I can't help but recommend Kirsten Dunst for an Emmy. I mean, her performance as Peggy Blomquist is stunning. She rises and falls with an emotional barrage that is masterful. Most of the episode takes place in a lake cabin on Lake Vermillion. The Blomquists are holding Dodd Gerhardt hostage and are trying to figure out a way to use him to allow them to get back to normal. Of course, he is villainous to a T and isn't the perfect guest. The fact that giving him up will get the rest of the clan to say, "OK. We'll leave you alone," is ludicrous. Ed keeps going to the gas station to make phone calls. The only one he gets is the psycho, Mike Milligan, and he offers the same deal to him to get the Gerhardts off his back. Peggy tortures Dodd for his "bad manners." Everything is converging now and we have but two episodes left to go. I am so sad that this is going to end and we'll have to wait another year.
19 Reviews
Fargo effortlessly outshines any other show on TV with this unbelievably tense episode.
TouchTheGarlicProduction30 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
What an episode! The tension was unrelenting, mounting constantly. The last ten minutes of the episode left me quaking in fear, and we haven't even gotten to the massive bloodbath that is clearly coming at the end of the season. The "massacre at Sioux falls" that was mentioned in season 1.
The thing that's truly amazing is how they managed to accomplish this so effortlessly. The directing of each episode, especially the opening scenes is getting stranger every episode. This opening scene depicts Peggy losing her sanity, a trend that continues through the episode. At this point, it would be very easy to hate the Blomquists and find them annoying, but the directors, writers, and actors did a phenomenal job here making them sympathetic.
This episode showed me that the Gerhardt drama scenes are the weakest part of the season. Their absence here really shows the fact that they were the weakest link. There's also the fact that the teen Gerhardt is now gone. Her story felt a bit too repetitive.
The chronology of the episode was very neat. The split-screen aspect almost made this episode feel like a comic. There's an incredible scene involving a phone. Overall, truly amazing work from everyone involved.
The thing that's truly amazing is how they managed to accomplish this so effortlessly. The directing of each episode, especially the opening scenes is getting stranger every episode. This opening scene depicts Peggy losing her sanity, a trend that continues through the episode. At this point, it would be very easy to hate the Blomquists and find them annoying, but the directors, writers, and actors did a phenomenal job here making them sympathetic.
This episode showed me that the Gerhardt drama scenes are the weakest part of the season. Their absence here really shows the fact that they were the weakest link. There's also the fact that the teen Gerhardt is now gone. Her story felt a bit too repetitive.
The chronology of the episode was very neat. The split-screen aspect almost made this episode feel like a comic. There's an incredible scene involving a phone. Overall, truly amazing work from everyone involved.
Once again I score a 10 out of 10
WalterSoprano30 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I know, I'm a poet and I didn't know it. Man oh man I know I may be a bit repetitive now but I've got to say it, I love this show. This episode we got the perspective of Ed and Peggy after Peggy zapped Dodd with his prod (ooh that's 3 rhymes now). It fills in all the gaps of what we missed while we were following the other characters in episode 7 and goes even further. This episode sports plenty of humorous scenes such as Peggy poking fun with Dodd and teaching him manners. We also see how nutty Peggy can be.
There was quite a bit of character development with the mysterious Hanzee, he doesn't take kindly to prejudice, we got that message loud and clear when he goes to a bar and towards the end of the episode in one of the most shocking developments yet, plus he had a scene reminiscent of No country for old men. The ending of this episode got my heart pumping to say the least and let's not forget that Mike Milligan is on his way to Sioux Falls. Only 2 episodes left to wrap things up and I hope they pull it off well because this is one of the best seasons of television I've seen this year and in quite a while. I hope this provides use and enjoy the show.
There was quite a bit of character development with the mysterious Hanzee, he doesn't take kindly to prejudice, we got that message loud and clear when he goes to a bar and towards the end of the episode in one of the most shocking developments yet, plus he had a scene reminiscent of No country for old men. The ending of this episode got my heart pumping to say the least and let's not forget that Mike Milligan is on his way to Sioux Falls. Only 2 episodes left to wrap things up and I hope they pull it off well because this is one of the best seasons of television I've seen this year and in quite a while. I hope this provides use and enjoy the show.
