The Pretend War

For starters, I dont know how any of the first 4 episodes are rated under a 9. That is just pure poppycock. People who dont even like this show are still rating it poorly so screw those people. Like it or not this show is on another level. This is amazing TV all around.

Are any of you old enough to remember an 80's Brian DePalma mafia comedy called "Wise Guys"?

There's a character in "Wise Guys" named Frank "Fixer" Accalvano. He was played magnificently campy and totally over-the-top by "Captain" Lou Albano.

Last night, watching episode #4, watching Salvatore Esposito's mannerisms, his eye-rolls, his larger-than-life histrionics, even his wee moustache, I swear - I SWEAR - he had to have based his character on Lou Albano's Frank "Fixer" Accalvano from "Wise Guys". I even pulled up some stills from "Wise Guys" to refresh my memory, and looked at them side-by-side stills from "Fargo", and it's uncanny.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, you understand....Keith Richard has been a role model in film, you know.....but.....mmmm...."Wise Guys" was a completely over-the-top comedy; "Fargo" is supposed to be a drama.

Anyway, I'm glad it's getting better!

I can't believe how the tables have turned!! Fargo is looking wholesome again!! Great show!!! Highly recommend it!!

There are so many things on lying beneath the surface, forcing the characters to attack and withdraw. The Utah sheriff is getting better and better. He seems utterly fearless in the middle of the cesspool he is invading. Ultimately, he wants those two women. The undertaker makes a decision that is setting a whole bunch of bad stuff in motion, and a discovery in the room of that crazy nurse will have consequences down the road. Everything is now in motion for the duration.

Season 1 and two were absolutely brilliant, as good as the original Fargo movie. Season three was good, with occasional glimpses of greatness. But season 4? What is going on here? It's just weird.

The script and the direction seem influenced by some hallucinogenic mushrooms, and the mix of over- and underacting is appalling. Overacting especially in the cases of Timothy Olyphant trying way too hard to be Billy Bob Thornton (and failing miserably), and Jessie Buckley's silly walk and phony teeth. Underacting in the form of the Italian guy playing Schwartzman's brother (two facial expressions, none of them convincing), and Chris Rock, whose acting chops are in the am-dram category.

The frequent occurance of not sub-titled strange languages is also annoying, and displays contempt for the viewer. I really hope this will improve, because I know the writer/director/producer can do so much better.