The most frustrating part of Fargo’s second season is that it is almost magnificent. Do not get me wrong, this is a fantastic season of a fantastic show, but it has one major problem. However, focusing on the positives, there are so many to choose from. I do not know where to start. I could talk about how the cinematography is always so gorgeous. I could talk about how the show know how to blend humor and drama so unbelievably well. I could also talk aobut Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan and how amazingly awesome he was. I guess I will start with him and the rest of the amazing cast.
It Doesn’t Matter What You Mean, It Matters What You Do
As I mentioned, the cast is spectacular. I will only mention those who really stood out, but know that every single cast member did an excellent job. First of all, I need to talk about Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan. He is someone capable of being a badass, while delivering hilarious lines with unique mannerisms, and appearing completely intimidating. That is not easy to do, but Bokeem pulls it off exceptionally well. He stole every scene he was in, and to be honest, I would love a spin off that focuses on him and his men. Along with him, Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Stewart, and Ted Danson all stood out for me. They each felt very natural in their roles and were able to nail the dialogue that was given to them. Each of them could have played their roles very clichéd, but instead they portrayed their characters with such complexion which made them so memorable as I recall the season. They all deserve some sort of nomination. Bokeem does in general, and if he does not then we will riot. Along with these strong actors portraying some well written characters, the season has a great plot. It’s a plot that focuses on family and the repercussions of someone’s actions. The cinematography, music, and writing are all very reminiscent of the first season, which is great. Everything feels unique to the series and accompanies the show’s tone very well. The tone is of course fairly quirky. Sure there are some very serious moments, but they are met with some hilarious scenes that balances the tone.
It’s Just A Flyin’ Saucer, Ed
Before discussing my top episodes, I need to mention my biggest disappointment with the season: The UFO. When it was first introduced I thought: “Okay, as long as there is a good explanation, I am okay with this”. Nope, not a lick of an explanation. Maybe that is the point, but I did not like it. To me, it felt like lazy writing, which is unlike the rest of the show. Sure, the inclusion of the UFO made for some funny scenes, but what did it add to the plot? Absolutely nothing. With that out of the way, here are my top three episodes of the season: “Waiting for Dutch” (Episode 1), “The Myth of Sisyphus” (Episode 3), “The Castle” (Episode 9). I chose these episodes because they each have a particular scene that I loved. In the first episode, I love the whole diner scene. It played out very well, and had a great sense of humor during a very tense scene. Episode 3 had a great interaction between Mike and Lou, which of course makes the top three list just because Mike is involved. Episode 9 has the amazing shoot-out which stunned me as I watched. Words cannot describe how epic that scene was.
Closing Remarks
This is yet another reminder of why film is not as good as it could be. Each of these episodes felt like a mini movie, each with some great moments, and great characters. I have been harping a lot about having great characters, and that is precisely why television is doing so well. It is taking advantage of its long form narrative and creating memorable characters that are made more memorable through a great plot.