What I’m Watching: Fargo

Fargo: Season 3, Episode 8 “Who Rules the Land of Denial?” (C+)

I think this show has really lost sense of where it wants to go and what it wants to be. I’m feeling that it’s more of a repeat of season one and its themes, even exploring the same events and consequences. I’d rather see new territory covered, but with this season nearly completed, that doesn’t seem likely. We did get a face that was a prominent player in season one, Russell Harvard’s Mr. Wrench, who ended up in a tight situation with Nikki but was able to readily communicate despite his inability to hear. I’m surprised that Nikki has survived this long, and she even had a metaphor-filled encounter with Ray Wise’s Paul Marrane, who seems to exist only to give the excellent Wise an opportunity to appear and wax philosophic, even referencing Rebbe Nachman. I’m having a bit of hard time following what’s going on with Emmit, who definitely thinks that his very dead brother might still be alive. V.M. isn’t helping much, continuing to intimidate Sy, a nice guy who’s just trying to stay ahead in this increasingly miserable world, and making bold business strides without fully informing his new partners. Despite being told that they’re supposed to lay off, Gloria and Winnie are continuing their investigation, fully aware that there’s mischief afoot and pretty darn close to knowing the truth about what happened even though they’re not permitted to prove it. I’m not sure how this season could find a satisfying resolution, but I’d be happy to see a meager return to form with some dramatic poignancy to it.