Fargo operates in a really surprising way sometimes. What I’ve noticed is that Fargo can take some of its main plot threads and weave them together in a way that makes complete sense. Even further, what “The Myth of Sysiphus” accomplishes is threading those plots so quickly and seamlessly that it pushes the story beyond the scope of predictability. Fargo‘s unpredictability comes from going far beyond the story viewers are expecting.
This week on Fargo: Lou Solverson heads up to Fargo after they find Rye Gerhardt’s fingerprints on the murder weapon. Though he finds an ally, the Gerhardts remain uncooperative. Ed and Peggy complete the final task in their ultimate cover up. Betty unwittingly solves the missing killer mystery. The Gerhardts’ search for Rye intensifies.
I honestly find it miraculous how the Fargo team can constantly outdo itself. These episodes get more and more interesting, no matter how good the last one was. Seemingly the show has accomplished this because they move at a real life pace. It didn’t take Lou and Hank 8 episodes to get on Rye’s trail and visit the Gerhardts, it only took 3. So what they’ve accomplished essentially, by the end of “The Myth of Sysiphus,” is they’ve pushed the reasonable expectation of the developed plot beyond what most would expect, so people replace their predictions with anticipation. In each episode, the tense scenes get more and more so as people eliminate their need for a suspension of disbelief. This, of course, is a hare-brained attempt to explain what about the show builds constant anticipation and excitement, while eliminating predictability. Could just be they know how to write an exciting story. Either way, I’m totally hooked.
Last week I nitpicked at the lack of funny moments in the episode. They must’ve heard me, because Fargo had maybe the best funny moment of all in this episode. When Betty explains out loud in the salon EXACTLY what happened with Peggy and Rye Gerhardt that night, and Hank totally writes it off like no one would be that stupid. Ted Danson, Cristin Milioti and Kirsten Dunst hit every comedic note in that scene perfectly. Every delivered line was perfectly realistic, and still gave a wonderful comedic ring throughout the rest of the episode. I love how funny Fargo can be just by presenting realistic characters in absolutely ridiculous situations.
Now, this show is an exercise in unpredictability. But the one thing we do know is that there’s going to be a bloodbath. The young typewriter store proprietor seemed to be the next major casualty on what is undoubtedly a long and winding pathway of bloody yet sometimes humorous deaths. But is anyone curious how Ed and Peggy will factor into this? It does seem like they’re in the clear right now since they wrecked the car. And I really hope this doesn’t end badly for Hank. There are all kinds of theories running through my head, but the best part is that I could be right or totally wrong, and the show would still be one of the most compelling on television today.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode? Got any theories? Let us know in the comments!
Fargo airs Mondays at 10/9c on FX.
[Photo credit: Chris Large/FX]
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