Netflix Canada recently released the first two seasons of Fargo, the television series based on the 1996 Coen Brothers film. I’d like to write about the first season now.
First of all, the spirit of the original film is here: the intrigue, the suspense, the droll, dark humour. I will further proclaim that this series happens to be one of the greatest television series of all time. It contains unforgettable characters, spellbinding turns of events, and intricate, tightly written dialogue and plot twists.
Like the original film, the first season proclaims that these are “true events,” but as we now know, that’s just a cunning deception of the film and it’s spin-off. The first season takes place in 2006. An ominous drifter has arrived in Bimidji, Minnesota. He is played by Billy Bob Thornton in one of the most sinister, scary performances to ever grace the small screen. His Lorne Malvo is a highly original character and is utterly horrific in his violent actions throughout the first season. He almost seems super-human or extra-terrestrial in his ability to think, plan and execute. The character recalls other Coen brothers’ villains, most notably Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men, an almost other-worldly individual in his omnipresence and chilling lack of humanity.
When Malvo meets Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) a local insurance salesman, he learns of Nygaard’s disdain for a local bully and decides to take on the responsibility of rubbing him out, despite Nygaard’s lack of consent. This leads to a series of violent crimes and murders that will baffle and bewilder local law enforcement officers, including Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tollman) and officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks).
Freeman’s performances of Nygaard recalls Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) from the original Fargo film. Freeman seems to be doing an impersonation of the original character, but he adds his own riffs and spins on him. He has the same meek, passive temperament, but he also has a darker side than Jerry and ultimately reveals himself to be a man who will go to any lengths to put himself ahead, including lying, and acts of adultery and violence.
Fargo is a black comedy like the film on which it is based. It’s humour is constantly mixed with suspense and terror. This aspect of the show is where it really shines: it takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and reactions. The violence, when it does occur is graphic and sudden, and there is a lot of it. A lot of innocent people are mowed down.
I am almost through the second season and will write on it too. As I said, this is one of the great television series. It constantly surprises, amuses, and leaves you riveted to the small screen. It captures the soul and spirit of the original film and moves it in new directions and unexpected angles.
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