True Detective: Season 2

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 837 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 837 Ratings

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True Detective

Now Playing: True Detective

Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: June 21, 2015

Starring: Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch

Summary: A strange murder in Southern California discovered by California Highway Patrol officer Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch) leads to a conspiracy that ensnares mobster Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn), mob-affiliated City of Vinci Detective Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell), and Ventura County Sheriff detective Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams).

Creator: Nic Pizzolatto

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 2 Episodes

tbd
S2:E8. Omega Station
Air Date: August 9, 2015
tbd
S2:E7. Black Maps and Motel Rooms
Air Date: August 2, 2015
tbd
S2:E6. Church in Ruins
Air Date: July 26, 2015

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Vicki Hyman

Jun 19, 2015

There's a lot of backstory, and there's a lot of plot that makes the first couple of episodes a bit difficult to ease into, but at the end of the second episode, Pizzolato's penchant for abrupt violence with a side of freakiness will leave you with panting for more. Read full review

David Hinckley

Jun 12, 2015

It’s still the kind of show that makes TV viewers reach for phrases like “golden age of television drama.” Read full review

Mary McNamara

Jun 19, 2015

As the fine but far more dutiful early episodes of Season 2 suggest, if we're not careful, we'll get only the television we deserve. Read full review

Sara Smith

Jun 22, 2015

Although it was wise not to try to repeat the double interrogation format of the first season, there are clever nods to those closed-room confessionals, and the show eventually eases into rewarding drive-and-talks between Farrell and McAdams.... What keeps this Detective from being quite as compelling as the first is the lack of early focus. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jun 17, 2015

The overriding problem with True Detective 2 is its neck-deep wallow in debasement and self-pity. Read full review

Emily VanDerWerff

Jun 19, 2015

It's an okay cop drama, to be sure, but it's definitely a cop drama you have seen many, many times before. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Jun 18, 2015

I'm more bothered by the dialogue, which doesn't always ring true. Sunny California or not, there's nothing in the first three episodes to approach the sheer joy of Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in a car together. Read full review

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User Score

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6.4

User Reviews

albacromby

Jun 25, 2015

Come on! You know it's going to get good! We have Crazy dad, Crazy sister and Tiger Woods. Nothing simple can come out of this. I'm excited to see how the players fit and how they become True Detectives.

22 of 74 users found this helpful2252

Seneca

Jul 15, 2015

By the midway point of this season, the converging plotlines seem just as promising as in season 1; maybe not quite, but close. Keyboard heroes and trashy published critics couldn't wait to rubbish it for not being everything S1was as a whole by the first hour of S2.

8 of 21 users found this helpful813

Movi3R3vi3wer

Aug 18, 2015

True Detective remains to be technically brilliant in it's second season. From the cinematography to the memorizing title sequence to the choice of music. While season two doesn't manage to recapture the pure brilliance of season 1, the second season stands alone as a thrilling and rivetingTrue Detective remains to be technically brilliant in it's second season. From the cinematography to the memorizing title sequence to the choice of music. While season two doesn't manage to recapture the pure brilliance of season 1, the second season stands alone as a thrilling and riveting crime drama with amazing performances from Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams. The story does feel a bit convoluted at times with Vaughn's character (who is good in the season) and suffers from an unfocused narrative, balancing too many characters and Taylor Kitsch being as bland as a rock.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

NotoriousFraud

Oct 8, 2015

It's always hard to live up to expectations, especially after the lightning in a bottle which was the first season. But what really bugs me is that there is little to no cohesiveness in this seasons plot, don't get me wrong there are some really terrific performances here even though thereIt's always hard to live up to expectations, especially after the lightning in a bottle which was the first season. But what really bugs me is that there is little to no cohesiveness in this seasons plot, don't get me wrong there are some really terrific performances here even though there is twice the amount of desired main characters there should be, but it's also at the service of weak as hell writing thanks to a rushed script. Listen, i'm not one to be quick to says it's hands down the worst premium television season this year, but that won't exactly make up for slack pacing and the 'what the hell was that ?' brain fart of a season finale. The final verdict, well Mr. Pizzolatto, 'That little detail, maybe, way down the line, breaks the case.'… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jjtech

Jul 10, 2015

Second season of TD shows what good director and good actors are for. Replace A-class director (Cary Fukunaga) with B-class director (Justin Li, Janus Metz (??)) and A-class actors ( McConaughey, Harrelson) with B-class actors (Farrell) and you got junk posing for something that it's not. ISecond season of TD shows what good director and good actors are for. Replace A-class director (Cary Fukunaga) with B-class director (Justin Li, Janus Metz (??)) and A-class actors ( McConaughey, Harrelson) with B-class actors (Farrell) and you got junk posing for something that it's not. I managed to watch 2 first episodes and 30 minutes of the third one. Third one is the worst out of all of them. Justil Lin is not a top notch director but he must be a genius compared to Janus Metz (whoever this guy is - are they on shoe string budget or what? can't they hire someone with ANY filming experience??)… Expand

14 of 21 users found this helpful147

Idiota150

Jun 26, 2015

Disappointment starts at the intro already and then there's just nothing that ever becomes remotely interesting. Rather than introducing some intriguing crime (barely comes up), we get to watch a full ensemble of people with more problems then your general population. If it's gonna revolveDisappointment starts at the intro already and then there's just nothing that ever becomes remotely interesting. Rather than introducing some intriguing crime (barely comes up), we get to watch a full ensemble of people with more problems then your general population. If it's gonna revolve around these unbearable characters I'm not watching.… Expand

10 of 20 users found this helpful1010

StrongHarm

Mar 25, 2018

Season1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programmingSeason1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programming for the rest of my life (no exaggeration). While True Detective is one of the best shows I've ever watched, it's also the worst. With great writing and great actors, why did they have to add over the top disturbing and depressing turns? That's not "edgy", that's ruining something that could have been great. Art is supposed to evoke emotion and passion, but there's a point in which it can cross the line and become corrupt.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SEE ALL 156 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

75

Series Overview
Season 4

81
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: January 14, 2024
Season 3

72
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 13, 2019
Season 2

61
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 21, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E8. Omega Station
  Air Date: August 9, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E7. Black Maps and Motel Rooms
  Air Date: August 2, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E6. Church in Ruins
  Air Date: July 26, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E5. Other Lives
  Air Date: July 19, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E4. Down Will Come
  Air Date: July 12, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E3. Maybe Tomorrow
  Air Date: July 5, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E2. Night Finds You
  Air Date: June 28, 2015
- tbd
  S2:E1. The Western Book of the Dead
  Air Date: June 21, 2015
Season 1

87
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 12, 2014