True Detective season 2 explained

Season Number:2
Bgcolour:
  1. 4f270c
Showrunner:Nic Pizzolatto
Starring:
Network:HBO
Num Episodes:8
Episode List:List of True Detective episodes

The second season of True Detective, an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto, began airing on June 21, 2015, on the premium cable network HBO. With a principal cast of Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn, the season comprises eight episodes and concluded its initial airing on August 9, 2015.

The season's story takes place in California and follows the interweaving stories of officers from three cooperating police departments; when California Highway Patrol officer and war veteran Paul Woodrugh (Kitsch) discovers the body of corrupt city manager Ben Caspere on the side of a highway, Vinci Police Department detective Raymond "Ray" Velcoro (Farrell) and Ventura County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Antigone "Ani" Bezzerides (McAdams) are called to assist in the following investigation. Career criminal Francis "Frank" Semyon (Vaughn) attempts to legitimize his business with his wife Jordan (Reilly) by investing in a rail project overseen by Caspere, but loses his money when Caspere is killed, prompting him to start his own investigation.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

See also: List of True Detective episodes.

Production

In January 2014, Pizzolatto signed a two-year contract extension with HBO, effectively renewing the series for two additional seasons.[18] Much like its predecessor, season two of True Detective consists of eight episodes, all written by Pizzolatto.[19] However, the responsibility of directing was assigned to several people; Justin Lin directed the first two episodes, and, in July 2014, William Friedkin was being considered as a director of later episodes.[20] Fukunaga, who directed all of season one, did not return as director; he remains, however, an executive producer,[21] as do McConaughey and Harrelson. Pizzolatto hired fellow novelist Scott Lasser to help break stories for the second half of the season.

Ahead of True Detectives second season, the press publicized rumors that creative differences had fueled personal hostility between Pizzolatto and Fukunaga; the former denied the rumors, while the latter declined to comment.[22] Pizzolatto retained control of the writing process but Fukunaga left, and the second season's eight episodes were instead variously handled among six directors.

In a 2016 interview on KPCC's The Frame, Michael Lombardo, President of Programming at HBO, stated "Our biggest failures — and I don’t know if I would consider True Detective 2 — but when we tell somebody to hit an air date as opposed to allowing the writing to find its own natural resting place, when it’s ready, when it’s baked — we’ve failed." He continued: "I set him [Pizzolatto] up. To deliver, in a very short time frame, something that became very challenging to deliver."[23]

Casting

The success of True Detective, and its subsequent renewal, fueled casting rumors in the press. At one point, early media reports named Cate Blanchett, Josh Brolin, Joaquin Phoenix, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Jessica Chastain, Christian Bale, Elisabeth Moss and Brad Pitt to be among a raft of potential candidates for the leads.[24] [25] The season's first significant casting was Colin Farrell as Ray Velcoro, which he revealed in his September 2014 interview with the Sunday World.[26] Vince Vaughn, playing the role of Frank Semyon, became HBO's next important signing toward the end of the month.[27] By November, True Detective principal cast expanded to include Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, and Kelly Reilly.[28] [29]

Filming

California was selected as the setting for the second season. Producers were urged to avoid filming in Los Angeles and, instead, focus on the other regions of the state to "capture a certain psycho-sphere ambiance". Production began in November 2014.[30]

Music

T Bone Burnett returned as composer for the second season, and the score for the season is more electronic-influenced than the previous season. Burnett noted that the change in landscape, to California, also changed how he wrote the music.[31] Leonard Cohen's "Nevermind," the season two opening theme, is a song off Cohen's 2014 album, Popular Problems.[32] The theme song's lyrics change with every episode, incorporating different verses from Cohen's song.[33] [34] Lera Lynn's music is featured throughout the season, and the song "The Only Thing Worth Fighting For", which she composed with Burnett and Rosanne Cash, is used in the season two trailer. Lynn collaborated with Burnett on writing several original songs for the series, with cues from creator Nic Pizzolatto regarding lyrics and content. Lynn also portrays a bar singer in the season, where several of her songs are used, including "My Least Favorite Life", which was written by Cash.[35]

