True Detective Season 2 Episode 5: Review

The lives of our heroes changed in this episode. We saw the aftermath of last week’s daylight massacre where a police raid went awry and turned into the biggest bloody mess the city has ever seen. It was understood that this will have consequences and understandably enough the trio were supposed to make some kind of regression but not this much. This time we saw everyone in their new lives which though they find unfulfilling but were seemingly fitting for them. And as this season is progressing so frustratingly, we saw some threads tied but still nowhere near the main antagonist.

The problem I think we have this time is that the evil represented in this show is not taking any shape. Except one murder, we don’t have anything to identify the killer or the organization in association with it. It has no face, no blame takers and ultimately they haven’t even showed or created any mystery around the monstrosity surrounding the event. Although they did literally show the person supposedly behind all this twice till now and once very clearly when he attacked Ray in that bird mask and strangely normal clothes (not really that psychopathic) but they still don’t measure up to the horror of Reggie Ledoux or The Yellow King.

Now moving on to the changing fortunes of our leads- Frank moved into a smaller house, Ray got an eviction notice and Ani got a duty in the evidence control for a few months. Paul although technically got promoted to a detective in tax fraud but still wants to work in the field which looks like he won’t get another chance to; even though his expertise lies in field work or more precisely combat. Frank paid a visit to mayor Chessani who now seems like a very monotonous character displaying similar irreverence every time. It feels like he’s just kept there on the screen to show the corruptibility of the whole city and put a face on the spoilt wealthy people. But this also makes for an interesting thread about how all the leads are so closely knitted together. They have more in common with each other whether they know it themselves or not.

At this time only Ray is aware of Frank’s involvement and it still looks like very difficult if all four will ever willingly work together. But truly, I don’t think they need to as of now but who knows what the future might entail. My guess would be that the bug is on Frank’s side and sooner or later he will have to meet Ani and gang for help. And again Frank’s moral compass his wife, who might not be a strong character but still never becomes the object of contempt. Everyone knows she’s right, even Frank, but we all just collectively decide to ignore her. Other than Frank’s poverty, frustration and cynicism there isn’t much going on in his life. Maybe he should seriously speculate that farming idea.

Another noticeable thing is Ray’s chemistry with every character. Paul finds similarly miserable colleague in Ray and he too admires Paul’s courage and combat skills. With Ani, Ray maintains a completely platonic, strictly work relationship with a pinch of hopeful trust and understand between them which is quite difficult given Ray’s reputation and the pressure on Ani to find something against him. Frank sees an old friend in Ray for whom he did a favour years ago and still Ray feels indebted to him. Well its kind of funny actually as the characteristics of Ray’s nature makes him a terrible father, a disloyal officer and a menace to the society yet of all the character’s, he’s the one who manages to keep everyone happy (well not exactly happy). Though according to the ending of this episode the relationship between Frank and Ray is just about to be strained and most likely will rupture their little arrangement.

Paul also had an understandable fallout with his mother who spent all of his savings or salvage which he’d hidden with her. I mean why would he trust her with that, maybe its her first time. Ani also had a heated exchange of words with her former partner who is still willing to help. She also had some bonding time with her sister.

Towards the end, we got what we all were really looking forward to, tough not so directly. Our trio got back their case in a secret investigation with a promise of absolution and getting back what they all desire, including majorly Ray’s son’s custody. This resulted in into few of this episode most exciting moments like when Ray confronts Dr. Pitlor and Ani/Paul discover the shed in the woods.

A still from "Other Lives"

So this week we got another not-so-awesome episode with more conversations and same old emotional conflicts and all. Though one interesting twist was finding out that Frank’s been lying to Ray this whole time and Ray accidently killed the wrong person years ago believing him to be his wife’s rapist. What will happen between him and Frank will be seen in next week’s episode. Though this time the season didn’t turn out to be so great but is good enough to give you reasons to revisit the previous season. Oh yes, how we miss the spaghetti monster and carcosa. The mafia and a whole corrupt city with questionable underground cults aren’t just cutting it this time.