7 Reasons why FX’s Fargo is the New Breaking Bad

Many of us in the world are still sore over the loss of TV’s beloved Breaking Bad. The bold journey of a man’s descent into evil and ascent into control was as captivating as it was violent, and when all was said and done where were we to turn to for such quality entertainment as rooftop pizzas and nutritious breakfasts? Well the obvious answer right now is Fargo, and here are 7 reasons why.

1. The series features an ordinarily spineless main character who makes a choice to set himself on a path towards self-confidence, self-improvement, and self-destruction.

 

Both Lester(Fargo’s main, played by Martin Freeman) and Walt are men who had reached the end of their wits, lions who had been pushed into life’s corner for far too long, lions who began to fight back. The only real difference is Walter White began selling meth and murdering drug dealers while Lester Nygaard had his high school bully murdered, bludgeoned his abusive wife in his basement, and allowed the chief of police to be pumped full of buckshot by Billy Bob Thornton in his living room. Both men yearned for and began to demand more control in their lives through increasingly morally ambiguous and downright dastardly methods. Walt’s path ultimately led to his demise, what will become of Lester? Also speaking of Billy Bob…

2. There’s a stoic psychopath pulling all the strings.

Everyone will remember Gus as the chillingly calm and collected master strategist and killer in Breaking Bad, but Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne might be at least 3 times scarier. Probably because it’s Billy Bob and therefor at least 6 times more believable. Seriously, he’s fucking scary, and seemingly unstoppable. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get half his face blown off.

3. Saul fucking Goodman.

Otherwise known as Bob fucking Odenkirk. Being a fan favourite on Breaking Bad as Walt’s crooked lawyer, Saul Goodman, I’m sure Odenkirk was an easy choice for a supporting cast member. Although one should expect less clever quips and more redneck ignorance, as Odenkirk’s new character is a hick cop with a funny accent and an IQ to match.

4. Interesting Cinematography.

Like Breaking bad Fargo is packed with beautiful set design and composition, creating extraordinary visuals for a television show. Some choices are no doubt inspired by the Coens’ film itself, while others bring new definition to the story and characters.

5. A clever cop with a gut-feeling.

Just like Hank couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right with that Heisenberg case, Deputy Molly Solverson (played by Allison Tolman) cannot stifle the feeling she has about Lester Nygaard. And she’s right, the facts don’t add up. But like Hank she is silenced and dismissed by her superiors, and like Hank that doesn’t stop her from investigating. Unlike Hank she doesn’t collect rocks. She has some more in common with Hank but I’d rather not spoil it for you.

6. Comic Relief

The beloved comedic duo known affectionately as Key and Peele appear as two inept and seemingly cowardly FBI agents. This is entirely reminiscent of breaking bad’s dynamic duo featuring Skinny Pete and Badger. Two friends, two fuck ups, two sets of laughs. Though Key and Peele appear a little later in the story they seem to be a big part of some later plot points.

7. They even have a Jesse!

If you’re wondering why the hell that one dopey cop looks so damn familiar it’s probably because you saw him on Dexter as the Doomsday Killer. Here in Fargo Officer Gus Grimly(Colin Hanks) certainly brings destruction where he walks but through stupidity and fear instead of delusion. Kind of like his role in Orange County. Alright maybe Jack Black was the stupid one there. The fear was real though. His constant fuck ups can’t help but conjure up memories of Jesse Pinkman who, many times unfairly, often received the short end of the stick. He seems to be as bright and alert as the boy as well, a sort of deer in the headlights type thing. Not a good fit for a cop. A great fit for Jesse’s counterpart.

There’s also a large, mostly unseen criminal organization taking in interest in all the bloodshed. Just like the Cartel? Anyone? Fargo is practically the same show as Breaking Bad, just set several miles to the North.

Fargo airs Tuesday nights at 10:00pm only on FX!

-Andrew

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Triple Sample: From Dusk till Dawn The Series

The Triple Sample is a feature article in which I write about my impressions of the first three episodes of a new series.

Disclaimer: May or may not contain vampires.

Marketed as a Netflix Original in Canada From Dusk till Dawn The Series is El Mariachi, Machete, and the upcoming Sin City: A Dame To Kill For director Robert Rodriguez’s flagship series for his newly launched channel, El Rey. The show is based on his cult feature of the same name, which starred a tattooed, sly George Clooney and a crazed, intellectual Tarantino(who also wrote the screenplay). Their television counterparts were finely casted, doing well to emulate some of the energies presented by the original characters.

The smart guy is the one with the glasses.

The series itself is pretty interesting, jumping back and forth in time to paint a larger picture of the characters and the narrative while dropping various hints about what’s to come and the mythology surrounding the show. If you’re unfamiliar with the basic plot, the Gecko brothers are on the lamb, heading towards Mexico after pulling a historic bank job, and while in the film we know that south of the border there’s a bar built as bait on sacrificial land, we know very little of what’s in store for the brothers Gecko in this iteration. Fans of That 70s Show and Yo Mama will recognize Wilmer Valderrama (aka Fez) as the mysterious vampire antagonist with unclear intentions.

   

   

“Oh no you did-dant.”

While I don’t yet think it’s watchable enough to make a list like The Nine Newish Shows You Should Probably Be Watching, I do find this series intriguing, especially the mythos, and I believe it’s worth checking out. I will certainly be watching the next two episodes and perhaps more to quell my curiosity.

From Dusk till Dawn The Series airs Tuesdays @ 9pm ET on El Rey in the US and Latin America and subsequently on Netflix in other markets. It was recently renewed for a second season.

-Andrew

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