Fargo – Season 5 Episode 1 & 2 Review
Fargo – “The Tragedy of the Commons” and “Trials and Tribulations” aired Tuesday, November 21st on FX. “The Tragedy of the Commons” is the 1st and 2nd episode of the 5th season. Fargo season 5 is about various chronicles of deception, intrigue, and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. All of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, North Dakota.
In “The Tragedy of the Commons”, after an unexpected series of events lands Dorothy “Dot” Lyon (Juno Temple) in hot water with the authorities, this seemingly typical Midwestern housewife is suddenly plunged back into a life she thought she had left behind. And in “Trials and Tribulations” Roy (Jon Hamm) attempts to reset the natural order of things; Lorraine (Jennifer Jason Leigh) becomes increasingly suspicious. Below is our review of season 5 episodes 1 & 2 of Fargo.
Warning: This article contains spoilers from Tuesday night’s “The Tragedy of the Commons” and “Trials and Tribulations” episodes. Read at your own risk!
Overall Thoughts – “The Tragedy of the Commons”
Amy – I am so curious about Dot, what secrets is she hiding? She definitely does not act like your typical Midwestern housewife. Is it just me or does anyone else get the vibe that Dot’s husband, Wayne (David Rysdahl), is a bit naive? Just me, okay. I don’t fully trust him or his family though. I have never been this hooked on a first episode in a very long time. They said at the beginning this is based on true events, I am beyond curious now about these events. Not gonna lie, I originally was only going to watch Fargo for Joe Keery, but the show has me hooked and he wasn’t even in the first episode. The first episode set up a great pace for the rest of the season leaving the viewers more curious than anything.
Clare – well I feel like, after the missteps of season 4, Fargo seems to be back on track. As a fan since the movie, Fargo to me has always been about hapless small-town cops getting caught up in drama far above their pay grade while dealing with their own lives. Fargo S5 has brought that back. Love Dot, and can’t wait to unravel her mysteries. There’s definitely a lot hiding under those Minnesota Nice feelings. Also, great to see Richa Moorjani as Deputy Olmstead. Loved her in Never Have I Ever so it’s great seeing her here.
There’s always so much more going on beneath the surface in Fargo, so I’m genuinely excited for the rest of the season now. I absolutely loved the “kidnap” attempt and Dot’s escape, it felt like grown-up Home Alone.
Overall Thoughts – “Trials and Tribulations”
Amy – I love Jon Hamm and Joe Keery as father and son, Roy Tillman and Gator Tillman. I didn’t know I needed this duo in my life. My jaw dropped when Roy tells Ole Munch (Sam Spruell) that Dot is his wife. I had to rewatch that thinking I didn’t hear it right. But I did and I wasn’t expecting that at all. I think Lorraine has met her match in Dorothy, and that neither will back down. This episode got me laughing quite a few times; between Roy, Gator, and Dot, on all separate occasions. Definitely with Roy interacting with the Feds while in the hot tub, and Gator talking with Deputy Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris) and Deputy Indira Olmstead. This episode definitely left me with more questions about Dorothy and her past with Roy.
Clare – Oh for the love… Gator’s “I’m in the kicking ass and taking names business” right before he sucks on a vape made me HOWL! Couldn’t be much less macho if he tried in that moment. I’ve missed this show. And if I thought Dot in ep1 was pulling a grown-up Home Alone… this one took it to the next level, her and Scotty (Sienna King) rigging up the house was awesome! Also, Scotty hammering nails into a baseball bat, in a show with Joe Keery, made me cackle.
Wasn’t expecting the reveal about Dot being Roy’s wife, especially as it had to have been over 10 years ago and she doesn’t seem old enough. Loved the symmetry of both Roy and Lorraine saying that Dot made vows to them. Both of them are very powerful people in their own worlds. This is going to be very interesting indeed.
Be sure to check back for any updates on Fargo.
You can watch all previous episodes and seasons on Hulu.
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