There is another connection between the opening scene in Berlin and Fargo, besides the picture: The character for whom the interviewee was being mistaken was Yuri Gurka, who, we learn, has somehow come to Minnesota and become a henchman for V M Vargas. There's also the mistaken identity based upon an address, which is replayed in the episode.
Criminals who are ridiculously stupid, that's supposed to be implausible? Couldn't really happen, huh? Have you forgotten who's living in the White House--and Maralago--right now?
8
There was another reference to season two; on the television toward the beginning of the show was a sci-fi movie with a flying saucer.
1
No, you've still got the Fargo characters wrong. Wade Gustafson is Jerry' Father-iin-Law. Stan Grossman is his financial adviser. Sy is the Stan stand-in.
1
"Stan Grossman" is mentioned, by the way.
1
LOVED the opening scene!!! Can't wait to see how that gets tied into the series. This series by N. Hawley and his team has always been so delicious to watch and makes Wednesday night a definite DVR event. We are lucky to have such amazing TV these days. I'm in my 60's and we never had this kind of quality on TV before. Fargo, Leftovers, Feud, GOT, Westworld, Better Call Saul, and many others are so incredibly well done from top to bottom that the Hollywood movies are taking a back seat and we're taking our seats in front of our tubes!:) Bravo to this artistic and enjoyable TV era that gives us so much to choose from.
11
MAJOR GOOF: Maurice went to Nikki's apartment. He didn't she was Ray's girlfriend — did he?
he could have found Ray by looking for his car - and he was waiting outside while they had already gone up
There's no reason why he shouldn't have known. He and Ray are more than just client and counselor.
I'm a civil litigation lawyer, but in the brief time I worked with criminal cases, I have to say I was really struck by how impossibly, hopelessly stupid some of the criminals and their actions were. Spectacularly stupid. They get caught, and a "mastermind" is pretty rare. You read the case files and cannot for the life of you understand how they thought it would work.
7
Sy is an analog for Stan Grossman, the right hand man of Jerry Lundegaard's father-in-law, Wade Gustafson. Even more fun, Little Miss Sunshine features a character also named Stan Grossman, played by Bryan Cranston...
1
Maurice LeFay : Morgan LeFay in the Arthurian cycle, and "The Morrigan" in Celtic myth, is the arch-antagonist of King Arthur. She is often taken to be a goddess, the Great Queen.
1
I wonder if V.M. and the "investors" who plan to use Stussy to launder money may the the Kansas City mob, thereby supplying the continuity with other seasons some say is missing.
They could even work in a return for an older, wizened Mike Milligan
They could even work in a return for an older, wizened Mike Milligan
5
The final scene where Maurice gets the A/C on the head is straight outta Looney Toons. I think I even saw an ACME Ptoducts logo on the A/C as it spiraled to the street.
4
I thought it was a Commando 8, like on Seinfeld.
Has anyone pointed out that the East German interrogation happened because someone confused two people with the same last name, the same mixup that lead to the death of old man Stussy?
10
I had to watch that lead in twice before I "got it"! Then, as the camera zooms in to the picture with the usual, "this is a true story" finally drops "true" as the picture is brought in. "This is a story".
Truly insightful of the producers.
Truly insightful of the producers.
8
If I am correct, it concerns the same address, but two different men (Jacob, a German, who a Stasi officer insists is one Yuri, a Ukrainian, because Yuri is registered at the address), and a dead woman, a Helga, who shares a first name with Jacob's wife.
7
A fan of the first two seasons I found nothing worthwhile in the first 30 min of S3. Maybe I shall pick it up when there are more episodes out already. But so far, I'm not intrigued...
2
OH, I surely am! We aren't sure who the air conditioner fell on. I believe that they killed an innocent bystander. When he went down the alarm in the parked car went off: he must have had the key fob.
2
Am I the only one who noticed, on the scrawled piece of paper with Emmit's address the name "Coen?" As in something like "Coen Ave.?" It passed by too fast for me to get a definite read on it.
Also, how did Ray and Nikki know that Maurice would be standing outside right under the AC unit, and for how long? It stretches the old credibility much too far. I don't think the Coens themselves would have tried to foist this one off on their audience.
