True Detective Season Two Needs to Dial Back the Season One References

We’re of the strong belief that in order to move forward, True Detective has to jettison the majority of what came before. Being a constantly resetting anthology show, that’s not really a difficult thing to do. But sometimes it’s just not that easy.

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Queue True Detective season two, the first episode of which is chock-full of reference to True Detective’s first season. They begin almost immediately with the opener. The new opening is the one definite aspect of True Detective that lets you know you’re watching the same show.

It’s in the same style as True Detective’s first season opener, almost to a fault. Its vibrant color scheme is what really sets it apart, even though it would be difficult to describe the new California setting as being worthy of those colors.

The first episode also features similar landscape shots as season one, though this time around they’re a lot less interesting. Endless California highway doesn’t exactly match the gorgeous shots of Louisiana. Otherwise Justin Lin does as admirable job of typing the two True Detective seasons together visually and stylistically.

Next, as we’re sure you noticed is a car scene featuring Rachel McAdams’ Ani Bezzerides. It only lasts for three minutes at the most, but is shot almost identically to season one’s car conversation with Rust and Marty. It’s mostly a visual reference, as the conversation is nowhere near as philosophical.

References like that don’t work out as well. They only serve as a direct reminder of the first season, and they don’t flatter season two. As nice as it is to see the occasional reminder of True Detective’s past, it just keeps season one fresh in the minds of the viewers. And that’s not what True Detective needs.

Critics are already having a tough time judging True Detective on its own merits. A few less references to season would do True Detective some good. You can check out the True Detective season two opener below.

Next: True Detective season two is stuffed with antiheroes.

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