FX debuted its new series “Fargo” tonight, and rest assured, the series seems to retain all the weird wit and charm of its big screen brother. Based on the cult classic Coen Brothers film, FX’s interpretation sets a remarkably similar tone right off the bat with its mix of violence and dark comedy. So how does the tale of America’s most charming murder translate to television? Surprisingly well, actually. Between one hilarious sequence involving a strip club and the pilot’s ending, the series premiere does an excellent job of acclimating the audience to the show’s setting and the interwoven relationships of the townspeople.
Featuring an all-star cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Kate Walsh, and Glenn Howerton, the series follows the inhabitants of a small town in Minnesota and the chaos that ensues when a hitman exposes the undersides of the seemingly picturesque lives of the town’s inhabitants. One part police procedural, one part black comedy, “Fargo” offers a little something for every demographic.
The initial season, which is currently set for a brief five episode run, can be seen in all of its hyper-violent glory Tuesdays at 10 PM on FX.