nhenry1

As usual, I'm late to the True Detective party. I just found it. I'll start off by saying my review is for Season's 1 and 2 only. Haven't watched 3 and 4 yet. As with most, I think season 1 is a master class in tv. It doesn't get any better. The chemistry between Harrelson and McConaughey is magic. Harrelson pulls is back just enough to let McConaughey do his thing and Lordy does it work. So onto Season 2, which is a totally different beast. Season 2 has a much more convoluted plot to keep track of, acknowledged. BUT watching Colin Farrell was worth it. In episode 1, I wasn't sure about Vince Vaughn as a gangster, but by the end? I think he did a great job. Couple of scenes didn't work so well, but overall? Not the mess I thought it would be. It was Rachel McAdams I could have done without. She was ok. Yes, Season 1 is better but don't sleep on Season 2.

EDIT: Just finished 3 & 4. Have more to say. LOVED 3 and 4. I for one, loved the feel of 3 but like others was disappointed in the ending. I felt they could have given us a bit more closure. I understand why the ending was the way it was. But it felt incomplete. Other than that? Outstanding. Mahershala Ali was his usual incredible self and Tim Roth also outstanding. Flawed, broken and so much chemistry. 4 was its own beast again. And so much better than I expected. Based on the reviews I expected to hate it and it was the opposite, I was riveted. I loved the supernatural feel to it. I thought it was interesting to try something new. It will never be Season 1 and to try and recreate that over and over will be failure. I thought the tension between Reis and Foster was excellent and you finally have a character you can care about in Finn Bennett. Finally. So my thoughts were Season 1, Season 2, Season 4 and then Season 2. All worth watching but the convoluted and complicated plot of 2 and the miscasting of Rachel McAdams but 2 last for me.

I haven't read the books so I don't know how to compare, but on its own? It stands up very well.

It did start out slow. The first couple of episodes were a bit of a slow burn for me. I almost didn't make it to episode 3, but glad I pressed on as it really started to pick up. Merck is not likable, but you do find yourself supporting him. The character I'm drawn to is Akram, I want to see more from him in Season 2. Rose adds the vulnerability that is necessary to make it all work.

Overall it was a good mystery with some twists and turns. Not unsolvable, but it takes a minute to put it all together. Some questions are still unanswered, looking forward to Season 2.