Constantly funny and unpredictable
TheDonaldofDoom3 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
In the funniest episode of the season, the focus shifts from the turf war to Ed and Peggy's situation and it's all the better for it, delivering an episode as funny as Season 1's pilot or even funnier. The main reason for this has to be Peggy. She's certainly been a unique person throughout the season but this time she blossoms into something else altogether in a hilarious way. Even Dodd, who isn't exactly the nicest person around, pleads with Ed "she's crazy!" The way she stabs him twice while talking the way she does about all that actualising nonsense is frightening and funny. At the same time as Ed is thinking about the real-world ramifications of their situation, she's mad with excitement. Well, I'd argue she's mad full stop. The way she hurts Dodd is hesitant enough that it's not quite sadistic but eager enough that it's definitely not sane. Simply put, this episode has marked her as my new favourite character, Kirsten Dunst playing the role beautifully.
The episode wouldn't be the same without Dodd either. After appearing a genuinely sick and brutal guy, the way he changes when captive is comical. He's not crying about it, he's not raging about it, he just keeps saying "oh man" in that impressively reedy voice of his. And when he manages to escape, it seems perfect for his own stupidity to (again) allow his captors to get the better of him.
And Hanzee, the other major player in this episode, is the final one who decides its fate. It's cool enough seeing him shoot up a bar for the way he's treated for being an Indian but he decides to rail against his master when Dodd treats him the exact same way. When he asks Peggy to cut his hair, sure that's because he's on the run but I think it speaks another truth- that to be accepted by people he has to hide his identity.
What the hell is going to happen next? How will Lou and Hank react to the sight of Dodd's dead body? What blatant lie with Ed and Peggy invent to cover up the truth? What will Hanzee do? So many questions.
The episode wouldn't be the same without Dodd either. After appearing a genuinely sick and brutal guy, the way he changes when captive is comical. He's not crying about it, he's not raging about it, he just keeps saying "oh man" in that impressively reedy voice of his. And when he manages to escape, it seems perfect for his own stupidity to (again) allow his captors to get the better of him.
And Hanzee, the other major player in this episode, is the final one who decides its fate. It's cool enough seeing him shoot up a bar for the way he's treated for being an Indian but he decides to rail against his master when Dodd treats him the exact same way. When he asks Peggy to cut his hair, sure that's because he's on the run but I think it speaks another truth- that to be accepted by people he has to hide his identity.
What the hell is going to happen next? How will Lou and Hank react to the sight of Dodd's dead body? What blatant lie with Ed and Peggy invent to cover up the truth? What will Hanzee do? So many questions.
Aw, geez!
Mr-Fusion26 March 2017
And just like that, the Blumquists (Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons) have gone from fringe color to key players. I know I've complained about them before, and I should've known they'd become so much more important (c'mon, it's Fargo we're talking about here). 'Loplop' proved me way off. More than that, Dunst turns in one of the best performances; the show's daffiest character is given time to really shine and becomes a real source of humor.
And that mixes superbly with violence and unbelievable tension. Major threats give way to uncertainty (with a major character now dead, where do Peggy and Ed go from here?).
The writing here is fantastic and it's a testament to that that being confined to a cabin in the woods with two oddball characters makes for amazing television.
10/10
And that mixes superbly with violence and unbelievable tension. Major threats give way to uncertainty (with a major character now dead, where do Peggy and Ed go from here?).
The writing here is fantastic and it's a testament to that that being confined to a cabin in the woods with two oddball characters makes for amazing television.
10/10
Excellent in every way!
i-756572 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The whimsical situations are the best so far!
The kidnapping of Gerhardt and the dialogs in the lodge are so funny. And it's suspenseful at the same time.
The music, the camera work, the editing, the acting, everything is perfect. And the tiny details pointing to the "Native" theme: hangman with "Sioux Falls" in the phone booth, shots in the knees (= "wounded knee") of racist guys...
The best series since Breaking Bad, but with much more humor!
In my opinion it's even better than the first season which doesn't happen that often with TV-shows. Think of "Heroes" or "Lost"...
The kidnapping of Gerhardt and the dialogs in the lodge are so funny. And it's suspenseful at the same time.
The music, the camera work, the editing, the acting, everything is perfect. And the tiny details pointing to the "Native" theme: hangman with "Sioux Falls" in the phone booth, shots in the knees (= "wounded knee") of racist guys...
