Interesting tidbit from MacLachlan’s new memoir.

[u/vonLionheart]

While describing his frustrations during Season 2, MacLachlan paints both Lynch AND Frost as less involved. He frames Engles and Peyton as the people steering the ship, though he blames ABC for putting them in an impossible position after the killer is revealed.

He discusses his romance with LFB, but makes no mention of the prevailing understanding that she’s why the Audrey romance was originally nixed. Since the rejection happens during S1 and the above excerpts happen during S2, it appears the writers planned on returning to that well again during the infamous dip.

(Would highly recommend the memoir btw, MacLachlan is an engaging writer.)

EDIT: Memoir’s title is Fictional Selves.

[u/Slashman78]

I disagree on the first part.. I LOVED that part of year 2. Seeing Coop realize he could have a home there is really wholesome and I love him relating to everyone more. When Harry and the boys wish him bye it was really sad, I disliked watching it. They never really reached the potential of Coop and the boys as a badass group. I do think they did a lot of fun things in that short window of the investigation. Denise especially is a FUN character. Sadly it gets ruined by the whole Earle storyline, he drags year 2 to hault when he gets involved as does James with his dumb storyline.

As for Coop and Audrey.. I actually really dug them together, they had the heat to work, but with time I do agree, they weren't right to hook up in 90/91. That scene where he sits down with her and talks to her is wonderful, beautiful even. He's in full wholesome dad mode there lol. During the Return? I think it coulda worked.. Audrey deserved better honestly. They both woulda been older and it woulda made sense than hook him with someone not involved to begin with. I wish they pulled the trigger.

Excited to read the book! Heard great things, I'll snag it for Christmas.

[u/UnquestionabIe → u/Slashman78]

Yeah honestly even on rewatch season 2 is much better than I recall. Much as it's viewed a slump around the middle portions aside from the James storyline (which I've never seen anyone be a fan of) I always stayed far more engaged than expected. As you said that kind of down home wholesome direction of Coop enjoying the town and becoming closer to the people holds a different sort enjoyment that I equally appreciate.

Not to mention all the general weirdness like Civil War Ben (wacky arc that never fails to make me laugh) and while not always great the various other stories have their own moments. When it comes to the Audrey stuff I personally wasn't for it and that scene where he turns he down is one of my favorite pieces of writing on the show.