True Detective Season 2 Episode 1 Recap

True Detective season 2 episode 1 was highly anticipated. I knew I wouldn't leave the television thinking, "best episode ever", and thus I was not severely disappointed. I'm discussing the entire episode, so expect spoilers.

Early reports indicated season 2 would investigate supernatural occurrences in subway tunnels. The first episode indicates more of a police procedural, but that is an early observation. Check out my recaps or keep reading to dive into this episode. Spoilers beware.

Capturing the magic of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is no small task. One potential issue is that this season splits screen time with four characters who don't seem to be linked. In season one the leads spent a lot of their time together.

True Detective finally starts after an hour.

The biggest problem is that the plot is not unwrapped until the very end. It would have worked much better if back story was integrated into the plot to weave a cohesive story. Instead I'm loaded with exposition that has little context before the big reveal.

Even for a television show, I didn't buy that these two were related.

I said out loud, "There is no way that is his kid. He' adopted. This strains the very limits of credibility." And of course, the kid may not be his. It turns out his wife was attacked and raped.Farrell's character is Ray Velcoro who I will reference simply as Colin Farrell. 

Let me introduce you to Punchy Farrell.

This went over the top. I get Colin Farrell is a bad cop due to what happened to his wife, but a lot of bad cop tropes are forced onto this one character. He subverts the law, wears a bolo tie, is dirty, buys his kid Lebron shoes, and is a loose cannon that drinks. Can he really beat up anyone with impunity? The brass knuckles were so edgy.

"Never do anything out of hunger. Even eating."

My favorite quote by far is from Vince Vaughn, who did a great job.
"Never do anything out of hunger. Even eating."
It's good advice that comes off hokey. Rest assured I will be adopting that quote to every situation I encounter. "Never do anything just to be accepted. Even wearing Lebron shoes." Or the converse. "Never do anything out of a bowel movement urge. Even defecating on shoes."

Don't talk about defecating on shoes. Colin Farrell doesn't want to hear it.

Main cast member number 5. Mister crow head.

The real hero of the story and the most mysterious character is the crow's head. I want to know more. Mainly what is the point?

Our friendly city manager Casper.

Hinging upon the crow's head, why the Weekend at Bernie's treatment of City Manager Casper? Why wasn't he thrown in a trunk for transportation? Why was he placed precisely at a park bench in a sitting position? Is his name a play on his pallor?

When the body is moved, at first I thought they missed rigor mortis with the swinging arm, but the legs were left in a stiff sitting position.

Get me the number of this guy's decorator.

How spooky. The city manager either hosts a lot of parties or absolutely none. It depends on the crowd with which he's running. Did they know he was an avant-garde decorator?

The sweeping landscape shots looked great.

The same cinematic notions from the first season are present. Sweeping landscape shots became too prevalent. It was a good thing overdone.

I will definitely return for episode 2. Season 1 provided few answers along the way, I hope this season gives us answers earlier.