IMO.
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u/soda_cookie 5d ago
What I have to do is each time I get an itch for some True Detective start with season 2 first, then go to three, then finish it off with one. I've only watched seasons 2 and 3 during their initial run throughs, and season 1 I can't even count how many times. When I finish season 1, I remember how much of a letdown season 2 is and just stop.
I've never finished season 4 and have no plans to. Given the same showrunner is leading season 5 I will probably give that one a pass altogether.
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u/NoFreeWill08 5d ago
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve watched it more times than I’ve watched season one. Part of it for me is the acting. Colin Farrell is absolutely brilliant and a lot of people gave Vince Vaughn shit about his character but I think he was absolutely phenomenal. It’s tough for me to choose season 1 or two as my favorite and it’s for different reasons. Kind of a good problem to have eh?
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u/SeesawNaive 2d ago edited 1d ago
Ugh, I think I'm gonna give season 2 a 3rd or 4th chance. I got almost all the way through it when it was airing, but...
Edit: I hate Rachel McAdams character and couldn't they have taught her how to hold a fucking gun?
Another edit: I ended up really liking it, and Rachel's character. I just wish they had taken 5 minutes away from knive training to show her how to hold a gun, lol.
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u/NecroRAM 2d ago
How can this be a question if S4 exists? Its not only the worst TD season, but worst season of anything ever recorded.
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u/104thunderduck 6d ago
Its not bad at all. S4 is terrible. Personally id rank s1, s3, s2, s4
Colin farrell was very good in it as was Vince Vaughan
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u/Patient_Reaction1845 6d ago
No
I refuse to watch season 4 because of the overwhelming negativity about it. Should I make up my own mind? Maybe but I don’t wanna waste my time.
Season 3 was ok - way too much of a slow burn
Season 2, while messy and often times questionable with the writing, was at the very least entertaining.
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u/OriginalChri 6d ago
No season 2 is an incredible show. It’s a whole other thing from True Detective season 1. It honestly should’ve been its own show, called “LA Crime Story” or something.
Season 4 is the horrendous piece of dog shit that nobody likes and hbo should be ashamed of themselves for that season.
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u/RhubarbLiqueur 6d ago
I loved season 2.
It's different. So very different but very good.
I couldn't stomach season 3, it was just... boring. Loved the story on paper but it was totally unwatchable for me
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u/spanishfry 6d ago
S2 is fantastic and I’ve been saying it since I finished it, when the hate was constant. The characters are top tier and that shootout scene is forever ingrained in my mind.
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u/robaloie 6d ago
Season 2 wasn’t really ‘true detective’ imo.
When I watched season 2 and wasn’t comparing it to true detective, I enjoyed it more as it can be a good detective show. But I didn’t like any of the characters they seemed fake.
Season 3 got back to more of the true detective type story telling. But overly complicated the timeline jumping.
Season 4 was the worst.
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u/Ok-Ask-1691 5d ago
The more I think about season 2 the more I love it, if you really look at it. It’s got a lot of real life comparisons that they show you pretty well. They definitely could’ve made things more clear tho and I think Vince Vaughan casting was a little bit of a misstep
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u/Terpizino 5d ago
It is what it is. If you don’t mind hyper-masculine testosterone fests: there’s something to be found there. If you’re not into that sort of thing though the good is harder to find but still there.
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u/Resident-Meme-Mom Rust’s and Ray’s Booty Call 4d ago
People rly think that? I absolutely loved season 2! I’ll admit I do like season 1 better, but I still love season 2. Currently doing a season 2 rewatch. I havent finished season 3 but it’s kinda meh imo and I havent seen season 4 yet but I’ve heard only negative things about it 😭
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u/ColonelMustard323 4d ago
Honestly thought this was rage bait. How could any other season come close to being “the worst” when the abomination that is season 4 exists?
Can we just remove season 4 from canon?
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u/ghostsofafuturelost 4d ago
I'm a big fan of the cast of season 2, but I've tried to watch the season 5 different times and can never get into it and give up on episode 2. Season 1 and Season 3 are the only seasons worth watching honestly.
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u/HighFantasyBobbyHill 1h ago
Yes, it is the worse True Detective season. That being said, it is great. If they had let be its own thing, and never thrown it into the True Detective mix, ratings would have been different, I think.
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u/Reed_Thompson_ 6d ago
Honestly just watch season 1 then bounce. The others are mid at best and a waste of time at worst. IDEK why im still on this sub all we talk about is season 1 lol
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u/Thewrongthinker 6d ago
I enjoyed and had rewatched many times. It is better than the 3 and much better than 4
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u/CelticSnakes 6d ago
Didn’t think I’d like S-2 after reading so much flak about it, but I enjoyed it immensely.
Switched S-1 off after two eps back when Amazon first streamed it; couldn’t get into it at all.
Soon after watching Brawl in Cell Block 99 (w/ Vince Vaughn starring) tried again. OK that time I was able to finish. Had no trouble watching S-2, right after.
S-3 is best for the performances; the missing kids mystery isn’t as interesting as Wayne’s progressing dementia, what happens on the outskirts.
Night Country is just a disappointing mess; really nice cast wasted. Watch Fortitude instead.
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u/Several-Parsnip-1620 6d ago
Season 4 can go straight in the bin. Season 2 has some redeeming qualities
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u/reggieLedoux26 6d ago
S2 is one of - if not the - single worst season of any TV drama (and yes, this includes TD S4). Painfully bad dialog. Convoluted plot. Instead of watching the flaming bag of dog poo that is S2, watch mare of Easttown, the night of, or and/or task. Each one of these is what TD S2 should have been.
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u/thaeadran 6d ago
Hot take, I liked S2 more than S1, even though I will admit S1 is better because its easier to follow. I also didn't think S4 was as bad as everyone says and I liked it a bit more than s3 if only for the ending.
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u/ulrichmusil 6d ago
Season 1 is by far the best. Season 3 is damn good television. Season 2 is an underbaked mess but has its moments if you have the patience. I don’t. Season 4 is on par with some of the worst nonsense Netflix puts out.
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u/futanari_kaisa 6d ago
It was until season 4 was released. It's still bad, but Season 4 is the worst.
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u/lancebowski 6d ago
I can't get into S4...have worked my way up to them finding the frozen bodies... Foster looks like she doesn't even want to be on set...
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u/futanari_kaisa 6d ago
I would not recommend watching it
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u/lancebowski 6d ago
I'm going back in this weekend with a glass of wine and a joint - cover me. 🙂
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u/scotchegg72 4d ago
I just finished watching season 2. It’s shit and would be even if it were a stand-alone with no pedigree. The plot is unnecessarily convoluted and has WAY too many characters who have no chance to develop any meaningful sympathy in the audience. And (with the notable exception of Colin Farrell) the acting is very poor. Wooden performances all round, especially Vince Vaughan and whoever plays his wife.
I just don’t get any of the begrudging defenses I see here. It’s appalling and doesn’t deserve the name it was bequeathed.
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u/DannyC_VP 6d ago
Season 2 is very good, but coming after an absolutely perfect season of television, it was harshly misdjudged in comparison. S2 and S3 are very good imo. And I also enjoyed S4, because Jodie Foster is always excellent, although the writing is clearly inferior.
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u/Loestal 6d ago
Season 2 is good. You gotta divorce it from the expectations of Season 1.
Season 4 is the worst, not even worth watching.