Reception

Critical response

The second season received mixed reviews. Positive reviews praised the performances of Farrell, McAdams and Kitsch,[36] its cinematography,[37] and action sequences.[38] Alternatively, the season was named one of the worst television programs of 2015, from several news outlets such as Variety,[39] the New York Post,[40] Newsday,[41] and TV Guide.[42]

According to Lindsay Hallam at Senses of Cinema, "many reports on the less well-received second season" asserted that Pizzolatto had "become self-indulgent" due to "the lack of a strong collaborator".[43] Critics of season two—including Timberg and Time magazine's James Poniewozik—faulted what they called an excessive delegation of creative control to Pizzolatto alone, arguing that his responsibility for season one's success had been overestimated under the "auteurist" framework.[44] [45]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 47%, based on 127 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Despite some memorably grizzled performances, True Detectives second season is florid to a fault and so unrelentingly grim that it becomes about as much fun as being stuck in L.A. traffic."[46] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 61 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[47]

David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave it a very positive review, and wrote "It's still the kind of show that makes TV viewers reach for phrases like 'golden age of television drama'" and that "the second installment of True Detective goes out of the way not to echo the first."[48] Hank Stuever of The Washington Post gave it a generally positive review, praising the performances, and wrote, "There is something still lugubrious and overwrought about True Detective, but there's also a mesmerizing style to it — it's imperfect, but well made."[49]

A more mixed review came from Brian Lowry of Variety, who wrote "Although generally watchable, the inspiration that turned the first [season] into an obsession for many seems to have drained out of writer Nic Pizzolatto's prose."[50]

Accolades

For the 6th Critics' Choice Television Awards, Rachel McAdams received a nomination for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series.[51]

