Season 2 of Fargo was so good that everything else afterwards kind of sucked. it was the perfect blend of roller coaster and interesting characters, and provider a nice bridge for kieran culkin before Succession kicked in.
Seasons 3 and 4 had me thinking that Hawley either needed to lay off the weed or start using Vince Gilligan's writers room rule where pitching an idea that starts "wouldn't it be cool if..." was cause for an immediate rejection.
Season 5 has started off great so far, and the uber-baddie with a Beatles cut is an homage to both Chigurh and Lorne Malvo. I like the way we're set up with a competent woman facing off against another (differently) competent woman, and Jon Hamm is definitely equal to the worst Gearhart (Hanzie excepted).
I'm actually excited for this, even though Legion S3 and Fargo S4 had me write Hawley off as another hack who forgot about narrative.
Really happy to have Fargo back. I liked season 1 a lot, LOVED season 2, was ambivalent about season 3 and bailed on season 4. So I’m glad to see a bit of a return to formula because I felt like it had strayed from what worked. Seasons 3 and 4 seemed to lose the thread of dark humor that always ran through earlier seasons. Glad to see that back.
Either that or I’m just a big sicko, because I laughed WAY too hard at Air Horn Guy.
I wonder what someone who watches The Curse but has no knowledge of Felder’s previous shows think. Because I’m a huge fan of Nathan for You and I love the idea of The Rehearsal, if not always the execution. I think that has preconditioned me to be skeptical of getting invested in what appears to be genuine character-based drama. Stone and Felder (surprisingly) are very good in the roles, but I might be waiting for a shoe to drop when one isn’t there. As it gets increasingly…off, I might be looking at it from a puzzle angle and missing what they are going for.
I will say that this show is not a puzzle. Whatever happens later, it does not involve the main characters not being who they seem to be after these three episodes.
FAM: Why the heck is Ed the lead pilot on the asteroid capture mission? The man is at least 70 years old with years in space. It reminds me of Kirk beaming down on every mission.
Fargo: If you start your series opening scene with Yes's "All Good People" well, I'll give you a lot of artistic license.
Way too many characters, both Rock and Schwartzman seemed miscast, Harley in general didn’t have as much of a handle on this world than he did the Minnesota Nice world. Among other complaints.
I enjoyed it. It wasn't as good as the first three seasons, but it was far from a misfire in my opinion. Just something different. A nice change of pace.
I liked that the premiere episode of Fargo's homage to the movie went so far as to have the kidnapping occur while the victim was watching a local daytime talk show (Good Company for the movie, Jason for the TV show). I haven't seen episode 2 yet, but kudos to Richa Moorjani and Lukas Gage for nailing the accent.
Looking forward to S5 of Fargo but here in the UK a few episodes into Boat Story on BBC and it’s giving off serious British Fargo vibes. Not to give too much away but trawler with a massive amount of cocaine is found wrecked on a beach by 2 dog walkers, 1 who lost a hand in an industrial accident (in the first minute of the first episode no less) the other a gambling addict. Shoot outs, discount vouchers for Chinese food and holdalls stuffed with cash follow in no short order. Worth looking out for
I'm watching The Curse! Looks like a few of us in the comments are. It's definitely not for everyone, but so far it's the best thing I've been watching the last few weeks.
In regards to some of the stuff you mentioned, I unfortunately cut the chord on For All Mankind. I've had to turn pickier with the shows I dedicate time to. I have to forgive A LOT of defaults in order to love the stuff that makes this series great. By the time I saw the next flash forward of the what happened since Season 3, I just felt like I was giving too much credit to a series that feels a lot more prone to disappoint than satisfy. I do believe the showrunners had something special with Season 2 (the finale of that season is definitely one of the best episodes of TV there is). Perhaps I'll come back to it but for now, I've said goodbye.
Fargo is back. I personally think the show won't ever return to top tier quality it had in its first two years. Now this is coming from someone who had issues with Season 1 but considers Season 2 to be one of the finest seasons of TV ever made. So far the new season feels like Season 3, watchable but not nearly as enticing as everything else on TV (back in 2017, Season 3 aired during runs of The Americans, Better Call Saul, The Leftovers and the first season of The Handmaid's Tale, there's a big reason why it wasn't talked about as much. But this season is airing during a bare bones TV season, yet I'm still talking about The Bear and Succession). Anyways, I will stick around with this one but I doubt it'll ever hit its stride again.
I eagerly anticipate each new episode of The Curse. The unique styles of Fielder/Safdie are working well together, while Emma Stone is holding down the fort by expertly walking across their tightrope of awkward discomfort.
Also, those first two episodes of Fargo have me the most excited since season one. Don’t get me wrong I liked/loved seasons 2-4, but nothing has felt as personally fulfilling from start to finish as season one. This feels the most similar to that season in tone so far while not feeling like just a repeat.
Also, cheers to that O.C. clip. Those four worked wonders together in so many kitchen scenes. Can’t wait for the book next week.
Season 2 of Fargo was so good that everything else afterwards kind of sucked. it was the perfect blend of roller coaster and interesting characters, and provider a nice bridge for kieran culkin before Succession kicked in.
Seasons 3 and 4 had me thinking that Hawley either needed to lay off the weed or start using Vince Gilligan's writers room rule where pitching an idea that starts "wouldn't it be cool if..." was cause for an immediate rejection.
Season 5 has started off great so far, and the uber-baddie with a Beatles cut is an homage to both Chigurh and Lorne Malvo. I like the way we're set up with a competent woman facing off against another (differently) competent woman, and Jon Hamm is definitely equal to the worst Gearhart (Hanzie excepted).
