‘True Detective’ builds a new mystery

COLIN Farrell portrays one of three damaged cops in Season Two.

The second season of the acclaimed HBO series “True Detective” has big shoes to fill, so it’s understandable that the show is consciously veering away from the things that Season One did right—it introduces an entirely new murder mystery, and a different set of broken, brooding characters who must solve it.

Now that Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are out of the show, a new ensemble of actors gets to cocreate an altogether new world, not yet as phantasmagoric as the initial season’s, but it’s still decidedly gritty and murky. Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch play three damaged and dour cops looking into the death of a city manager in the fictional California city of Vinci.

The fourth main character, a mobster-businessman played by Vince Vaughn, is immersed in his bleak dealings, his occasional meetings with Ray Velcoro (Farrell), the cop in his pocket, likewise somber and less than reassuring.

The new characters aren’t rehashed versions of McConaughey and Harrelson’s quirky, disillusioned cop partners, although there are some basic similarities. The dynamic has yet to be fully formed three episodes in, but the little time that cops Ray, Ani Bezzerides (McAdams) and Paul Woodrugh (Kitsch) spend together still gives us less-pronounced, less flashy law enforcers.

But it’s when they’re shown individually that we get to appreciate them—each is depicted dealing with old traumas and damages, and it’s interesting to see their arcs explore different, potentially disastrous territory this time.

Bedraggled

Farrell’s Ray is, however, somewhat reminiscent of Harrelson’s Marty Hart—he’s a tough dad who avenges his son by mercilessly attacking a bully’s father. A little bedraggled and shifty, Ray is no Rust Cohle (McConaughey), but he’s been through much and is close to self-destructing.

RACHEL McAdams plays a no-nonsense detective in new mystery.

Deglamorized for the role, McAdams gets to do something other than rom-coms this time, which is quite refreshing. As the perpetually frowny and no-nonsense officer, she deals with family issues, and drowns her sorrows after work. She has yet to truly shine, but so far, Ani shows promise.

Kitsch, whose character is also dealing with inner turmoil, provides an intriguing variable that shows potential.

And Vaughn, surprisingly, manages to make us forget that he’s primarily known as a comedy actor these days. The show’s creator-writer Nic Pizzolatto reportedly made the character with him in mind.

Part of what made “True Detective” compelling the first time was the mesmerizing melding of oft-trippy visuals with existential ruminations. And while it has its serious flaws, it was easy to latch on to the tortured characters’ dramas. Rust had his cathartic, provocative declarations, and Marty had his distinct weaknesses, which made them even more absorbing than the case they worked on.

We see that focus on character development here, although it’s deliberately less loud and brash this time. There are, however, some surprises. Episode two has a stunning cliffhanger. And someone is revealed to have had a gay relationship, which explains certain scenes in the first episode.

Leonard Cohen’s rough and creepy “Nevermind,” his old poem-turned-title song, helps set the tone, accompanied by swirly imagery that reminds us that this isn’t the “True Detective” we remember. Comparisons are inescapable, but so far, it manages to be its own creature. It has yet to be memorable; like the first season, there are only eight episodes. It can be an improvement if it gives a better, tighter resolution to its mystery angle than its predecessor.

(“True Detective” airs Mondays, 9 a.m and 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO Go.)

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“MASTERCHEF Australia” judges (from left) Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, George Calombaris

‘MasterChef Australia’

“MasterChef Australia” returns with a fresh group of home cooks that will eagerly tackle challenges for the next MasterChef Australia title.

As working chefs, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris will encourage and challenge contestants. Renowned food writer Matt Preston will share his knowledge and urge contestants to surprise and delight the judges. This season, Shannon Bennett becomes a guest mentor, to guide the amateur cooks through various challenges.

“MasterChef Australia” airs Monday to Friday, 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Lifetime.

‘Modern Family’

The sixth season of “mockumentary” sitcom “Modern Family” airs on 2nd Avenue every Monday, 11:30 p.m.