Also, how did Ray and Nikki know that Maurice would be standing outside right under the AC unit, and for how long? It stretches the old credibility much too far. I don't think the Coens themselves would have tried to foist this one off on their audience.
2
It would stretch credulity UNLESS you thought that Nikki had practiced this already. That, in the past, she timed Ray's exits which would explain her audibly counting the seconds when Maurice leaves.
In other words, Nikki may have been planning on betraying Ray, and still might, the same way she killed Maurice.
In other words, Nikki may have been planning on betraying Ray, and still might, the same way she killed Maurice.
6
Watch it again. I did. After further review, there is a lot of open issues to resolve. The relationship between Ray and Nikki appears to me as a ploy by Nikki with her PO. They were left, at the end of episode one, with the possibility that Ray and Nikki killed the wrong man. THAT complicates things.
I fear that my comments won't be allowed due to the "spoilers" that I am suggesting.
I fear that my comments won't be allowed due to the "spoilers" that I am suggesting.
Nikki is a "user" of people. Come on, she is too much for Ray. She is a divisive evil succubus! I know her type. She is in everything for herself.
Nikki, like last season's "Peggy" who killed the feckless Rye Gerhardt through stupid, nuts behavior throughout the series, was obviously not interested in having a family, was misleading her husband. Nikki is like Peggy from last season.
I am anxious to see how the revelation that they will have is that they killed the wrong person. And just as Peggy spent the entire series trying to mislead the police, I am wondering where the "mute/smart" pair is. I look forward to watching the development of this season!
Nikki, like last season's "Peggy" who killed the feckless Rye Gerhardt through stupid, nuts behavior throughout the series, was obviously not interested in having a family, was misleading her husband. Nikki is like Peggy from last season.
I am anxious to see how the revelation that they will have is that they killed the wrong person. And just as Peggy spent the entire series trying to mislead the police, I am wondering where the "mute/smart" pair is. I look forward to watching the development of this season!
As much as I like Ewan McGregor, at first glance, the Cain and Abel premise leaves me a little underwhelmed, though I don't doubt Hawley will try to turn it inside out and spin it in a different direction, but the ambition doesn't quite yet shine through in the first episode so its hard to gauge whether the ideas are there to top the brilliance of season 2 (and that will be darn tough to do.) Still, this episode had its pleasures, and the climactic death-by-falling-air conditioner had a brutal farcical charm to it. Also, a brief mention of another parallel. In episode 1 of season 2, an alien spaceship makes a memorable appearance just after the triple murder at the Waffle Hut. In this opening episode of season 3, the grandfather character is seen watching a TV broadcast of War of the Worlds, full of death ray-zapping space ships, just before Maurice drops in to steal his stamps. Somehow, space ships and homicide are connected ...
6
good observation !!
"One cause for concern: Is the criminal behavior too stupid, even by “Fargo” standards?" That was my first impression. The movie and previous TV installments of "Fargo" can be summarized in part as "unbelievably stupid people doing unbelievably stupid things," but the characters are nevertheless unforgettable. Let's see how this season goes, but as the reviewer notes, the cast is stellar and there is plenty of room for eccentric character development in even the most absurd situations.
2
Jason, if you hadn't noticed, movies and television, even independent producers deliver unbelievable scenarios. I assume that you watched "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul".
Personally Jason, I don't believe that I have ever watched a science fiction movie or show that didn't contain terribly ridiculous (to me) suggestions in their plot lines. Fargo is full of holes. Yet people eat it up just as quickly as they have every single mythology that "Americans" as well as any other "fundamentalist faith" world over. It is necessary to suspend your own ideas in order to enjoy fictional nonsense which, in fact, ALL of the television, theatrical, wherever you encounter "stories" are not enjoyable unless you suspend your reality for half an hour or so!
In reality, why do people plot to rob banks? They will rob stores and destroy vending machines for a little money. This could as easily as not be a "TRUE STORY"!
Personally Jason, I don't believe that I have ever watched a science fiction movie or show that didn't contain terribly ridiculous (to me) suggestions in their plot lines. Fargo is full of holes. Yet people eat it up just as quickly as they have every single mythology that "Americans" as well as any other "fundamentalist faith" world over. It is necessary to suspend your own ideas in order to enjoy fictional nonsense which, in fact, ALL of the television, theatrical, wherever you encounter "stories" are not enjoyable unless you suspend your reality for half an hour or so!
