Well, things are picking up the pace in the world of “Fargo.”
Last week’s episode felt a little toned down after the debut, but this week’s episode is fitting the twisted pieces of the puzzle together even more.
Malvo is taking charge in the ransom case he was hired to figure out. This included a pretty hilarious scene with the overly bronzed Don Chumph.
Now, this episode had what I call the “Walter White” effect when Malvo kills Stavros Milos’ dog. Let me explain. In “Breaking Bad,” there was a perverse cheering on of anti-hero Walter White. You cheer him on in a strange way, until he took that step too far. For me, when Walt lets Jane die of an overdose, he stepped beyond horrible. Blowing up an old folks home did that too.
So, Malvo killing a dog was, for me, the point where the audience begins to think twice about the likability of the character. It shows just how evil this man can be. And I think this episode did that perfectly. It challenged how much the audience will take from this man’s actions.
This episode also brought Gus Grimley to Bemidji just as Molly Solverson is starting to really suspect Lester in the suspicious deaths of Mrs. Nygaard and the chief of police. Malvo was in Lester’s car when he was pulled over and Lester lied about the car being in the shop.
And the naked man in the trunk puts a face to Malvo for Molly through a security tape. Things are falling into place.
Observations:
* The scene where Sam Hess’ one son shoots the other son in the butt with a crossbow was hilarious.
* Malvo scores prescription drugs out of van in Duluth that also offers a zombie survival kit.
* Collin Hanks butchered the pronunciation of Bemidji.
* The scene with the widow Hess and Lester was the most uncomfortable thing I’ve seen Martin Freeman do since the original “Office.” Just kinda cringe worthy.
* That spider story was so hilariously disgusting it was used twice, both dinner scenes too.
* Lester going all Rambo with his brother — just awesome!
OK, I’m off next Tuesday, so I may not be live-tweeting the episode. I do plan on watching it later that night and writing up the review. Editor Matt Cory will probably be live tweeting, so you can follow him at @Bemidjieditor.
The JOE-DOWN 
I agree, its starting to pick up. I agree with you and also thinks its weird how people can side with the bad guy that takes out other people but when it happens to an animal, its a different story. Animals/pets are innocent, humans are not? I hope the two cops are meant for each other that way the woman cop can stay off of Lester’s back. I side with Lester for some odd reason I don’t even know and hope he doesn’t do that ”Walter White” effect. Fargo S1E2 A Muddy Road Review
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It was pointed out to me that in the first episode when Lester is trying to sell insurance to the young couple, the guy says he’s a librarian. In episode 2 the deaf man says he wishes the town had a library. Hmm?
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Malvo has killed with such indifference that I was barely fazed by the dog’s death. This guy is more Gus than Walt IMO.
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And Jr., Lester is already kind of Walter White, the early bumbling Walt. He knows about as much about being a violent criminal as he does about washing machines. Malvo is unapologetically evil, while Lester is, except for his one crime of passion, the stereotypical nice but weak guy who wants to be left alone. But after the session with his brother (and with Malvo’s continual involvement), I’m curious who he will end up to be at the end.
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I love the Breaking Bad comparison and I agree. You can no longer root for a man that kills a dog.
Also, I’m wondering if the show is hinting that Stavros Milos found his start up money buried in the snow… the ending of the original Fargo.
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PLUS, when Lester escorts Deputy Solverson out of his insurance office, what kind of car is parked right across the street? Yep. A Pontiac Aztec.
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