Are they arrows or bolts?
1
quarrels.
This season is just bad. It's boring. I don't care about the characters. It's mannered and annoying. Fargo has run it's course, it's time for it to be canceled.
1
A lot of people remember the second man to climb Mt. Everest: Tenzing Norgay. In fact, he climbed it with Edmund Hillary but they both said he allowed Hillary to be first to the summit. The question should have really been who was the third.
And many people remember the third man to fly the Atlantic non-stop: Lindbergh. Alcock and Brown were the first to do it but are mostly forgotten.
And many people remember the third man to fly the Atlantic non-stop: Lindbergh. Alcock and Brown were the first to do it but are mostly forgotten.
5
I would think that Lindbergh has such a higher level of fame (moreso than Alcock and Brown) because of the Charles Jr. kidnapping....
1
Or because he did it solo, making it a lot tougher.
Am I a bad person if I thought the bowling alley encounters were meant to be funny? I thought the throwaway line about the VW was a corker. And when Varga's henchman Uri (?) walks in -- pouring blood from the hole where his ear used to be -- plops his crossbow down on the bar and says, "Napkins."? That has to be intended as dark comedy.
In other words, I think perhaps the reporter makes a mistake in seeing all this as evidence the writers are overreaching for depth of meaning that does not (and need not) exist. What he sees as Deep Thoughts, I interpret as something closer to satire. There is a wink behind it all.
I do agree that the first segment was beautifully done. The quality of camera work and editing in that sequence is higher than in many major-release, big-screen movies.
In other words, I think perhaps the reporter makes a mistake in seeing all this as evidence the writers are overreaching for depth of meaning that does not (and need not) exist. What he sees as Deep Thoughts, I interpret as something closer to satire. There is a wink behind it all.
I do agree that the first segment was beautifully done. The quality of camera work and editing in that sequence is higher than in many major-release, big-screen movies.
26
I am surprised that the reviewer - so wrapped up in Coen references - didn't mention the obvious links with Twin Peaks.
7
Being a big fan of A Serious Man, one of the Coen Bros. greatest, I loved the mysterious man's references to Rabbi Nachman! Who he quoted not only to Nikki, but told the thug he had a message for him from the rabbi. But what was the message?
4
I took it that Yuri was held accountable for his previous sins by this man (the Angel Gabriël?). And Yuri turned out to be Yuri Gurka, the murderer the East German police was looking for in the first episode.
15
The age doesn't seem right, but it would explain why Hanna Albrecht had a message for him. See Episode 1 of this season.
2
Mr. Tobias seems so quick to go to "roll your eyes" mode and/or take literally these theatrical (and, to me, wonderful) scenes meant to make us ask questions about the potential of an afterlife (or at least some sort of purgatory). Loved every moment of this episode and while the "homages" may be getting a bit heavy...I'm in awe of Mr. Hawley and his writers' creativity. Can't wait for last episodes!
15
The toilet leitmotif continues.
I guess he didn't have a choice, but why Sy would sip out of any cup from Varga eludes me.
I guess he didn't have a choice, but why Sy would sip out of any cup from Varga eludes me.
12
Sure would be nice if both the showrunners and the critics spent less effort parsing the entrails of each episode of Fargo for references to other directors' work. Makes me think the current series is at least derivative and at worst a poor copy.
8
I think you're finally getting what I have been feeling about Season 3 - that it's too cute bay a half. After great seasons 1 and 2, this season has been a little bit of a letdown.
For example, I had to read your article to catch the significance of "Ray" the cat. I was distracted by "Ray the cat being given to Nikki by "Ray" Wise, the actor. Maybe that's a DUH! on me.
ON the other hand, the woods chase, with the exception of the funny, knowing violence and gore has been the best thing this season so far.
For example, I had to read your article to catch the significance of "Ray" the cat. I was distracted by "Ray the cat being given to Nikki by "Ray" Wise, the actor. Maybe that's a DUH! on me.
ON the other hand, the woods chase, with the exception of the funny, knowing violence and gore has been the best thing this season so far.
3
Another excellent episode. The writers are just doing excellent work. And David Thewlis is just creepy....
