Based on the 1996 film of the same name, FX’s anthology series Fargo takes what makes the movie so great and applies it to an interconnected television series. The Coen Brothers don’t have anything to do with the writing or the directing of the show, but showrunner Noah Hawley perfectly recreates the tone and feel of the film as if they were the ones running the program. In many ways, the show expands and deepens the film — it’s one of the best things on TV right now.
Each season takes place during a different time period and focuses on different characters. There’s some crossover here and there—for example, an older police officer in the supporting cast of the first season is portrayed decades younger as the lead in the second season — but each season largely stands on its own. Spanning across three decades and three states, the events that unfold across the three seasons of Fargo always seem to end up back in the titular North Dakota town.
Loplop (Season Two, Episode Eight)
Ed and Peggy, a married couple with a secret played by real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, hold a man hostage in a secluded cabin in this eighth episode of the second season. The tension and dark humor are both at an all-time high here, making it the best episode of the series so far. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
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The Castle (Season Two, Episode Nine)
The episode immediately following “Loplop” sees Ed and Peggy used as bait in an attempt to stop a Kansas City mob. Like with many shows, the second-to-last episode proves to be more of a finale than the final episode does. Most loose ends are tied up here, cementing the season’s status as the best of the three so far.
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The Crocodile’s Dilemma (Season One, Episode One)
The first episode of the series sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the show’s run. This season is the one most similar to the plot of the original film, but Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton bring a much-needed freshness to the season’s familiar plot. It hints at existing within the same universe as the film, but it’s absolutely its own thing.
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Buridan’s Ass (Season One, Episode Six)
The sixth episode of the first season of Fargo is all about master plans—ones that have been built up to for the duration of the season. The title comes from a philosophical paradox: a hypothetical donkey, one who is equally hungry and thirsty, is placed between a bucket of water and a bale of hay. They die of hunger and thirst because they can’t bring themselves to choose.
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Rhinoceros (Season Two, Episode Six)
Exactly one season later, the sixth episode of the second season proves to be one of the strongest of the sophomore season. This midpoint sees the police come closer than ever to connecting all the dots in their investigation of the season’s mysterious crimes. It also gives supporting actors Nick Offerman a chance to shine brightly.
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A Fox, a Rabbit, and a Cabbage (Season One, Episode Nine)
Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key deliver great performances on season one of Fargo, both of them showing off their talents long before they got the chance to shine as individuals a couple of years later after the end of their show. “A Fox, a Rabbit, and a Cabbage” is an excellent episode, due in part to Key and Peele.
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Morton’s Fork (Season One, Episode Ten)
The finale to an astounding first season goes down in history as one the most satisfying ending in the show’s run so far. Martin Freeman has always been an excellent actor, but Fargo season one gave him the opportunity to be a star. He doesn’t squander it — he comes off as one of the most memorable leads in recent memory.
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Who Rules the Land of Denial? (Season Three, Episode Eight)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Carrie Coon the two best actresses to grace Fargo’s cast thus far — it’s a lovely coincidence that they happened to be in the same season together. Much of season three’s cast is just as great — Ewan McGregor in two roles, David Thewlis as the creepy villain, and Michael Stuhlbarg as the sleazy henchmen — but it’s hard to top Winstead and Coon’s performances. Season three’s eighth episode gives them both plenty of screen time, making it plenty memorable.
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Aporia (Season Three, Episode Nine)
The penultimate episode of the third season follows Carrie Coon’s crossover with one of Ewan McGregor’s two characters. It’s tense, especially seeing as it’s so close to the end at this point in the season. Actor Shea Whigham is a total star, and he’s not to be missed here. This season was definitely the most underrated so far.
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The Gift of the Magi (Season Two, Episode Five)
One of the best subplots in the show’s history is season two’s brushes with Ronald Reagan on the campaign trail. It’s a great addition to an already impressive story, with Reagan’s life story making a great parallel to what the Coens often emulate in their stories — moral lessons about karma, greediness, and the dangers of misinformation come to mind, in particular. The Gift of the Magi brings this subplot to the forefront to great effect.
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