S02.E07: Black Maps And Motel Rooms

[bobbyjoe]

As someone who has worked at the Hall of Records, I second the general consensus that there's no way that James Frain could've known where Paul would emerge. There really are tunnels under the building that lead to no less than 5 or 6 other civic center buildings as well as multiple parking lots and exits. But hey, maybe everyone that has ever worked at Vinci PD not named Velcoro was posted at an exit and Paul just happened to pick door number Frain, right???

 

Seeing as how James Frain seems to be popping up all over tv these days, I'm strongly starting to suspect that there might be a James Frain behind every single door in the whole world.  Even had Paul emerged not just from a different door, but even onto an entirely different series, he probably would have still run into James Frain.

[Cardie]

•Why are the Russians after Frank?

 

Frank asked the Russians to be partners in his corridor land deal and they thought he was a schmuck so they'd just take over his whole operation

•To echo Ani, why send the cops on the chase?

 

A mutilated dead body on display, when the state is looking to file corruption charges, can't be hand-waved away. Even in Vinci.  Plus, none in the vast corruption conspiracy know who killed Caspere and they need to.

•Did Ray get all this on his recorder?

 

Heh, if only. Now that Chad is lost to him, he probably isn't recording.

•Was Paul's Black Mountain partner set Paul up?

 

You betcha--on orders from Catalyst.

•How did Vera get the diamonds to put in the safe deposit box to begin with?

 

Vera never had them. Caspere's missing girl friend Tasha--now buzzard bait--photographed them for blackmail purposes and sent the photos to Vera as back-up.

•Are we sure Frank is just a dumb dupe or is their more to his story?

 

We'll find out next week.





Edited August 3, 2015 by Cardie

[Hootis]

Seeing as how James Frain seems to be popping up all over tv these days, I'm strongly starting to suspect that there might be a James Frain behind every single door in the whole world. Even had Paul emerged not just from a different door, but even onto an entirely different series, he probably would have still run into James Frain.

I recognize him from Orphan Black. HEY WAIT A MIN- (pop pop)

[RococoChanel]

How do you guys know all their names? I watch with captions on and I still have no idea who everyone is, nor what's going on.

 

This season is a huge let down for me. I haven't liked it at all, and I'm just going through the motions.

[moonxyz]

Maybe I'm slow, but I'm still confused with about 80% of what's going on. 

[Ellaria]

Very good episode. I gasped when Ray found Davis dead in the car. I thought that she would hang around. 

 

With Ani's father sent off to hide out in Eugene for a few weeks, I suppose that we have seen the last of him. I am mildly surprised that he is not more involved in the dirty dealings. 

 

Vera's reaction to her rescue was disappointing.

 

I need to re-watch this episode and perhaps a few scenes from prior episodes to prepare for the finale. I wasn't using closed captioning and I think that I missed some of the exposition dump in the motor lodge. I also realized that I wasn't paying close attention to some details earlier in the season. (The multitude of characters has distracted me from the start. In the middle of some episodes, I've been on IMDB trying to determine who "Holloway" was. Michael Hyatt's character was still Brianna Barksdale and not Davis. )

 

RIP Paul - you deserved a better end.

[Deanie87]

So Paul calls to tell Ray that he may be walking into an ambush and he and Ani respond by doing shots and having sex?  Am I missing something?  I realize that one and/or both are wanted and in danger, so its not like they can run right out to provide backup, but wouldn't they want to, I don't know, not be drunk and naked in case they are needed somehow?  

 

While I appreciate all of the exposition at this point, its too late for me not to watch the show in mild to sever case of annoyance.  I'm not sure that wanting to get a show over with is really what they are looking for in viewer response.

[terrymct]

Burris, a Vinci cop. Pretty much the whole department except Ray is involved.

 

And why then did they pick HIM for the case?  Doesn't make sense.

