Fargo | Season 2
Fargo, the 1996 film by the Coen Brothers, is a dark comedy I often reminisce about, quite fondly. But when the network decided to make a tv show in 2015 based on the film, I was skeptical, as the film set a pretty high bar and it wouldn't do if the show left a sour taste in my mouth. However, the show creators managed to put forth something worthwhile and similar to the film in many regards. Fargo's first season was a prime example of greatness on TV and made almost everyone happy. Anyway, I didn't get to see the second season at that time—postponed it and later forgot.
A few days ago, I was craving something specific. A show or a movie made in a small town, there's gotta be a mystery of sort, a detective and some dead bodies. Sort of a Twin Peaks vibe. And I remembered Fargo matches the requirement.
Like the first season, the second season also has its self-contained narrative. But it is a prequel, takes place around the same places— Fargo, North Dakota, Minnesota where a triple murder incident sets of a brutal mob war in a quiet town. I kinda find it funny that the show starts with "this is based on real events" at the beginning of every single episode. Of course, they are using it as a gimmick. It is a false claim. An homage to the original film, which also had the claim and also a falsified one. Coen brothers wanted to give the film a mystified aura.
The pilot episode of the second season covers the entire story well enough. What it is about, who are the players, and what conflicts they are likely to have — these are laid open.
The Gerhardts, a Fargo-based crime family, has a problem. The patriarch had a heart attack and taking advantage of this opportunity, the Kansas city Mafia wants to acquire them—buying them out or burying them to the ground, whatever works.
Meanwhile, the youngest of the Gerhardt family kills a few people at a dining place and accidentally gets run over by a town beautician—who with the help of her husband, the town butcher, disposes of the body.
Now, the town authority, the sheriff, and a state trooper is looking for the killer of the dining place killing, and the Gerhardt family is looking for the killer as he's missing, and the Kansas City mafia is looking for the killer, to exploit the Gerhardt family, and the town beautician-butcher couple who killed the killer is trying to cover up. And a dead-pan veil of dark comedy keeps things engulfed all the while.
Ah, so very Fargo-ish!
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There's an impressive array of characters, portrayed by some tested cast. Floyd Gerhardt (Jean Smart) stands out. She is the matriarch of the Gerhardt family, now that her husband is indisposed. Imagine a woman as a mafia boss and in the 70s! The character comes off
as a hard-boiled iron lady, one who will silently demand your submission while she decides the fate of the organization.
On the other side of the spectrum, Kristen Dunst plays Peggy, the town beautician. Who's infected with positivity and self-help crap. I say infected because "yes, you can" "become yourself" "actualize yourself" "be the better version of you" etc are truly the toxic social viruses that self-help gurus spread to earn their bread while robbing people blind. Now, when the entire town is thrown into mayhem and death, Peggy wants to self-actualize and be a better person! Such an annoying (and powerful villain) character, I haven't seen in a while. Kristen Dunst does a great job portraying Peggy, but that's expected, she's proven herself many times over.
The red Indian enforcer Hanzee in Gerhardt family rank, played by Zahn McClarnon, who exuberates confidence and death. You want something done, you send Hanzee. This character undergoes a transformation throughout the show.
The most transformative character is the second son of the family, Bear Gerhardt, played by Angus Sampson. His becoming a leader in the true sense was a delight to see.
Mike Milligan, played by Bokeem Woodbine, is the emissary of the Kansas City Mafia. Adept villain and aptly acted, although as far as I remember, I've only seen this actor playing similar roles. He failed to surprise me in this case.
There are some satisfying gun battles, along with a murder spree. One thing leads to another and that thing results in something else — this is how the narrative progresses and I adore it. Reminds me of Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels by Guy Ritchie, albeit a tad bit slow burn. The comedy is there though.
Actually, after seeing Fargo S2, I went to look for something similar. Interconnected events and a lot of body counts. I didn't find anything that I haven't watched already. Any suggestion is welcome anent such a show or a film.
Of course, there's Fargo S3 but I'm not impressed by the pilot episode.
You can read more of my film and literature related articles on my hive blog page.
Dark comedy is something I watch not often. Thing is, not enough hours in the day for me to watch except Sundays! 😀
I like Mafia themed films and series. Will you say the Fargo tv series is a continuation of the 1996 film or totally different plot? I'll check it out. I could start watching maybe an episode a day? That will be a crawl! 😅
I love dark comedies. Can't get enough of them. :) One of my most favorite genre for sure.
No, the tv series has nothing to do with the movie. And each season of the tv show is also separate.
When I watch these things, I go on binge watching. Many episodes a day!
Did you see the new Utopia on Amazon Prime (there's an older British version too)? Not as good as Fargo, but I found it enjoyable.
I've seen the pilot episode of the old British one, and quite some time ago. I remember liking it. Not sure why I didn't follow the rest. Thanks for reminding me of the show. :)
Fargo I also remember it fondly and like you, I thought the series would be a failure but I liked the first one quite a lot, and especially the second one I found more entertaining. That kind of mafia plot between families, plus the plot of Peggy and Ed and how everything is related linearly, we go very Fargo style. The character I liked the most was Mike Milligan, of course, he is not so memorable but his phrases at the beginning of each scene caused a certain imposing to capture our attention. Then I saw the third one and it was ... Meh nothing glorious, I saw that they released season 4 but I do not know how it will be, I hope not like the third, and that's the problem of making something so good and assume that all whatever they bring out will be good, the only way is that the Coen brothers themselves directed it. Very good review, I remembered a lot of things and how good it was, cheers @notacinephile.