Home media

The second season of True Detective was released on Blu-ray and DVD on January 5, 2016. In addition to the eight episodes, both formats contain bonus content including a making-of featurette of "The Vinci Massacre", interviews with cast and crew, audio commentary for "Down Will Come" by Nic Pizzolatto, Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Taylor Kitsch and Rachel McAdams, and an audio commentary for "Omega Station" by Nic Pizzolatto, Scott Stephens, Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn.[52]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'True Detective': Kelly Reilly, Michael Irby, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin Eye Roles . Andreeva . Nellie . October 30, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . October 30, 2014.
  2. News: Bernard . Katherine . Actress Leven Rambin talks Texas, True Detective & her Cinderella style . June 22, 2015 . July 9, 2015 . Yahoo!.
  3. Web site: 'True Detective' Adds Lolita Davidovich & James Frain For Season 2 . Andreeva . Nellie . November 14, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 14, 2014.
  4. News: Bibel . Sara . HBO Releases Episode Descriptions for First 2 Episodes of 'True Detective' Season 2 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150615163714/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/09/hbo-releases-episode-descriptions-for-first-2-episodes-of-true-detective-season-2/414753/ . dead . June 15, 2015 . June 9, 2015 . TV by the Numbers . July 9, 2015.
  5. Web site: 'True Detective' Adds Riley Smith For Season 2 . Andreeva . Nellie . November 18, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 18, 2014.
  6. Web site: 'True Detective' Adds Adria Arjona For Season 2 . Andreeva . Nellie . November 19, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 19, 2014.
  7. Web site: 'True Detective' Adds Michael Hyatt & Yara Martinez As Recurring In Season 2 . Andreeva . Nellie . November 19, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 19, 2014.
  8. News: Porter . Rick . 'True Detective' episode 2: That really Was Rick Springfield . June 29, 2015 . The Hollywood Reporter . July 9, 2015.
  9. Web site: Nora Arnezeder To Co-Star In 'Zoo'; Christian Campbell Joins 'True Detective' . Andreeva . Nellie . November 21, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 22, 2014.
  10. Web site: Jon Lindstrom Joins 'True Detective'; Dan Buran Boards TNT's Drug-Trade Pilot . November 26, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . November 27, 2014.
  11. Web site: 'True Detective' Adds Ronnie Gene Blevins, Emily Rios & Timothy V. Murphy; TBS Vacation Pilot Adds 2 . Andreeva . Nellie . December 5, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . December 5, 2014.
  12. Web site: 'True Detective' Enlists 'Dexter' Alum for Season 2 (Exclusive) . Goldberg . Lesley . December 4, 2014 . The Hollywood Reporter . December 5, 2014.
  13. Web site: Wynn Everett Joins TNT Pilot 'Lumen'; 'True Detective' Adds 2 . December 5, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . December 6, 2014.
  14. Web site: Rick Springfield joins True Detective season two . Rife . Katie . December 11, 2014 . The A.V. Club . December 11, 2014.
  15. Web site: Ashley Hinshaw Joins 'True Detective'; Winston Duke In 'The Messengers' . December 11, 2014 . Deadline Hollywood . December 13, 2014.
  16. Web site: Here's a Description of the True Detective 2 Premiere . Fitz-Gerald . Sean . June 6, 2015 . Vulture . June 12, 2015.
  17. Web site: Austin native Gabriel Luna spills (a little) on season 2 of HBO's True Detective . Widner . Cindy . June 19, 2015 . Austin Chronicle . July 13, 2015.
  18. Web site: 'True Detective' Creator Nic Pizzolatto Signs New Overall Deal With HBO, Paving Way For Season 2 Of Breakout Drama . Andreeva . Nellie . January 24, 2014 . . . Los Angeles, California . January 23, 2015.
  19. 'True Detective' season 2 scoop: Trio of leads, California setting . Hibberd . James . May 27, 2014 . . . New York City . May 27, 2014.
  20. Web site: William Friedkin says he's had meetings about directing True Detective . Rife . Katie . July 10, 2014 . . Onion, Inc. . Chicago, Illinois . July 10, 2014.
  21. Web site: 'True Detective's' Nic Pizzolatto on Season 2, 'Stupid Criticism' and Rumors of On-Set Drama . Rose . Lacey . August 6, 2014 . . . Los Angeles, California . November 24, 2014.
  22. Web site: Jones. Nate. July 5, 2015. So, What's Going on Between Nic Pizzolatto and Cary Fukunaga?. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200311055322/https://www.vulture.com/2015/07/nic-pizzolatto-cary-fukunaga-true-detective-feud.html. March 11, 2020. Vulture.
  23. Web site: HBO's Michael Lombardo takes blame for Pizzolatto's True Detective 2: 'I set him up' . KPCC.org . January 4, 2016 . December 3, 2023.
  24. Web site: True Detective, season 2: news & cast rumours . Vincent . Alice . January 12, 2015 . . London, England . January 23, 2015.