The best series since Breaking Bad, but with much more humor!
In my opinion it's even better than the first season which doesn't happen that often with TV-shows. Think of "Heroes" or "Lost"...
Finest Hour of Television.
eldreddsouza19 January 2021
Perfect blend of comedy & drama
alisont-2975724 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This has got to be one of the funniest, yet tense episodes of all the Fargo episodes. Jeffrey Donovan and Kirsten Dunst are utterly brilliant in the cabin.
The way the "foot's on the other shoe" 😂🤣🤣, with the misogynistic Dodd all tied up by the totally deluded Peggy calling the shots, is hilarious. I can't remember how many times I've noted the time on this scene to rewatch, but it never ceases to make me laugh out loud. It's superbly scripted, acted and is an intelligent and thoughtful plot twist. So good to see Dodd taken down by a "girl"!
I don't know who taught these actors the Minnesotan dialect, but these two have been A* students.
The tension is building in other areas...Ed is using his bargaining chip to his advantage. And Patrick Wilson & Ted Danson are a prize-winning duo - perfect foils for each other.
I do love this Season. I still cannot decide whether I prefer Billy Bob's laconic baddie to the more garrulous Jeffrey Donovan's baddie. Perhaps they're just both 10/10 but completely different personalities?!
Excellent.
Man I love this episode so much
joelferguson989 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The constant humour and seriousness was just amazing. I loved the whole comical stabbing scene and then the Indian part where he walks in with this:
Indian- "thinking of getting a hair cut." Peggy- "How do ya?" Indian- "Something professional, shorter like on the sides and back" Peggy- "Well I mean, you've got the bone structure" 😁
One of the funniest and intense episodes ever
Indian- "thinking of getting a hair cut." Peggy- "How do ya?" Indian- "Something professional, shorter like on the sides and back" Peggy- "Well I mean, you've got the bone structure" 😁
One of the funniest and intense episodes ever
I wish I could give it more than 10
gedikreverdi25 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Ed the butcher and Peggy the hostage stabber at their cabins in the woods in Rushmore. Hanzee and the way he deals with those racist rednecks are amazing. It gets so tense towards the end. Peggy made me laugh a few times. This is one of the finest shows I have watched so far and this second season is at least as good as the first one.
The Calm Before the Storm
ThomasDrufke1 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This show is so entertaining that a rather slow episode like this one is as interesting if not more than some of the previous episodes with plenty of action and drama. 'Loplop' wasn't without flaws though. It saw a few character twists that weren't necessarily welcome for my liking, and maybe a little bit too much Blumquist's, but the direction by Keith Gordon kept the episode moving forward.
We began with Peggy as she held Dodd hostage in their basement. I welcomed the idea of Peggy taking down Dodd a few weeks back, but I think this episode turned Dodd into too much of a regular guy. What I mean by that is that Dodd has been the most frightening villain the show has had, perhaps even more so than Malvo of last season, but tying him up and humanizing him a bit here felt strange. Plus, killing him off with still a few episodes left was a bit disappointing.
Peggy was already a little bit off to begin the season, but it was interesting to see her go almost complete psycho in her own sort of way. Watching her so effortlessly stab Dodd just for making snotty remarks was both disturbing and haunting. She seemed to enjoy the power she had. Of course that power was taken by her distraction to the black and white film she was watching while Dodd untied himself. I really liked how that was not only distracting to her but it also took the audiences minds off Dodd for a bit, only to find out he was planning his escape. It's also worth mentioning how well the split screens were used in this episode. It took awhile for me to get used to them but I now see the importance and effectiveness of using them.
Having so much screen time for the Blumquists meant sacrificing time for others. We left off the episode last week by having Betsy find hundreds of papers with symbols on them and presumably her passing out. But we didn't get even a glimpse of that this week. That for one was pretty disappointing. With that said, we did have plenty of great Hanzee moments. Going from his nonchalant kills at the bar to his calmness asking for a haircut from Peggy is the perfect character arc Fargo is so great at pulling off. So in all, a calmer and less eventful episode served as a solid lead off to a hopefully epic final two episodes.