 

This whole episode was a steaming pile of WTF.   Ani and Ray, of course.  Icky and strange, but of course.  I was glad that Ani's father was remorseful over her being molested.  You would THINK however that since she said she now knows his face that old Dad might be interested in which of his buddies or acolytes was the one to rape his daughter.   So, Paul is dead (although we can't trust this show, but he did have blood flowing out of him) and you have psycho incestuous Mom stuck in a hotel room with hot but naive pregnant fiance.  That should go Lord of the Flies rather quickly.

 

I was wondering about Ani and Ray's brainstorming session where they were trying to put together the puzzle pieces.  Is that what passes for plot reveal in this season?  Is the semi-random girl in the photo from one of the parties really the little girl from the robbery?  Why would they assume that?

 

Vince Vaughn's character playing nice with the Israeli Russians (that's what they're now described as, right?), then burning the whole operation down was one of the few things I thought was good about this episode although Vince Vaughn still sucked badly.  He just stays stone faced with occasional nods or eyebrow lifts that are supposed to pass as subtle acting, I think.  You'd think a person would have a little feeling to them as they're blowing up buildings.

 

This episode left me confused to the point of being vaguely angry. 

 

A general point about the seasons, something that really bothers me about the lines Vince Vaughn and Collin Farrell are given.  Beyond the stilted and unrealistic language, Ray's language (style and word choices) often seems southern for some reason.  Vaughn's character drifts over into language that's more appropriate for Tony Soprano than this character.    Both characters are from southern California.  Why on Earth does Velcoro speak like he's from the heart of Dixie (without the accent).  Vaughn's character grew up poor in California and has been trying to climb up the social/economic ladder.  While he is/was involved with crime, there is no good reason for him to use the same sort of words and sentence structure that a New Jersey Mafia man would.  He'd be straightening up his language, not taking tips from old mob movies.    Last season, I was really happy with the language (although Cohle did have some wackadoodle stuff to say on a regular basis).  You could tell that Nic Pizzolatto was from south Louisiana.  He showed the range of accents and ways of speaking.  It's not just one Cajun accent and one New Orleans accent (I used to live in Cajun country) and the did a good job of showing the diversity and putting the right accent on the right person.  Nic Pizzolatto was in his comfort zone.  This year, he's not.  He's getting southern California wrong.

 

Another general point.  Why do they insist on making Kelly Reilly (Jordan, Vaughn's character's wife) look so BAD episode after episode.  Eye makeup that looks like she has a big black caterpillar above and below each eye.  Hair that looks like dried straw.  The actress is pretty when not on this show. This character is straight out of a soap opera, and not a good one.

[teddysmom]

Do we think Paul might have survived? 

 

Last season Marty & Ruste both survived what could have been deadly attacks. 

 

I just can't believe Pizzolato would kill Paul.   

[jcin617]

Yeah, what took me out of it, as others have said, was the idea they were waiting for Paul at that specific door... when not just 5 minutes earlier he was told that the "tunnels run under the whole city".    Now, if he had doubled back to the door he came in from, maybe I could buy it.

[paigow]

Dead Paul = No Exit Strategy. Velcoro & Bezzarides will not run. They will counter-attack . [insert Star Wars title here]

[DEM]

I was wondering about Ani and Ray's brainstorming session where they were trying to put together the puzzle pieces.  Is that what passes for plot reveal in this season?  Is the semi-random girl in the photo from one of the parties really the little girl from the robbery?  Why would they assume that?

 

The identity of the woman in the photo was bothering Ani because she knew the face but couldn't remember how. Ray remembered that she was Erica, Caspere's secretary. Because Erica used the name Laura on the party circuit, and because she has a direct tie to Caspere, they realised she could be the child Laura, all grown up.

 

I didn't understand the part about Frank and the diamonds. What diamonds are those?  And am I correct in understanding that Frank had far more than $200,00 stashed away in his safes?

[WatchrTina]

 

I need to re-watch this episode and perhaps a few scenes from prior episodes to prepare for the finale. I wasn't using closed captioning and I think that I missed some of the exposition dump in the motor lodge.

