Television Fargo (tv series)

Snow

Somewhere down the lane, a licky boom boom down
Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Messages
33,229
Location
Lousy Smarch weather
Chris Rock is a really bad actor so I'm kind of sceptical of the 4th season. The first 3 seasons had such a great cast so it will be hard to follow it if the lead isn't able to handle the role.
 

Rooney in Paris

Gerrard shirt..Anfield? You'll Never Live it Down
Scout
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
35,611
Location
In an elephant sanctuary
Season 4 is returning in 2019 with Chris Rock playing the lead. His character will be a 1950s Kansas City crime boss in a power struggle with the Italian mob. Sounds promising. I just re watched the first season and was reminded of its brilliance. I didn't really notice it before but Martin Freeman's accent progressively got worse as the season went on, especially after his character Lester married the Asian chick and he won salesman of the year, a year after getting away with his first wife's murder. He totally lost the Minnesota accent

https://www.indiewire.com/2018/08/fargo-season-4-chris-rock-cast-fx-plot-details-1201990746/
Ohhh looking forward to this! Guess it won't be until the end of the year though.
 

jderbyshire

Has anybody seen my fleshlight?
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
4,175
Can't get enthused about this as the 3rd season was dire.
 

Drifter

American
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
68,301
Fargo Season 4


Just can't take Chris Rock seriously. But it looks good.
 

lsd

The Oracle
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
10,784
Chris Rock is a really bad actor so I'm kind of sceptical of the 4th season. The first 3 seasons had such a great cast so it will be hard to follow it if the lead isn't able to handle the role.

He was good in New Jack City and 2 Days in New York . When he does drama he can cut it
 

Massive Spanner

Give Mason Mount a chance!
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
27,891
Location
Tool shed
Nothing about that trailer looks Fargo-esque, though. It's set in Kansas for feck sake.

I also think the show in general is overrated. Season two was great but one and three were shite.
 

Man of Leisure

Threatened by women who like sex.
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
13,858
Location
One Big Holiday
Just saw a commercial on ESPN for this. Looks like a premiere date still hasn't be announced, but definitely airing on FX and Hulu sometime in 2020.
 

Bojan11

Full Member
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
33,113
Nothing about that trailer looks Fargo-esque, though. It's set in Kansas for feck sake.

I also think the show in general is overrated. Season two was great but one and three were shite.
How dare you.

I loved season 1 and the cast, is season 2 really better? I haven’t watched season 2 yet, maybe I should.
 

lsd

The Oracle
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
10,784
Looking forward to this season . Wasn't impressed with the least season but the previous ones were great
 

Drifter

American
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
68,301
Four episodes in, and it does not feel like a Fargo series, But the shows characters keep you watching. The serial killer nurse, the two escaped convicts, Zero Fadda and Chris Rock, who as not done a bad job.
 

wr8_utd

:'(
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
38,160
Four episodes in, and it does not feel like a Fargo series, But the shows characters keep you watching. The serial killer nurse, the two escaped convicts, Zero Fadda and Chris Rock, who as not done a bad job.
Only seen the first three but I completely agree with this. It's just got a different feel to it this time but still makes for compelling vieiwing.
 

Wibble

In Gadus Speramus
Staff
Joined
Jun 15, 2000
Messages
88,602
Location
Centreback
Never went back to season three. It just didn't work for me from the off.

Loved one and two though, aside from the UFO nonsense as I've grumbled about before.

Not sure what to think about Chris Rock being in season four, but will give it a shot no question.
I ended up really enjoying season 3.

Agreed about the UFO. WTF was that about?

I'll give season 4 a go even though I have the same reservations about Chris Rock.
 

robinamicrowave

Wanted to be bran, ended up being littlefinger
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
2,739
Supports
Man City
Agreed about the UFO. WTF was that about?
The first two seasons of Fargo are two of my favourite seasons of TV of all time, but yep, the UFO moment always perplexed me. It rubbed me up the wrong way at the time, it didn't make such sense to me on a second viewing, and as time has gone on I've always struggled to reconcile its place in the series. Aesthetically, tonally, narratively - everything just felt off about it for the longest time. Even the joke that everyone loved in that scene ("It's just a space ship, Ed! We gotta go!") didn't really make me laugh like it did everyone else. That was about four years ago and I'd not watched it since.

