Fargo (S5)

I apply simple tests to assess the quality of a movie or TV show. How much do a fiddle with my phone when I’m supposed to be watching is one? For TV shows, another is how much I anticipate what is going to happen next when an episode ends. Do I want to watch the next episode right now, or do I feel indifferent?

Fargo‘s latest instalment passed both these tests. It’s a dense story posing many questions. What does a wife owe her husband? A mother a child? A small town police women with a man-child husband to her debtors? And how is this debt paid? All set in the familiar chilly atmosphere of the Minnesota winter, inhabited by familiar nice Minnesotans.

John Hamm playing a right-wing Sheriff, who only beholds himself to the word of the Bible, is his best role since Mad Men. In most of his characters I only see the sleek, charismatic and immensely good-looking Don Draper. Here he’s overweight and has nipple piercings. Nipple piercings! Also refreshing is Juno Temple in a real role, after her talents were wasted in Ted Lasso as the prototypical Essex marketing gal covered in thick make up and pink fur.