*** THIS REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS ***

Highs

Lows

Set in 2006, the season opens with a car accident involving a hired killer named Lorne Malvo (played by Billy Bob Thornton). After a conversation with a salesman named Lester Nygaard (played by Martin Freeman) in the hospital, a series of interconnected murders presents itself in Bemidji, Minnesota. 

I've read so much praise about Season 1 - namely being the "best darn series of the year 2014" in rotten tomatoes, so what is there to lose? The winter backdrop Minnesota really did good for the tone and look of the show. I especially love each intro, as well as most frames in every episode. The series is beautifully done, I'll give it that. 

But the little to none humor coming from a black comedy was a bit taxing on my part. It could be too dry for my taste, but it felt a bit too heavy for me to consume given its subject matter. From the unwanted animal violence (I loathe it.) to the increasing body count Fargo went all out to somehow make an impact and veer itself away from its source material. Though at some point in the later episodes, the influence of the Coen brothers can be felt to a point that it became a bit predictable on my part. 

Billy Bob Thornton was decent with his performance, though I never really like watching him. His Lorne Malvo gave you that dark aura with a side of uneasiness, which I guess works for some people. I would've loved it if there was something deeper and peculiar about him.  We don't see much of his motivations and/or reasoning apart from being paid and shutting people up, and I wish there is more to him than just that. 

Martin Freeman plays himself yet again in the guise of  Lester. Timid, bullied, and tight-lipped. Like the wound on his hand in the later episodes, Lester then healed and became a somewhat manipulative and despicable man. There are notable changes, but I never felt like he grew from all that, which then led to an unfortunate end for his character. 

Molly, or Deputy Solverson as she prefers it started out as a very nosy character in my impression. I always get a bit upset with how she handled things. Unfortunately, she's the only one with the brains in her frustratingly misogynistic force. Her devoted, caring, and selfless personality won me over eventually.   

If I am to choose one character from this show, it would go to Lou Solverson (played by Keith Carradine). We don't see much of him, heck we only get to see him whenever someone goes to his diner. But the fact that we are introduced to him, know his motivations, and his badassery despite his limited appearance is something I really liked. 

Colin Hanks who played Gus was also a nice addition to the cast. I really do like him, though his life change in the later episode was unexpected but somewhat practical - which made sense if you think about it. 

Also, we need more Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers, they are precious to me and I know they deserve better. 

I have a special place for dark and dry humor in my heart, it could also be that this show just doesn't quite hit the right notes for me. If there is room for improvement, it's definitely the humor, I feel like it needs to pick up from somewhere and humor is the solution for it. 

I only knew of Fargo because of Ewan Mcgregor, and given that I love Ewan - I decided to give this series a try. Little did I know, I am only to see him in the third season. Since I am a completionist, I decided to give Season 1 a test run. 

Despite the praise and all the rave, I found the first season of Fargo too dry and empty for my taste despite all the violence. But there are two more season's to go through, which means more room for chances and improvement... if I'll ever find the time to continue on.