Fargo

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 15, 2014
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1249 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,191 out of 1249
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 1249
  3. Negative: 34 out of 1249
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  1. brockcheese
    Feb 12, 2021
    9
    This first season is a great expansion on the movies and a promise of what's to become one of the greatest shows ever made. The comedy of seeing a crime show with the mannerisms of the midwest remains amusing.
  2. breakdownbbe
    Nov 3, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Come on, you have got to be kidding me. One of the most overhyped seasons of TV I have ever seen. The plot is beyond ridiculous, there is zero suspension of disbelief. The longer the show goes the dumber the storylines get, like Lester escaping from the hospital, Malvo escaping impossible situations with such ease (I especially hate the blizzard firefight scene that hinges on a rival hitman stooping to scooby doo villain levels of stupidity), Lester’s preposterous hospital escape and evidence planting, etc. The complete lack of suspension of disbelief makes the “true story” title card more grating with every episode...somehow the film is more brutal, funnier, and more shocking while seeming like something that could actually happen, instead of this ridiculousness. The humor is maybe good for one chuckle an episode. The violence is weak and boring compared to shows like Twin Peaks or Wire. The show has moments where it desperately tries to art it up that fall flat, like the slo mo of the shorty pellet entering Lester’s hand or the visualization of the parable of charity guy. The police characters are intensely dislikable (Bob odenkirk’s character in particular has some of the laziest, most one dimensional writing I’ve ever seen for a TV show with moderate critical acclaim) and with each episode malvo drifts further and further away from terrifying sociopath to absurd prankster omnipotent boogeyman. The two saving graces of this show are 1.) the acting, which is good across the board and could be great if the actors were given stronger material to work with 2.) the fact that even though this season is drastically overhyped, it’s still marginally better than most dreck that hits TV screens

