[135Pats]

Warning: Spoilers Inside for Days



Any fans in here? Surely there must be...

What do we think so far? Characters, casting, locations, plot, aesthetics...Curious to hear what you all think so far (relative to S1 or standing on its' own merits).

A few of my thoughts/impressions at this early point

-Love Rachel McAdam's character, Ani Bezzerides. She's jaded as hell and is clearly just downright pissed off. She's also about business, which creates interesting tension between her and the less...professional folks she often works with (or so it seems). So far she's my favorite character; it doesn't hurt that she's a total babe. It seems as if they're positioning her as the central protagonist or center of gravity, which is A OK by me.

-Love(d) Velcoro, prior to him being killed (severely wounded?). Wow. Didn't see that one coming but in some ways it's fitting. Can we really say he's anything less than a bad person, who has totally lost their way? Is.He.Dead?

-Not sure where/how Woodrugh fits into this yet; he's isolated (clearly intentional) and hasn't formed any type of working relationship with the others. His Mom is exceedingly creepy, holy guacamole. Something is amiss with his character so i'm interested to see what.

-Vince Vaughn's character became far more interesting to me in the second episode, though the whole 'paper mache' platitude seemed forced and out of place. He does play the con man really well. Things look pretty bleak for him right now, but he gives off this heir of supreme self-confidence. Is it a total sham?

I absolutely loved the scene where the various local, county and state PDs are all getting involved. Seeing the bureaucracy, the competing motives, the human element to the decision making. Really cool stuff.

How do you guys like what you've seen so far? No structure to this thread so fire away...I'm hoping i'm not the only watcher here

[JoeyH335i]

WTF is up with the Viagra with that one dude? Can't wait to see why Poncherello's partner is having to use it. (CHiP show reference "Baker") LOL

I didn't watch the last season with Mcconaughey, but these characters look screwed up from the start and this is going to be interesting!

[P1]

Watched the first episode last night, and I thought it would be hard to take Vince Vaughn seriously. But so far so good. The stage is being set in the first episode, so there was a LOT going on. I had to pause and chat with my wife a few times just to make sure I was understanding it correctly.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by JoeyH335i

WTF is up with the Viagra with that one dude? Can't wait to see why Poncherello's partner is having to use it. (CHiP show reference "Baker") LOL

I didn't watch the last season with Mcconaughey, but these characters look screwed up from the start and this is going to be interesting!

Agreed, i'm curious to see where Mr. Patrol Bike (Kitsch) fits into all of this. He keeps a lot of distance between himself and the other police, seems like a loner (then again all of our protagonists are loners).

Maybe the Viagra was meant to make a broader point about his shortcomings (real or perceived). Not sure on that one.

Season one was awesome. The first half of it was Sopranos-level, IMO.

Originally Posted by P1et

Watched the first episode last night, and I thought it would be hard to take Vince Vaughn seriously. But so far so good. The stage is being set in the first episode, so there was a LOT going on. I had to pause and chat with my wife a few times just to make sure I was understanding it correctly.

I hear you RE: Vaughn's character. I'm a bit on the fence about him - the second episode is a lot more digestible in terms of making his character not feel out of place. I will say that the general approach to True Detective (lots of waxing poetic about the sun and stars) doesn't fit Vaughn at all.

The first episode was dis-jointed. I didn't love it but enjoyed the characters enough to deal with the lack of cohesion. Second episode gets the plot rolling more smoothly.

[JoeyH335i]

If you look back, Vaughn's serious roles are really good. I really like how he can play a real serious role. The usual New Yorker type that he plays and seems to never shut up is well played out. I like him a lot for this change up and back to his roots!

Return to Paradise, The Cell, just to name a couple.

Another thought: Crazy ass Colin Farrell going to the bully's house and kicking the dad's ass. Crazy MFer. I am going to like this show.

I haven't seen the second episode just yet -- but can't wait.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by JoeyH335i

WTF is up with the Viagra with that one dude? Can't wait to see why Poncherello's partner is having to use it. (CHiP show reference "Baker") LOL

I didn't watch the last season with Mcconaughey, but these characters look screwed up from the start and this is going to be interesting!

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Agreed, i'm curious to see where Mr. Patrol Bike (Kitsch) fits into all of this. He keeps a lot of distance between himself and the other police, seems like a loner (then again all of our protagonists are loners).

