TV Recap: Fargo - "The Six Ungraspables"

Allison Tolman

Welcome to the new series that will dissect every episode of season one of FX's Fargo. From its faithfulness as an adaptation of the Coen Brothers classic to its growing plot, this will be a look at all things involving the show, its mythology, and occasional predictions of things to happen. There will be highlights of special moments in the series and deeper dissection of what may make this anthology series so endearing. What will happen in this freshman series about a homespun murder mystery? You'll have to read the recaps every Thursday to find out more.

Season 1, Episode 5

"The Six Ungrasphables" 

"There are no saints in the animal kingdom. Only breakfast and dinner."

-Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton)

Upon discovering that Lester Nygaard's (Martin Freeman) hand wound came from the night of his wife's murder, Mr. Wrench (Russell Harvard) and Mr. Numbers (Adam Goldberg) abuse it in order to get answers. Locked up in the same cell, they apply force to the sensitive wound to get Lester to namedrop Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) and get closer to their kill. They obtain photo evidence of his existence as well. Meanwhile, Lorne is dealing with a paranoid Stavros Milos (Oliver Platt), who believes that the recent misfortune is all biblical and that he must go into hiding with his son, who might be the next victim. Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) continues to solve the case without Bill Oswalt's (Bob Odenkirk) permission by visiting the scene of the crime. During this time, it is revealed that Lester is held up in a cell, where he passes out while using his injured hand as an alibi. Lorne and Stavros part ways after a disturbing conversation promising never to see each other again due to a failed ability to stay in safety. Gus Grimly (Collin Hanks) with assistance from his daughter (Joey King), try and find evidence to capture Lorne, but come up unsuccessful. With Lester in the hospital, the case continues with Molly getting closer to interrogating him for more information.


Rating: 4 out of 5

Most Blatant Homage

Even if it wasn't intentional, the opening felt like a direct homage to another Coen Brothers film: O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The Midwest feel is all present from the bluegrass music to the corn rows. It feels quite humble and enjoyable in ways that the film did in spades. The moment fades quickly into yet another effective flashback, but for the moment, it feels like the series is on a quest to slowly name drop every movie in the Coen Brothers canon. How successful they will be on achieving that is left to be seen, especially with the series already halfway completed.

Martin Freeman

Death Count

Zero, unless Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) locked Don Chumph (Glenn Howerton) in the closet with intention of him eventually perishing.

EPISODE COUNT (HUMAN): 0

EPISODE COUNT (ANIMAL): 0

TOTAL (HUMAN): 5

TOTAL (ANIMAL): 2

Left to right: Allison Tolman and Bob Odenkirk

MVP:

Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman)

If there is one thing strange about this episode, it is how Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) didn't feel like the center of attention. The series is starting to shift into providing focus to the other characters. With Molly Solverson set up to be the hero of everything, she continues to knock out some impressive amounts of work. This week, she manages to get Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) cornered and is very close to making a breakthrough in the case. While her partnership with Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks) may be a little problematic, at least they are the underdogs worth rooting for largely thanks to their dedication to not allow their jurisdictions to hold them back.

Left to right: Colin Hanks and Joey King

Best Scene

Poor Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks). He's a simple police officer who isn't very good at detective work. He cannot even use computers all that well. What he lacks for in skills, he makes up for in dedication to family. Upon one evening, he decides to talk to his neighbor about the case. During this time, he shares a parable that states that nobody can solve all of the world's problems. Being naive and strong willed, he shoots back with "At least we can try." It sums up his character perfectly and embodies what Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) represents to Minnesota within the realms of the series. He is a threat that is unlikely to be stopped, even if he winds up in a cell. Also, the punchline to the parable is a Coen Brothers staple in which doing anything leads to no results.

Left to right: Adam Goldberg, Freeman, and Russell Harvard

Overall Thoughts

Last week's episode was a phenomenal rise of catastrophe and tension. It reflected the series coming into its own without much need to compare to the film. In this episode, it feels more laid back and focused on putting more pieces together. Poor Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) is trying to weasel his way out of everything. Even Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) isn't quite as interesting this week. He has some stories about dogs that will gross you out, but that is the extent of his skills here. He is more setting up for something in the future. What exactly is not sure. The episode deals with a lot of familiar elements and maybe that diminishes the quality just a little bit. However, the show revels in its weirdness, and that alone helps to make it one of the most distinguished freshman series currently on TV.

Left to right: Oliver Platt and  Billy Bob Thornton

Predictions

With Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) sedated and in the hospital, I predict that he is going to finally be cornered and forced into telling the truth. Either that, or some form of a lie that doesn't quite make sense. Lorne Malvo will also start getting cornered in unexpected ways, presumably by Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks) and his neighbor.