"Fargo" Season 2 Recap

[HHP]

Season 2 is now over, thought I'd wait a bit to post to give folks who record it to have watched the finale.

Overall, it easily ranks up there with season 1 but very different, much darker. Performances were great, particularly Kirsten Dunst who I had never liked in anything prior to this. Patrick Wilson as the young Lou Solverson was excellent although there didn't seem to be a continuity between him and his season one personality. Jean Smart and Bokeem Woodbine were stellar as the crimelords.

A lot more action and violence than any previous "Fargo". Unlike last season, I didn't get a sense of what a season 3 might be. They really met the high mark of season 1 unlike "True Detective" who had a very muddled season 2.

I still have no idea what was behind the flying saucer narrative or what it had to do with anything.

[D. Shelton]

Great stuff for the most part . Slightly cartooney in a couple of places , but I easily overlooked that and appreciated the surreality of many more scenes, especially with the Blumquists . BW was great as Mike Milligan, who we know would survive and thrive, but it was sad to see where his promotion landed him . Lots of fun plot twists and twisted moments. Hansi was a great character too . I recall , watching the intro leaf through the 'history' book at the start of the finales, thinking "that may be what next season is about" , about some stuff that happened about a hundred years earlier...

I will stay tuned!

[Bern]

I liked season 1 a bit more. IMO, Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton duo played real strong characters which carried the series. In season 2, Kirsten Dunst carried the show when she appeared. I thought the storyline was weaker as well. That is not to say, I didn't enjoy it.

[Larry Pattis]

Flying saucer...lame distraction...as was most of the final episode. Otherwise I give it two thumbs up.

[D. Shelton]

bout the only thing the saucer did was appear to help Hansi track or figure out what happened at the scene of the hit-and-run . Otherwise, totally unnecessary ; a lame gimmick . The show doesn't need to stoop to such
theatrical contrivances ; stick to the ones that work !

[HHP]

Originally Posted by D. Shelton

bout the only thing the saucer did was appear to help Hansi track or figure out what happened at the scene of the hit-and-run . Otherwise, totally unnecessary ; a lame gimmick . The show doesn't need to stoop to such
theatrical contrivances ; stick to the ones that work !

The saucer caused the accident that started the whole chain of events. Can't imagine why it would appear at the big gunfight or why there was only a short dialog exchange about it after.

[Brucebubs]

Loved it but agree in part with Larry about the UFO.
Brilliant television, I've seen many major release films that weren't as good.
Everyone was exceptionally good, even Ted Danson!
Billy Bob was the standout in season 1.
Kirsten Dunst takes it out in season 2.
Love that accent they use, it was also in the original Coen brothers movie yah.

[catdaddy]

All great stuff including the saucer appearances. Just like the music from the era that was part of the great cinema verite ambience of the show the saucer was representative of the "real" UFO flap that actually happened at that time in the area.

I have enjoyed both seasons thus far and look forward to whatever (evil and redemption) is coming in season #3.

[MikeBmusic]

I liked season 1 better, I think #2 had too many characters going (at least until half got killed off).
I wonder if season 3 is going to take us another 10 years into the past?

[williejohnson]

The Flying saucer was never really explained/explored but I seem to recall that at some point in season 1, it started raining fish.....which was never explained?

[billgennaro]

My second favorite series of all-time, next to Breaking Bad. I love the quirky-ness of Fargo. If you like Kirsten Dunst's performance you should check her out in a movie called "Drop Dead Gorgeous". Her character is very similar with the accent and all. Quite an entertaining movie too, though it's a comedy.

[rbock]

Originally Posted by williejohnson

The Flying saucer was never really explained/explored but I seem to recall that at some point in season 1, it started raining fish.....which was never explained?

The fish were explained in a brief reference to a small tornado having picked them up from a nearby lake.

I just finished watching season 1 after already seeing 2. I found it easier to like season 1, maybe because the distinction between heroes and villains was more clearcut.

[cu4life7]

I loved every bit of season 2 up to the ufo and the last episode. I thought for such a strong season (good writing and great acting), they let themselves down the the final two episodes. The Ufo was unnecessary and silly, and the last episode just wandered around without really giving me any final punch or twist that I would expect. I would say I liked it more than season 1 on the whole, and it was definitely an interesting offering. Miles better than true detective season two which was a mess.

Looking forward to season 3, as the concept itself is interesting and their casting is perfect. I too have never liked kirsten dunst until this role. She did a great job.

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by HHP

Performances were great, particularly Kirsten Dunst....

Loved season 1, and thought it had the edge over season 2 plot wise, but the acting in season 2, especially Dunst, left me thinking that both seasons were exceptional TV fare, way above the kind of material that most of the Emmys usually go to. (Doesn't anyone who votes on these Emmy shows watch Fargo and The Americans? Apparently not....)
Dunst was sooo good in season 2. Not just her delivery and perfect accent, but her demeanor, mannerisms, even the non-spoken facial expressions. She was all in for this one. I hope she gets some kind of recognition.
And the writers too.
Glad there will be a Fargo 3!

[D. Shelton]

Originally Posted by HHP

The saucer caused the accident that started the whole chain of events. Can't imagine why it would appear at the big gunfight or why there was only a short dialog exchange about it after.

Yeah, I forgot it caused the accident that set off the whole poopstorm