Fargo (Television Anthology)

[Grover]

Did anybody else watch the premiere last night?

I thought the first 15 minutes with Lester and his wife were a bit overdone, the emasculation was laid on pretty thick, but once he met Lorne in the ER the show picked up.

Fantastic character study, especially considering that the show seems to revolve around a series of events, rather than focusing on the characters who get tangled up in them.

Billy Bob was outstanding as the dark Loki-esque archetype, especially his interaction with Colin Hanks' Duluth Police Officer.

What do you guys thinks?

[stevew]

I thought the first 15 minutes were pretty bad. I doubt that level of bullying exists in the real world. Borderline ludicrous.

I'm really not sure about this series at all, tbh. I kept expecting them to do some sort of flash back or forward as the whole 3rd act of the pilot didn't really seem to make much of any kind of sense with the rest of the show.

[OldGiants]

My wife gave up after 20 minutes, however, I'll give it a lengthier trial this week.

If Martin Freeman were to say, "Elementary, my dear Frodo", I might keep watching.

[Logan]

I thought it was great and am looking forward to the next one. My expectations were pretty low though, so now that my intrigue is up, we'll see how it goes.

[Logan]

Coming back around to this since I just watched the second to last episode last night. Obviously there wasn't much discussion of it around here. I absolutely love this show. In terms of anthologies, I am *enjoying* this a hell of a lot more than I did True Detective, which obviously wins out on some of the more technical aspects and has better nuanced performances. But these episodes push about 1:15 with commercials and they fly to me.

Billy Bob is such an awesome actor.

[Suicane75]

Some of the plot twists and storyline aspects in regard to getting from point A to point B have been a tad silly but the performances are really out of this world. And the tension in this weeks episode was masterful. I'm about as hyped for the finale as I've ever been for any series. I'm almost scared that Tollman or Hanks are gonna bit the dust and I sooooooooooooooo don't want that to happen. Like, I'm legit in invested in them.

[OldGiants]

Yes, this one has been very slow developing at times, but is set up for a finale that should be terrific. There have been several plot threads that appear to have been completely dropped -- Oliver Platt, for one--so I'm always comparing this to LOST as I watch it.

There are lots of little details from the original FARGO movie that get tossed back in, plus supposedly Colin Hanks speaks memorable lines from his dad's famous films, but I'm not an expert on those, so I'll defer to others opinions on that.

Waiting for the DVD and then taking a weekend to watch it would be worth your time.

[stevew]

Finished the 3rd episode, still not even sure if this is a good show.

[OldGiants]

Originally Posted by stevew

Finished the 3rd episode, still not even sure if this is a g
ood show.

Episode 4 is where the pace picks up. Watch that one, and if you still aren't liking it,then quit.

[stevew]

yeah, i noticed that episode 4 was finally interesting enough to perhaps hook me with enough to keep me involved. I think they should have intro'd the ice scraper a few episodes earlier, just to make it more accessible

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by stevew

Finished the 3rd episode, still not even sure if this is a good show.

I am fully up to date.

This show is fantastic.

[stevew]

Liked the DLR plate homage in the last episode. It grew on me over time. I would guess "the money" is open ended enough if they ever wanna do another run of episodes.

[Suicane75]

I'm hoping that next season follows whatever the fuck it was that happened in 79.

[stevew]

The "Fargo Syndicate" takedown sequence wasn't quite MM taking down the stash house in True Detective but I nearly enjoyed it as much.

[chinaski]

Awesome show, my favorite over the last year just behind True Detective.

[Logan]

True Detective or Fargo: Which weird miniseries was better? · Crosstalk · The A.V. Club

[Butter]

Just finished watching this over the weekend, and have to say that I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would going in. Was much more than just a cheap knockoff of the movie, playing up the accents and quirkiness of people in that part of the country. If anything, by the last half of the miniseries, the setting fades mostly into the background.

Billy Bob and Martin Freeman were both great.

[Suicane75]

I think True Detective was clearly better, but I also think it was an all-time great mini series.

[Grover]

Just realized that the money Stavros finds in the 1987 flashback at the beginning of episode four is the same cash hidden by the fence in the film.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Grover

Just realized that the money Stavros finds in the 1987 flashback at the beginning of episode four is the same cash hidden by the fence in the film.

?
How did you miss that?

[Grover]

Originally Posted by stevew

?
How did you miss that?

Was likely half asleep the first time through and didn't connect the dots. Rewatching in preparation for Monday.

[stevew]

I mean, he has the ice scraper framed above his office desk.

I miss stuff like that all the time.

[Grover]

I know! The missus is watching with me, her first viewing. She laughed about the ice scraper in ep 3 and it set the lightbulb off in my head.

[Grover]

Anybody check out the series 2 premiere last night?

Thought it was solid. Trying to figure out who the "Malvo" character will be.

Spoiler

was really disappointed with Kieran Culkin's Rye character was killed off. Thought the role was perfect. Was hoping to see him with an extended run.

[Grover]

I also thought that Kirsten Dunst's character was set up to be the archtype dumb blonde, but that changed very quickly.

[Logan]

Ok then.

[OldGiants]

Originally Posted by Logan

Ok then.

Some deal.

[OldGiants]

This is a really great season so far. Lots of things setup nicely, and lots of interesting bits to resolve.

I think the balloon Molly found at the Waffle Hut will be considered by Lou as the UFO, perhaps incorrectly.

The dialogue with Mike Milligan is setting up his ending, I think. When Lou meets him in the typewriter store, Milligan asks where the typewriter guy is, and Lou uncharacteristically answers, "I saw him at your mother's house. He was going in the back door." Milligan chuckles and says he likes that. In this episode, Dodd's daughter sticks her finger up his butt during sex as a surprise. Milligan thinks about it and says he's not sure he enjoyed it. This after the opening scene in which young Dodd stabs his dad's rival in the back completely unexpectedly. So I think Dodd's daughter is going to betray and kill Milligan. We'll see.

Looking forward to the next episode. Coming attractions showed Bruce Campbell arriving as Ronald Reagan on the campaign trail and 'Ron Swanson' refusing to meet the man who made a movie with a monkey. Also seeing the Reagan SF movie reminds me of how the Left called him 'Ronald Raygun' over the missile shield defense debates.

[AENeuman]

I love this season so much. Great mix of Cohen and Tarantino.