7
I thank the muliple commenters who reminded me why the resourceful inmate chained to Nikki was familiar. Mr Wrench, of course! I knew I knew him from somewhere. But how a chain yanked by two people could decapitate someone without the head falling off the body for five seconds I don't get. I hoped Ray WIse was a fantasy of Nikki's but that VW seemed pretty real since they drove away in it. I mean, I enjoy the premise, even if it's only a premise, that these are all real events. And BTW are there bowling alleys where you can walk up to the bar covered in blood, ask for napkins and vodka, and they just serve you, without even saying, do not bleed on our floor please? Not that I want total realism from this show, I didn't mind that last part
2
I think the whole visit of the bowling alley by both Nikki/Wrench and Yuri were meant to be spiritual trips, a jump via some spot in the woods into a supernatural realm. Very similar to "Twin Peaks", which lends even more credibility to the idea that Ray Wise was cast specifically for his past role in that show. You can ignore all the illogical behavior of the staff there. I certainly would doubt that the "real world" Nikki in her injured, desperate state would walk into a bowing alley, sit her bleeding Wrench down and immediately seek hard drinks at the bar.
4
Thanks for having patience with my issues. I agree that Ray Wise is there to say "Twin Peaks" to us, but I don't like it. I want Fargo to say "Fargo" to us. WHich is why I liked Mr Wrench showing up. But again, the bowling alley spiritual trip seems to have handed Nikki the keys to a real car. (and Yuri a real napkin?) Maybe the car will have an alternate provenance in next week's episode
4
Lesson One: Never turn your natural protagonist and most appealing audience surrogate (Gloria) into a supporting role.
Is there still a crime to be solved here? Is there a plot left to follow?
Is there still a crime to be solved here? Is there a plot left to follow?
16
I agree. I've taken to fast-forwarding to scenes with Carrie Coon or Mary Elizabeth Winstead and skipping the rest.
2
1. Next on Mythbusters: Can two people decapitate someone with a chain over a tree stump in such a way that the head stays on for 5 seconds before falling off? Also, can you throw an ax in pitch darkness and take someone's ear off 20 feet away? Can you do it better or worse if you're hearing-impaired?
2. US Marshall must be pretty lame. All those bodies, and nothing seems to have come out of the investigation after 3 months.
3. Carrie Coon must have the following riders in her contract: Have trouble with modern technologies. Have a time jump in at least one episode.
4. "It's a green Volkswagen. I know. It's ironic, but it's been cleansed of all its sins." (paraphrasing)
5. The most deserving payback for Meemo would be some kind of clumsy accident, like tripping on a rock and into a wood chipper....
6. I think it was Ray the cat who put the mustache on Emmit.
2. US Marshall must be pretty lame. All those bodies, and nothing seems to have come out of the investigation after 3 months.
3. Carrie Coon must have the following riders in her contract: Have trouble with modern technologies. Have a time jump in at least one episode.
4. "It's a green Volkswagen. I know. It's ironic, but it's been cleansed of all its sins." (paraphrasing)
5. The most deserving payback for Meemo would be some kind of clumsy accident, like tripping on a rock and into a wood chipper....
6. I think it was Ray the cat who put the mustache on Emmit.
12
There is controversy about who was first or second to the top of Everest. Many said that Norgay pulled a semi-conscious Hillary to the summit. After Norgay died, Hillary said he was first as the "Sahib." But, in the end, we don't really know how was first or second
http://www.scotsman.com/news/hillary-and-tenzing-s-everest-summit-agreem...
The chained-together escape is a reworking of the film, The Defiant Ones, 1958, almost to a fault. Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis are chained together in a truck transporting convicts at night in the South--"The warden had a sense of humor." The truck swerves to avoid another truck and crashes. The two escape into the woods.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Defiant_Ones
http://www.scotsman.com/news/hillary-and-tenzing-s-everest-summit-agreem...
The chained-together escape is a reworking of the film, The Defiant Ones, 1958, almost to a fault. Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis are chained together in a truck transporting convicts at night in the South--"The warden had a sense of humor." The truck swerves to avoid another truck and crashes. The two escape into the woods.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Defiant_Ones
5
The Defiant Ones is the film that came to mind for me, too. Not O Brother Where Art Thou?. But perhaps the latter film paid tribute to (borrowed from) the former.
1
Yeah, me too. I was thinking Defiant Ones.
1
Fargo has become a bit too obtuse for me, and I'm not a newcomer to the Coen brothers' work. It's an issue of limited returns - not sure I want to put in the time and energy to resolve all my head scratching.