In reality, why do people plot to rob banks? They will rob stores and destroy vending machines for a little money. This could as easily as not be a "TRUE STORY"!
1
I hope future recaps will not consist of listing all the real or perceived allusions to every Coen brothers film ever made. Tedious and pointless. Watch the show in front of you!
12
Funniest line, as far as I'm concerned, belonged to Maurice: "I know I'm the moron here, but..."
One complaint: they must be more careful when using recordings as great as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross' "Moanin'"; it's so compelling that it upstaged the action.
One complaint: they must be more careful when using recordings as great as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross' "Moanin'"; it's so compelling that it upstaged the action.
3
"Lambert, Hendricks and Ross" !
Yes, Lord! Most viewers likely did not know LH&R. That presentation reminded me of scat singers from the late sixties and I loved them. I forgot about them but now I will be searching for "youtube" postings for them. I was a fan!
Yes, Lord! Most viewers likely did not know LH&R. That presentation reminded me of scat singers from the late sixties and I loved them. I forgot about them but now I will be searching for "youtube" postings for them. I was a fan!
2
I've read a half-dozen recaps of this episode and not one has mentioned the fact that the eternally boulder-pushing Sysiphus is on Emmit's stamp...
The very myth that served as the thematic backbone of Fargo Season 2....
The very myth that served as the thematic backbone of Fargo Season 2....
18
Lighten up and have some fun, hanzeemer!
1
The bridge subculture reminds me of the bowling in the Big Lebowski. Commenters keep mentioning Ehrmantraut but it sounded like they were saying Ehrmantraub to me. There was sibling rivalry in season 1 as well. I'm intrigued but I'm with others who are putting the Berlin scene out there with the flying saucer. I wanted to rewatch it to see if I spotted anything else significant but forgot to by the time it was over! Good catch on the slippers!
1
That "intro" was on point: "This is a [BLANK] story".
Didn't we have a couple (Plemons/Dunst) where the distaff side outshone the duller male in the last series? How did the parolee find the couple in her apartment when he didn't know of her existence? They do seem to be playing the stupid male character to the hilt this time, so I expect a femano a femano ending.
3
Last season we suffered through a dingbat crazy lady who had somehow trapped Jesse Plemons and I expect similarities this season. I am NOT going to quit on this season under any circumstances other than a decent into stupidity beyond comprehension. So far, these people are real, from my experience.
1
I noticed some other Coen Bros. allusions in the premiere.
1. Nikki and Ray meet during her mug shot, alluding to Raising Arizona.
2. The phrase "call it" when Emmit is talking about calling the number (No Country for Old Men, Bardem's coin toss phrase)
3. Ray asking Emmit something to the effect of, "are you going to do the right thing, or the right thing?", an allusion to H.I.'s "There's what's right and there's what's right, and never the twain shall meet" in Raising Arizona. Interestingly, that is a famous phrase made by Rudyard Kipling.
1. Nikki and Ray meet during her mug shot, alluding to Raising Arizona.
2. The phrase "call it" when Emmit is talking about calling the number (No Country for Old Men, Bardem's coin toss phrase)
3. Ray asking Emmit something to the effect of, "are you going to do the right thing, or the right thing?", an allusion to H.I.'s "There's what's right and there's what's right, and never the twain shall meet" in Raising Arizona. Interestingly, that is a famous phrase made by Rudyard Kipling.
1
I noticed another connection between Berlin 1988 and Minnesota 2010: The indoor slippers both Emmit and the man who is the prisoner in Berlin are both wearing.
8
wow !! very good !!
Two words; David Thewlis! See Mile Leigh's Naked for an incredible performance by Thewlis.
3
correction to the correction: Wade Gustafson was Jerry's father-in-law. His associate was named Stan Grossman.
3
Another connection between the 1988 interrogation and the 2010 plot is that the man being interrogated is wearing carpet slippers and on the evening of his 25th anniversary party Emmet is wearing carpet slippers that his wife has to remind him to change before he goes out.
4
It was not at the party.
Just a hunch, but maybe the man being interrogated in East Berlin turns out to be the David Thewlis character.
1
That was 22 years in the past. Both men were in at least their 40's, so they would be older. I was thinking Stussy=Stasi, but it seems a bit far fetched--and zero accent.
1
I HIGHLY doubt there will be any overt connections bw the episode's prologue and the main narrative. Only thematic.
Like the cold open/ prologue to A Serious Man (which was also a case of mistaken identity - the rabbi for the dybbuk)...
Like the cold open/ prologue to A Serious Man (which was also a case of mistaken identity - the rabbi for the dybbuk)...
2
The mention of Ehrmantraut definitely had my ears ringing, especially after having binged on Better Call Saul S2 for preparation of S3; but I bet it was either just Mr Hawley calling out his own fan appreciation for another great show, or there just being a greater number of Ehrmantrauts out in the world than I realize. I didn't see anything all that special in the casting of Ewan McGregor for both brothers - thought he was better as Ray. Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black is ten times better at this; much more character there! I am excited to have Carrie Coon in this season, but so far I think The Leftovers have given her more depth to work with. Disappointed to see Scoot McNairy's Maurice immediately knocked off! I loved his work on Halt and Catch Fire. Also disappointed that this season jumped so far ahead to 2010; I just love the shows that are so successfully pulling off a shall-we-say "humble" recreation of '70s and '80s style and technology these days. Finally, is East Berlin the equivalent of S2's UFO? The "huh?" that just has its little moments here and there?
2
Right - Tatiana's clones are much more impressive.
2
"Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black is ten times better at this; much more character there! I am excited to have Carrie Coon in this season, but so far I think The Leftovers have given her more depth to work with."
Uh.....bit of a small sample size for this kind of statement, no? Its been a single episode, dude...
Uh.....bit of a small sample size for this kind of statement, no? Its been a single episode, dude...
1
Are all that "complications" associated to competitive bridge? Somehow I can not see Omar Sharif messing around with that stuff.
1
Stan "we're not a bank , Jer " Grossman was an associate of Wade Gustafson .
2
God I love throat singing (and Heart in small doses ) this series is hitting all my buttons.
3
The music choices are stellar, and you hit the nail on the head, a little of each is all you need!
3
what is the name of Italian rapper who plays when Nikki and Ray are walking into the bridge tourn ?
Lit cigarette ?
Try joint or roach
Try joint or roach
5
exactly !! gimme a break !! the guy said " You're not getting high are you ? "
1
The East Berlin intro may well a stand alone a la "A Serious Man." then again, the photo on the wall might relate to the outer space themes in the past three seasons.
1
I can't believe that you said "chipper" authority figures! Good one.
Wouldn't Sy's analog be Stan Grossman? St has to be there when money is discussed, just like Stan Grossman.
Like most Coen brothers creations and spin-offs, it's the stupidity combined with greed that sinks them every time. Like, was the Cierra really worth getting your crazy homicidal accomplice mad enough to go for his axe? Really? With all that money buried in the snow? And in this latest act of idiocy, could a worse burglar be found anywhere? A guy who thinks regular postage stamps were worth felony murder? Even the most unfortunate among us can watch this stuff and say, "Well, I'd never do that!"
Wouldn't Sy's analog be Stan Grossman? St has to be there when money is discussed, just like Stan Grossman.
Like most Coen brothers creations and spin-offs, it's the stupidity combined with greed that sinks them every time. Like, was the Cierra really worth getting your crazy homicidal accomplice mad enough to go for his axe? Really? With all that money buried in the snow? And in this latest act of idiocy, could a worse burglar be found anywhere? A guy who thinks regular postage stamps were worth felony murder? Even the most unfortunate among us can watch this stuff and say, "Well, I'd never do that!"
7
Left out a few other Coen movie alums that have appeared in Fargo:
* Stephen Root, who played the dentist killed by Malvo near the end of Season 1, was the blind Radio Station Man from O' Brother Where Art Thou
* Wayne Duvall, who played what I remember as the Sheriff from Fargo in Season 2, was Homer Stokes in O' Brother Where Art Thou
I only know that because I've seen O' Brother 25+ times and am curious to see whether another actor will show up in an obscure role this season.
* Stephen Root, who played the dentist killed by Malvo near the end of Season 1, was the blind Radio Station Man from O' Brother Where Art Thou
* Wayne Duvall, who played what I remember as the Sheriff from Fargo in Season 2, was Homer Stokes in O' Brother Where Art Thou
I only know that because I've seen O' Brother 25+ times and am curious to see whether another actor will show up in an obscure role this season.
2
Stephen Root is also in No Country for Old Men, playing the executive who hires Woody Harrelson's Carson Wells and either does - or does not - validate Wells' parking stub.
1
* What about the easter egg of when there was a mention about an Ehrmantraut character? Did it not draw any lines to a like-minded (albeit New Mexico-based) show about looking for soul among dead-beat characters who would be described as morally relativistic - at best?
* I think there's a lot more going on with the opening Berlin scene that will directly connect to the rest of the season. There's too much present here about the changing nature of truth, the infallibility of state/institutions and the notion of story-telling, itself.
* Again, the music, as with any Hawley offering, deserves its own think piece.
I thought the premier jumped out of the gates, even faster than season 2, and I have no doubt that Coon will be able to carry the weight, as she's, in part, done over at The Leftovers the past few years.
* I think there's a lot more going on with the opening Berlin scene that will directly connect to the rest of the season. There's too much present here about the changing nature of truth, the infallibility of state/institutions and the notion of story-telling, itself.
* Again, the music, as with any Hawley offering, deserves its own think piece.
I thought the premier jumped out of the gates, even faster than season 2, and I have no doubt that Coon will be able to carry the weight, as she's, in part, done over at The Leftovers the past few years.
18
You beat me to it. My ears perked up when I heard it last night. But after watching it again this PM I screamed "An easter egg from another family of shows!!!" The first 10 seconds showing the 2001 Space Odyssey like computer graphic of the image inside the microphone was inspired (not clear why it was there) but still beautiful. I now keeping BCS,Fargo and the Americans on my DVR!! Should have done that years ago!
Again, I doubt there will be any direct connection bw the cold open and the main narrative. Thematic, yes. Direct relevance, no.
See also: A Serious Man's prologue where a rabbi is mistaken (maybe) for a dybbuk...
See also: A Serious Man's prologue where a rabbi is mistaken (maybe) for a dybbuk...
While it’s not a Coen brothers reference, the name “Ehrmantraut” is conspicuously dropped early on.
It’s impossible not to immediately think of master fixer Mike Ehrmantraut from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” It will be interesting to see how this yet-unseen Fargo incarnation develops.
And – oh yes – what a brilliant start to another amazing season of Fargo. I love this show.
It’s impossible not to immediately think of master fixer Mike Ehrmantraut from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” It will be interesting to see how this yet-unseen Fargo incarnation develops.
And – oh yes – what a brilliant start to another amazing season of Fargo. I love this show.
10
I was surprised to see the name Ehrmantraut pop up. Does Mike E. from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have a relative in the Minnesota area?
6
I was also struck by that. Show business people do interact. But "Saul", "Bad", and Fargo are different networks and different producers. YEAH, what is going on there? Mike Ehrmantraut, (Johnathan Banks) has become one of my very favorite actors. I worry a little that in playing "Better Call Saul" that he is now a LOT older than when he was introduced in "Breaking Bad". I just hope that he is in good health!
1
I'm excited by the cast but was not knocked out by the story so far.
4
Remember, Ewan McGregor - as good as he can be - also was in True Detective S2 - which was a let down.
My favorite show on TV returns! Always a joy to watch, even when it's just setting the table for the rest of the plot. MacGregor's acting is great - the commercials for this season made it seem like Ray would be a cartoonish low-life foil for his supposedly respectable brother, but in their first scene Ewan's line delivery adds unexpected depth.
"How's the corvette?" Emmit asks, condescendingly.
Ray, meekly: "It's a car."
The way he intoned that line really stuck with me, as small as it may be. It reveals Ray as a guy with a real internal life, real needs and interests, and a heart, no matter how stupid is criminal scheme may be.
The East Germany cold open was a delightful metaphor for the show and perhaps for this season in particular. The Stasi agent says "We're not here to tell stories, we're here to tell the truth," to a hapless innocent who can't yet comprehend the gravity of the kafka-esque black hole of violence into which he's just been pulled. Sounds like Fargo, dontcha know? (Also, the theme of mistaken identity plays a part in this episode as well.)
To Mr. Tobias's question, I do think that this show has always succeeded as more than fan fiction. Season 1 relies most on your knowledge of the movie, but since then it's branched out more. In all seasons though, your knowledge of the movie and of other Coen films doesn't make or break your understanding or appreciation for the show. It's only additive. This is a great crime epic in its own right.
"How's the corvette?" Emmit asks, condescendingly.
Ray, meekly: "It's a car."
The way he intoned that line really stuck with me, as small as it may be. It reveals Ray as a guy with a real internal life, real needs and interests, and a heart, no matter how stupid is criminal scheme may be.
The East Germany cold open was a delightful metaphor for the show and perhaps for this season in particular. The Stasi agent says "We're not here to tell stories, we're here to tell the truth," to a hapless innocent who can't yet comprehend the gravity of the kafka-esque black hole of violence into which he's just been pulled. Sounds like Fargo, dontcha know? (Also, the theme of mistaken identity plays a part in this episode as well.)
To Mr. Tobias's question, I do think that this show has always succeeded as more than fan fiction. Season 1 relies most on your knowledge of the movie, but since then it's branched out more. In all seasons though, your knowledge of the movie and of other Coen films doesn't make or break your understanding or appreciation for the show. It's only additive. This is a great crime epic in its own right.
15
"Stasi" and "Stussy." Is this mere happenstance? I don't believe in coincidece in Fargoland. Hard to assess the correlation, though.
7
Just binging on this third season now.
I read a few of the comments about the opening scene; but I haven't seen a reference to what it made me think of: the fabulous movie 'The Lives of Others,' which dealt with the Stasi and East Germany. Maybe someone below addresses it.
I read a few of the comments about the opening scene; but I haven't seen a reference to what it made me think of: the fabulous movie 'The Lives of Others,' which dealt with the Stasi and East Germany. Maybe someone below addresses it.
You sure you want to use the word "chipper" for authority figures?
6
I wonder if the opening scene in East Berlin serves simply as a forward, a brief meditation on the nature of truth. On the other hand, it's not every Stasi office that has a photo from the future on its wall. Stay tuned!
6
Hope the rest of the series plays out to be much better than this premiere. Last season's story was riveting, but despite all the Coen echoes, this tale isn't nearly as compelling so far. Understood it's supposed to be humorous, but no way would a parole officer really hire a thief in a perpetual stupor & utterly stupid as well!
2
Let's face it. Ray isn't the brightest bulb in S3, so he might do almost anything.
I watched and enjoyed the premier last night. That Maurice fella, he was a doozy alright. One area I got confused about was that nature of the Stussy "investment." Emmit Stussy was to call a number, which only gave him beeps and such (reminded me of the sound a fax machine makes). He was hoping to reach a guy named Rick Ehrmantraut (or was it Ehrmantraub?). That immediately made me wonder a) if he was related to Mike Ehrmantraut from "Breaking Bad," and b) why wouldn't the mob guys just pick up the phone? Why the obfuscation with a telephone line? Or were the sounds supposed to indicate that the line was tapped?
Appreciate any clarification.
Appreciate any clarification.
2
I heard Ehrmantraub too but I don't see why there would be a connection, other than just as an homage to one of the big plot lines of Breaking Bad, how to go about laundering drug money. It might have been a fax line, or something used for wire transfers, or just not a real number, but clearly they needed to have this conversation in person. As it was, their situation did not seem to be sinking in.
The bathtub scene seemed to be a Lebowski reference as well. It featured candlelight and an interloper.
I also caught a whiff of "The Hudsucker Proxy" with the falling of the air-conditioner and the death on the sidewalk.
I also caught a whiff of "The Hudsucker Proxy" with the falling of the air-conditioner and the death on the sidewalk.
4
What about the Ehrmantraut reference in the second scene?
In this series, it's "Ehrmantraub" — not the same.
The subtitled, German-language vignette that opens the episode with no clear connection to what follows reminded me of the Yiddish-speaking scene at the front of "A Serious Man". The fan-service of this series is amazing, although that sometimes seems to be the end, not the means.
2