Fargo > GoTs

Insidious Von · Jun 18, 2017

Why is Fargo a superior show to games of Thrones, I can watch single episodes of Fargo and be thoroughly entertained. I've yet to see a single episode of GoTs more than once, it's just too heavy.

In keeping with the spirit of the film, the female characters are all very strong. Games of Thrones is brought down a notch by the two leading actresses, Lena Haedey rarely drops her sour expression and Emilia Clarke is just plain shallow. They should do more nude scenes.

Nikki Swango is a small time grifter who's in over her head. She gets in the crosshairs of V.M Varga, a former Russian secret police commander with a British accent and rotten teeth. He's building a fortune from shell companies when Nikki gets in the way. She boards a prison bus, her fate is assuredly sealed. The music is somber signifying that her time is almost up. Then we see who she's been chained to (Mr Wrench), the music changes from somber to a snappy drum solo. It's these little touches that make the show great.

I nearly forgot about about Mr Wrench. In Season 1, he was the mob enforcer who barely survives a gun fight with Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), he escapes as the cops arrive. He arrives bloodied at a safe house, then disappears. Mr. Varga with his crew of henchmen is invincible. With the return of Mr Wrench, we know that someone wants to keep Ms. Swango alive.

Mr. Wrench's theme music.

BloweyJoey · Jun 18, 2017

Agreed. I didnt see much of season 2 but season 1 and 3 are spectacular. Probably the best tv show Ive ever seen.

nlt76 · Jun 18, 2017

Fuck yaaa

managee · Jun 18, 2017

Insidious Von said:
Why is Fargo a superior show to games of Thrones, I can watch single episodes of Fargo and be thoroughly entertained. I've yet to see a single episode of GoTs more than once, it's just too heavy.

In keeping with the spirit of the film, the female characters are all very strong. Games of Thrones is brought down a notch by the two leading actresses, Lena Haedey rarely drops her sour expression and Emilia Clarke is just plain shallow. They should do more nude scenes.

I think there are a lot of things about Fargo that are great. I think there are a lot of things about GoT that are great. Which one is "greater" is entirely based on your sensibilities and preferences as an audience member.

Generally, my preference is GoT. But that doesn't mean I'll ever consider skipping an episode of Fargo. The difference for me is if I don't watch GoT as it airs, avoiding spoilers on Monday at work takes effort. People WANT to talk about it. It's a cultural phenomenon. Which doesn't make it good, but certainly doesn't make it bad either.

I could miss an entire season of Fargo and watch after it airs without so much as hearing a description of the season premise.

Insidious Von · Jun 19, 2017

Understandable, the first Star Wars film IMHO is an average film yet it's a cultural phenomenon. The first Rocky film is vastly superior, I've seen it many times over. Star Wars I can't be bothered with.

I haven't seen S2 of Fargo I'm hoping to stream it when I have the time. The way S3 began had me instantly hooked. I almost didn't recognize Scott Hylands (Ennis Stussy), he was my introduction to live theater at Strattford. He played Alfidius to John Vernon Coriolanus, in that Shakespeare play. Then the "I can help" episode with Clint Eastwood's second wife (Frances Fisher) and their daughter (Francesca Eastwood) playing Vivian Lord as a burn out waitress and in her prime. Having Lethbridge Alberta subbing for Minnesota is another reason reason to watch. The show has a ripple effect, I recently watched Wonder Woman because of it. Not because I have any fondness for DC films (they suck), I wanted to see David Thewlis in something else. He's killing it as Varga.

Here's the big difference between GoTs and Fargo, the women on the former are unmemorable. Mary Liz Winstead (Nikki Swango) and Carrie Coon (Chief Burgle) are sensational in their roles. Winstead I've seen before in the grossly under-rated 10 Cloverfield Lane, Coon is a complete unknown. A show can't achieve greatness if the women are cookie cutter, that's the main reason why Game of Thrones gets a slightly above average rating in my books.

Correction, I have seen Carrie Coon before. She was the investigating detective in Gone Girl.

Insidious Von · Jun 19, 2017

There is a brief nude scene in Fargo, she looked awesome.

Insidious Von · Jun 19, 2017

John Vernon was one of Canada's finest actors and a Clint Eastwood favorite. For those of you who don't recognize the name.

managee · Jun 19, 2017

Insidious Von said:
Understandable, the first Star Wars film IMHO is an average film yet it's a cultural phenomenon. The first Rocky film is vastly superior, I've seen it many times over. Star Wars I can't be bothered with.

I hear ya. I've probably seen Star Wars more times than any other film. To me, it's like mom's spaghetti. It's hard to quantify why something so bland sticks with you over the years, especially when you're trying to explain it to someone who doesn't like it. It's cringey at times, but I absolutely love it.

