Fargo (FX) – Season 1

Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) trying to get out of a tight spot

There is something quietly magical about watching FX’s Fargo. Despite sharing so many qualities with the 1996 film – the frivolous, ubiquitous small talk; the washed-out sets and arctic blue exteriors; the ironically cinematic score (which works even better on television); the facetious, heavily accented overuses of “oh yeah,” “well heck,” and “aw jeez” – this FX original is not Fargo. The characters have been tweaked, reimagined, and shifted to match a more dynamic, open-ended storyline. The infuriatingly clueless and eternally weak Lundegaard is replaced with a more willful and self-aware Nygaard. Comfortable, stable Marge Gunderson becomes aspiring, youthful Molly Solverson. But most significantly, the dysfunctional kidnapper duo is trashed in favor of a drifting assassin, the instigating and innately cynical Lorne Malvo. The inclusion of these different characters provides for a unique dynamic not found in the original.

Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) teaching Lester life lessons

And yet, this new series manages to emulate the witty and unmistakably signature charm that made the original such a cult hit. 1996 Fargo’s appeal was rooted in its unprecedented mix of dark comedy, tragedy, and heroism. Although the FX series doesn’t line up perfectly with its muse (nor does it try to), it still succeeds in capturing its situational hilarity, absurd gravity, and profound melancholy through its impressive writing, mindful directing, and laudable acting. Alison Tolman plays her part stunningly, but the best performances come equally from Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, who could not have been cast any more perfectly. So although FX’s Fargo is not entirely Fargo, it’s heart and skin is Fargo through and through, and that’s what matters the most. FX has struck gold with one of the most marvelously original and endlessly watchable shows of the year so far.

Police officer Molly Solverson (Alison Tolman) working on a case at a diner

FINAL SCORE: 5 out of 5 stars  (raw score: 95, between “almost perfect” and “perfect”)

Fargo premiered April 15, 2014. It airs every Tuesday at 10:00 EST

UPDATE: Because of the consistently impressive writing, acting and directing the show displayed up until its finale, I feel compelled to make the rare move of editing my original raw score on the show from 92.5 to 95, thus making Fargo a 5 out of 5 star show.