Don't bother.  I watched with closed-captions on and I STILL have no idea what is going on except that every cop is dirty, the female cop with two-toned hair (Ani?) is now wanted in the murder of the security guard at the party, Colin Farrell's character is fucked because . . . I can't remember why . . . and Paul is dead.  Meanwhile, VV is burning down the casino that the Russians just took over but it's okay because he's somehow going to steal $12 million (less 40%) from some heavily-guarded money exchange that's going down next episode. Okaaay.

 

In other news, Stan died while following the smug guy who got beaten half to death and then shot in the groin.  Oh.  So that's who Stan was.  Still don't care.

Edited August 3, 2015 by WatchrTina

[Constantinople]

It's ironic that Mayor Chessani compared his family to the Kennedys because this reminds me of the Onion headline "Kennedy Slain by CIA, Mafia, Castro, LBJ, Teamsters, Freemasons.  President Shot 129 Times from 43 Different Angles"

 

If Frank is right about Tony, Mayor Chessani's son, then everyone -- Tony, the Vinci PD, the Catalyst Group and their Black Mountain security group, the Russian Israelis (or Israeli Russians), the California AG and who knows what else -- is working together behind Mayor Chessani's back.

 

I just don't understand why.  The Mayor's son doesn't seem like the most reliable partner, and the Mayor would seem more than willing to play ball.  It reminds me of that line from Michael Clayton "I'm not the guy you kill, I'm the guy you buy! Are you so fucking blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?"

[Primetimer]

Velcoro wants to hold Bez's hand. Sarah D. Bunting ain't quite buying it.

Read the story

[islandgal140]

How do you guys know all their names? I watch with captions on and I still have no idea who everyone is, nor what's going on.

This season is a huge let down for me. I haven't liked it at all, and I'm just going through the motions.

 

I am starting to get the story which is kinda jacked up given that there is only one episode left in the season. I mean Jebus, this isn't the show Lost. We shouldn't have to try to figure out the mystery of the mystery. However, yeah, when they throw around names like Burris and Holloway I am like "Who?" It was only at the end of the episode that I figured out that Burris is James Frain and Holloway was the older black gentlemen in the tunnels that came out of the shadows.

 

Also, James Frain has become the Rutger Hauer or Brian Cox of TV. You hire him and everyone pretty much knows that he is the bad guy.

 

Burris, a Vinci cop. Pretty much the whole department except Ray is involved.

 

And why then did they pick HIM for the case?  Doesn't make sense.

 

 

That is what I don't get unless they figured that with the State and County involved they couldn't control the entire investigation and there might come a time where they have to murder or screw everyone involved in trying to solve it from jump if they got to close to the bigger truth - Catalyst, Vinci, the rail, the Russians, etc.

Is it bad that I cheered on Frank as he murdered Blake? I hear a bullet to the gut is super painful. Frank just watched him bleed out while drinking and was there farting sounds when Frank said you just shit the carpet?

 

RIP Paul. At the time I did think it was weird that his friend should be appear so enamored and so beggy about having sex and instead of being all cuddly the following morning with a naked Paul in his bed he hops out of bed to eat cereal and watch a taped game.

 

I wish Ani and Ray hadn't boned. Can't a man and woman be in a log cabin with a fake fireplace, downing hard alcohol and NOT feel the compulsion to do it? I just wanted Ani to not do a partner. Did she learn nothing from those sexual harassment sessions? Well, I at least hope that she wasn't able to get handcuffs around 'it' making it worth her while. LOL!

 

So Caspere just went around counselling attractive girls to become hookers? Nice. Wonder why Laura/Erica went into secretarial work?

 

Still no sign of birdman, hell it might even be birdwoman.

 

I don't think there is anyway that this story will end up being logical.  If Birdman/woman knew about Caspere's secret apartment why leave the hard drive for Ray to see? If Birdman isn't Frain, than why shoot Velcoro with riot rounds? It only makes sense that Birdperson is outside the Vinci/Catalyst cabal because they wanted to put them at risk of exposure, but it seems like if they have the hard drive and the blue diamonds they have these people where they want them.

