by Graham Osborne
Following from last week’s rather tame episode, Fargo forgoes the metaphorical frying pan, in favour of throwing everything straight into the fire to heighten the tension. Not unlike the fish in the opening scene.
Following from last week’s rather tame episode, Fargo forgoes the metaphorical frying pan, in favour of throwing everything straight into the fire to heighten the tension. Not unlike the fish in the opening scene.
The episode draws many parallels between the film as Malvo enacts his blackmail plot against Stavros and clears up any witnesses to the deed. It’s a stark reminder of how little thought Malvo gives to the lives of anyone other than himself, and of how calmly he covers all situations as they arise. Despite his immoral acts, it’s hard not to feel concern during the final part of the episode as he has to deal with some consequences of his actions.
Lester is in a similar predicament, albeit dealing with it with a much less rational approach in comparison. His convoluted plot to escape the hospital feels like it would only work in the fictional world of film and television, with several people holding the proverbial idiot ball for such a feat to be successful. It rivals the majority of the Bemidji police force in terms of stupidity and dumb-luck (although a lot of police officers were likely carrying the aforementioned idiot ball to let the incident happen). Ultimately, despite the thrill of him possibly being discovered, the entire adventure seems to meander slightly, although there is a theory that Lester may have done more than just attempt to exonerate himself during the snowstorm. But that’s for another time.
Lester is in a similar predicament, albeit dealing with it with a much less rational approach in comparison. His convoluted plot to escape the hospital feels like it would only work in the fictional world of film and television, with several people holding the proverbial idiot ball for such a feat to be successful. It rivals the majority of the Bemidji police force in terms of stupidity and dumb-luck (although a lot of police officers were likely carrying the aforementioned idiot ball to let the incident happen). Ultimately, despite the thrill of him possibly being discovered, the entire adventure seems to meander slightly, although there is a theory that Lester may have done more than just attempt to exonerate himself during the snowstorm. But that’s for another time.
Detectives Grimly and Solverson aren’t given masses of screentime, however they are caught up in a final act twist that will tug at your heartstrings. The only problem with the occurrence of events is that they have happened at too random a point in the story arc to stick. Had they occurred later in the series, or had there been other characters following similar plot points, the entire sequence could have taken on a very different, more sinister feel. As it stands (and with the added benefit of hindsight) things will likely return to normal within a couple of episodes for the finale. However, the writers may choose to make a complete turnaround and stick with a different version of events, turning the entire series on its head.
Overall, the episode is a fantastically tense, well written and acted delight. There are one or two points that require a small suspension of disbelief, but nothing that ultimately doesn’t seem too unbelievable.
Overall, the episode is a fantastically tense, well written and acted delight. There are one or two points that require a small suspension of disbelief, but nothing that ultimately doesn’t seem too unbelievable.
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