Fargo

[DGS49]

The original Fargo movie was one that I almost felt guilty for enjoying. But I did enjoy it, despite the sordid nature of the basic story line. The characters were well-defined, the dialog was entertaining, and all in all it was a pretty good movie.

I watched the first episode of the new TV show, "Fargo," last night, and I honestly don't know why they saw fit to produce it. It comes so close to being a farce that the blood and gore become almost comical. Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

And unlike the movie, there was not a single character who seemed likable or interesting. I understand that with the big promotional buildup and Bill Bob in the lead, a lot of people would have tuned into the Premier. But why would anybody watch Episode 2? To see if it could possibly get any worse?

 

[Boss]

I enjoyed it. The blood and gore are intended to be 'almost comical' in a sense, dark humor. Remember the wood chipper in the movie? I mean, who gets rid of someone like that in real life? In the first episode of Fargo: The Series, the Lester character is bludgeoning his wife and screaming "Aw Jeez!" To me, it's pure dark humor.

I love the show, and I didn't know if I would. I was afraid it would be a campy rip-off of the movie but it's not. They kept the "feeling" of the movie with a new story. Billy Bob's character is off the hook. Creepy doesn't do it justice, he is just sick and twisted. Nobody can do cray-cray like Billy Bob! Martin Freeman's character, well-played and hilarious. The writing has been exceptional and I am looking forward to the next episodes.

I've heard it is going to be "anthem" style, like American Horror Story, a new "story" each season, with new characters in the leads, etc. I think that will be interesting to see if they can pull off.

 

[Politico]

The whole point of the show is that every character is either pathetic or unlikeable. It is not only well done. But plays out with the quality of a 10 hour movie.

 

[Not2BSubjugated]

Yeah, gotta agree that the characters, while not "likeable" people, are entertaining as shit, and Billy Bob's an interesting character to say the least.

The acting has been pretty top notch all around. It's starting out as one of those new breed high end dramas where damn near every single part is cast beautifully. Plus, if everything else about it goes completely to shit, but they can still maintain that uncomfortable intensity every time Billy Bob's on the screen interacting, that alone will be enough to keep me watching.

 

[Politico]

I am getting tired of Nygard. Take the fucking ball out of your hand and it will stop swelling up.

 

[Boss]

I can't believe the IMDb message boards melting down over the damn dog getting killed! Hey, I am a huge dog lover and I deplore real-life mistreatment of animals, but this is a TV show! The dog didn't get killed for real! It just kinda blew my mind there were people calling for the show to be boycotted because of that. The wife gets her skull caved in by a hammer, the sheriff takes a double-barrel to the back and chest and dies gurgling in his own blood, Hess gets a knife in the skull, the other dude gets dropped into the ice hole... and they are freaking out about a dog and they didn't even show him getting killed. Wtf?

 

[Politico]

Well dogs are worth more than people. So I can see it.

 

[Not2BSubjugated]

I'm just tired of people calling for boycotts of art in general. What a dumb fuckin concept.

I don't find it as intrusive as a government backed, legal infringement on free speech, but the fact that people feel the need to economically bully everyone into not saying shit that they find offensive is so self-righteous it makes my fuckin skin crawl.

Can't we not like something without hating it? Why do people find righteous indignation to be such a rewarding sensation?

 

[TwistedSuze13]

I love this Fargo series.
But it's only 10 episodes.
Done in the style of the movie.

I've always liked True Crime and the fact that this is all part of a huge intertwined crime story makes it that much more interesting.....
I couldn't believe Molly didn't ask that surgeon for the shotgun pellet that he took out of Nygaard's hand. He said it had some kind of fabric stuck to it.
It's important evidence, IMO, in that it places where Nygaard was standing when the Sheriff was killed.

I'm really enjoying Billy Bob's portrayal of Malvo.

 

[Boss]

Ep. 8 threw me for a loop. I wasn't expecting the time jump. I personally thought this was brilliant, but some at the IMDb boards were whining and moaning because they missed out on seeing Molly and Gus "fall in love" or whatever. I get why they did this, it is to convey the story in 10 eps, we needed to feel time had passed and people had moved on with their lives.