I'm actually excited for this, even though Legion S3 and Fargo S4 had me write Hawley off as another hack who forgot about narrative.
Really happy to have Fargo back. I liked season 1 a lot, LOVED season 2, was ambivalent about season 3 and bailed on season 4. So I’m glad to see a bit of a return to formula because I felt like it had strayed from what worked. Seasons 3 and 4 seemed to lose the thread of dark humor that always ran through earlier seasons. Glad to see that back.
Either that or I’m just a big sicko, because I laughed WAY too hard at Air Horn Guy.
I wonder what someone who watches The Curse but has no knowledge of Felder’s previous shows think. Because I’m a huge fan of Nathan for You and I love the idea of The Rehearsal, if not always the execution. I think that has preconditioned me to be skeptical of getting invested in what appears to be genuine character-based drama. Stone and Felder (surprisingly) are very good in the roles, but I might be waiting for a shoe to drop when one isn’t there. As it gets increasingly…off, I might be looking at it from a puzzle angle and missing what they are going for.
I will say that this show is not a puzzle. Whatever happens later, it does not involve the main characters not being who they seem to be after these three episodes.
FAM: Why the heck is Ed the lead pilot on the asteroid capture mission? The man is at least 70 years old with years in space. It reminds me of Kirk beaming down on every mission.
Fargo: If you start your series opening scene with Yes's "All Good People" well, I'll give you a lot of artistic license.
Why did everyone hate the last season of Fargo? Jessie Buckley’s character alone was SO entertaining.
Way too many characters, both Rock and Schwartzman seemed miscast, Harley in general didn’t have as much of a handle on this world than he did the Minnesota Nice world. Among other complaints.
Jessie Buckley WAS amazing. But I think even the wonderful Ben Whishaw was miscast.
I enjoyed it. It wasn't as good as the first three seasons, but it was far from a misfire in my opinion. Just something different. A nice change of pace.
I liked that the premiere episode of Fargo's homage to the movie went so far as to have the kidnapping occur while the victim was watching a local daytime talk show (Good Company for the movie, Jason for the TV show). I haven't seen episode 2 yet, but kudos to Richa Moorjani and Lukas Gage for nailing the accent.
Looking forward to S5 of Fargo but here in the UK a few episodes into Boat Story on BBC and it’s giving off serious British Fargo vibes. Not to give too much away but trawler with a massive amount of cocaine is found wrecked on a beach by 2 dog walkers, 1 who lost a hand in an industrial accident (in the first minute of the first episode no less) the other a gambling addict. Shoot outs, discount vouchers for Chinese food and holdalls stuffed with cash follow in no short order. Worth looking out for
I sometimes wish that FAM had timestamps like a podcast so I could watch the parts I'm interested in.
Am I the only one fantasizing about a Philip and Elizabeth Jennings cameo in FAM? Poor Margo lol
I'm watching The Curse! Looks like a few of us in the comments are. It's definitely not for everyone, but so far it's the best thing I've been watching the last few weeks.
In regards to some of the stuff you mentioned, I unfortunately cut the chord on For All Mankind. I've had to turn pickier with the shows I dedicate time to. I have to forgive A LOT of defaults in order to love the stuff that makes this series great. By the time I saw the next flash forward of the what happened since Season 3, I just felt like I was giving too much credit to a series that feels a lot more prone to disappoint than satisfy. I do believe the showrunners had something special with Season 2 (the finale of that season is definitely one of the best episodes of TV there is). Perhaps I'll come back to it but for now, I've said goodbye.
Fargo is back. I personally think the show won't ever return to top tier quality it had in its first two years. Now this is coming from someone who had issues with Season 1 but considers Season 2 to be one of the finest seasons of TV ever made. So far the new season feels like Season 3, watchable but not nearly as enticing as everything else on TV (back in 2017, Season 3 aired during runs of The Americans, Better Call Saul, The Leftovers and the first season of The Handmaid's Tale, there's a big reason why it wasn't talked about as much. But this season is airing during a bare bones TV season, yet I'm still talking about The Bear and Succession). Anyways, I will stick around with this one but I doubt it'll ever hit its stride again.
I eagerly anticipate each new episode of The Curse. The unique styles of Fielder/Safdie are working well together, while Emma Stone is holding down the fort by expertly walking across their tightrope of awkward discomfort.
Also, those first two episodes of Fargo have me the most excited since season one. Don’t get me wrong I liked/loved seasons 2-4, but nothing has felt as personally fulfilling from start to finish as season one. This feels the most similar to that season in tone so far while not feeling like just a repeat.
Also, cheers to that O.C. clip. Those four worked wonders together in so many kitchen scenes. Can’t wait for the book next week.
Really “enjoying” The Curse. It is agony at times but I like the fact I have no idea where it’s going.
Glad to hear someone else's ears perked up at the sound of Mass Romantic! Big fan of the New Pornographers.
I also noticed right away the Evaporators poster on the daughter's wall in the Leftovers. Some members of the NP in that earlier band
I"m watching The Curse. Weird first ep IMO but I like the 2nd one better.
I'm loving The Curse. Absolutely savoring the discomfort of it. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.
I can't wait to watch the new Fargo but it hasn't been released in Brazil yet. Happy to hear your thoughts on it!
I just covered season 3 of The Morning Show for Screen Speck and I'm looking forward to seeing Jon Hamm in...a, hum, less Musk-esque role.