Maybe the Viagra was meant to make a broader point about his shortcomings (real or perceived). Not sure on that one.

Season one was awesome. The first half of it was Sopranos-level, IMO.


I hear you RE: Vaughn's character. I'm a bit on the fence about him - the second episode is a lot more digestible in terms of making his character not feel out of place. I will say that the general approach to True Detective (lots of waxing poetic about the sun and stars) doesn't fit Vaughn at all.

The first episode was dis-jointed. I didn't love it but enjoyed the characters enough to deal with the lack of cohesion. Second episode gets the plot rolling more smoothly.

The last episode had quite a bit of suggestion that the CHP officer is gay. He has a strained relationship with his mother and also the scene with him on the balcony looking down at some guys was also foreshadowing. Some of the dialogue also suggests he was a private military contractor in iraq (black mountain) and did some dirty stuff. He had the line of " this isnt me, this isnt who I am" when he broke up with his girl which shows he is a conflicted person confronting who/ how he things he needs to be vs. who he is and what he has done.

The first episode disappointed me at the time but after watching it a second time and seeing episode 2, I am excited for the season.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

The last episode had quite a bit of suggestion that the CHP officer is gay. He has a strained relationship with his mother and also the scene with him on the balcony looking down at some guys was also foreshadowing. Some of the dialogue also suggests he was a private military contractor in iraq (black mountain) and did some dirty stuff. He had the line of " this isnt me, this isnt who I am" when he broke up with his girl which shows he is a conflicted person confronting who/ how he things he needs to be vs. who he is and what he has done.

The first episode disappointed me at the time but after watching it a second time and seeing episode 2, I am excited for the season.

Good call, I had forgotten that. The insinuation is that-that person is a gay prostitute.

And there's clearly something up with whatever happened "in the desert".

I'm just interested to see how they weave him in with McAdams character. She's pissed but appears to have real focus; so far he seems totally adrift.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Good call, I had forgotten that. The insinuation is that-that person is a gay prostitute.

And there's clearly something up with whatever happened "in the desert".

I'm just interested to see how they weave him in with McAdams character. She's pissed but appears to have real focus; so far he seems totally adrift.

Rachel McAdams character clearly has an issue with men. Her relationship with her father, her defense of her sister ( who arguably is being exploited by/for men), her knives and talk about them as an equalizer and her general defensiveness. Her relationship with the CHP character may conflict some of her issues in a healthy way. i am just guessing at hints.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

Rachel McAdams character clearly has an issue with men. Her relationship with her father, her defense of her sister ( who arguably is being exploited by/for men), her knives and talk about them as an equalizer and her general defensiveness. Her relationship with the CHP character may conflict some of her issues in a healthy way. i am just guessing at hints.

I think you're spot on. She's mortified of appearing/being vulnerable, and has outward anger towards Men. No trust in anyone.

S1 didn't really have any substantive female characters (IMO) so i'm interested to see where they take this one.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

I think you're spot on. She's mortified of appearing/being vulnerable, and has outward anger towards Men. No trust in anyone.

S1 didn't really have any substantive female characters (IMO) so i'm interested to see where they take this one.

very true, women in season 1 were just victims and bickering wives/girlfriends

[Never Convicted]

My money is on:
Colin Farrell had his vest on, guy shot him twice in the stomach. He no dead.
Lt. Mike Murphy had an incestuous upbringing with his ho mom.
Vince V will never let himself be locked in that cellar again.
Lady detective eventually bangs Colin, and he becomes a paragon of virtue.

Also love the waitress in the bar where Vince and Colin meet. She's hot! Well...half hot.

[ethanjoon]

I'm still only on episode 5 of season 1

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

My money is on:
Colin Farrell had his vest on, guy shot him twice in the stomach. He no dead.
Lt. Mike Murphy had an incestuous upbringing with his ho mom.
Vince V will never let himself be locked in that cellar again.
Lady detective eventually bangs Colin, and he becomes a paragon of virtue.

Also love the waitress in the bar where Vince and Colin meet. She's hot! Well...half hot.

Not dead? TBH i'd prefer he be dead; provides a fitting end to his character. He's not a good person in my mind.

There is def. something going on w/ CHP's mom. SO creepy.

Originally Posted by Arktis_Conviction

I'm still only on episode 5 of season 1

Hurry up!

