True Detective Season 2: 5 Awesome Moments (And 5 That Sucked)

2. Awesome: Its Depiction Of Women

Probably as a reaction to the criticisms of how women were portrayed in season one—in which they were either big-breasted, beautiful young women ready to fall at the feet of Marty, or sex-workers—season two provides far better roles for a number of female characters (though I still say that Michelle Monaghan's Maggie is one of season one's underrated gems, and far, far from a one-dimensional floozy.)

Most obvious is Rachel McAdams' Ani Bezzerides, who kicks arse as well as any of her male counterparts. She also has a haunted past that adds an element of sexual deviation to her role, ensuring that, of the four leads, she's the one with the most to offer in terms of depth and mystery. 

Add to this her sister, Athena (dig the Grecian vibes)—who, despite being a sex-worker herself, has eyes on an art-school and won't let her current 'job' define her (instead rationalising it)—and you begin to get a sense of how the second season of True Detective attempts to redefine its female characters. It's not all there—and indeed many of the season's female parts are reserved for beautiful, cliche caricatures—but in comparison to season one, it's a major improvement.