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By In Culture, Film

The grace of hospitality in ‘Fargo’ Season 5

When starting Fargo Season 5, my expectations were extremely low. I had been disappointed with Season 4’s lack of biblical content, which was a departure from the first 3 seasons. Would Season 5 continue the disappointment, or would Fargo return to its former glory? It would take several episodes to know for sure, but former glory it was.

The main character is Dorothy Lyon (“Dot” for short), a housewife married to Wayne with a daughter named Scotty. Dot is being hunted by her abusive ex-husband, Sheriff Roy Tillman. The majority of the show follows Dot as she hides from Roy and defends herself against his henchmen.

Roy is presented as an arrogant, brash conservative-type. Roy says things like, “I am the law of the land” and “the Constitution was given by Almighty God” (Episode 2). He has a private chapel on his property, decorated with the American flag, where he lights candles to a large crucifix of Jesus (Episode 3). Roy talks to the crucifix and addresses Jesus as his “old friend” (Episode 4). He quotes from the book of Revelation (Episode 8); he references Lot’s wife and the walls of Jericho (Episode 9). Early on, you start to wonder if Season 5 has an agenda to paint Christians in a bad light. Thankfully, that is not the case at all.

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By In Culture, Film

The victory of Jesus in ‘Fargo’ Season 3

After watching Fargo Season 3 when it first aired (2017), I remarked that Fargo was “the most Christian show on TV.” If the Christian themes in Seasons 1 and 2 weren’t obvious enough, they are undeniable in Season 3. This doesn’t mean it’s a family-friendly show, mind you (viewer discretion is advised). Nor does it mean it is perfectly orthodox. But as we’ll see, this season displays an overtly biblical worldview.

Warning: Spoilers ahead

Set in Minnesota, during Christmas of 2010, Fargo Season 3 follows the feud between identical-twin-brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy. The brothers are contrasted in almost every respect; ironic for identical twins. Emmit is the older twin, a rich businessman. Ray is the younger twin, a poor parole officer. Emmit owns a luxurious home, Ray rents a dingy apartment. Emmit is clean-shaven and well-dressed, Ray is scruffy and unkempt. Emmit is happily married with children, Ray is romantic with one of his parolees.

The feud centers around the inheritance left to them by their deceased father. Ray claims that Emmit tricked Ray out of an expensive stamp collection. Emmit disputes this, maintaining that Ray preferred to have their father’s Corvette. Readers of the Bible will immediately notice a Jacob and Esau theme in this premise. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers who became enemies over the inheritance given by their father Isaac. Similarities and references to Jacob and Esau will continue throughout the season.

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