'True Detective' Season 2: HBO Exec Promises 'Satisfying' Ending; Can Finale Redeem Underwhelming Series?

Put simply, Season 2 of HBO's "True Detective" has not been as good as Season 1. Even fans willing to defend the quality of the popular crime series' sophomore run admit that Season 2 can not hold a candle so far to the show's Emmy-winning debut season. However, Season 2 could deliver in one area where, for many, Season 1 fell short -- giving viewers a satisfying ending.

Thursday, during the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo talked to press about his views on the season's quality and how fans will react to the ending.

"Nic Pizzolatto is one of the best writers working in television and motion pictures today," said Lombardo of the "True Detective" showrunner, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "I think he takes a big swing. I think the show ends with as satisfying an end as any show I've seen."

Lombardo went on to say that viewers should withold judgement until after the last episode.

"I think the show works," Lombardo said, according to Entertainment Weekly. "I think you need to watch the entirety of it. I have and I think it's enormously satisfying."

That would be a welcome change from Season 1's lackluster ending, which left many fans wanting more. The series some of the season’s biggest questions unanswered, including whethere or not Erroll Childress' (Glenn Fleshler) actions were part of a greater conspiracy involving the Yellow King cult and a pedophile ring (not to mention who or what even was the Yellow King exactly). Fans also never learned if Marty’s (Woody Harrelson) daughter Audrey (Erin Moriarty) was connected to the Yellow King cult, after many subtle hints indicated a link.

Season 1 opted for a character driven ending, but for fans who had been sucked in by the mystery, endlessly debating theories online for weeks, that was not enough. If Season 2 can wrap up its own mystery, as well as deliver a satisfying ending for its characters' stories, that could go a long way towards shifting public opinion about the season's quality.

Will the "True Detective" finale make up for the often frustrating second season? Fans will have to wait to find out. "True Detective" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO.