Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blumquist
Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blumquist

For those of you who haven’t seen the glorious season one of FARGO, go and watch that immediately, it is one of the best shows of 2014. Despite winning a Golden Globe for Billy Bob Thornton’s exquisite performance as Lorne Malvo and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries, no one I know has really heard of the show (note to self get better friends…or maybe just friends). Season one is still on Netflix and I highly recommend you add it to your list of shows to watch.

It is hard to completely dispel the greatness of the first season when looking at the second. To be fair, it took me twenty minutes into the first season to become fully engaged, and with the second season it takes around two episodes. The general consensus is that you will be wowed immediately and I may be the only person saying otherwise, and believe me I really think I am.

Fargo-Danson-Wilson-727x530

When watching the first episode you know you are watching FARGO straight away, in terms of style and cinematography it is pure Coen-produced cinematic television. Unfortunately though, none of the characters particularly interested me. This may partly be due to the lack of Malvo and my love of that character, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say I thoroughly enjoyed the performances and more to the point the characters of the entire ensemble in the first season. There just isn’t that interest factor for me in this one, at least not like the first.

The most interesting characters are Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson) and Mike Mulligan (Bokeem Woodbine). Mulligan is the closest approximation to Malvo in the show, the eccentric psychopath type that will keep you on your toes.

Fargo Bokeem

I feel like Tom Hanks in CAST AWAY, isolated on a tiny island with Wilson (my PS4) away from the extreme adoration season two is getting. I am heavily comparing this season to the first (but so is everyone else) and I just don’t think it lives up to the impeccable standard of the writing in season one.

This season has universal acclaim and so far the show is, in technical terms (cinematography, editing, music and acting), extremely good. I don’t think it is a masterpiece, and for me is a step down from the first season. Having said this, the show is definitely warming up and I imagine the next few episodes will become wildly more heated and intense. I feel like the first half of season two is like a spark slowly inching its way to the dynamite.

Please follow and like us:
SHARE