    Overall I can’t say this season is worth your time

    PS special shout out to this show for having some of the most embarrassing CGI I’ve ever seen, these **** seriously couldn’t even be **** to use real crickets???? Real fish????? **** looks like a PS1 cutscene. Lazy filmmaking
    PPS i    … Expand
  3. PhilipBlake
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    Fargo season one is just awesome, a real reminiscent of the cult classic Fargo movie in all is glory. Story, Characters and set was only a perfect tribute to the 1994 movie. Billy Bob Thornton is just the best character of the entire franchise (both film and series) and delivers a damn unforgettable role as the coldest unstoppable killing machine. The overall ambiance absolutelyFargo season one is just awesome, a real reminiscent of the cult classic Fargo movie in all is glory. Story, Characters and set was only a perfect tribute to the 1994 movie. Billy Bob Thornton is just the best character of the entire franchise (both film and series) and delivers a damn unforgettable role as the coldest unstoppable killing machine. The overall ambiance absolutely surprisingly feet very well the Fargo universe.… Expand
  4. B0lliger
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    My favourite show of all time. I have just finished the three seasons and have created an account just to review this.
    The acting is amazing, the story, the directing, camerawork, music I could go on forever....
    I'm very much looking forward to a fourth season and can't wait. The fact that this is a Netflix production and I think they are ok but usually no masterpieces makes this show    My favourite show of all time. I have just finished the three seasons and have created an account just to review this.
    The acting is amazing, the story, the directing, camerawork, music I could go on forever....
    I'm very much looking forward to a fourth season and can't wait. The fact that this is a Netflix production and I think they are ok but usually no masterpieces makes this show even better.
    Can only recommend.    … Expand
  5. donnyjepp
    Nov 27, 2018
    10
    This is black comedy and suspenseful drama done perfectly. To say nothing of the superb casting (Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman, Bob Odenkirk, Martin Freeman, Key & Peele virtually playing themselves, Billy Bob Thornton in arguably the most compelling role of his career), it's a constant rollercoaster of excitement, dread, and enthralling character development - all through the giddy filterThis is black comedy and suspenseful drama done perfectly. To say nothing of the superb casting (Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman, Bob Odenkirk, Martin Freeman, Key & Peele virtually playing themselves, Billy Bob Thornton in arguably the most compelling role of his career), it's a constant rollercoaster of excitement, dread, and enthralling character development - all through the giddy filter of wholesome Minnesota mannerisms. Season 2 compensates for occasionally dragging it's feet (the antagonistic Gerhardt family is perhaps not complex or interesting enough to merit so much screentime) by delivering one of the best soundtracks to date.… Expand
  6. Justinavery7074
    Oct 2, 2018
    8
    Truly phenomenal characters here. Great storytelling. Not all the humor works for me but that's just me.
  7. stevenf49
    May 25, 2018
    10
    FARGO is one of the best series ever to appear on T.V. . It is a STRONG part of the Golden Age of Television.Noah Hawley is an Artist. MORE PLEASE!
  8. alejandro970
    Mar 11, 2018
    10
    Justifiably twinned with same movie of 1996. The 1st season is a roller coaster of black humor about a crime that went wrong: a vendetta job that never, nobody asked. Billy Bob Thorton as the ice- heart murder is shocking.
  9. jaasieljunior
    Dec 3, 2017
    10
    há muitos casos em que uma adaptação de um filme para uma série de TV possa parecer impossível e inferior. Exceto,no caso de Fargo. É de se admirar que uma série consegue chamar mais atenção ou até mesmo chegar ao nível do próprio filme original. E tem um dos vilões mais icônicos da TV nos últimos anos: LORNE MALVO.
  10. eva3si0n
    Aug 27, 2017
    7
    At series big name, and here he not such already as original movie. The quite good detective, but is too much nuances. As the detective story series has turned out mediocre and ridiculous. Sometimes action reaches to the point of absurdity, but it is the tragicomedy. Acting is excellent, Freeman has played perfectly. But the told story is too simple and monotonous, and the final opinionAt series big name, and here he not such already as original movie. The quite good detective, but is too much nuances. As the detective story series has turned out mediocre and ridiculous. Sometimes action reaches to the point of absurdity, but it is the tragicomedy. Acting is excellent, Freeman has played perfectly. But the told story is too simple and monotonous, and the final opinion spoils from the crumpled ending. It is too ridiculous and boring against the background of the main action of the events in series. I haven't understood why all so praise series and such high ratings.… Expand
  11. daviddelnorte23
    Aug 24, 2017
    8
    'Fargo' es una de las series más brillantes que he visto nunca. Siempre me ha costado un poco más ver esta primera temporada que las demás. Es verdad, que al principio (y más si no eres un habitual de los Coen) puede hacerse algo rara tanto la trama como el humor que imprime a veces la serie. Esta temporada no me parece ni mucho menos una obra maestra como han calificado muchos ni mucho'Fargo' es una de las series más brillantes que he visto nunca. Siempre me ha costado un poco más ver esta primera temporada que las demás. Es verdad, que al principio (y más si no eres un habitual de los Coen) puede hacerse algo rara tanto la trama como el humor que imprime a veces la serie. Esta temporada no me parece ni mucho menos una obra maestra como han calificado muchos ni mucho menos la mejor de la serie, más bien la más floja (esto es en términos relativos, ya que "flojo" asociado a Fargo puede ser caviar para otras). Lo que si es verdad, es que esta temporada cuenta con uno de los personajes más fascinantes, fríos y sádicos que he visto nunca a través de una pantalla. La temporada empieza muy arriba, luego es lenta en el desarrollo, a veces de excede, y luego la recta final acelera dejando un nivelazo. En definitiva, es la primera y la que está basada en la película original, lo que quizá la hizo un poco de "losa" pero es un genial comienzo para la serie y es la que empieza todo, pero repito que a mí es claramente la que menos me gusta.… Expand
  12. eagleeyeviking
    Jul 28, 2017
    8
    While its narrative momentum dwindles in the middle, Fargo’s freshman season is a largely triumphant black comedy–crime drama experiment. The show beautifully expands and honours the world created by the film without ever retreading the plot and characters, as well as introducing an ensemble of well-acted, well-developed new characters & a clever plot to inhibit TV screens.
  13. Fanadir
    Jul 27, 2017
    10
    Fargo is one of my favorite shows, due to its suspenseful story, great characters and this always present slight touch of humor. The show took all that was remarkable and great about the movie Fargo, like the unconventional setting and its people with their weird accent and bland personalities, and built a great story around it. If that was not enough to make for a brilliant show, theFargo is one of my favorite shows, due to its suspenseful story, great characters and this always present slight touch of humor. The show took all that was remarkable and great about the movie Fargo, like the unconventional setting and its people with their weird accent and bland personalities, and built a great story around it. If that was not enough to make for a brilliant show, the creators also show great creativity in cinematography and manage to give an interesting and refreshing touch to the typical scenes of murders and interrogations, which we have seen countless times before.… Expand
  14. FromKanga
    Jun 25, 2017
    10
    Fargo is a police-thriller-drama show released by FX.
    I always liked the old film fargo so I was curious how was the TV show and it's one of the best shows at the moment.
    The story in this season has great suspense, great humour and great characters. The characters have great development especially Lester who took an unexpected turn and made the show so much more interesting, and like    Fargo is a police-thriller-drama show released by FX.
    I always liked the old film fargo so I was curious how was the TV show and it's one of the best shows at the moment.

