Fargo Season 5: A Premiere Review

Article Key Points

Fargo season 5 starts strong with stunning visuals, stellar performances, and an intriguing twist on the original movie's premise.

The initial episodes offer exceptional writing, unforeseeable plot twists, and gripping scenes that establish the foundation for a thrilling season.

Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Juno Temple and Jon Hamm, the performances are outstanding, complemented by a haunting soundtrack that intensifies the eerie ambiance.

Episodes 1-2 of Fargo season 5 are reviewed in this spoiler-free review.

Following a rocky fourth season, Fargo season 5 starts off strong with breathtaking visuals, exceptional performances from a star-studded ensemble, and a unique twist on the original movie's concept. Juno Temple shines as Dot Lyon, a seemingly typical Midwestern housewife with a mysterious past, while Jon Hamm captivates as Sheriff Roy Tillman, a corrupt lawman relentlessly pursuing her. These first two episodes, written and directed by series creator Noah Hawley, possess the distinct authorial voice that initially propelled this show to success.

Fargo season 5 takes a fresh approach to the original movie, adding some unique elements. Just like in the Coen brothers' classic, the season premiere features two masked intruders breaking into a suburban house to abduct a housewife. However, this time, there's a fascinating twist: the housewife is a formidable fighter who knows how to defend herself. The husband, a car salesman similar to William H. Macy's character in the movie, faces a different challenge as his wealthy parents refuse to pay the ransom. Returning to the familiar icy setting of Minnesota, this season maintains the iconic "Minnesota nice" accent, as indicated in the opening title card.

The early episodes of the season showcase exceptional writing. The first episode captivates viewers with its unpredictable nature, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable season. With its thrilling climactic set-piece, the premiere episode continually surprises with unexpected twists and turns. The second episode builds upon the action while skillfully delivering necessary exposition. Creator Noah Hawley expertly weaves together a diverse cast of characters, each possessing crucial pieces of information. As tension mounts, they cautiously disclose more details and strategically maneuver their positions.

The action scenes in the first episode incorporate a lot of John Woo-style slow-motion, which is a departure from the usual tone of this series. The use of slow-motion adds a visceral and sensationalized element to the shootouts and foot chases, contrasting with the show's typically somber and downbeat portrayal of violence. This departure from the series' signature bleakness serves to highlight the triumphs of Temple's heroine. However, in the second episode of Season 5, the show returns to a more straightforward style of action filmmaking, aligning better with the tone established in previous seasons.

Fargo is available to stream on Hulu

Similar to its predecessors, Fargo season 5 benefits greatly from an exceptional cast of talented actors, delivering captivating performances in the leading roles. Juno Temple astounds with her portrayal of Dot, the fearless heroine. Initially introduced as a super-mom archetype who seems to have it all figured out, Dot quickly reveals a complex and troubled past. Temple's performance evokes memories of Geena Davis in The Long Kiss Goodnight, in the best possible way. Despite the character's mysterious goals and motivations, Temple effortlessly keeps the audience engaged throughout the plot.

Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers a remarkable performance as the affluent and haughty mother-in-law who refuses to spend a penny of her fortune on a ransom. Leigh brilliantly captures the sharp-tongued essence of Daisy Domergue, making her character hilariously unlikeable. Richa Moorjani and Lamorne Morris from New Girl shine as the "everyman" police officers caught up in a web of corruption, reminiscent of Marge Gunderson from Fargo. David Rysdahl skillfully portrays Dot's mild-mannered husband Wayne, who is thrown off balance by the shocking revelations about his wife's past. However, Pete Holmes may have been an even better choice for the role, adding an extra layer of absurdity.

Jon Hamm's villainous Sheriff Tillman is briefly introduced in episode 1, but his full introduction doesn't occur until episode 2. Hamm brings the same antagonistic presence to Tillman as he did in his villainous role in Baby Driver. Opposite Hamm, Joe Keery delivers an equally foreboding performance as Tillman's son, Gator, who serves as his slick and sleazy right-hand man. Gator displays the same intimidating qualities as the season 1 character Steve Harrington, but lacks any redeeming qualities.

The season features an exceptional soundtrack that, despite being set in 2019, is filled with classic gems. The electric guitar licks of Rush's "Working Man" accompany a scene of Hamm bathing in an outdoor wooden barrel and smoking a cigarette. Alongside the familiar classics, the soundtrack also surprises with needle-drops like "This is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas. The eerie and unsettling orchestral score, reminiscent of The Shining, adds an air of danger to Hamm's villainous character.

With an exhilarating start, Fargo season 5 has managed to captivate its audience in just two episodes. If the show consistently maintains its suspenseful atmosphere and successfully resolves its enigmas, fans can expect this to be one of the best seasons yet. Mark your calendars, as Fargo season 5 is scheduled to premiere on FX with two consecutive episodes on November 21.

Fargo

Seemingly mild-mannered housewife Dot Lyon's dark past comes back to haunt her as the corrupt Sheriff Tillman tries to hunt her down.

Editor's P/S

Fargo Season 5 Review: A Thrilling Return to Form

Fargo season 5 is a thrilling return to form for the acclaimed FX series. After a somewhat disappointing fourth season, the show returns with a vengeance, delivering a fresh and captivating take on the iconic film's concept.

The first two episodes of the season are particularly strong, with stunning visuals, stellar performances, and an intriguing twist on the original movie's premise. The writing is exceptional, with unforeseeable plot twists and gripping scenes that establish the foundation for a thrilling season.

The cast is also excellent, with Juno Temple and Jon Hamm delivering standout performances. Temple is particularly impressive as Dot Lyon, a seemingly typical Midwestern housewife with a mysterious past. Hamm is equally good as Sheriff Roy Tillman, a corrupt lawman relentlessly pursuing her.

Overall, Fargo season 5 is a must-watch for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It's a thrilling and unpredictable ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.