 

[TwistedSuze13]

Fargo TV Series also has a FB page.

With only one episode left I have been wondering if Lester's nephew, Gordo, will mention seeing his uncle in the house that day Lester planted the evidence and the gun in Gordo's backpack......It was odd with them just looking at each other and then Lester left.
How much does the kid know such as, Lester was supposed to be in the hospital with a police guard on the room the same afternoon that he saw Lester in their house.
......
Was it the very next day after the stuff was planted that the gun in Gordo's backpack went sliding across the floor ?

Did the kid know yet that his dad had written off Lester as a brother and why ?

*
It was Awesome seeing Molly's crime board finally get official recognition and watch Oswalt's bewilderment/embarrassment that the FBI agents were impressed with it.
Altho' they are a couple of dorks.

 

[Boss]

Ep. 9 was awesome. A lot of action and great setup for the finale. I don't know how they are going to wrap the story up in one more hour. I have a hunch that Lester will end up being apprehended while trying to escape, like in the movie. I also think Malvo will die, but in a way that leaves you wondering if he really died. BUT... this show has blown my mind so many times, I wouldn't be surprised if I am totally wrong.

I do get the feeling that Molly and the FBI guys have to be redeemed for the story to have proper closure. I think Lou, her dad, is going to play a pivotal role. Maybe Gordo will as well, but I get the feeling he's just a creepy little weird kid that no one would believe anyway. Then there is the widow Hess and the African exchange student dude... so many loose ends to tie up. What does it all mean?

 

[mayrj]

Just watching ep 9 right now

 

[TwistedSuze13]

The finale is to be an hour and a half....
They mentioned it a few times in ads during the 9th episode.

What a relief !.....I was thinking there were too many loose ends for one hour.

 

[TwistedSuze13]

Just an FYI here:

Molly is portrayed by Allison Tolman.
I just saw an ad about the tv series with comments from many actors in it and I heard Allison say she was from Chicago.

Well, perhaps she has called Chicago home since getting a BFA in theatrical performance at Baylor University, which is in Texas.
Allison was born in Sugarland, TX - immediately SW of Houston.
(Sugarland's city limits now blur with Houston's since Houston has expanded so far out in all directions.)

Allison's page:
Allison Tolman - IMDb


Being a native Texan myself, I just wanted to point that out.

 

[DGS49]

I really hope they don't do what was done with Under the Dome last year.

Somebody should be shot for that one.

 

[DGS49]

I watched the final episode last night (90 minutes, approx.), and it was excellent. All loose ends were tied up; there can be no sequel.


TV as it was meant to be. If you haven't seen it, do.

 

[Boss]

I've been a huge fan of this show all season. I thought it was awesome. Along the way, there were some things that others questioned, like the "fishnado" and Malvo executing an entire underworld gang in a few minutes. I defended those things, excused all kinds of coincidences and unrealistic scenarios. But the way it ended just really bothered me.

Spoiler: SPOILER ALERT!

I did not like the way they killed off Malvo. Having Gus basically execute him as he sat there defenseless and wounded. THEN, to give Gus a citation for bravery, when he should have actually been arrested and tried for murder. We don't have citizens execute people in America, no matter how bad we think they are or what they've done. It wouldn't have taken much more effort to have had Malvo threaten Gus by going for his knife or gun, then Gus kills him in self defense. The way they did it was unsettling to me, it was unethical and wrong. Then they acted like it was no big deal.

Aside from that, it was a great series... but there were several loose ends. Chazz? Mr. Wrench? Widow Hess? Sudanese exchange student? Starvos? Would have liked to have seen more on these. But all in all, it was a great series and a good job of capturing the essence of the movie. It will be interesting to see if they do a Season 2... I've heard it will be "anthology" style, if they do. A new story with new characters.

 

[Harry Dresden]

and it was not based on a true story......i dont know why they put that in there...

 

[Boss]

and it was not based on a true story......i dont know why they put that in there...

It's a parody of the "true crime" story genre. It's sort of a tongue in cheek Coen Bros. joke that apparently goes over a lot of people's head. The movie wasn't based on a true story either. However.... it's a clever play on words when you think about it... Truly, it IS a story. (get it?)