+Hanzee
+Peggy's come a long way
+Split screen use
-Didn't pick up from where we left Betsy
-Dodd wasted
8.0/10
We began with Peggy as she held Dodd hostage in their basement. I welcomed the idea of Peggy taking down Dodd a few weeks back, but I think this episode turned Dodd into too much of a regular guy. What I mean by that is that Dodd has been the most frightening villain the show has had, perhaps even more so than Malvo of last season, but tying him up and humanizing him a bit here felt strange. Plus, killing him off with still a few episodes left was a bit disappointing.
Peggy was already a little bit off to begin the season, but it was interesting to see her go almost complete psycho in her own sort of way. Watching her so effortlessly stab Dodd just for making snotty remarks was both disturbing and haunting. She seemed to enjoy the power she had. Of course that power was taken by her distraction to the black and white film she was watching while Dodd untied himself. I really liked how that was not only distracting to her but it also took the audiences minds off Dodd for a bit, only to find out he was planning his escape. It's also worth mentioning how well the split screens were used in this episode. It took awhile for me to get used to them but I now see the importance and effectiveness of using them.
Having so much screen time for the Blumquists meant sacrificing time for others. We left off the episode last week by having Betsy find hundreds of papers with symbols on them and presumably her passing out. But we didn't get even a glimpse of that this week. That for one was pretty disappointing. With that said, we did have plenty of great Hanzee moments. Going from his nonchalant kills at the bar to his calmness asking for a haircut from Peggy is the perfect character arc Fargo is so great at pulling off. So in all, a calmer and less eventful episode served as a solid lead off to a hopefully epic final two episodes.
+Hanzee
+Peggy's come a long way
+Split screen use
-Didn't pick up from where we left Betsy
-Dodd wasted
8.0/10
The best episode this season so far, the second series finally starts to deliver the Fargo factor!
shweta-5165728 February 2021
Alright, finally an episode this season that I really truly enjoyed!
Not sure what went wrong this entire season, but I found this season quite lacklustre when compared to season 1. Not because the plot wasnt engaging, its fantastic. Great supporting cast as well, fantastic music and overall execution. However, it sadly feels like something has been missing the whole time. But this episode finally delivers the Fargo factor. Absolutely enjoyed this episode, probably the best episode this entire season so far!
Cant wait to see who comes out on top at the end.
Not sure what went wrong this entire season, but I found this season quite lacklustre when compared to season 1. Not because the plot wasnt engaging, its fantastic. Great supporting cast as well, fantastic music and overall execution. However, it sadly feels like something has been missing the whole time. But this episode finally delivers the Fargo factor. Absolutely enjoyed this episode, probably the best episode this entire season so far!
Cant wait to see who comes out on top at the end.
This episode is not to be needed
spinoff7514 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
It's cool see a flashback with the other side of the story but one hour episode to see it? Come on. It looks the story were short to complete ten episodes of the season and made this (that perfectly can be a escene or two inside another episode) cabin hiding for Ed and his wife. Besides the stabbing to Dodd and his execution for Hanzee, that's it.
Starts to crumble
dierregi28 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Just when I thought the story was picking up, we're back with Ed and Peggy and the need for a massive dose of suspended disbelief.
A couple of weird and - possibly - inexplicable things happens in this episode. First, when Dodd frees himself he does not kill Peggy. I found that out of character. He just needed to get rid of her and then eliminate Ed, whichever way he preferred. But the plot needs to follow another track (i.e. even the stupidest people can fool hardened criminals... or something..)
Second weird plot turn: Hanzee decides he has enough of his master. That is totally out of the blue and again, seems like a cheap plot device. No real "development", but surprise for surprise sake. Also, once more Ed and Peggy escape death.
It's like one of those super-heroes movies where the main characters are indestructible, no matter what...
A couple of weird and - possibly - inexplicable things happens in this episode. First, when Dodd frees himself he does not kill Peggy. I found that out of character. He just needed to get rid of her and then eliminate Ed, whichever way he preferred. But the plot needs to follow another track (i.e. even the stupidest people can fool hardened criminals... or something..)
Second weird plot turn: Hanzee decides he has enough of his master. That is totally out of the blue and again, seems like a cheap plot device. No real "development", but surprise for surprise sake. Also, once more Ed and Peggy escape death.
It's like one of those super-heroes movies where the main characters are indestructible, no matter what...
