Fargo returned tonight with episode 2 titled “The Rooster Prince.” Our recap breaks down the events of the exciting second episode!
This should be obvious, but this recap will be very spoiler filled.
Fargo episode 2 wasn’t as action packed as the very bloody premiere, but it was just as good. This shouldn’t come as a big surprise; episode 2 was very much the reaction to the premiere’s action.
Part of the success of the premiere should be attributed to how real Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley’s characters felt. Never did it feel like these characters existed merely for this story. Rather, it seemed like they had history well before the show. That’s something easier said than done, and it’s always great to see it done. With episode 2 being as much of a reaction as it is, we’re given the opportunity to see a little more of just who these characters are.
The relatively low population of Bemidji is felt at the heart of the episode. In the premiere, Molly had added everything up leading her to believe that Lester was connected in the murder of Sam Hess, and when Chief Vern Thurman went to talk to Lester and ultimately was killed with Lester’s wife, this only makes it more clear to Molly that Lester could be very much connected to this string of murders. Unfortunately, Bill Oswalt, her new chief, has “gotta believe that’s about the cutthroat world of regional trucking” because he went to high school with Lester and doesn’t believe Lester is capable of doing something like that. “What he lacks in common sense he makes up in self esteem,” Molly’s dad says about Bill, and it’s clear there’s no changing his mind. It’s interesting to see a dynamic like this play out, especially given that crime dramas are usually set it huge cities like Los Angeles and New York City where “small town” relationships don’t have any influence.
After the murder of Sam Hess, Fargo sends down Mr. Numbers (Adam Goldberg) and Mr. Wrench (Russell Harvard) to investigate the murder, find out if it was connected to “the business,” and take care of whoever responsible. The pair speak with a unique sign language that is played for comic effect, but it might go on a bit too long. Bruce Gold (Brian Markinson) send them looking for Lorne, but they don’t find him in this episode.
Lorne has made his way to Duluth where he assumes another identity. He meets Stavros Milos (Oliver Platt), supermarket king of Minnesota. Stravos wants Lorne to find his blackmailer and take care of them. Find the blackmailer Lorne does, but he doesn’t take care of him, yet. Lorne continues to show in this episode what kind of effect he has on people. He’s a master of rhetoric that can get anyone to do whatever he wants them to, including making a postal employee illegally giving him a package.
One of Lorne’s big persuasions of the premiere came with Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks), a police officer who Lorne convinced not to give him a speeding ticket. Gus was put in the situation of figuring out what was right very quickly. He feared for the safety of he and his daughter, and it was a situation that is very easy to empathize with. Being a police officer is secondary to being a father to his daughter Greta (Joey King), anyone can understand that in that situation, it’s just a job. At the same time, we expect our police officers to always do what is correct by the law; it’s required for the system to work correctly. When Grimly realizes that Lorne (he doesn’t yet know his identity) may be responsible for three murders and that he let him get away, he is put in an even greater state of questioning his decision. Hanks hasn’t had the most screen time thus far, but he’s been a delight to watch as he figures his way through this extremely difficult moral dilemma.
All while this is happening, Lester is trying to both cope with the fact that his wife is gone, that it’s because of him, and trying not to get caught. When questioned by the police, he says that his concussion is forcing him to not remember too many specific details from the night of the double homicide, and it’s clear that lying is coming just as easy to him as murder was. How far down the path to Hell will he go? He hasn’t gone full Walter White yet and he and Lorne aren’t currently in touch, but we have to believe that might change.
Fargo continues to show very strong promise. It certainly feels very coherent, and the fact that all episodes were written by showrunner Noah Hawley will make that continue. After this episode, the direction will no longer be from Breaking Bad vet Adam Bernstein, so it will be interesting to see what effect that has. Still, with the number of realistic characters, a very compelling script, and amazing performances, we continue to have high hopes for the rest of the series. It doesn’t seem like it will be slowing down at all from here.