True Detective vs. Fargo

[StraxStrax]

So I didn't watch the shows when they aired last year but during the last 14 days I've watched both shows, back to back. Of course they both have really different tones but since they are two critically acclaimed "cop" shows that debuted last year and have a one season story arc it kinda makes sense talking about them together in some form, even if its just a vs. contest.

True Detective is one of the best produced shows ever, everything feels right. It mostly well shot and of course the acting is fantastic on a technical level. Having said all that I didn't care for the characters at all. Rustin talking all that faux intellectual and Martin being a cliché cop that drinks, cheats and has anger issues. I never got invested with anything that didn't directly involve the case and that was such a big part of the season I was really tempted to fast forward at times. Since they got a new cast and new story next season I'll check it out but I hope the characters will be more exciting or if they are gonna keep it so "subtle" they gotta be better written.

Fargo on the other hand is "just" good on the production side and the stuff I felt True Detective is great at but the characters are so great. Every minor character jumps off the screen and feels like a really person, but a little exaggerated, and because of that little story flops like Stavros money are forgiven.

Just some thoughs

And now we vote

 

[TheGodling]

True Detective wins for me. While I can agree with your assessment, the part you mentioned about Fargo with the Stavros money subplot weighed heavily on my pick. It was basically a bunch of pointless filler to (loosely) tie the show to the movie and dragged it down a bit, at least enough for me to give the nod to True Detective.

 

[Big Mel]

True Detective and it isn't at all close. Fargo was ass.

 

[FlyRy]

True Detective and it isn't at all close. Fargo was ass.

Fargo was not ass.

I enjoyed both but Fargo was more fun and im more excited for s2 of that one than td

 

[Big Mel]

Fargo was not ass.

I enjoyed both but Fargo was more fun and im more excited for s2 of that one than td

Goofy fan fiction. Billy Bob on AIDS swag dragging people around? Ok, sure.

 

[Bobhoward]

I think S1 of True Detective blows Fargo out of the water

But I think future seasons of Fargo will be better than future True Detective. I'm just not feeling that great about what we've seen and heard of True Detective S2. (Multiple directors, none of which are on the level of Cary Fukunaga, much weaker starring actors, no occult themes). I'm sure it'll be "good" just not anywhere close to S1.

Everything I've heard of Fargo S2 sounds great.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

As the season went on, no longer could I ignore what had been staring me in the face all along - a diluted, slapped together collage of Coen brothers' pieces. True Detective by default.

 

[StraxStrax]

Funny that nobody says what was good about True Detective

 

[TheGodling]

Funny that nobody says what was good about True Detective

You pretty much nailed it when you said:

True Detective is one of the best produced shows ever, everything feels right. It mostly well shot and of course the acting is fantastic on a technical level. Having said all that I didn't care for the characters at all. Rustin talking all that faux intellectual and Martin being a cliché cop that drinks, cheats and has anger issues. I never got invested with anything that didn't directly involve the case and that was such a big part of the season I was really tempted to fast forward at times.

Except I don't agree with the bolded since I cared a lot for Rust and Marty's antics and thought they made great, captivating protagonists.

 

[yoyoyo1]

Fargo was fantastic, but ultimately it missed being something really special. Like people praising Breaking Bad, yet something like The Sopranos ultimately being an all-time classic.

There's another extra level present in True Detective. Fargo is good action, but True Detective is art. If that makes sense. But they are both fantastic.

 

[labelplant]

I haven't seen Fargo.
True detective the beginning was kind of slow at times but once that all time great scene happened.
You know Which one with rust in a shootout, single take.
After that I was hooked but than the ending was kind of disappointing.
Acting was incredible though

 

[the elastic]

Fargo. TD too slow.

 

[Lootpack]

Two crime dramas with two entirely different styles of telling their stories. Fargo has been more consistent to me though, with S4 being the only season I haven’t taken a liking to.