[terrymct]

 the female cop with two-toned hair (Ani?) is now wanted in the murder of the security guard at the party, 

 

It's been said by others, but it's really weird that there's an APB out for Ani.   Why would all those famous and powerful people allow the cops (who weren't already there) to be called?   Why not just dispose of the body and deal with Ani directly?  Why potentially expose the whole orgy party and it's participants to scrutiny?   It doesn't make sense.

[Bannon]

It wasn't as bad as last week's episode, but then again The Fonz only jumped the shark once, so faint  praise, indeed. I keep trying to decide what is worse, the writing or the direction. That extended motel scene, culminating in the most boring sexual encounter in The History of Cable, was simply excruciating, and not in the positive use of the term. Good grief, I'm still watching, so I guess I have to admit I like seeing a 23 car pile up on The 405.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Bannon

[Ina123]

I don't know why I keep watching. Every darn Monday I have to come here to be told what really happened.

Why are the episodes so convoluted and why is everything shot so dark?

[AimingforYoko]

Colin Farrell's character is fucked because...I can't remember why

He surmised that they probably used one of his guns to kill Davis.

Edited August 3, 2015 by AimingforYoko

[teddysmom]

So Paul calls to tell Ray that he may be walking into an ambush and he and Ani respond by doing shots and having sex?

 

THIS!!!  I thought the police could find you by tracking your cell phone.  I would have thought they'd have done something to try to find him.

 

But no, let's just hang out and gaze into each other's eyes.   Two gorgeous people having really awkward sex. blech

 

After Paul turns into Captain America and takes out 5-6 guys, he completely forgets all his military training and rushes out a door without even thinking there might be somebody standing guard.  

 

I call shenanigans.  

[LilaFowler]

At this point, I'm finding it difficult to believe that the same person wrote both seasons. 

[terrymct]

I read an HBO interview with Nic Pizzolatto a while back.  He said that he started out writing this season to be about the secret occult history of the US transportation system (I kid you not) but discarded that idea and went for a more character driven story and a more of a "grounded crime story".  Damn if he didn't fail at both of those things.  I wonder if the change in direction is part of the season's muddled story.  The crow mask, ritualized murder of whats-his-name, and the orgy club could be throwbacks to the original script idea.  

[Oldmajor]

THIS!!!  I thought the police could find you by tracking your cell phone.  I would have thought they'd have done something to try to find him.

 

But no, let's just hang out and gaze into each other's eyes.   Two gorgeous people having really awkward sex. blech

 

After Paul turns into Captain America and takes out 5-6 guys, he completely forgets all his military training and rushes out a door without even thinking there might be somebody standing guard.  

 

I call shenanigans.  

Well technically they are both wanted by the police and have zero resources. Davis (Brianna Brksdale - The Wire) was their only official connection, with here dead, they are completely on the outside. There really wasnt anything for them to do. Also, they have been the two most self destructive characters I've ever seen on TV, if they didnt get drunk and have sex I would have found it unrealistic. Ani has literally slept with partners, other cops, etc. Now she really is bonding with unhinged Ray so of course she will slepp with him. Ray is just Ray so ofr course he would sleep with her lol. Seriously this episode was pretty good, and Vince Vaughn really bought his A game this episode

[ChipBach]

Shenanigans has been called... ;-)

 

Frank is from Chicago not SoCal, right?

 

WORD to those rolling their eyes at Paul (Police training, military training, and the fact he seems to be pretty naturally skilled at his job) walking out a door presumably in the direction they parked their cars...  I hope that is why the cop was there, because I am rooting against dumb luck.

 

WORD to those folks rolling their eyes when Paul tells Ray he is being set up.  First Ray already found their boss dead, so why simply tell Paul "Then don't go"?  How about, "Dude, where are you, I can be there in five seconds with my Dodge Challenger, because my car has new plates and is really non-descript especially when I burn rubber wherever I go...".

 

I guess when corruption is so widespread and complete, it's easy to call in the security guard murder, however the complicating factor is that anyone and everyone of power and influence at the party can make "truth" a tough thing to prove in 90 minutes.

