re: True Detective S2E1: "The Western Book of the Dead"

WSJ Recap of tonights episode.

Well, that was underwhelming. I'm not sure that first episode would captivate me without knowing how good season 1 was.

Episode 1 of season 1 caught me off guard with how good it was. I was not expecting that at all. I was hooked immediately and needed moar.

Episode 1 of season 2 is meh, I'll watch it just to see where it goes and because I know the writers have talent.

I really liked it

Wasn't expecting much but I thought it was well done

My summary (subject to change of course)

1. Too much exposition
2. The plot is too convoluted too soon
3. The characters are more or less cliche'
4. McAdam's dad was the worst. Did we really have to sit through a terrible hippy-fied Rust Colhe impersonation where he explained her entire character motivation, all her flaws, and her backstory. Really? That was an absolutely terrible scene - on the level of a legitimate spoof.
5. Too many characters - all broken. That doesn't usually work. In this type of approach a "watson" is needed for juxtaposition and to help guide us through the learning process of the story
6. The convenience factor of the motorcycle dude finding the city manager, I think that criticism goes without saying. That was dumb
7. In season 1, the atmosphere, Louisiana was a silent character - a force that pushed the story. Here in CA - I'm not really feeling that so far.

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4. McAdam's dad was the worst. Did we really have to sit through a terrible hippy-fied Rust Colhe impersonation where he explained her entire character motivation, all her flaws, and her backstory. Really? That was an absolutely terrible scene - on the level of a legitimate spoof.

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That was Don & Sally Draper having another deep conversation.

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5. Too many characters - all broken. That doesn't usually work. In this type of approach a "watson" is needed for juxtaposition and to help guide us through the learning process of the story

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Disagree, not every character is broken. Vince Vaughn's character is clearly better of than he was in the flashback. McAdams character seems to be the only level headed one in her family.

Considering the success of season 1. This season had to come out of the gates strong and clearly separate itself from it's predecessor.

have to say, props for this thread not going off the rails. Thought got sure everyone would immediately shite on it.

You guys find the story really that hard to follow? It was pretty simple. Farrell. McAdams, Vaughan, and biker cop were all pretty laid out stories.

I like it. Good first episode that went ham with Farrel. Had a lot of setup to do, but was still enjoyable.

Pizza lats writing is pretty overrated. Some very heavy handed dialogue and clichéd characters but the direction and acting made the most of it.

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And Colin went and got revenge after Vince told him who the rapist was...is that right?

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I thought he went and roughed up the reporter that was going to write about the corruption in the city? At least that is what i thought he mentioned when they met in the bar after.

i could be off

Yep.