10
Don't blame the Coens; this is entirely Noah Hawley's fault.
4
"Ray is the cat" (c.f. "Llewyn is the cat").
6
I thought Ray was the Duck ;)
For me, this season of Fargo has gotten too far-fetched and silly. I don't give a fig for references to Coen Bros. films. I want to be entertained, not mystified and toyed with by a whimsical show runner. Having invested a lot of my time thus far, I'll watch the final episode, but that's it for me. Fargo may return next year, but I won't.
23
I agree, but I would probably still watch the next season if there is one. But I would be hoping that it wouldn't continue to stray into such far-fetched territory.
1
I had trouble understanding Ray Wise's Hebrew, but when his character bids farewell to Nikki, he says Lech Lecha which are God's words to Abraham telling him to leave his home to the promised land in Chapter 12 of Genesis. (FYI, Ali also chants this verse in Transparent.) Nikki has grown on me as the show has progressed, and now, I guess she is chosen.
9
It feels to me that Fargo, the TV series, has gone further into strange worlds, including the supernatural, than the Coen Brothers have allowed themselves in their movies. In retrospect, I likely expected the Coen Brothers to wade into the surreal and paranormal in their film work. In many ways, they've gone in an opposite direction. I like the odd and unexplainable things, the sorts of things that lead many viewers to feel the cheap way out was taken (as in the VW Beetle or Gloria's entrance into the jail cell area). These sorts of things remind me of No Country, in the scene no one can quite figure out, where the Sheriff walks into the motel room occupied or not, by Anton Chigurh.
5
The Coen original is a classic. Season 1 and 2 lived up to it. Third time, unlucky. This one has lost all the narrative drive, and especially humour, of its predecessors. A failing combination of the terrible second season of True Detective, and Twin Peaks. A great disappointment. But I must still record gratitude for those first two out of three.
17
Breaking Bad, the Wire, Mad Men all got better with time. Those were great TV, Fargo, not so much.
1
Dear D Gurr - the search for perfection will result in a lost cause. Appreciate what we have here: damn good television. - Sincerely, Steve
10
What about Mr. Wrench?
"The staging, the suspense-building and much of the dialogue are beautifully calibrated, but the search for meaning and authentic emotion,"
Methinks you, and many a recapper before ye (The Handmaid's Tale; Silicon Valley), confuse a recap with a review! What of Emmett's remorse and confession, let alone his bizarre unexplained threat of avant garde stamp work. Why did he choose to confess to Gloria? Why is Gloria's initial R.? How nice and unexpected that Gloria's ex's husband is a. thin! and b. needs to check on a ragu (on Christmas!)? Who got scalped? Clearly it was an "earring" of Yuri--what happened to Yuri? (How'd he escape, and is he dead now? And why is the Asian immortal--cuz clearly we all thought he was scalped!) What will come of the extended girl power between Eden Prairie and St. Cloud? (If they serve Shepherd'a Pie on March 15, I assume it's Corned Beef and Cabbage on the 17th, so WHAT is for dinner tomorrow?!?! And how much Irish BS can the Norse bear?)
It's not always about reference to A Serious Man or Lebowski. It really about a weirdness factor of narration. And while Hawley has found a different flavor, don't excuse a Rum Raison for the Butter Pecan you expected. (We all know this ain't vanilla!)
Changing gears: you mocked underused Ray Wise previously. My stomach left my body to realize Wise was playing Urkranian pre-Holocaust program Jewish messiah/ghost barfly! It was Fargo turned up to Twin Peaks at 11. #lelandpalmer The casting was not a mistake!!
Methinks you, and many a recapper before ye (The Handmaid's Tale; Silicon Valley), confuse a recap with a review! What of Emmett's remorse and confession, let alone his bizarre unexplained threat of avant garde stamp work. Why did he choose to confess to Gloria? Why is Gloria's initial R.? How nice and unexpected that Gloria's ex's husband is a. thin! and b. needs to check on a ragu (on Christmas!)? Who got scalped? Clearly it was an "earring" of Yuri--what happened to Yuri? (How'd he escape, and is he dead now? And why is the Asian immortal--cuz clearly we all thought he was scalped!) What will come of the extended girl power between Eden Prairie and St. Cloud? (If they serve Shepherd'a Pie on March 15, I assume it's Corned Beef and Cabbage on the 17th, so WHAT is for dinner tomorrow?!?! And how much Irish BS can the Norse bear?)
It's not always about reference to A Serious Man or Lebowski. It really about a weirdness factor of narration. And while Hawley has found a different flavor, don't excuse a Rum Raison for the Butter Pecan you expected. (We all know this ain't vanilla!)
Changing gears: you mocked underused Ray Wise previously. My stomach left my body to realize Wise was playing Urkranian pre-Holocaust program Jewish messiah/ghost barfly! It was Fargo turned up to Twin Peaks at 11. #lelandpalmer The casting was not a mistake!!
16
Recaps are reviews.
2
"Recap" stands for "recapitulate", "to review by summarizing". The summarizing is what some of us come here for.
Also: not even a mention of poor poisoned Sy, whose increased hairiness indicates a passage of how much time?
Also: not even a mention of poor poisoned Sy, whose increased hairiness indicates a passage of how much time?
3
@Tim
not really.
not really.
3
The reviewer neglects to notice that the inmate who escapes with Nikki from the crashed bus in this episode is in fact Mr. Wrench, the deaf hitman who with his partner Mr. Numbers was an important part of Fargo season 1.
9
"a fellow inmate"
For those not in the know, this "fellow inmate" is Mr. Wrench, a deaf hitman who appeared in the first season. (The second season of the show, set in the past, also ended with Hanzi stepping in to stop some older kids from beating up a deaf kid and his friend, presumably Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers again.)
For those not in the know, this "fellow inmate" is Mr. Wrench, a deaf hitman who appeared in the first season. (The second season of the show, set in the past, also ended with Hanzi stepping in to stop some older kids from beating up a deaf kid and his friend, presumably Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers again.)
17
You beat me to it but I could not provide his name.
You know, I guess this is great for everyone who has all the Coen brother movies, as well as the previous seasons of Fargo, memorized, but some of us have lives and too many other things we need to remember. Could we maybe have a show that lets us in, too?
18
Yes, I only realized who he was when it was revealed he was a deaf/mute. I've been looking for a connection to season 1 or 2 for all season 3. I forgot what happened to him in S.1, and still don't remember that scene. I was also trying to remember the chronology of S.1 and S.3. I also forgot that he showed up in S.2 as a kid. I'm still hoping to see a reference to S.2.
That opening scene is as well done as Mr. Tobias describes, but it was pretty gory and gratuitous for gratuitous sake. Just the 3 killers standing in full view of the passersby instead of hiding, is for added violence (and too blatant a reference to Fargo the movie). A lot of senseless bloody murder like Malvo's character. Still, I think S.3 is much better than S.1 but not as good as S.2.
That opening scene is as well done as Mr. Tobias describes, but it was pretty gory and gratuitous for gratuitous sake. Just the 3 killers standing in full view of the passersby instead of hiding, is for added violence (and too blatant a reference to Fargo the movie). A lot of senseless bloody murder like Malvo's character. Still, I think S.3 is much better than S.1 but not as good as S.2.
1
I know the Coen brothers' universe has a real Old Testament bent to it, but this has to be the furthest its gone down that road. Is Ray Wise supposed to be Yahweh himself? Is he still stuck in the Black Lodge? Was Yuri killed by avenging Jewish ghosts from centuries past? Is Gloria some kind of herald because she also shared a drink with Ray Wise/Yahweh in Los Angeles (the city of angels, after all). Is this episode this season's UFO or fish storm?
On a lighter note, I could watch tiny Asian henchman dance around for a full episode. I hope season finale plays out like a very bizarre twist on Billy Elliot.
On a lighter note, I could watch tiny Asian henchman dance around for a full episode. I hope season finale plays out like a very bizarre twist on Billy Elliot.
4
Season 3 and episode 8 continue to amaze me. The references and the confident otherworldly melancholy story telling thrill this viewer.
6
Mary Elizabeth Winstead shined again in this episode. After seeing her in "Fargo," I've been watching "Braindead," in which she starred, on the CBS app. She seems to be attracted to offbeat projects, which is just another reason to fall in love with her.
18
She was also excellent in the PBS Civil War Drama Mercy Street.
6
Ah, that is why she looked familiar. Mercy Street. Thank you.