    The story in this season has great suspense, great humour and great characters.
    The characters have great development especially Lester who took an unexpected turn and made the show so much more interesting, and like I mentioned, this show is funny which is good because it would've been pretty depressing if it took itself so seriously.

    Just watch it, it's everything I want a Tv show to be, it feels like a 10 hour long movie and it's very bingeable, I highly recommend it.    … Expand
  15. MyOpinion500
    Jun 22, 2017
    0
    I really enjoyed all shows from all 3 seasons. The last episode of season 3.....the last scene with Agent Burgle and the criminal. They left the audience hanging as to what happened to this guy. And it's supposed to be a true story, EXACTLY AS IT HAPPENED. So I didn't like the ending at all...keeping the audience hanging in suspense. Also, she said she was going to take her son to theI really enjoyed all shows from all 3 seasons. The last episode of season 3.....the last scene with Agent Burgle and the criminal. They left the audience hanging as to what happened to this guy. And it's supposed to be a true story, EXACTLY AS IT HAPPENED. So I didn't like the ending at all...keeping the audience hanging in suspense. Also, she said she was going to take her son to the state fair the next day on his birthday. In a prior scene, her son said he was 13 years old...then they show a scene about Stussy getting mudered FIVE YEARS LATER.....then in the last scene, she told the criminal that happened THREE YEARS PRIOR. So that would make her son 21 YEARS OLD. And she's taking him to the state fair for his birthday? That sounds a little strange.… Expand
  16. marco34la
    Jun 29, 2016
    10
    This show is smart, sophisticated, dark, sinister, fun and better than any show that's been on HBO in decades.
    RIP HBO.... there's so many other better shows now on cable networks for FREE.
  17. BariscanBozkurt
    Jun 1, 2016
    10
    İzlediğim En Keyifli Karamizah Yapımı
    Noah Hawley, Coen kardeşlerin yapımı olan Fargo 1996'dan kat ve kat daha iyi bir iş çıkarmış. Filmde olmayan iyi bir hikâyeyi, kaliteli mizahı ve unutulmaz bir karakteri ekliyor. Bunun dışında da ortaya çok iyi bir bütünlük koyuyor.Bu sebeplerden ötürü de karamizah sevmeyen bir insanı bile bağlıyabiliyor bu dizi. Bu gerçekten büyük bir başarı.    İzlediğim En Keyifli Karamizah Yapımı
    Noah Hawley, Coen kardeşlerin yapımı olan Fargo 1996'dan kat ve kat daha iyi bir iş çıkarmış. Filmde olmayan iyi bir hikâyeyi, kaliteli mizahı ve unutulmaz bir karakteri ekliyor. Bunun dışında da ortaya çok iyi bir bütünlük koyuyor.Bu sebeplerden ötürü de karamizah sevmeyen bir insanı bile bağlıyabiliyor bu dizi. Bu gerçekten büyük bir başarı.
  18. chidime
    Apr 23, 2016
    10
    Excellent! Not very often I give a TV series a 10, but this deserves it (Actually give it a 9.8 but 10 will do). The show is just well written and thought-out. So many shows seem like they think of the episodes on the go (see How To Get Away With Murder, and a host of others) but this show has such a cohesive plot, it's hard to pick at it. Sure, some parts have minor plot-holes (like howExcellent! Not very often I give a TV series a 10, but this deserves it (Actually give it a 9.8 but 10 will do). The show is just well written and thought-out. So many shows seem like they think of the episodes on the go (see How To Get Away With Murder, and a host of others) but this show has such a cohesive plot, it's hard to pick at it. Sure, some parts have minor plot-holes (like how lucky some characters are in some situations, or how convenient a few situations are) but these are very minimal in this show. The show could be a little dark and sadistic for some, but that adds to it's realness and makes me love it the more. A must watch. now time to binge season 2.… Expand
  19. night4
    Apr 21, 2016
    5
    Watchable, but not great. I'm not sure how anyone could think this really deserves a 10.