 

Frank was my favorite character this week.  I guess he is going to steal up the 12MIL and dance off?  I still get a bad vibe from his wife, I think there will be a turn there somehow.  She seemed a bit taken aback with the body on the floor.  I guess I need to save that for the speculation page..

 

I loved the line that went somewhat like; "If you were just honest about who you are, none of this would have been a big deal".  I am still not sure why he was such a homophobe?  It didn't seem to be a problem from the good people of Blackwater?  

[shapeshifter]

So Paul calls to tell Ray that he may be walking into an ambush and he and Ani respond by doing shots and having sex? Am I missing something? I realize that one and/or both are wanted and in danger, so its not like they can run right out to provide backup, but wouldn't they want to, I don't know, not be drunk and naked in case they are needed somehow?

Exactly what I was thinking. I guess maybe NP wanted us to expect Paul to call them in time to interrupt the sex and then surprise us with the opposite.

 

Do we think Paul might have survived?

Last season Marty & Ruste both survived what could have been deadly attacks.

I just can't believe Pizzolato would kill Paul.

Maybe this is NP's way of getting back at all of us for complaining that there was no way Rust could've survived being lifted up on a large twisting knife (and more)? Or maybe Paul will survive and we can complain some more.

 

 

Velcoro wants to hold Bez's hand. Sarah D. Bunting ain't quite buying it.

http://previously.tv/true-detective/yeah-youve-got-that-something-i-think-youll-understand/

...pointed parallels to Splendor In The Grass, "strength in what remains behind."

Excellent recap/review, including the song selection.

Couldn't recall Splendor In The Grass, so went to Wikipedia, and, right there, in the second para.:

the real reason was that she had an abortion (or as Deanie's mother said, "one of those 'awful surgeries'"),

 

 

When the red haired guy took a drink right after Frank made it clear that he was going to punch his lights out, I figured it was a preventative move to dull the anticipated pain (he's probably watched Braveheart). But did he say his was Chad's father? I couldn't hear his response when questioned about Ray's wife's rape.

 

How do you guys know all their names? I watch with captions on and I still have no idea who everyone is, nor what's going on.

This season is a huge let down for me. I haven't liked it at all, and I'm just going through the motions.

Maybe I'm slow, but I'm still confused with about 80% of what's going on.

I don't know why I keep watching. Every darn Monday I have to come here to be told what really happened.

Why are the episodes so convoluted and why is everything shot so dark?

Me too.

Cardie, how many times do you watch each episode in order to be able to explain it to us?

 

...Jebus, this isn't the show Lost. We shouldn't have to try to figure out the mystery of the mystery. However, yeah, when they throw around names like Burris and Holloway I am like "Who?" It was only at the end of the episode that I figured out that Burris is James Frain and Holloway was the older black gentlemen in the tunnels that came out of the shadows.

So, then, not Josh Holloway of Lost? Just checking.

 

Vera's reaction to her rescue was disappointing.

But at least mildly creative--except it doesn't improve the audience's opinion of NP's characterizations of women.

Edited August 3, 2015 by shapeshifter

[Penman61]

Did Paul literally say to fiance & mom in the motel:  "Don't answer the door unless it's me. Order room service."  Which is it, Paul?

 

The ultimate culprit in this show's shittiness is the writing: From the largest concerns (we don't understand what's happening and we don't care--nothing's at stake) to the smallest (characters contradicting themselves stupidly in the space of two sentences).  As good as the actors are--and Farrell and McAdams have been very, very good--they can't redeem the spectacular fecal spray that is this show's writing.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Penman61

[txwatcher]

RIP Paul. But you should always check your 6 before texting or calling. Damn upu James Frain!

[teddysmom]

WORD to those folks rolling their eyes when Paul tells Ray he is being set up.  First Ray already found their boss dead, so why simply tell Paul "Then don't go"?  How about, "Dude, where are you, I can be there in five seconds with my Dodge Challenger, because my car has new plates and is really non-descript especially when I burn rubber wherever I go

 

 Shit I forgot Ray had just found Davis dead. How about telling Paul DO NOT GO ANYWHERE BY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!  Even if you think there might be contracts with signatures.