Fargo: S2E8 "Loplop" Review - King Cadmium
kingcadmium14 March 2022
Ed and Peggy hold Dodd hostage in a secluded cabin and try to strike up a deal with the Gerhardts, while Hanzee attempts to hunt them down.
What I Liked:
The cinematography is solid, and each scene perfectly implements its well-crafted and memorable music score. On top of that, each actor gives a strong performance, especially Jeffrey Donovan.
Hanzee has become perhaps the best character this season, having killed those who mocked him in the bar and then Dodd. His character arc has been terrific thus far.
What I Disliked:
Each scene with Peggy is noticeably uninteresting, especially compared to the other storylines this season. She is not likable or intriguing enough to warrant the amount of screen time she receives.
Dodd not killing Peggy after freeing himself made absolutely no sense. Why would he keep her alive and allow her the chance to attack him? Plot armour?
Overall:
Fargo comes through with yet another high-quality episode. One can surmise we are leading toward an epic climax & conclusion.
8/10
King Cadmium.
What I Liked:
The cinematography is solid, and each scene perfectly implements its well-crafted and memorable music score. On top of that, each actor gives a strong performance, especially Jeffrey Donovan.
Hanzee has become perhaps the best character this season, having killed those who mocked him in the bar and then Dodd. His character arc has been terrific thus far.
What I Disliked:
Each scene with Peggy is noticeably uninteresting, especially compared to the other storylines this season. She is not likable or intriguing enough to warrant the amount of screen time she receives.
Dodd not killing Peggy after freeing himself made absolutely no sense. Why would he keep her alive and allow her the chance to attack him? Plot armour?
Overall:
Fargo comes through with yet another high-quality episode. One can surmise we are leading toward an epic climax & conclusion.
8/10
King Cadmium.
Following women's decisions.
mgidb4 September 2019
Formulaic Nonsense
Warin_West-El5 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode (Episode Eight) follows the exact same underlying structure as Season 1 - Episode Eight!
Both seasons, Episode Eight is nothing but a FILLER episode. Both seasons during episode eight someone is watching television. Show Peggy watching TV - Fine. But then don't cut to the television program FOR A FULL THREE MINUTES just to fill up screen time. The writers did the same thing last season. The only difference was they split the screen time into two shorter segments of the television program instead of one long segment.
And what IS it with the bathroom scenes? This time in episode 8 we have Ed helping Dodd to take a pee break. It would seem the writer made a bet with someone to see how many bathroom scenes and puke scenes they could jam in each season.
Furthermore, this episode suffers from Engrenages syndrome: a plot that relies upon people doing extraordinarily stupid things to advance the story. The writers expect us to believe that Dodd freed himself without Peggy even noticing. Moreover, that Dodd didn't instantly kill Peggy once he got free.
This is truly a brain-dead episode. The writers presented the same gags employed in episode eight of the previous season using different characters. It was Formulaic Nonsense.
Both seasons, Episode Eight is nothing but a FILLER episode. Both seasons during episode eight someone is watching television. Show Peggy watching TV - Fine. But then don't cut to the television program FOR A FULL THREE MINUTES just to fill up screen time. The writers did the same thing last season. The only difference was they split the screen time into two shorter segments of the television program instead of one long segment.
And what IS it with the bathroom scenes? This time in episode 8 we have Ed helping Dodd to take a pee break. It would seem the writer made a bet with someone to see how many bathroom scenes and puke scenes they could jam in each season.
Furthermore, this episode suffers from Engrenages syndrome: a plot that relies upon people doing extraordinarily stupid things to advance the story. The writers expect us to believe that Dodd freed himself without Peggy even noticing. Moreover, that Dodd didn't instantly kill Peggy once he got free.
This is truly a brain-dead episode. The writers presented the same gags employed in episode eight of the previous season using different characters. It was Formulaic Nonsense.
1979
tiersofjoy21 December 2021
No such thing as global warming in the 70's. The big fear was global cooling.
The market and pay phone are spot on. Accents and racism feel exaggerated. Gas had just tripled in price to $1 a gallon. So fast the pumps didn't have 3 spaces. The 1 got taped on.
The market and pay phone are spot on. Accents and racism feel exaggerated. Gas had just tripled in price to $1 a gallon. So fast the pumps didn't have 3 spaces. The 1 got taped on.
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