Binged season 1 and it was amazing. Skipped season 2 just because the actors were different. Is it worth watching? Because you make it sound like it wasn't good.
True Detective is an anthology series. And since S1 was pretty much a complete story of its own, they pretty much made Season 2 a totally different: story, characters, and everything.
S2 also feels like, in many ways, a much-much different show. It feels more cop-based, urban-based, and a much more modern show, too. S2 also feels way less gothic too.
S2 is not a masterpiece. Far from it. There's a ton of plot and a lot going on here - but, whether it's all worth your time, that's probably another story. There's a lot more story, plots, sub-plots, characters, and whatnot going on here (some get fleshed-out, some really don't) - but, S2 really lacks the laser-focus, tight-ness, intrigue, and weirdness that the first season had really going for it.
It's good overall (b/c when it can be great, it's great - but it also really does have some lows), but it's nowhere as great as S1. S1's a damn masterpiece. S2 really had some big shoes to fill - and well, with the hype through the roof, this show probably never honestly had a chance w/ S2.
S2's episodes can be all over the place, in general. It definitely meanders a bit at times in scenes...and even in Episodes. Some of the dialogue, is great. Some of it, is downright awful. It feels like they really experimented heavily w/ this season, to say the least.
About the all over the place part: same goes for the acting, too. In general, everything here is all over the place. Definitely could've used much more editing - you know, like The Purge TV Series: Season 1 is currently going through. In particular: Vince Vaughn can certainly be hit or miss on this show too. As much as I like Kelly Reilly (i.e. go see Yellowstone) - she can also be on or off on this show, in scenes. Colin Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are really good in this, though.
But, my God. That S2 theme is amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJfe1k9CeE
EDIT:
yeah. apparently Cary Fukunaga was the genius behind season 1? I remember the drama surrounding him and Nic Pizzolatto when S2 was shaping up and Fukunaga was out (from production).
Have you watched The Alienist (on TNT)? That was really good. If you like that detective, mystery, twisty-turny stuff - you'll dig it. Basically about some cops chasing a Jack The Ripper type of killer in New York in the late 1800's.
Cary was involved w/ that recently also - in particular, he was involved w/ writing 2 of the episodes. He executive produced it, though.
Really looking to a S2, when it comes around.
Enjoy!