 

Also, is it just me, because I felt killing Paul, with his problems of being closeted, etc, is such a cliche.    God forbid he live and try to come to terms with Mom, fiance and baby, and his sexuality.  

 

Livin' it up at the Hotel California doing tequila shots with Worst Couple Ever. 

[Cardie]

Cardie, how many times do you watch each episode in order to be able to explain it to us?

[Crim]

I don't think there is anyway that this story will end up being logical.

I'm more bothered by how scaled down everything is. The beginning of the season teased a case like season 1, even if the "secret occult history of the US transportation system" angle was dropped, but now we know that most interesting aspects were red herrings all along: the sex angle is important only for the sex parties connection, and all characters having sexual issues is not relevant; Stan's killing was unrelated to Caspere's as Blake killed him to shut him up; Caspere was killed for money or revenge; everything is about corruptions and the Russians moving in. This isn't as much "grounded" as boring and, to me, feels like false advertising. Where is the true detective-ing? They are lost until after an illegal operation leads to 2 very lucky finds (the girl and the contracts), but then they'd lost the resources available to them as cops, and the rest of the details about what happened we find out from Frank getting info out of his guy. This show could have included zero cops or P.Is. and the mystery could have been solved pretty much the same way.

 

Just no to the Ani and Ray hookup. For me it's not a matter of how much sense it makes once you write your characters to go there, it's that the characters were written to go there. It's that for all the show built them up, it still had to go there. Disappointing.

[Cardie]

Cardie, how many times do you watch each episode in order to be able to explain it to us?

 

Only once--I couldn't bear a rewatch. I do read recaps if I'm confused. I'm a retired professor of film and media studies, so this is, as Frank would say, my skillset. (I'm also a devotee of mystery novels and figuring out whodunit.) I have found that I must turn off the lights and really concentrate with TD2 because important stuff whizzes by in mumbled dialogue. It also helps to abandon any preconceptions about logic or verisimilitude. It's easy to get confused about what's going on because one cannot believe ridiculous behaviors could possibly be the truth.

[susannot]

Here's a really good recap that explains everything.  Most helpfully, it has illustrations and pictures of the characters.  Like the majority of you, I can't keep the characters straight.

 

http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/08/true-detective-black-maps-and-motel-rooms-recap/

[Guest]

So, can someone help out on this one? (And thank god for this forum because I would have stopped watching after episode two out of sheer frustration.) So, those pictures of Paul with the other guy. This IS 2015, right? His mother wasn't a religious nutcase so...who exactly gives a shit he's gay? And is he actually gay or did he say to his baby momma, "I was on an assignment." So, does that mean be faked being gay? I still don't understand the issue over his sexuality. I think the one guy said he could be compromised because if it? Well, yeah, if it were 1945 maybe.

Laughed out loud that yet another mystery was solved by two detectives staring at a picture for clues. Happened in season one. Happened again last night. NP is a HACK.

[ChipBach]

Paul's coworker/lover even told him that if he just came out there would be no leverage against him.  Unless there is some sort of reveal next week, this sub-plot was a bit awkward. 

[Cardie]

Despite it being 2015, Paul, for whatever psychological reasons, is homophobic and can't stand the fact that he is gay. We read about staunch opponents of gay rights who get caught in liaisons with men all the time, including 2015. Because Paul doesn't want anyone to pull him out of the closet, he gives anyone who wants to manipulate him leverage. Miguel said as much, that if he just came out these guys wouldn't have power over him.

 

Having only gotten totally clear on this after reading recaps, I find it hilarious that Laura knows enough to get a job with Caspere under an assumed name but when she goes to orgies he organizes, she uses her real name. I'm glad the uproxx recapper shares my set photographer theory. I was thinking it was pretty out there.

[teddysmom]

This IS 2015, right? His mother wasn't a religious nutcase so...who exactly gives a shit he's gay?

 

I hear ya, but it sounds like Mom might have always wanted him to be "a man" and just because others don't care about your sexuality doesn't mean you've come to terms with it completely.  