  25. Web site: The Crazy And Not-So-Brief History Of Every 'True Detective' Season 2 Rumor . Whitney . Erin . September 24, 2014 . . Huffington Post Media Group . New York City . January 23, 2015.
  26. Colin Farrell Confirms That He's Joining the Cast of 'True Detective' . Coleman . Miriam . September 21, 2014 . . Wenner Media LLC . New York City . September 21, 2014.
  27. HBO confirms 'True Detective' season 2 cast: Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell to star . Hibberd . James . September 23, 2014 . . . New York City . September 23, 2014.
  28. Web site: Taylor Kitsch Confirms True Detective Season 2 Role . Fowler . Matt . October 27, 2014 . . . New York City . October 28, 2014.
  29. 'True Detective' confirms 3 more cast members . Hibberd . James . November 24, 2014 . . . New York City . November 24, 2014.
  30. Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch and Kelly Reilly Join Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn in HBO's "True Detective" . November 24, 2014 . . December 2, 2014.
  31. T Bone Burnett reveals the title of the True Detective season 2 trailer song . O'Donnell . Kevin . June 10, 2015 . . . New York City . July 28, 2015.
  32. Web site: A History of True Detective's New Theme Song, 'Nevermind' . Zoladz . Lindsay . June 21, 2015 . . . New York City . June 23, 2015.
  33. Web site: True Detective season two watchthrough: episodes two and three . Tach . Dave . July 7, 2015 . Polygon . July 28, 2015.
  34. Web site: Have You Noticed That True Detective's Theme Song Changes Every Week? . Pehanick . Maggie . July 6, 2015 . . PopSugar, Inc. . San Francisco, California . July 28, 2015.
  35. Web site: True Detective's Lera Lynn Wants You to Know That She Is Nothing Like the Sad Singer She Plays . Jones . Nate . June 28, 2015 . . . New York City . July 28, 2015.
  36. Is 'True Detective's New Season Truly Defective? . Sheffield . Rob . June 17, 2015 . Rolling Stone . June 29, 2015.
  37. Web site: True Detective: "Night Finds You" Review . Cornet . Roth . June 28, 2015 . IGN . June 29, 2015.
  38. Web site: 'True Detective,' Season 2, Episode 4: 'Down Will Come' . Ryan . Chris . July 13, 2015 . Grantland . July 13, 2015.
  39. Web site: The Worst TV Shows of 2015 . Lowry . Brian . December 11, 2015 . Variety . July 18, 2016.
  40. Web site: The 10 worst TV shows of 2015 . Rorke . Robert . December 28, 2015 . New York Post . July 18, 2016.
  41. Web site: Worst TV shows of 2015: 'True Detective 2,' 'Sex Box,' more fails . Gay . Verne . December 22, 2015 . Newsday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160101122013/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/worst-tv-shows-of-2015-true-detective-2-sex-box-more-fails-1.11254843 . January 1, 2016 . July 18, 2016.
  42. Web site: The Worst of 2015 . December 8, 2015 . TV Guide . https://web.archive.org/web/20151212201247/https://www.tvguide.com/special/best-of-the-year/gallery/the-worst-of-2015/ . December 12, 2015 . July 18, 2016.
  43. Web site: Hallam. Lindsay. July 2016. May the Giant Be with You: Twin Peaks Season Two, Episode One and the Television Auteur. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200111195415/http://sensesofcinema.com/2016/twin-peaks/lynch-televison-auteur/. January 11, 2020. Senses of Cinema.
  44. Web site: Timberg. Scott. Scott Timberg. July 26, 2015. The dangers of auteur TV: How 'True Detective' went from critical darling to laughingstock. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624024357/https://www.salon.com/test2/2015/07/26/the_dangers_of_auteur_tv_how_true_detective_went_from_critical_darling_to_laughingstock/. June 24, 2020. Salon.
  45. Poniewozik. James. James Poniewozik. August 10, 2015. True Detective, Louie, and the Limits of TV Auteurism. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170804035430/http://time.com/3990805/true-detective-finale-louie-tv-auteurs/. August 4, 2017. Time.
  46. Web site: True Detective: Season 2. Rotten Tomatoes. April 30, 2023.
  47. Web site: True Detective: Season 2 reviews . Metacritic . June 29, 2015.
  48. Web site: 'True Detective' review: Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn head new team at HBO including Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch . Hinckley . David . June 12, 2015 . New York Dally News . June 18, 2015.
  49. News: 'True Detective' Season 2: New cast, setting, same grim self-seriousness . Stuever . Hank . June 16, 2015 . The Washington Post . June 18, 2015.
  50. Web site: TV Review: 'True Detective,' Season 2 . Lowry . Brian . June 12, 2015 . Variety . June 18, 2015.
  51. Web site: Critics' Choice Awards: TV Winners Include Fargo, Mr. Robot, Master of None, Rachel Bloom and Carrie Coon . Mitovich . Matt Webb . January 17, 2016 . TVLine . January 18, 2016.
  52. Web site: True Detective: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review . Kauffman . Jeffrey . January 8, 2016 . Blu-ray.com . January 9, 2016.

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