Time to return to the whacky world of ‘Fargo’
April has been far from the cruelest month when it comes to programs returning for new seasons. Two of those programs, Fox’s “Prison Break” and Netflix’s “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” emerge after significant time off the air, “MST3K” having last appeared with new episodes in the last century.
Of all the shows resuming in April, it’s Wednesday’s premier of “Fargo” on FX that has me the most excited, even more than I was about last week’s return of “Better Call Saul” to AMC’s schedule.
In its two previous seasons, “Fargo” has turned a kind of Northern Midwest Gothic into a compelling ride that marries suspense, violence, drama, and comedy offsets the outlandish against the sensible, and somehow manages to uphold sane values over the much and mayhem emanating from more addled or diabolical minds. It’s been a morality piece in which the steady, conventional types triumph over the evil, kinky, and just plain desperate.
It seems almost inconceivable that show runner Noah Hawley, working from a 1996 concept by the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, can pull the same rabbits from his hat to repeat the ooey, gooey fun of “Fargo’s” first two seasons respectively starring Martin Freeman and Kirsten Dunst in this new season featuring Ewan McGregor in a dual role as oppositeas-you-get brothers, but I’d bet on Hawley.
So far, I’ve only seen previews, yet there’s enough in them to tell me Season 3 is bound to be quintessential “Fargo” with cars, character names, local Minnesota expressions beyond “you betcha,” and off-the-chart personalities we’ve come to expect from the series.
“Fargo” jumps time. It went from 1979, including a visit from presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, to the present time, and sets Season 3 in 2010. Tiebacks to previous seasons, either by looking back at ’79 or forward to 2015, and to the Coens’ movie are to be expected.
McGregor plays Emmit and Ray Stussy — Stussy is one of those so-“Fargo” names I referred to — one a successful self-made businessman, the other scratching out a living as a parole officer who blames his older brother for his struggles in life.
In true Hawley fashion, and going back to those wonderful names he chooses, the female lead of this season is the Eden Valley, Minn., chief of police, Gloria Burgle, played by Carrie Coon, known to TV audiences from her work in as Nora Durst in “The Leftovers.” Mary Elizabeth Winstead appears as one of Ray’s more challenging parolees with the fabulous moniker Nikki Swango. Reliable character actors Michael Stuhlbarg and David Thewlis are also in the cast.
Emmit and Ray carry one a great ongoing sibling rivalry and, of course, murder and crime are the results. Winstead’s Swango, free-wheeling and totally unrepentant about her penchant for stealing, should provide a lot of fun, especially as she recruits parole officer Ray to be part of her life and work.
“Fargo” specializes on humor that sometimes has you laughing with a lump in your throat, especially when comedy is tied to some gruesome evidence related to a murder that is baffling Chief Burgle’s police force.
“Mystery Science Theater 3000” depends on a different source for its jokes, some of the worst movies ever made, screened by evil forces in the next millennium to convicts they keep captive on a spaceship and intend to drive mad.
Rather than succumbing to the nefarious, these prisoners have a ball commenting sarcastically on the movies and improvising their own sketches to further sass the wretched film in front of them which of course is shown in its entirety to the “MST3K” audience.
Joel Hodgson, who created and introduced the show, coincidentally spawned, like “Fargo” in Minnesota, relinquished the host duties to Mike Nelson. They are replaced in the 21st century by Jonah Ray, whose character is called Jonah Heston. A dig, perhaps, at the late Charlton? “Costner” may have been a more apt choice. The two first movies being screened for Heston are a 1961 Dutch horror flick, “Reptilicus” and a 1987 movie about Big Foot, “Cry Wilderness.”
“Prison Break” has moved to Europe after word gets back to Lincoln, than his brother, Michael, thought to be dead is jailed there.
As for “Better Call Saul,” the show keeps getting better. This season, I think, will deepen the connection between this new AMC program and the series that spawned it, “Breaking Bad.” It will definitely add insight on how Jimmy morphs into Saul.
NFL draft snarks city traffic
Got to go out of school for a minute to comment on something that is only peripherally about television.
Late this month, from April 27 to 29, the NFL is holding its 2017 draft in Philadelphia. This is a major event, and the city is lucky to have it. In addition to bringing hundreds of visitors to the city, the grandstands on the Parkway, by the Art Museum steps, will put the great vista to City Hall on constant display, so viewers will not be able to help seeing Philadelphia at its most stately and beautiful. Practically Parisian. For three days, activities will sprawl along the Parkway. People can come for free and indulge in a major league sports experience.
The extravaganza would be wonderful, a fete to be congratulated.
Except for one thing. As of last week, the city has already closed or restricted major thoroughfares adjoining the Parkway and Eakins Oval, where the Art Museum is. Traffic that is already congested and irritating is made moreso, full weeks before the NFL arrives for its ceremony.
As happened with Pope Francis’s visit to the city in 2015, Philadelphia planners were too flattered by hosting a significant to give full regard to the residents and drivers of the city. Worse yet, total traffic normality will not be restored until mid-May!
Yes, a big show and spectacle is afoot, but at too great a cost to the everyday traffic and commerce of the city.
You don’t see New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or even Boston closing whole sections of the city weeks in advance to accommodate something that may be of great interest to fans of professional football but may have no meaning to a majority of Philadelphia area citizen who would prefer easy passage through the city than a disruptive party.
In 2016, Democrats had the good sense to hold their convention at the Wells Fargo Center, away from town. Life in Philly went on as normal.
The NFL could have held its draft at the Wells Fargo Center or the neighboring Lincoln Financiual Field, home of the Eagles. The city could have directed festivities to Fairmount Park, just behind or north of the Art Museum, where road closings would not have made a difference, and spectacular views of the skyline are readily available. The Mann Center, pre-season, may have been an excellent choice.
But no, the shortsighted city fathers of Philadelphia have to do something that gets in the way, that has luster but is also a nuisance, one created by the city.
I hate to feel as I do, but I find it all heavy-handed and a little disgusting.
Pardon me for being a spoilsport, but I hope April 27 to 29 is a wall of solid, impenetrable rain.
Notes
It’s good to have Mike Jerrick out of retreat and back on Channel 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” where, even among an able sturdy crew, his presence as co-anchor makes a significant difference. It’s also gratifying to see Mike gracing various community events. One can see photos on his Facebook page. Just looking the pictures, I can see how much more relaxed Mike is. Continued good health to you, Mike. You were missed ... May is only two weeks away. That’s when the baby watch starts at Channel 3 as expectant mothers Kate Bilo and Nicole Brewer are both due that month.