‘True Detective’ recap: Now it’s Ani and Ray against the world

Special investigators Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) and Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell) find comfort in each other’s arms as they come close to solving a bizarre torture-murder case and exposing widespread government corruption stretching from Vinci to Sacramento.

The odds of Ani and Ray achieving justice – or even living out the week, however – grow increasingly slim on “Black Maps and Motel Rooms,” the penultimate Episode 207 of HBO’s “True Detective.”

The third member of their hush-hush investigative unit, California Highway Patrol Det. Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch), nearly shoots his way out of an ambush but is ultimately gunned down by Lt. Kevin Burris (James Frain) of the rotten-to-the-core Vinci Police Department.

And the official who bravely launched this probe into collusion and homicide, State Atty. Katherine Davis (Michael Hyatt), is murdered while sitting in her car. Ray discovers the body then leaves his fingerprints and tire tracks behind as he flees the crime scene.

Moreover, Ani is the subject of an all-points bulletin after she knifes a security guard in self-defense while posing as a high-priced hooker at a black-tie orgy.

Among those in attendance at the decadent bacchanal were gubernatorial candidate and Atty. Gen. Richard Geldof (C.S. Lee), plus wealthy developers and mobsters planning to cash in on a multibillion-dollar rail project.

“We need an exit strategy – get out of the country,” Ray emphasizes to Ani as they plot their next move in a cheap motel room. “There’s no way they’ll let us go to trial.”

Assuming they don’t become international fugitives, Ray and Ani could gain redemption by turning over piles of evidence they’ve amassed to the FBI.

They also need to track down Erica Jonson (Courtney Halverson), the former secretary to Vinci City Manager Ben Caspere. His brutal slaying set the complicated plot of “True Detective” in motion.

If Ani and Ray are correct, Erica was orphaned 23 years ago when her parents were killed in a jewelry store robbery. Distinctive blue diamonds stolen in the heist could shed light on the Caspere murder while helping convict his sleazy business partner Tony Chessani (Vinicius Machado), the son of drunken Vinci Mayor Austin Chessani (Ritchie Coster).

Ani and Ray aren’t the only ones fighting for survival. Gangster-turned-entrepreneur-turned gangster Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn) is being squeezed by Russian mobster Osif Agronov (Timothy V. Murphy), who’s investing $12 million in a land scheme involving the high-speed rail project.

Osif also plans to take over Frank’s casino and nightclub operations, which are hotbeds of illegal drug sales, prostitution and money laundering. Frank realizes the depth of his predicament after severely beating one of his disloyal henchmen, Blake Churchman (Christopher James Baker).

“They’re taking it all, Frank,” Blake admits, pointing out that Osif and his partners now own the liens on the casino and nightclub. Then, in a desperate bid to save his skin, Blake offers to work against Osif from the inside in a “triple cross.”

Frank’s response? He shoots Blake in the gut, leaving him to die a slow and painful death.

“So what are my prospects, straight up?” Frank asks Osif at their next encounter. Frank can stay on as a salaried manager of the casino and nightclub, Osif offers. But Frank has other ideas.

After shooting one of Osif’s thugs in the head, Frank sets fire to the casino and watches it burn from afar. Frank also has an exit strategy, having purchased tickets to Venezuela for himself and his wife Jordan (Kelly Reilly).

Will Ani, Ray, Frank and Jordan prevail against all odds? Viewers will learn the answers, no doubt, in the 90-minute Season 2 finale.

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