    Pros: Most of the acting is great. Cons: The music is absolutely horrible. At worst, I shouldn't notice the music. At best, it should enhance the show. But here, it's s constant distraction and doesn't seem to have any cohesion at all. It certainly doesn't match what the show is apparently    Watchable, but not great. I'm not sure how anyone could think this really deserves a 10.

    Pros: Most of the acting is great.

    Cons: The music is absolutely horrible. At worst, I shouldn't notice the music. At best, it should enhance the show. But here, it's s constant distraction and doesn't seem to have any cohesion at all. It certainly doesn't match what the show is apparently trying to achieve.

    It repeats itself, and I don't mean for the trademark Fargo-style way of talking for comedic effect. I mean the same characters have the same interactions with the same other characters saying the same thing.

    For me, the odd simultaneous "artsy" shots in season 2 take away from the show.

    The writing seems poor.

    The characters are generally unlikeable.

    The names. "Solverson?" Really? Did John Waters write this?    … Expand
  20. JeanDuchamp
    Feb 29, 2016
    4
    I didn't expect much from it but still it could do better. What we have here is a rather poor achievement, compared with Coen brothers stuff it looks meager even if it's desperately trying (is it?) to stay on the level. Regretfully, the more it tries, the more a disparaging difference is clear, when in Coen brothers movie we have something masterful and ingenious, here we have insteadI didn't expect much from it but still it could do better. What we have here is a rather poor achievement, compared with Coen brothers stuff it looks meager even if it's desperately trying (is it?) to stay on the level. Regretfully, the more it tries, the more a disparaging difference is clear, when in Coen brothers movie we have something masterful and ingenious, here we have instead something soggy and phony, a clumsy imitation.

    First of all, it's not a dark comedy, it's not funny, even if the contrast between Martin Freeman's overacting ( his worst performance as far as I can judge ) and Billy Bob Thornton's underacting ( his worst performance as far as I can judge ) may be somehow entertaining. Lester embodied by Martin Freeman is getting less and less plausible as events unfold, sometimes he's plunging in a total idiocy and shows a complete lack of self-control and then again he's a cold-blooded, shrewd, well-calculating, impeccable perpetrator without fail and remorse. Other characters also are made mostly of different kinds of stretches and improbabilities. If seen apart, some scenes may be credible and even enjoyable, but as a whole, the plot is a forced attempt to botch together several spectacular killings and a dozen of poor jokes scattered here and there without any claim for plausibility and logic. No, it's not an intelligently elaborated psychological criminal drama as well, have no illusions.

    Almost everything that is good ripped off from brothers Coen classic movie - an ambiance, nature, some streaks of characters, some shades, moods, undertones. There are a couple of good scenes, a deaf guy is amazing, photography is rather well-staged, especially outdoor views... But these rare bits of merit don't make up for all disastrous fails and blunders that evidently prevail.

    For a Coen brothers buff, it's a disastrous disappointment.    … Expand
  21. RogerE
    Feb 21, 2016
    10
    This is an excellent show. Television at its best. Fantastic cast, great script and awesome cinematography. I am always enthusiastic about a great drama with action and Fargo doesn't fail in any way.
  22. underin
    Feb 13, 2016
    4
    Its way too long... there's absolutely no reason for it to be a 10 episode series. At max this should be told in 4 tops 5 episodes. The acting is ofcourse top class but why o why would you want to stretch this thing out so much. And the conclusion is just a lame duck.
  23. Docruid
    Jan 18, 2016
    3
    I am shocked by all the good reviews of this show. With the exception of Billy Bob Thornton's character, everyone in the show is stupid and most have the emotional maturity of a spoiler 10th grader. If I were from MN, I would be insulted by the way this movie portrays everyone as simple-minded. The movie (which I loved) made gentle fun of the MN accents but the show is mean-spirited.I am shocked by all the good reviews of this show. With the exception of Billy Bob Thornton's character, everyone in the show is stupid and most have the emotional maturity of a spoiler 10th grader. If I were from MN, I would be insulted by the way this movie portrays everyone as simple-minded. The movie (which I loved) made gentle fun of the MN accents but the show is mean-spirited.

    By contrast, Billy Bob Thornton is omnipotent. While he's fun to watch, there's also not much suspense if you know he can talk his way out of any situation.