Insidious Von said:
Mary Liz Winstead (Nikki Swango) and Carrie Coon (Chief Burgle) are sensational in their roles.

Carrie Coon is amaze-balls. Can't wait to watch this season.

I highly recommend The Leftovers, which I feel is an underrated near-masterpiece. It's not for everyone, but I think it was genius.

Plus, Carrie Coon occasionally doesn't wear clothes...

SexB · Jun 19, 2017

Speaking of which, did anyone else watch Legion?

It's from the same people who were behind Fargo.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's one of the best comic book shows on right now.

Insidious Von · Jun 20, 2017

Is Legion a spin-off of Humans?

As a cultural phenomenon, Games of Thrones borrowed from three other cultural phenomenons. As a continuous series it's able to flesh out the vision of it's its creator George HH Martin better than what Peter Jackson did with J RR Tolkein in a limited trilogy for Lord of the Rings. Like ST: The Next Generation, they took a great actor (Peter Dinklage) and surrounded him with a group of competent ones. And like The Sopranos, it's all about family intrigue. With the Lannisters subbing for the Napolitan - Americans. The way he's developed Tyrion Lannister, I assumed Peter Dinklage was English. He is in fact from Paterson, New Jersey. That would make him a neighbour of both James Gandolfini and Joe Pantoliano (Ralphie Cifareto). Paterson is also the birthplace of Lou Costello, his Memorial is located there.

Insidious Von · Jun 20, 2017

I'm going to go out on a limb, the idea for Games of Thrones sprang from this scene.

" Old Man Tywin Lannister, he knew how to split his enemies".

Insidious Von · Jun 20, 2017

On a side note.

With roles in both Paterson and Manchester by the Sea, Kara Hayward (Suzy Bishop in Moonrise Kingdom) is looking after her future. She's following Jodie Foster's footsteps by attending Harvard while taking small roles in films. She's featured in the trailers of both films. Once she graduates, the sky's the limit.

She looks older but only recently turned 18.

Kilgore Trout · Jun 20, 2017

Seasons 1 and 2 of Fargo are great.

To me season 3 of Fargo is quite terrible though.
I found myself getting more and more intollerant of season 3 until finally a scene came in episode 5, where that retarded East European arsehole pissed into a coffe mug and then made some other retarded arsehole drink it down.
That was the last straw for me.

Seasons 1 and 2 are a million times better than season 3.
The only character I like in season 3 is Carrie Coon, the cop, and episode 3 where she goes on a road trip to California was very strong.
The retarded east German villain is someone I can't stand spending any time with though.
Billy Bob Thornton in season 1 was a trillion times better than retarded east German arsehole.

BloweyJoey · Jun 20, 2017

Kilgore Trout said:
Seasons 1 and 2 of Fargo are great.

To me season 3 of Fargo is quite terrible though.
I found myself getting more and more intollerant of season 3 until finally a scene came in episode 5, where that retarded East European arsehole pissed into a coffe mug and then made some other retarded arsehole drink it down.
That was the last straw for me.

Seasons 1 and 2 are a million times better than season 3.

Id keep watching. The first few episodes were only ok. The last few have been excellent though.

VERYBADBOY · Jun 20, 2017

killface420 said:
I think there are a lot of things about Fargo that are great. I think there are a lot of things about GoT that are great. Which one is "greater" is entirely based on your sensibilities and preferences as an audience member.

Generally, my preference is GoT. But that doesn't mean I'll ever consider skipping an episode of Fargo. The difference for me is if I don't watch GoT as it airs, avoiding spoilers on Monday at work takes effort. People WANT to talk about it. It's a cultural phenomenon. Which doesn't make it good, but certainly doesn't make it bad either.

I could miss an entire season of Fargo and watch after it airs without so much as hearing a description of the season premise.

I don't think IV is wired for the sci-fi fantasy genre.

I enjoyed the first 2 seasons of Fargo but after a couple of episodes of season 3 I lost interest and basically said I'll binge watch at the end. Season 1 was amazing but season 2 got a little weird/alien especially at the end.

However, I find GoT the better series ... it is known. I've read the books way before the series started and to create a whole different world where we can escape to for under an hour at a time each week is Simply Amazing. The creative genius behind this and to put out each episodes end product is a feat unto itself. I've repeated watching GoT unlike Fargo, and such episode in later seasons such as the attack on the wall or Hart home or even Hodor will bring a smile, fear or tear to myself because that connection is there.

When July 16th come around I'll be watching with like minded friends and probably taping that first episode of the season to watch later... the next morning I'll stay away from the water cooler conversation.