 

Here's an idea for NP for S3 if it happens, call Vince Gilligan and ask him how to produce an eight episode season that features plots that may be complicated but not to the point of headache inducing, characters that are not stereotypes, and using directors that don't rely on transition shots of interstates ad nauseum. 

Edited August 3, 2015 by teddysmom

[marcee]

I was really looking forward to Ani/Ray sexy times. Listen, if I have to sit through this mush, I should be entitled to some thoughtless eye-candy enjoyment. Shut up. I should. Instead we got extended, director's cut awkwardness, way too many bizarre closeups, the unsexiest sexy times it's possible I've ever seen. This is Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams for Pete's sake. At the very least, this should have been the one enjoyable moment I could take away from this season. But no. WHY!? Why did you have to ruin it for me with that boring, drawn out sloppiness?! Such a shame.

[elzin]

My one enjoyable moment was watching Vaughn burn it all to the ground rather than let anyone else have it (or whatever the reason he did it).  That was decent, but it doesn't give me back the other 7ish hours back.

[shapeshifter]

Cardie, how many times do you watch each episode in order to be able to explain it to us?

Only once--I couldn't bear a rewatch. I do read recaps if I'm confused. I'm a retired professor of film and media studies, so this is, as Frank would say, my skillset. (I'm also a devotee of mystery novels and figuring out whodunit.) I have found that I must turn off the lights and really concentrate with TD2 because important stuff whizzes by in mumbled dialogue. It also helps to abandon any preconceptions about logic or verisimilitude. It's easy to get confused about what's going on because one cannot believe ridiculous behaviors could possibly be the truth.

Ah ha! Mystery solved! That is, the mystery of NP's writing. He's spent so much time in academia writing for peer reviewed journals, that it must be his default mode. So, without Woody and MMcC to out-alpha male him, default is what we got. Sorry. What's the word for making quantum leaps of logic when writing? Non-sequitur? That's my middle name. Anyway, looking forward to you and a few others explaining the finale to us. Edited August 3, 2015 by shapeshifter

[Kat]

This episode made me so angry. And so sad for Paul. And now I hate everyone and everything.

[teddysmom]

This episode made me so angry. And so sad for Paul. And now I hate everyone and everything.

 

Wouldn't it have been so much more interesting if Paul had gotten away, and then driving back to the motel remembered what the friend told him, "if you were out, there wouldn't be anything to hold over you", and realizes that his hiding his sexuality is never going to stop being so much work to keep that secret. 

 

Dude, you just took out five armed men, and you think anyone's going to make fun of you?   Did you see Ray Velcoro's cocaine fueled dance/exercise routine a couple weeks ago?  Talk about embarrassing. 

Edited August 3, 2015 by teddysmom

[Jextella]

I love Frank.

[Muffyn]

I think I mentally checked out on this season so long ago that I cannot keep focused when it's on, thereby making it even harder to follow.  However, I don't think it's worth a rewatch to try to figure it out.  

 

Paul, you get to safety, then start futzing with your phone.  Sheesh!  Baddest bad ass ever and he makes a rookie mistake when he knows James Frain is around.  I assume the second sot was to the head.  The writing has been sloppy all along, but it would be too far afield to imagine that JF would not effectively double tap. If Jesse Eisenberg can do it, I suspect it's a automatic response for JF.   

 

Yes, the Ani/Ray sexy times were the least sexy sexy times ever.  It's like the focus was on the battle of the bad hair.  Ray's greasy locks versus Ani's fried frizz.  Please stop this unholy coupling.

 

Stan, you were no Pony Boy.  You were not golden.  Dammit, Stan!  I was counting on you! 

[Ellaria]

If Frank is right about Tony, Mayor Chessani's son, then everyone -- Tony, the Vinci PD, the Catalyst Group and their Black Mountain security group, the Russian Israelis (or Israeli Russians), the California AG and who knows what else -- is working together behind Mayor Chessani's back.

 

I just don't understand why.  The Mayor's son doesn't seem like the most reliable partner, and the Mayor would seem more than willing to play ball.

