‘Fargo’: Every Year of the FX Series Ranked, So Far
It’s been quite a journey with FX‘s critically acclaimed series Fargo, and as we approach the 10th anniversary of its 2014 debut, we can’t help but look back on the stories told so far.
Inspired by the film of the same name by the Coen Brothers, Ethan and Joel, the series from showrunner Noah Hawley has taken on a life of its own. Spaced out over time, each chapter or year (the limited series isn’t categorized by “seasons”), has delivered thought-provoking tales from the Midwest, not always in the titular North Dakota town.
Their unique qualities are sure to appeal to different viewers, and while opinions are subjective from fan to fan, we’re ranking all of the chapters released so far by FX. Do you agree with the ranking? Let us know in the comments section, below, and stay tuned for any updates about the forthcoming chapter in the months ahead.
Fargo, Years 1- 5, Streaming Now, Hulu
5. Year 4
This chapter takes viewers to 1950s Kansas City, where warring mob bosses abounded. Front and center is Loy Cannon (Chris Rock) who finds himself in a peculiar arrangement with the local Italian family, the Faddas: The men exchange sons, leaving Loy’s youngest, Satchel (Rodney Jones), in the care of the Fadda family’s Irish recruit, Rabbi Milligan (Ben Whishaw). Mix in a blend of supernatural elements, a killer nurse, and crossed lines and you have an entertaining batch of episodes. Are they among the best of the series? Not exactly, but they’re a solid entry into the show’s expanding fabric. Part of Fargo‘s appeal has always been its small-town charm amid the crooked crimes occurring on the fringes. By making this year in the series all about the mob in Kansas City, it loses some of that but adds valuable backstory to some fan-favorite characters from earlier chapters.
4. Year 3
Otherwise known as the chapter where Ewan McGregor plays twins, this entry pulls together individuals from various walks of life, ranging from brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy (both McGregor), one a successful businessman, the other a down-on-his-luck parole officer. Their long-brewing feud over fortune leaves an innocent man dead and a curious cop (Carrie Coon) on their tail. Add in the terrifying V.M. Varga (David Thewlis) — arguably the most menacing villain next to Billy Bob Thornton‘s Lorne Malvo — and you’ve got yourself a chapter that’s hard to beat. Plus, some callbacks to the first year of the series make it all the more satisfying.
3. Year 5
A true return to form, Year 5 of Fargo puts a spin on the original film’s storyline following Minnesota housewife Dot (Juno Temple) who has her world flipped upside down when she’s kidnapped from her home. Ultimately, viewers learn it’s her abusive first husband Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm) who is determined to hunt her down after she ran away from his ranch years prior. While Dot thwarts her initial attackers, her life is further torn apart when her house is broken into by Roy’s son Gator (Joe Keery). As Dot tries to protect her daughter and current husband Wayne (David Rysdahl), their house is burned down, leading to a series of events that send her fleeing. Ultimately, Roy catches up with Dot though and she finds herself metaphorically caged once more by the man. It’s the determination of Dot and characters in her corner like Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris), Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani), and even tough-loving mother-in-law Lorraine (Jennifer Jason Leigh) that provide hope for triumph over evil. A non-stop journey filled with twists and turns, as well as a little puppet show, Year 5 solidified its spot in the ranking before finishing its run.
2. Year 1
This is a tough call, since Years 1 and 2 are certainly standouts in the crowd. With someone as menacing as Thornton’s villain whispering in weakling Lester Nygaard’s (Martin Freeman) ear, it makes for a fantastic first entry that shines when told through deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman). When her captain is killed at Lester’s home, coinciding with the murder of Lester’s wife, she makes it her mission to connect the dots and solve it all, with the help of an eager big-town but underutilized officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks). Add in some hitman shenanigans, guest appearances from comedy mainstays like Key & Peele‘s Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as well as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Glenn Howerton, and Year 1 is nearly unbeatable. Nearly.
1. Year 2
Murder, mystery, aliens, meat grinders — what doesn’t Year 2 have? When the son of a mob boss, Rye Gerhardt (Kieran Culkin), goes missing, suspicions spark a misunderstanding between feuding crime families, just as police work to uncover the truth behind three murders to which Rye is connected. A butcher (Jesse Plemons) and his cosmetologist wife (Kirsten Dunst) get in over their heads when they find themselves at the center of it all, and with ties to a Year 1 reference, the big climax has that much more of a pay-off for viewers, bringing us back in time to the late ’70s, where Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson) — Molly’s father — works to make sense of the strange occurrences happening close to home. Additionally, with a cast featuring the likes of Jean Smart, Nick Offerman, Zahn McClarnon, Cristin Milioti, Ted Danson, and Bokeem Woodbine (as one of the series’ best characters, Mike Milligan), you can’t help but put this powerful chapter in the lead spot.