But earlier this year, right as we went into lockdown actually, I was just out of hospital (not COVID) and was in the mood for some comfort TV while getting my strength back. My girlfriend's not one for serious dramas really, but she loved the first season (mainly because of Billy Bob) so I thought I'd try out season 2 on her. Watching it again, suddenly the UFO sequence made total sense to me in a way it hadn't done before. The whole point of that scene is that it probably didn't happen, but it also could have done, because nobody's really 100% sure about the true history. It's all reported and fragmented. The entire episode is narrated by Martin Freeman and it's presented in the manner of a historical documentary. In fact, not all of the details are filled in - it's mentioned a few times that "nobody knows what happened next" or "nobody has been able to very this, but...". Basically, it's a story. Is the story 100% true? No. Is it a complete fabrication? Also no. But is the dramatic story more interesting than the boring truth? Definitely. Can anyone at the motel be sure there was a UFO? Who knows? There was so much going on - what with all the murder and shooting - that I doubt anyone can remember clearly. Through the grapevine of time, someone has planted the idea that a UFO really did land in Sioux Falls that night, and so Martin Freeman - who's making this "documentary" - has decided that he might as well include it. UFO sightings were rife during the Midwest in the 70s because nobody could prove their falsehood. There are references throughout the season to people spotting aliens. There's even the famous "Who would have known that in the 20th century, our world was being watched" monologue from War of the Worlds (that has sadly been cut from Netflix's edition for some reason). Aliens are a recurring theme at sporadic points throughout the season and the UFO turning up is just a culmination of it.

They're also a reference to the technological and increasingly conspiratory future America was heading towards. It's obviously informed by the hindsight we have now, because we know what happened to America in the 80s, 90s and 00s, but it rings true all the same. I'd completely missed just how much of season 2 is explicitly about that particular period of American history - as they stand in the dying embers of the "old world" (Camelot era, Vietnam, Nixon) and stare out into the grim misery of the future (AIDS epidemic, 9/11, another "Vietnam" in Afghanistan & Iraq). Jimmy Carter was, in the eyes of the people, a miserable president who hated the country, so they shifted him out - within weeks of season 2's events concluding, Reagan wins in a landslide. White America's dismal outlook following the radical social upheaval of the 60s and the depression brought on by the aftermath of Vietnam was about to be satiated by the comforting neoliberal revisionism ushered in by Reagan, and frankly the population was desperate for it - rightly or wrongly. Fargo (both the movie and the TV series) is a small-town story, sure, but at heart it's very much about the corruption, cynicism, and anger in the Western world at large. As one example: Lou & Hank are both veterans of different wars, scarred for life - they even have a conversation early on in the season about how they often worry that they "brought the war home with them". Lou even has that moment with Reagan where he asks how America can be "cured of the sickness" that he believes has taken the form of Betty's cancer - Reagan just smiles and turns away. You see it in Mike Milligan's character, whose reward for his work and bloodshed is just an office in a building of other offices.

In the end, the UFO represents both the way history can be mangled and misrepresented, and the kind of place America was heading. It feels dumb in the moment, and I always wished they could take it back, but with more viewings I've realised I like the mystery it creates and the questions it brings up. I even like Peggy's joke now as well.
 

Man of Leisure

Threatened by women who like sex.
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
13,858
Location
One Big Holiday
So this worth watching? Saw the first 20 min of the 1st episode while drunk tbf and not sure I’m gonna stick with it. Feels completely different to previous seasons as others have noted.
 

Amir

Full Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
24,831
Location
Rehovot, Israel
So this worth watching? Saw the first 20 min of the 1st episode while drunk tbf and not sure I’m gonna stick with it. Feels completely different to previous seasons as others have noted.
It is different and four episodes in... It's not very good and seriously lacks good editing.
 

macheda14

Full Member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
4,614
Location
London
The first two seasons of Fargo are two of my favourite seasons of TV of all time, but yep, the UFO moment always perplexed me. It rubbed me up the wrong way at the time, it didn't make such sense to me on a second viewing, and as time has gone on I've always struggled to reconcile its place in the series. Aesthetically, tonally, narratively - everything just felt off about it for the longest time. Even the joke that everyone loved in that scene ("It's just a space ship, Ed! We gotta go!") didn't really make me laugh like it did everyone else. That was about four years ago and I'd not watched it since.

But earlier this year, right as we went into lockdown actually, I was just out of hospital (not COVID) and was in the mood for some comfort TV while getting my strength back. My girlfriend's not one for serious dramas really, but she loved the first season (mainly because of Billy Bob) so I thought I'd try out season 2 on her. Watching it again, suddenly the UFO sequence made total sense to me in a way it hadn't done before. The whole point of that scene is that it probably didn't happen, but it also could have done, because nobody's really 100% sure about the true history. It's all reported and fragmented. The entire episode is narrated by Martin Freeman and it's presented in the manner of a historical documentary. In fact, not all of the details are filled in - it's mentioned a few times that "nobody knows what happened next" or "nobody has been able to very this, but...". Basically, it's a story. Is the story 100% true? No. Is it a complete fabrication? Also no. But is the dramatic story more interesting than the boring truth? Definitely. Can anyone at the motel be sure there was a UFO? Who knows? There was so much going on - what with all the murder and shooting - that I doubt anyone can remember clearly. Through the grapevine of time, someone has planted the idea that a UFO really did land in Sioux Falls that night, and so Martin Freeman - who's making this "documentary" - has decided that he might as well include it. UFO sightings were rife during the Midwest in the 70s because nobody could prove their falsehood. There are references throughout the season to people spotting aliens. There's even the famous "Who would have known that in the 20th century, our world was being watched" monologue from War of the Worlds (that has sadly been cut from Netflix's edition for some reason). Aliens are a recurring theme at sporadic points throughout the season and the UFO turning up is just a culmination of it.