    Several of the reviews say that the cop, Molly, is a smart cop foiled by a stupid boss. While her boss is unbelievably stupid, Molly is frustratingly stupid. She harasses her main suspect, collecting "evidence" that would be thrown out of any court. She fails to say the obvious. She dismisses her boss' theory, even though it is technically accurate. In the movie, Francis McDormand's character follows the evidence systematically. By contrast, Molly is like a bull in a china shop. She develops a theory, considers no alternatives, and has no regard for procedures.

    In short, the show is stylish but stupid.    … Expand
  24. djnicey
    Jan 6, 2016
    5
    I really liked the series at first, up until the 6th episode when everything just falls apart. The first few episodes were excellent and I couldn't wait to see the next episode but half way through the series, the plot takes a nosedive into absolute implausibility and all the clichéd characters, dumb as a box of rocks police characters, plot conveniences and plot holes just pile up to theI really liked the series at first, up until the 6th episode when everything just falls apart. The first few episodes were excellent and I couldn't wait to see the next episode but half way through the series, the plot takes a nosedive into absolute implausibility and all the clichéd characters, dumb as a box of rocks police characters, plot conveniences and plot holes just pile up to the point that it just becomes too contrived to even suspend disbelief to follow the story. Great up until half way through the series, then the story just falls apart and I gave up after the 8th episode it was so contrived.… Expand
  25. Ravens1294
    Dec 27, 2015
    10
    A brilliant show filled with fantastic writing, direction, and acting. The story was wonderful and the show is ever so funny and ridiculous. Brilliant show.
  26. Maks41
    Nov 27, 2015
    9
    Wonderfully entertaining: serious enough for raw crime drama yet, funny and whimsical enough to produce belly shaking laughter at just the right moment. Great cast and writing! Keep it up!
  27. wade22fan
    Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Fargo (Season 1) is about as good as TV gets. It boasts phenomenal acting, beautiful cinematography, an engaging plot, quirky characters and lots of humor.
  28. CapnAwesome
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    Truly an amazing TV show. Billy Bob Thornton did a fantastic job playing the role of Lorne Malvo, who is one of the most interesting and mischievous villains I have seen on any TV show. The score fits extremely well into the show and helps build tension and give more feel to scenes. While being a more serious drama, the writing is very well done and comedy is nicely infused to give theTruly an amazing TV show. Billy Bob Thornton did a fantastic job playing the role of Lorne Malvo, who is one of the most interesting and mischievous villains I have seen on any TV show. The score fits extremely well into the show and helps build tension and give more feel to scenes. While being a more serious drama, the writing is very well done and comedy is nicely infused to give the audience some nice chuckles. An absolute must watch TV show!… Expand
  29. WJS
    Sep 16, 2015
    9
    I loved the way this show capture the spirit of the original movie even with its changes in cast, characters and story. It's very well acted, written and directed and feels very cinematic in style. Kudos to all involved!
  30. drlowdon
    Sep 4, 2015
    9
    Retaining the same (very) dark sense of humour as the movie on which it is based Fargo is one of the best series I've seen in a good while. Aside from one or two occasions where it relies a little too much on convenient occurrences it is brilliantly written and features a fantastic cast and I watched the entire 10 episodes on Netflix in about 3 or 4 days as I just couldn't what to see whatRetaining the same (very) dark sense of humour as the movie on which it is based Fargo is one of the best series I've seen in a good while. Aside from one or two occasions where it relies a little too much on convenient occurrences it is brilliantly written and features a fantastic cast and I watched the entire 10 episodes on Netflix in about 3 or 4 days as I just couldn't what to see what was going to happen next.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best TV Season of 2014
10
#10 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
6
#6 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Jun 25, 2014
    40
    Only a fool would deny Fargo’s polish and verve, its stylized razzle-dazzle. But, for me at least, after a year of gulping down chili peppers, it takes more to make a meal.
    Read full review
  2. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Jun 24, 2014
    80
    The setting is convincingly snowy and wintry (it was filmed in Calgary, Canada), the writing is clever, and the actors are outstanding.
    Read full review
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Diane Garrett
    Apr 15, 2014
    80
    At times, however, Hawley goes a little too heavy on the quirk, and Thornton, who last regularly appeared on TV in the John Ritter political comedy “Hearts Afire” in the early 1990s, overly indulges in that smirk. Bits between mob enforcers Mr. Numbers (Adam Goldberg) and Mr. Wrench (Russell Harvard) also wear out their welcome. The overall quality of TV's Fargo is high.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »