Scriptwriters are very long to “boost”. Until the 9th episode, almost nothing significant for the development of the plot does not happen - some small dramas in the main characters, the suffering and experiences of the relatives of the murdered, senseless suspicions, dull interrogations of clearly innocent suspects ... in general, trampling on the spot. It was necessary to watch the Scandinavian original - the Americans seem to have stretched the plot of one (single) season by two, and did it unsuccessfully.
But it’s kind of not very loading – because the series is full of noir atmosphere of rainy Seattle (I’m not surprised that it became the birthplace of grunge), the actors play well, there are many characters. That's just a dream of all this pulls pretty much - the detective is not enough, drama a lot, but you still expect at least some dynamics, some progress in the investigation. And they all are not and are not, all in the dark, everyone is grieving, the cops also have a difficult fate, and all this floods with rain.
Then the dynamics begin very much, the storylines intertwine, the characters are revealed from an unexpected side - in general, just what was missing for more than half of the first season. And so from the last episodes of the first to the end of the second season - not even a detective, but the most that neither is a thriller.
And the ending is disappointing. It seems that the perpetrators were “pulled by the ears” on the principle that “the killer should be the most inappropriate character for this, so that no one guessed.” “I don’t believe it!” is all I can say. In general, of course, the psychological inauthenticity of the ending deserves a more detailed rendition - but then it would not have been without spoilers.
There is only one conclusion: as I said, I should have seen the original. Maybe the whole story is more convincing?
However, if you like dark criminal riddles and depressive dramas, then the series is quite suitable. The actors are good, especially: Yuel Kinnaman, who played atypical cop Stephen Holden (more like a rapper); Brent Sexton, who played Stan Larson, the father of the murdered Rosie, a rather dangerous man with a criminal past; and Bill Campbell as an adviser to Richmond, one of the main suspects, a strong man, but too straightforward a politician.
Bottom line: up to a certain point - a boring, but atmospheric crime drama, then - a good detective. The denouement, Imho, leaked. If you are interested in the atmosphere and psychology, this is what you need. If you need a twisted plot - it is better to watch "True Detective" or Scandinavian (only Scandinavian!) Bridge. The characters there are no less colorful, and with an atmosphere no worse. And this series is not bad in its own way, but not the best representative of the genre.
P. S.: All of the above concerns the first two seasons, the sequel has not yet seen, maybe the third and will change my opinion. But for now, I don't want to watch it.
7 out of 10
Original