Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode # 10 "Morton's Fork" - Recap and Review

Billy Bob Thornton as silver haired goatee wearing Lorne Malvo in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork

This post discusses the episode in detail. Readers yet to see the episode are recommended to skip the rest of the post, if they wish to avoid spoilers.

After seeing his second wife getting killed by Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) decides to go to Lou's Coffee Shop.

The local cops soon converge on the crime scene as does Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman).


Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as FBI Agents Pepper and Budge in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork

Lester pretends to be innocent of the circumstances surrounding his wife's death. Molly and the FBI Agents Pepper (Keegan-Michael Key) and Budge (Jordan Peele) interrogate Lester.

Lester under the pretext of being affected by the death of his spouse, gets away.

Keith Carradine as Lou Solverson with Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne Malvo at Lou's Coffee Shop in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork


Lou Solverson (Keith Carradine) informs Molly about Lorne's visit and Lorne's conversation with him about Lester's whereabouts. He personally keeps vigil outside Molly's home to protect Greta Grimly (Joey King).

Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks) also sets out to help Molly and spots the red BMW he saw Lorne driving earlier.

Lorne abducts a car salesman and makes him follow the FBI Agents as they escort Lester to his house. Lorne kills the agents shortly and proceeds in his attempt to kill Lester.

Fargo Martin Freeman Lester Nygaard basement fish poster

Lester has laid a trap used to catch animals and Lorne's leg get struck. He is able to inflict injury on Lester, before escaping to safety.

As Lorne painstakingly performs some home grown techniques to set his injured bones straight, he realizes that he has become the prey to another predator lurking nearby.


Colin Hanks as Gus Grimly in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork

Gus informs Lorne that he has figured out his puzzle about shades of green before proceeding to shoot him multiple times, ensuring his death.

The police arrive shortly and Gus shows Molly the tapes maintained by Lorne. Molly listens to the call made by Lester to Lorne on the night he murdered his first wife.

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A couple of weeks later, authorities catch up to Lester Nygaard in Glacier National Park, Montana. He tries to flee and falls to his death as the icecaps break around him.

Molly becomes the Chief of Police, Bemidji and Gus gets a citation for bravery.

This was a exciting finale to one of the best TV shows I have seen in a long time.


Billy Bob Thornton as Pastor Frank Peterson with Colin Hanks as Gus Grimly in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork

The acting has been consistently good right from the start and this episode is no different. Billy Bob Thornton continues to lead the ensemble cast in acting honors. Lorne Malvo is one of the most memorable characters and all credit to Billy Bob. His final scene with Gus Grimly was epic. A fitting farewell to a classic character.

Martin Freeman, Allison Tolman and Colin Hanks continue to get lion's share of the screentime. All of them are exceptional actors and are believable in their roles.

In addition to these main players, Keith Carradine as Lou Solverson, and Keegan-Michael Key and Budge Jordan Peele as the hapless yet hilarious agents get their share of the limelight.

Keith has some great character moments with Molly, Gus and especially with Greta. 


Bob Odenkirk as Chief of Police Bill Oswalt in Fargo Season 1 Finale Episode 10 Morton's Fork

Bob Odenkirk as Bill Oswalt has a nice scene where he accepts his inability to perform his job and expresses his intention to recommend Molly for his position.

The cinematography is superb and the music too enhances the gripping quality of the show.

This was a great show and a worthy tribute to the original by the Coen Brothers.

A must watch for fans of the Coen Brothers/Fargo/Thrillers.

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Image Sources: Chris Large, FX Productions, MGM Television, FX Network

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6 comments:

  1. The show really grew on me and by the end I loved it. The finale was very good but I was irritated a bit that Molly got sidelined so much. The Bill speech was really good. Poor Pepper and Budge - they never did see him coming, did they? Do you know if a series 2 is planned?

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    1. Glad to know that you ended up liking the show, GK.

      Billy Bob was the highlight of the show (at least for me). Pepper and Budge were hysterical.

      To the best of my knowledge, right now there are no plans for Season 2.

      B2B.

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  2. PS: My review is in the usual place...

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  3. Enjoyed your synopsis. I think it is important to note that the animal trap that Lorne steps in is a bear trap. We see the bear trap earlier in the box in the basement where Lester hides his gun. This is foreshadowed by a story told early in the series about a bear caught in a trap. The bear chews through his leg to free himself, only to die a short distance away - but "on his own terms."

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    1. Thanks Greg for your comment. The writers did a great job.

      B2B.

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