 

Right...and here's my problem with this plot development: the Mayor's "cartoony" son has gotten only a few lines of dialogue (when Ani and Paul went visiting). Suddenly, this idiot is one of the movers and shakers behind the mountains of evil and corruption in Vinci. In fact, the Mayor - who has corrupt and shady stamped on his forehead - ends up being less shady and less corrupt than his idiot son.

 

The identity of the woman in the photo was bothering Ani because she knew the face but couldn't remember how. Ray remembered that she was Erica, Caspere's secretary. Because Erica used the name Laura on the party circuit, and because she has a direct tie to Caspere, they realised she could be the child Laura, all grown up.

 

I didn't understand the part about Frank and the diamonds. What diamonds are those?  And am I correct in understanding that Frank had far more than $200,00 stashed away in his safes?

 

The 11th-hour appearance of orphan children who were witnesses to murder just throws more characters on the "poorly utilized" pile. Laura = Erica = girl in photo. Without reading recaps, do they expect that all viewers will make that leap back to the 2nd or 3rd episodes when Laura/Erica appeared?

 

And I have no idea where the non-blue diamonds came from.

 

Here's a really good recap that explains everything.  Most helpfully, it has illustrations and pictures of the characters.  Like the majority of you, I can't keep the characters straight.

 

http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/08/true-detective-black-maps-and-motel-rooms-recap/

 

This is very helpful. I think that Laura/Erica and her brother Leonard/Set Photographer killed Caspere. I have no idea if she was more heavily involved in the events that followed. And, frankly, that would be unsatisfying. A woman who has received a minimal amount of screen time is going to be responsible for the murder that the entire show revolves around and possibly the ensuing cover-up. Really?

 

I still think that everyone's favorite - Burris (James Frain) - shot Ray. Can't forget Ray's comment about cops using rubber bullets. Burris seems to be behind most of the evil doings in this show so I am pinning this one on him as well.

[catrox14]

The only reason I didn't side-eye Paul letting his guard down is that he just killed the guy that he had a fling with overseas ( think that was the same guy) I think it probably triggered some major PTSD so he fell apart and just didn't think there wouldbe someone on the other side considering we all thought the same thing. 

[catrox14]

Also, I can't find a way for Paul to be alive because those bullets went all the way through him.

[MrWhyt]

So, can someone help out on this one? (And thank god for this forum because I would have stopped watching after episode two out of sheer frustration.) So, those pictures of Paul with the other guy. This IS 2015, right? His mother wasn't a religious nutcase so...who exactly gives a shit he's gay? And is he actually gay or did he say to his baby momma, "I was on an assignment." So, does that mean be faked being gay? I still don't understand the issue over his sexuality. I think the one guy said he could be compromised because if it? Well, yeah, if it were 1945 maybe.

Laughed out loud that yet another mystery was solved by two detectives staring at a picture for clues. Happened in season one. Happened again last night. NP is a HACK.

He gives a shit. Obviously he doesn't like that he is gay.

[marcee]

 

I still think that everyone's favorite - Burris (James Frain) - shot Ray. Can't forget Ray's comment about cops using rubber bullets. Burris seems to be behind most of the evil doings in this show so I am pinning this one on him as well.

But why? Why not just kill Ray? He obviously had no problem killing Paul... and no one else appears to be guy shy while maintaining this coverup...So why rubber bullets with Ray?

[Ellaria]

But why? Why not just kill Ray? He obviously had no problem killing Paul... and no one else appears to be guy shy while maintaining this coverup...So why rubber bullets with Ray?

 

Can't we ask that question about whoever the shooter was?

 

Rubber bullets = warning. Send Ray a message but keep him alive because you may need him down the road. Things hadn't gone to s**t at that point. Now things are different and Paul had to be eliminated. (Another answer is that NP wanted to add a little drama to the penultimate episode.)

 

My questions are:

• Why did the shooter have rubber bullets on hand and ready to use?
• How did the shooter know that Ray was coming to the house?
• Where is the stupid hard drive?

Edited August 3, 2015 by Ellaria Sand