Q

I need a good gush on Fargo.

There is so much to go in-depth about for a review, but to do it justice i’d need to spend way more time than i can afford now with work. Essentially, it’s amazing and everyone should give it a try.

1. I don’t know why i started.

Throughout the first episode i kept asking myself: “Why am i watching this?” Not because it was bad, but… it just didn’t seem like something i’d watch. The premise is as distilled as it can be: man arrives in town and corrupts other man. Small town cop investigates. The best i can do with categorizing it is dark comedy. By the first episode, i still had no idea what i was into – but damn was i hooked.

2. It’s just… good.

It’s difficult to pinpoint why exactly, because every element is perfectly crafted then melded together into an impeccable series. The acting – Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, Allison Tolman. There is literally no attractive person on the cast, male or female. By attractive i mean Hollywood attractive. NONE. Except maybe Collin Hanks, he is strangely appealing. Shut up.

That is just so rare in any show? They’d always have at least a token hot girl. But no Fargo doesn’t give a shit. Everyone is as they are, like in real life. Acting is top-notch from everyone: the chilling Billy Bob Thornton, and special mention to Martin Freeman.

FREEMAN you beautiful human being. As if being an excellent Watson isn’t enough. Here he is as Lester, his Minnesotan accent fucking spot-on; the transition of him from awkward to angry believable and stunning. He has such unassuming control over his self; i can only describe his success in acting as not being over. His eyes when he *spoiler* sends Linda to her death for his sake, i went breathless and had to watch it several times, just reveling in that moment of acting that transcends fiction and becomes fucking art.

3. The script is genius.

This is a series to be re-watched, because there are just too many moments of discreet humor along with the more direct ones. It’s a kind of funny that seamlessly weaves into the dialogue and plot, the kind of humor that punctuate our daily lives. It is unpretentious and natural, and thoroughly enjoyable. You get the kind of rush when you share an inside joke; also you’ll feel smart because their jokes aren’t cheap.

There are also gems of genius in the writing i can’t quite describe. They grab you and tease you, then before you know it surprise you. *Spoiler* I was especially taken by the scene where Malvo follows Gus home, the neighbor who had shared a midnight cuppa with Gus went up to Malvo and hissed “you’re not supposed to be here.”

At this point we’re aware of Malv’s manipulative ways and resourcefulness. I just know the scriptwriters were attempting to make us infer neighbor is involved with Malvo. They quickly let us know it’s not true though, but still – that tiny little audience manipulation to let you know they care. Brilliant.

Also, the beautiful fucking cinematics. I apologize for all the swearing in here, my love for Fargo is tapping into that. It’s like Wes Anderson without being pretentious.