John McRae TV

Fargo (Season 1) – As Enjoyable as the Film

Rating (4.5 out of 5)

Summary: A fun and entertaining series where you wonder what the bad guys will get away with this episode and hope your favorite good guy doesn’t get killed. I am upset with myself for not watching Fargo earlier, and I am very excited to watch Season 2.

Plot: Lester Nygard (Martin Freeman) accepts the bullying he receives from his wife and former high school acquaintance until he meets Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton). Lorne is a criminal who kills the former high school acquaintance and Lester bashes his wife to death, how will they escape arrest?

Warning: Many people die.

What I Liked:  I enjoyed watching Lester morph from wimp to confident sneak. He squirms his way out of each situation and takes advantage of some. The ultimate demonstration of his metamorphosis occurs when he sets up his second wife. A heartless and cruel act.

FARGO “A Fox, A Rabbit, and A Cabbage” — Episode 109 — Airs Tuesday, June 10, 10:00 pm e/p) — Pictured: (L-R) Jordan Peele as Agent Pepper, Keegan-Michael Key as Agent Budge, Bob Odenkirk as Bill Oswalt, Allison Tolman as Molly Solverson — CR: Chris Large/FX

Lorne Malvo while violent, often talks his way out of situations by describing what he will do. His stories and fast-talking combine forming likable scumbag, but he kills or betrays everyone you want him caught as well.

FARGO “The Rooster Prince” — Episode 102 — Airs Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 pm e/p) — Pictured: Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne Malvo — CR: Chris Large/FX

Abundant and diverse characters are interwoven throughout Fargo and you grow attached too many of them. Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) the policewoman, her dad Lou (Keith Carradine), her boss Bill (Bob Odenkirk), etc. Each character has little side stories or learning. The characters keep the show alive and unpredictable.

FARGO “The Six Ungraspables” — Episode 105 — Airs Tuesday, May 13, 10:00 pm e/p) — Pictured: (L-R) Adam Goldberg as Mr. Numbers, Martin Freeman as Lester Nygaard, Russell Harvard as Mr. Wrench — CR: Chris Large/FX

What I Didn’t Like:  If you stop and look at the realism of crimes and killings, then Fargo becomes categorized as a fantasy. Once you let go of total realism you are free to enjoy the fun the show has to offer.