For the past year, I have had friends tell me I have to see this show. Since I missed the first few episodes, I chose not to start it. When it became available on Hulu, I thought I'd give it a shot. Now I am hooked for the second season opener next week. I am a Minnesotan and have been to Fargo many times. My daughter is a graduate of Bemidji State University. I'm not one of those people that gets all bent out of shape concerning the accents and the bucolic atmosphere. There are actually people who speak that way. It's just not as pervasive as they make it out to be. Anyway, "Fargo," the original movie is in my top ten. It is black humor to the highest level. The television series has almost trumped the movie, although it doesn't matter to me one way or the other.
The final episode is priceless. I loved that we weren't left with a narrative hook at the end, forcing us to wait to see how things get sorted out in the next season opener. These are ten tightly crafted and carefully plotted pieces. Some have complained that there aren't a bunch of surprises in the last episode. But this is where the characters have the last word. The new Lester, who couldn't leave well enough alone, puts in play the endgame, by confronting Lorne in Las Vegas. We see two examples of evil: Lorne, who seems beset by devils and Lester, who throws away his own humanity and betrays those who love him, so he can save his own skin. We have the usual assortment of careless, trusting people, who have no idea how ingenious Lorne Malvo is (and how incredibly dangerous). There are those two idiot FBI men who don't have a clue, thinking they are a match for the guy.
The scene where Lorne goes into Lester's house, not knowing that the unbalanced insurance salesman has literally set a trap for him, is priceless. We have the appearance of the white wolf as Gus makes his way to Lorne's hideout. Lorne's face after he is shot is that of a vicious wolf. And, of course, Lester, who has been skating on thin ice for over a year, finally reaches the end of the lake. What a terrific show. I can't imagine how they can match this next year, but I'm hoping it works for them. Can't wait.
The final episode is priceless. I loved that we weren't left with a narrative hook at the end, forcing us to wait to see how things get sorted out in the next season opener. These are ten tightly crafted and carefully plotted pieces. Some have complained that there aren't a bunch of surprises in the last episode. But this is where the characters have the last word. The new Lester, who couldn't leave well enough alone, puts in play the endgame, by confronting Lorne in Las Vegas. We see two examples of evil: Lorne, who seems beset by devils and Lester, who throws away his own humanity and betrays those who love him, so he can save his own skin. We have the usual assortment of careless, trusting people, who have no idea how ingenious Lorne Malvo is (and how incredibly dangerous). There are those two idiot FBI men who don't have a clue, thinking they are a match for the guy.
The scene where Lorne goes into Lester's house, not knowing that the unbalanced insurance salesman has literally set a trap for him, is priceless. We have the appearance of the white wolf as Gus makes his way to Lorne's hideout. Lorne's face after he is shot is that of a vicious wolf. And, of course, Lester, who has been skating on thin ice for over a year, finally reaches the end of the lake. What a terrific show. I can't imagine how they can match this next year, but I'm hoping it works for them. Can't wait.