Btw... loved watching The Leftovers, read the book as well.

VBB

frankcastle · Jun 20, 2017

Fargo is one of those rare shows where season 2 was better than season 1.

Haven't seen season 3 yet.

Insidious Von · Jun 20, 2017

No I'm not entirely wired to sci-fi fantasy, I'm very much into pure sci-fi films. IMHO Ex-Machina is infinitely better than any of the Star Wars films. One of my favorite films is an obscure sci-fi film from New Zealand called The Quiet Earth. Danny Boyle based the opening of 28 Days Later on that film, before going in a different direction. As for Game of Thrones, I had a "get the fuck out" moment when Jon Snow was resurrected. I still don't understand why they killed off Yegritte. GoTs is a great show but not in the same league as The Sopranos, The Wire or I Claudius.

Who are you referring to as the retarded East German? David Thewlis is killing it as VM Varga. He's cold and extremely slimy and he's not a conventional psychopath. He's goal and money oriented, he kills when people get in the way of his plans. And he doesn't even need a mask. He's a multi-millionaire through shell companies, with a cadre of rogue agents at his beck and call. Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thronton) killed for the thrill his violent end was inevitable. With Varga, I'm not so sure.

And yes, as a character actor David Thewlis is Gary Oldman's equal.

Kilgore Trout · Jun 20, 2017

This is the season 3 villain I can't stand on Fargo.
If he would only get shot with 300 bullets in episode 6 I might watch the rest of the season; but, as it is it's just too much to ask me to have to hang around with this retarded smirking clown for an hour at a time.

Seaon 2 villains were only a million times better than season 3 clown:

managee · Jun 20, 2017

VERYBADBOY said:
I don't think IV is wired for the sci-fi fantasy genre.

I enjoyed the first 2 seasons of Fargo but after a couple of episodes of season 3 I lost interest and basically said I'll binge watch at the end. Season 1 was amazing but season 2 got a little weird/alien especially at the end.

However, I find GoT the better series ... it is known. I've read the books way before the series started and to create a whole different world where we can escape to for under an hour at a time each week is Simply Amazing. The creative genius behind this and to put out each episodes end product is a feat unto itself. I've repeated watching GoT unlike Fargo, and such episode in later seasons such as the attack on the wall or Hart home or even Hodor will bring a smile, fear or tear to myself because that connection is there.

When July 16th come around I'll be watching with like minded friends and probably taping that first episode of the season to watch later... the next morning I'll stay away from the water cooler conversation.

Btw... loved watching The Leftovers, read the book as well.

VBB

I'm totally with you here. I generally feel re-watchability is a big part of what makes one show better than another, at-least for me. I loved The Wire and The Sopranos, Battlestar Galactica and others I can't think of right now, but need a lot of time in-between rewatches. I tried with Fargo, but abandoned the idea early on. Maybe I will before I start watching season 3.

This is different from other, more favourite shows for me. I can pretty much watch GoT, Arrested Development, golden-era Simpsons, and a bunch of others over and over without finding them any less entertaining than on a first viewing.

Re-watchability isn't the only factor that makes a good show great, but it certainly makes them more enduring for me.

We're really fortunate to be in this golden era of television. So much great TV, so little time.

GoT is definitely my favourite television series right now, but I was pretty blown away by Westworld last year.

Insidious Von said:
As for Game of Thrones, I had a "get the fuck out" moment when Jon Snow was resurrected. I still don't understand why they killed off Yegritte. GoTs is a great show but not in the same league as The Sopranos, The Wire or I Claudius.

Sorry to thread jack, GoT spoilers ahead. Fair warning for those behind... I wasn't a big fan of Ollie as a character, so Ygritte's death was that much more frustrating. However, she definitely had to go.

As big of a fan as Tolkien GRRM claims to be, he is clearly more interested in subverting archetypal tropes, than paying homage. I imagine anyone looking for a happy ending (read: "They all sail west of Westeros and live happily ever after...") for the Starks or Targaryans will be disappointed when ASOIAF / GoT ends. But I'm wrong at-least 75% of the time if I guess what's next on GoT.

We saw Thoros of Myr bringing back Baric Dondarrion in season 3, so I really didn't think the Jon Snow resurrection was the show jumping the shark. Given where the character needed to go in-terms of storyline, I thought it was an efficient way to get to where the season ended up. I'm really interested to see how GRRM picks up the storyline, because I don't for 1-second think he's dead in the book, either.

Never heard of I Claudius. Added to the list now. Thanks!

SexB · Jun 20, 2017

Insidious Von said:
Is Legion a spin-off of Humans?

It's based on a character from the X-men comics.

Humans is another great show too.

Fargo > GoTs

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