Fargo - 304 – The Narrow Escape Problem

There is a whole lot to ponder in “The Narrow Escape Problem”, the latest episode of FX’s Fargo. Communist propaganda, meditations on the 1%, Joseph Stalin, bulimia, Ewan McGreggor playing a different Ewan McGreggor playing yet another Ewan McGreggor; an Ewan McCeption, if you will, biblical themes, our heads are just spinning. And Gloria with new found gal pal Winnie seem on pace to have this whole thing solved by the next episode. Which probably means the floor’s about to fall out!

Fargo - 303 – The Law of Non-Contradiction

Jim and A.Ron struggle to wrap their minds around the apparently “useless machine” of an episode of FX’s Fargo, “The Law of Non-Contradiction”. Is the ep an artistic triumph, or ultimately a pointless treadmill of plot? Is Gloria married or divorced? Is she Chief or Old Chief? Was the little android MNSKY a useless failure or scientific breakthrough? Is Thaddeus Mobley really Ennis Stussy or is there a bit more to the story? Join us for discussions of all this and more, along with feedback from our fellow fans.

Fargo - 302 – The Principle of Restricted Choice

FX’s Fargo was very, very good this week, expertly blending the unfathomable pinheadery and sublime comedy that has become the series hallmarks in “The Principle of Restricted Choice”. We talk about the dramatic possibilities of using one actor to play two characters, chat about the ins and outs of “duplicate” bridge, and analyze the symbolism and possibilities of Gloria’s incompatibility with modern technology before opening up the old mailbag and seeing what you all have to say.

Fargo - 301 – The Law of Vacant Places

FX’s Fargo is back for it’s third season, and it’s visually exciting and is chock full of colorful characters played by gifted actors and we’re all having a lot of fun. But it’s also the exact same Fargo formula we’ve seen in the movie and in two seasons of the show. Is that a problem, and if it is, what will the series offer as a change or curveball this year, especially give that we weren’t all that thrilled with the UFO twist of season two? Aw, jeez. In the meantime, we discuss “The Law of Vacant Places”, brush up on the rules of Bridge, and make sure our air conditioners are properly secured before considering a bit of feedback. See you next week!

Fargo - 210 – Palindrome

Jim and A.Ron close the books on season two of Fargo, as we consider the finale episode, “Palindrome”. We discuss how we feel about Hanzee, Peggy vs. feminism, the Solverson family, and the Kansas City mafia in the final analysis, consider some fan feedback over the last two week’s episodes, and look ahead to 2017 for Fargo season 3.

Fargo - 209 – The Castle

Where you come down on Fargo’s latest episode, “The Castle”, and perhaps the season as a whole, entirely hinges on whether you swallow the final act. We did not, and thus are in the uncomfortable position of not liking and yet still admiring Noah Hawley’s bold experiment in television. Hopefully some of our concerns will evaporate by the time the finale episode is over next week, but if not, we promise we’ll be here with some pod therapy.

Fargo - 208 – Loplop

FARGO WINS THE WEEK! In “Loplop”, Fargo hits all the notes; comedy, drama, suspense, without ever causing any tonal conflicts, and sets the season on it’s final, no doubt bloody, and most likely weird, trajectory. It wasn’t perfect; we felt a little uncomfortable with this episode’s timelines, and geographic orientation, which we discuss in the cast proper and in feedback, but Peggy as hostage taker, Ed as gangland negotiator, and Hanzee as the anti-Malvo were all fascinating and satisfying to watch. A.Ron discusses watching Miller’s Crossing and how it has him resurrecting his old “Hanzee as a double/triple agent” theory, and Jim gets to bask a bit in the glow of his hangman notice in the previous episode memorably paying off. Lots of praise, lots of great listener email, a good time is had by all.

Fargo - 207 – Did You Do This? No, You Did It!

“Did You Do This? No, You Did It!” I think we’ll both take the credit/blame for this latest podcast on Fargo… Lots of stuff to talk about, from Simone’s tragic end, to Mike Milligan’s desperate gamble, to Mama Gerhardt’s turning snitch, Lou triumphant, and say, what the heck has Peggy, Ed, Dodd and Hanzee been up to during this episode? Lots of phone calls and a few dead bodies is all we know, hopefully we’ll catch up with them in the weeks ahead. All this plus some stellar (ha!) feedback from our fellow fans. If this isn’t a good podcast then, well, I’ll cut off my big toe!

Fargo - 206 – Rhinoceros

A.Ron is sick and the show notes are suffering for it. But this otherwise excellent podcast for Fargo’s extremely excellent episode 206, “Rhinoceros” managed to be recorded just before the precise instant he lost his voice. We talk a lot about Lou and Hank, the majesty that is Karl Weathers, Jabberwockies and aliens and just all kinds of stuff. And while A.Ron might be on death’s door, the email bag is quite healthy. Enjoy, take some vitamin C and get your flu shot, and we’ll see you next week!

Fargo - 205 – The Gift of the Magi

Fargo episode 205, “Gift of the Magi”, was a real deal… Both sides of the Gerhardt and KC war take grievous losses, tensions between Bear and Dodd threaten to boil over, Hanzee’s loyalties are tested, Peggy has an apparent change of heart, but alas, it’s too late; Ed has killed another fella, maybe two! We discuss all the happenings and theories going down this episode, with assists from our fellow fans.