‘True Detective’ season 2, episode 5: Why this is the series’ most-important hour yet

Tonight, “True Detective” is returning after a bloodbath of a sequence to give us another new episode, and when the dust settles, this could end up being the one that everyone remembers as important. It could take the series to the next level, or just level it off as a good series that would probably be thought of much more fondly if it was not on HBO. With that network, plus with the show’s history in mind, there comes a given level of prestige.

For us, one of the biggest issues so far with season 2 has been an issue of timing. In retrospect, we appreciate that season 1 focused primarily on just a pair of characters in Rust Cohle and Martin Hart. While you can tell ensemble stories in eight episodes (look at “Downton Abbey,” which is eight plus a special a season), it’s far more difficult, especially with a show like this that has to further along an investigation and deliver specific action sequences. We don’t feel necessarily like we have had the time to truly get attached to these people. It also doesn’t help that so many of them are frankly detached. Frank has tried to remove himself from his past; meanwhile, Paul has removed himself from everything.

Not only do we need to know and care more about these characters, but finding out more about the high-speed rail at the center of the story would also be more appreciate. For now, it feels almost obtuse to have something so forward-thinking on a show that spends the bulk of its time these days feeling like it could exist in almost any era. The more we understand about the plans for this, the more we may be able to understand the case.

Finally, we need to see an officer make a big break. Preferably, we’re looking at Colin Farrell as Ray Velcoro. We need to see something that redeems this guy to us, even ever so slightly. We want to at least know that he is good at his job when he has to be, mostly since we’ve seen him be everything from a terrible father to terrible to working well with others.

This episode may only be 12.5% of the season, but we do feel like it will go a long way as to whether or not this batch of episodes is remembered fondly.

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