Check out Mary Elizabeth Winstead's acapella version of "Baby, It's You." She's all kinds of talented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEnpJV523E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEnpJV523E
1
This episode felt like 'Twin Peaks' and not because of Ray Wise. And, if season 2 can offer up a UFO, then a green VW suits me fine!
7
Still having a sweet, rust free VW in Minnesota is as rare as UFO.
12
"This episode felt like 'Twin Peaks' and not because of Ray Wise."
You're right, there was also a dancing dwarf.
You're right, there was also a dancing dwarf.
2
Thanks Casper, my most immediate first thought was exactly that when I saw that pristine bug. It must have been airlifted into the parking lot because there is not a trace of salt/snow/ice on the body in MN a day or two after Christmas. Maybe that's the point??
A golden (electric green) chariot for our heroine to ride to the next chapter and deliver to the bad guy his biblical tongue lashing? Her divine intervention and moral high ground might make sense had she not brained a guy with an A/C from on high.
This is a poor review that ignores significant plot points in the other story lines to concentrate on the clever Cohen-esque bits and various literary references. The reviewer's cleverness does not make the reader any more informed about the plot as a whole and where the story might be headed.
How about we stop guessing about what's going to happen next or what has transpired and view the show as a whole story? Where it stands in TV as a work of fictional art and story craft is what matters not how
the Cohen universal quirkiness is being referenced and honored. It's , "Where's Waldo?" gone haywire. Enough already.
A golden (electric green) chariot for our heroine to ride to the next chapter and deliver to the bad guy his biblical tongue lashing? Her divine intervention and moral high ground might make sense had she not brained a guy with an A/C from on high.
This is a poor review that ignores significant plot points in the other story lines to concentrate on the clever Cohen-esque bits and various literary references. The reviewer's cleverness does not make the reader any more informed about the plot as a whole and where the story might be headed.
How about we stop guessing about what's going to happen next or what has transpired and view the show as a whole story? Where it stands in TV as a work of fictional art and story craft is what matters not how
the Cohen universal quirkiness is being referenced and honored. It's , "Where's Waldo?" gone haywire. Enough already.
2
Another self-reverential plot point from episode 8 of Fargo: the deaf guy Nikki was chained to on the bus was Mr. Wrench (played by Russell Harvard), who was one of the two hitmen from the Fargo syndicate who tried to kill Lorne Malvo in Season 1. If you remember, that was that amazingly filmed gunfight in the blizzard. Malvo later found him handcuffed in a hospital bed and released him out of respect.
4
"Nikki and a fellow inmate"??? Good Golly, that was Mr. Wrench from season 1! He was even wearing his fabulous fringed leather jacket. Season 1 was set in 2006, this season was set in 2010. What has he been doing since Molly Solverson shot him? Malvo slipped him a key to his handcuffs in the hospital (I didn't remember this, I checked Wikipedia) so perhaps he has been on the run. I hope we get answers to that.
It was interesting to me that Mr Wrench helped Nikki...I expected him to lop off her hand and make a clean escape. Instead, he was very protective of her during the entire ordeal. Welcome back, Mr. Wrench!
It was interesting to me that Mr Wrench helped Nikki...I expected him to lop off her hand and make a clean escape. Instead, he was very protective of her during the entire ordeal. Welcome back, Mr. Wrench!
18
Nikki is not just shackled to a "fellow inmate", that is Mr. Wrench who was given a second chance by Lorne Malvo in season one. Now we know why! Just another connection in this Coen related universe to ponder, eh?
3
I love everything about this show. Your recaps add so much to that enjoyment. I had never seen Ms. Winstead in any performance before she played the nurse in the PBS series, Mercy Street. I thought she was awesome there. Imagine my amazement to learn she has been in many varied roles and then to see her in Fargo, about as far removed from Mercy Street as possible. What a great actress with great range. I predict a stellar career.
3
And the reviewer thought Ray was "reincarnated" as a cat???? That whole scene was not to be taken literally, IMHO. [The archangel] even questions her perception of their venue as a "bowling alley". Yes, it's a heavy nod to The Stranger, but by no means needs to mirror it directly. The theme of the inheritance of guilt (the cossacks!) tied in beautifully with the other themes explored in this scene. Of course the cowboy (The Stranger) wouldn't have spoken the way that this character did. It's not at all the same character.
My 2 c.