[AlpineE92M3]

How the hell can they kill Colin farells character already on episode 2?? Guarantee he survives the shotgun wound somehow. It is hollywood after all.

[fecurtis]

I remember the first season of True Detective was a slow burn, after watching the premiere last week I thought this season would be similar but after the show decided to go all George R.R. Martin in the last episode I was hooked.

Great ending and completely unexpected. I was wondering how they'd juggle four complex storylines in just 8 episodes, looks like they only have to handle 3 now.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Not dead? TBH i'd prefer he be dead; provides a fitting end to his character. He's not a good person in my mind.

There is def. something going on w/ CHP's mom. SO creepy.


Hurry up!

Look at the still in OP's post... was that a scene from Episode 1 or 2? i dont remember it. It suggest collin farrels character is alive OR like last season, they are playing with the time plotting. IE. next episode he will be alive and the season will continue and lead up to his death scene.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

Look at the still in OP's post... was that a scene from Episode 1 or 2? i dont remember it. It suggest collin farrels character is alive OR like last season, they are playing with the time plotting. IE. next episode he will be alive and the season will continue and lead up to his death scene.

As I was looking for a picture to add in that exact thought crossed my mind - tons of pictures of his character "after" where we currently stand in the plot. To me that means

1. Non-linear timescale to the plot. We'll jump back and forth between present day and various points in the past.
2. He simply didn't die.

The former i'm totally ok with, though good luck making that cohesive since "present day" doesn't get us v far into the plot. The latter is cheap thrills; I could do without that.

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

My money is on:
Colin Farrell had his vest on, guy shot him twice in the stomach. He no dead.
Lt. Mike Murphy had an incestuous upbringing with his ho mom.
Vince V will never let himself be locked in that cellar again.
Lady detective eventually bangs Colin, and he becomes a paragon of virtue.

Also love the waitress in the bar where Vince and Colin meet. She's hot! Well...half hot.

I'm so glad I saw this thread. My DVR cut the show off as CF's character saw the camera. I had no idea anything else happened. Went back and watched the end on demand. Damn. I missed a big part! He's dead though...no way vest or not he takes two that close. Surprising twist there.....ala GOT.

[135Pats]

Sooo......

LOVED how they managed to thread the needle RE: Farrell's character being shot. Allows the show to continue with a core protagonist without having to resort to something truly absurd (IE he just survives 12 ga. buckshot).

I still can't figure out how bike cop fits into all of this. So far it's just been internal issues, he hasn't really done much in the way of police work. Plenty of time to sort that out.

Ani doesn't play.

[ilikebmxbikes]

last nights was a good one.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

last nights was a good one.

Agreed, best episode by far.

If there's one thing that I still struggle with, it's the positioning of bike patrol guy. His personal struggles/revelations are interesting enough I guess, but I still don't see how he fits into the broader plot. His interactions w/ Ani are closer to nil, and I don't think he's said a word to Farrell's character.

On the other hand, i'm loving seeing the conflicting goals/motives of these various police departments. Local, state, highway all on the same 'team' yet clearly they all have differing motives and perspectives. So far it appears Ani is not going to play along with her handlers (asking her to flirt w/ Farrell). We'll see.

And that Ventura PD creepin on her

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Agreed, best episode by far.

If there's one thing that I still struggle with, it's the positioning of bike patrol guy. His personal struggles/revelations are interesting enough I guess, but I still don't see how he fits into the broader plot. His interactions w/ Ani are closer to nil, and I don't think he's said a word to Farrell's character.

On the other hand, i'm loving seeing the conflicting goals/motives of these various police departments. Local, state, highway all on the same 'team' yet clearly they all have differing motives and perspectives. So far it appears Ani is not going to play along with her handlers (asking her to flirt w/ Farrell). We'll see.

And that Ventura PD creepin on her

The ventura PD was the guy she had slept with in episode 1. he asked her what their thing was and she pushed him away. Its a role reversal again reinforcing her as a strong woman living in a mans world. She hit it and was quitting it.

The CHP is the wildcard. You have McAdams character, strong, female, by the books. You have Ferrals character, corrupt, depressed and burnt out. Then you have CHP, is he good? is he bad? does he lean more toward McAdams or Collin Ferrals character? He is more internal and they are only giving small clues about his past and intentions.

I think I was right about the Broke Black Mountain though.