They're also a reference to the technological and increasingly conspiratory future America was heading towards. It's obviously informed by the hindsight we have now, because we know what happened to America in the 80s, 90s and 00s, but it rings true all the same. I'd completely missed just how much of season 2 is explicitly about that particular period of American history - as they stand in the dying embers of the "old world" (Camelot era, Vietnam, Nixon) and stare out into the grim misery of the future (AIDS epidemic, 9/11, another "Vietnam" in Afghanistan & Iraq). Jimmy Carter was, in the eyes of the people, a miserable president who hated the country, so they shifted him out - within weeks of season 2's events concluding, Reagan wins in a landslide. White America's dismal outlook following the radical social upheaval of the 60s and the depression brought on by the aftermath of Vietnam was about to be satiated by the comforting neoliberal revisionism ushered in by Reagan, and frankly the population was desperate for it - rightly or wrongly. Fargo (both the movie and the TV series) is a small-town story, sure, but at heart it's very much about the corruption, cynicism, and anger in the Western world at large. As one example: Lou & Hank are both veterans of different wars, scarred for life - they even have a conversation early on in the season about how they often worry that they "brought the war home with them". Lou even has that moment with Reagan where he asks how America can be "cured of the sickness" that he believes has taken the form of Betty's cancer - Reagan just smiles and turns away. You see it in Mike Milligan's character, whose reward for his work and bloodshed is just an office in a building of other offices.

In the end, the UFO represents both the way history can be mangled and misrepresented, and the kind of place America was heading. It feels dumb in the moment, and I always wished they could take it back, but with more viewings I've realised I like the mystery it creates and the questions it brings up. I even like Peggy's joke now as well.
Great analysis. I think you might just be spot on.
 

Withnail

Full Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Messages
29,333
Location
The Arena of the Unwell
Without worrying about comparison I've really enjoyed this series.
It's been so long since I've watched the others I'll think I'll be safe enough there too.

The other half suggested rewatching the other series first which I vetoed. We can go back and watch them after this.
 

AaronRedDevil

Full Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2018
Messages
9,534
Halfway through the first season. Enjoying it. But I'll probably leave it at that if the other seasons arent as good.
 

Maluco

Last Man Standing 3 champion 2019/20
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
5,765
It’s one of my favourite shows on Netflix. Season 1 is really amazing, and Season 2 is so tense and has just as strong performances.

Really baffled at those who said Season 3 was terrible though. I thought it was fantastic and Ewan McGregor was incredible in the dual role. The scene with the interrogation and him recounting what happened was superb. I thought he gave both characters real depth and David Thewlis was tremendous as an almost Anton Chigurh type relentless evil.

Really fantastic show for me, and I recommend it to whoever I can. Looking forward to Season 4 (not released on my region yet)
 

marktan

Full Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
6,907
Anyone watched S4 and can get back? The plot and acting have been panned on imdb.

Halfway through the first season. Enjoying it. But I'll probably leave it at that if the other seasons arent as good.
S2 is excellent as well, takes a couple of episodes to get to speed but it's just as good as the 1st in a different way.

S3 I've tried to watch twice, I got to about ep5 but just gave up the pacing on it way too slow for me.
 

Amir

Full Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
24,831
Location
Rehovot, Israel
I thought the last episodes was an improvement. Probably because it was far shorter than the others and stuff actually started moving more.
 

Organic Potatoes

Full Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
17,139
Location
85R723R2+R6
Supports
Colorado Rapids
Well that E9 was...something. Not sure what to think of it. Am I mistaken or are the murders in Kansas that the book/film related to Capote cover being mentioned now that they’re in SW Kansas?
 

Organic Potatoes

Full Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
17,139
Location
85R723R2+R6
Supports
Colorado Rapids
2>1>4>3

I'm enjoying this season especially the era/setting
This feels about right.

Chris Rock wasn’t as bad as I expected he would be, but there were still some times where I noticed he was Chris Rock. Also, some of the others were distracting. The big Italian bloke looks exactly like a mental Mexican guy I worked with, but even aside from that he was annoying
 

Drifter

American
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
68,301
That was an unexpected twist. Interested to see where it goes from here.
 

Vooon

Full Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2012
Messages
2,600
Location
Hal Institute for Criminally Insane Robots
Season 4 is the weakest in my opinion, but it's still pretty good (I'm up to date in episodes). I like how the characters have developed, Gaetano is fecking awesome. It feels a bit like an interrim season though, I think I read somewhere that they've suffered a bit due to COVID. Some of the episodes are much shorter than usual for instance.

Season 1 and 2 are among the best ever in TV history. The third season is a few notches below.
 

Tarrou

Full Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
25,537
Location
Sydney
I enjoyed the season but Chris Rock was easily the weak link for me

He just wasn't very believable in that role, and the other good acting performances around him made it quite jarring in comparison, IMO