Highlights

  • Because of the high expectations from Season 1, True Detective fans have had strong opinions about the subsequent seasons.
  • One season in particular (not the latest) is often criticized for several plot issues and other flaws that fans have noticed.
  • Along with criticism for season 4, fans aren't mincing words about why they still have a problem with this particular season years later.

True Detective season 4 just ended, and while many fans have made their dislike of it loud and clear online, others have started pointing out significant flaws they noticed earlier in the series. One season in particular is receiving all the heat.

Anyone familiar with True Detective knows that the stellar first season set the pace for every season after. From the chemistry between Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey to the slow-burning drama of True Detective season 1, fans' reviews showed they loved it all and had high hopes for the following seasons. Based on input from super fans, season 2 didn’t meet their expectations. Some of them still have major gripes about it years later.

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In a Reddit thread started by u/BlueBaals, the original poster asked other users why True Detective season 2 gets so much hate and mentioned that they rewatched it, and it was “leaps and bounds better” than season 4. They admitted they enjoyed it because of the “true detecting” happening the entire time. In response, u/frandancer wrote, "I never felt like I knew what was going on, so many subplots and characters. There's a difference between mystery and intrigue, and just constant confusion. I felt like season two was more of the latter."

True Detective Season 2

Other Redditors didn’t sugarcoat their dislike for True Detective season 2, with some even providing more than just a few details to justify their opinions. "It is solved almost exclusively through torture, violence, and illegal house searches. The setting (boring industrial city) cannot compete with S1,3,4. Ray Velcoro is an insufferable whiner. The series portrays Ray Velcoro as the actual victim of his ex-wife's rape. The guy is unbearable. And the main case is boring as hell," Redditor u/Zealousideal-Pay3937 wrote. "The central elements that make up True Detective are not found in this season (fascinating setting, 2 investigators, multiple time levels). This season is b*******. And because you always seem to have to say this here: this is no defense for the errors in S4. Both crap."

Additionally, other Redditors justified their points by snarkily comparing it to and further ridiculing True Detective season 4. Redditor u/AggravatingWindow440 wrote, “It’s Citizen Kane compared to season 4.” Another user, u/OtherElaine, took things a step further and wrote," “Because they didn’t know yet how much lower the quality bar would fall by the fourth season.”

As most fans know, True Detective is no stranger to criticism. Season 2 was met with excruciating reviews, many mentioning how the approach wasn’t as strong as in season 1. Fans highlighted multiple issues, like miscast roles, unrealistic dialogue, and clunky, confusing storylines.

Even though the comments about season 2 are brutal, season 4 seems to have taken the hardest hit. There has been significant backlash from fans. Many were unhappy with how True Detective season 4 was written and noted multiple plot holes that weren’t answered with the season finale. What’s worse is True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto added fuel to the fire by vocalizing his criticisms, landing him in hot water because of how hateful they seemed. While the severe criticism is unnecessary, there is no doubt that fans will be waiting eagerly for True Detective season 5 with the hopes that it exceeds their expectations.

True Detective can be streamed on Max.

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True Detective
Mystery

Taking inspiration from the hard-boiled mystery genre, True Detective has told four separate stories about complicated men and women getting to the bottom of intense cases while uncovering the darker sides of humanity. The latest season, Night Country, stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis and takes place in chilling Alaska.

Release Date
January 12, 2014
Cast
Matthew McConaughey , Woody Harrelson , Rachel McAdams , Colin Farrell , Vince Vaughn , Stephen Dorff , Mahershala Ali , Jodie Foster , Kali Reis
Seasons
4
Creator
Nic Pizzolatto, Issa Lopez
Streaming Service(s)
HBO Max
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Source: BlueBaals/Reddit