The fourth episode of "True Detective" Season 2 left viewers with a messy scene of countless civilian casualties in a shootout that left Velcoro, Ani and Woodrugh in a state of shock. Viewers are beginning to get confused as it is difficult to follow character conversations when they drop names or who did what to whom.
For some, it's a great exercise in active listening, but why get tortured? Of course, it is understandable how a writer wants to create suspense by not giving too much, but audiences also don't like becoming clueless. A Wired review said that writer Nic Pizzolatto is not hitting it with his scripts.
Characters for "True Detective Season 2" appears to be hitting the wrong notes, showing nothing but their existential angst that needs balance. There's too much puzzle pieces to connect — from the contaminated land to the mayor's daughter's apocalyptic visions to Ani's Zen-induced father, all appears to have no connection — perhaps there is, but it remains to be seen. The great thing about mysteries is the thrill and excitement of seeing how the dots connect. The dots for Season 2 so far, according to critics, is hard to see.
A culture blog on Slate talked about the shootout as a "pathetic counterpoint to last season's shootout." With dozens of unknown characters who were fated to become fatalities to the raid that had gone sour, it paced the episode a little faster, and the shooting scenes looked gorgeous and raw. But where did it leave the three major characters? Velcoro, Bezzerides and Woodrugh were left shocked and clueless at the onslaught, not helping them get out of the dilemmas that they are already facing. Audiences are left asking, what new problems will they add to their pile next?
Some critics are giving it a chance, giving Season 2 a benefit of the doubt. "True Detective" Season 2 clearly wants to deviate from the Season 1. Velcoro, Bezzerides and Woodrugh have good chemistry, and the show itself is establishing a rhythm of its own. The melancholic feel to it is evident-with the gloomy bars that are rarely filled with drinkers, singers belting their hearts out even with only one or two audience and then there's the bleak landscape of Southern California.
"True Detective" Episode 5 might focus on the personal lives of the three detectives, according to IB Times.
