After the July 15 episode of True Detective, "Other Lives," the preview for the next week brutally reminded viewers that there are only three episodes of Season 2 left. Even though it feels like this season is just finally getting started, the end is nigh, so when is the Season 2 finale of True Detective? The series only has eight episodes per season and with its dense storytelling, eight episodes felt just right for Season 1. But for Season 2, the action has been starting and stopping the entire season, so will the season really be able to wrap itself up neatly in just three more episodes?
The eighth and final episode of Season 2 is entitled "Omega Station" and will air on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 9 p.m.. At 87 minutes long, the episode will be longer than every other one of the season, which hopefully leads to not only all of the answers being solved in the season finale, but also that I may even understand the questions I want answers to. The plot took a slight left turn after the fourth (and most exciting) episode "Down Will Come," with a time jump after an intense shoot-out. But the advancement in time is actually streamlining the overcomplicated plot, which better mean that the last three episodes of the season will put all of the pieces of the True Detective puzzle together in a dynamic way. And based on the preview for the July 26 episode, "Church in Ruins," it seems like the show could be headed in the right direction for its last three episodes.
I'm all about character development, but when every character has a seemingly endless supply of personal struggles, it's too damn much. And that's the uphill battle that True Detective is facing as it tries to wrap up its season. While I may never fully understand (or believe) Vince Vaughn's Frank Semyon's motives, I'm happy that his storyline with Colin Farrell's Ray Velcoro is going to come down to some sort of showdown. Yet, True Detective Season 2 has made a habit of getting me excited for a big moment, then letting me down. (Like that time fans all thought, "OMG! Colin Farrell was just shot!! Could he possibly — just possibly — be dead?" and then there were zero repercussions.)
While I'm not sure if I know or care what's going on with Taylor Kitsch's Paul Woodrugh (sorry, man), Rachel McAdams' Ani Bezzerides is embarking on a dangerous task. And even though I have that unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach that the only reason there was even a female detective in True Detective this season was for the sole purpose of having her go undercover as a sex worker, fans know that Ani is not one to sit back and let herself get taken advantage of, and her story may actually be going somewhere too.
Another thing to consider is that while three episodes doesn't sound like a lot, with an only eight-episode season, Nic Pizzolatto has time to bring up the excitement of this season and also bring it to a close. So if you haven't given up on this season so far, your next three Sunday summer nights can be spent seeing if True Detective can make watching Season 2 worth it. And if not, you've always got the beach — it will all be over by early August, after all.
Images: Lacey Terrell/HBO; hbotruedetective/Tumblr
