Is Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent already doing what True Detective Season 2 couldn’t?

Presumed Innocent Season 2 is set to come out next year and is already in the right direction, doing what True Detective Season 2 couldn't. Since the start, Presumed Innocent has maintained clarity of vision, narrative focus and tonal coherence, while the HBO TV series' Season 2 was criticized for being overcomplex and overstuffed with too many characters. It had several subplots, such as the corrupt city politics, land deals, cultish crime, and, in addition to this, the personal struggles and inner demons of the characters.

Contrastingly, Presumed Innocent comes with a defined narrative: a murder leading to a clear suspect and the psychological tension of personal and professional space. Let's dive deeper into how Presumed Innocent has done something that the HBO series' Season 2 couldn't.

Here is what makes Presumed Innocent way better than True Detective Season 2

Presumed Innocent simply works on the formula of "Fewer Characters = Sharper Focus". While True Detective Season 2 juggled with too many characters at once with complex intertwining arcs, the Apple TV show was centred on one protagonist in Season 1, and its upcoming season will also primarily revolve around a single protagonist, Leila Reynold. This choice allows a more intimate character study and streamlined narrative.

Secondly, while the anthology format in True Detective allowed a fresh cast and setting, the loss of philosophical depth, cohesive direction, and character chemistry made it feel like a completely different (and weaker) show. Presumed Innocent has even got this right, with a legal thriller forming the core of its stories. It shifts to a new story for its next season, yes, but the essence of the show, its thematic and stylistic elements, among other things, remain the same.

The HBO series becomes plot-heavy in Season 2 with corruption, land grabs, and political deals, while the characters take a backseat. Comparatively, Presumed Innocent, from the beginning, sticks to human stakes, emotional and moral dilemmas, while also tagging the legal consequences along. As far as the various updates regarding Season 2 are concerned, this will not change in the next season either. Therefore, this makes it more engaging and less bloated.

Presumed Innocent's single lead formula serves as a stronger anchor point than the multiple-popular-actors formula of True Detective Season 2

The HBO series' Season 2 comes with a list of popular cast members, such as Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, among others; however, these actors seem to be underutilised or miscast. On the other hand, the Apple TV+ show's Season 2 cast includes Rachel Brosnahan, who is known for playing complex and layered characters, perfect for a show like that.

True Detective Season 1 was a success, and it worked because of the Rustin Cohle–Marty Hart dynamic. It was again backed by personal backstories, connected with the central mystery. Season 2 tried to replicate this with a three-protagonist formula, but their arcs felt fragmented and undercooked. Further, the show lacked the haunting, philosophical mood that made Season 1 so immersive in its second season. Contrastingly, Presumed Innocent has a consistent visual tone, which makes its world more focused and concentrated on crucial elements.

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