The Paradox Of Intermediate Transactions – The episode opens with Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm) riding into the Gas-N-Go shortly after the murder of Gator Tillman’s (Joe Kerry) partner. Jon learns that Gator has already collected the body to prevent the incident from being reported and the security system at the Gas-N-Go was seized by feds yesterday because of the other investigation. After a bit of teasing about letting Ole Munch (Sam Spruell) get the drop on him again, it’s revealed that Gator was the one to hire Munch’s partner, Donald Ireland (Devon Bostick) to track Dorothy “Dot” Lyon (Juno Temple). Roy quickly puts together a plan to smoke out Munch and get rid of Alvie’s body before warning Gator to be careful because he will be coming for them.
Returning home Roy is greeted by a group of revelers caroling Christmas songs around an outside barrel fire. Inside, he’s greeted by Karen Tillman (Rebecca Liddiard) and her father, Odin Little (Michael Copeman), who wants to discuss a shipment of weapons. Roy says he needs to space things out because of the feds poking around. He then rushes off to spend some time with his twin girls Jessica (Brooke Sauve) and Maude (Quinn Sauve) Tillman before putting them to sleep. His thoughts appear to be elsewhere. Much later that evening he doesn’t even acknowledge his wife’s advances while he lounges in bed with a joint.
Dot is then shown standing guard at her front window before racing outside with a ladder and rearranging several of the street signs. The following morning, Dot also appears to be sidetracked as Wayne Lyon (David Rysdahl) tries to discuss booking an appointment with the alarm company. After her tangent about Halloween costumes, he tells her that he’s had his entire afternoon cleared so they can go to Gun World together.
In Bismarck, North Dakota, an old lady struggles to drag a small cart of groceries down a neighborhood road covered in snow and filled with excited children. Once the groceries are unloaded and she enjoys several minutes of TV, her attention is drawn to something moving around on the second floor. Slowly making her way upstairs, she finds Ole Munch who says that he lives there now.
A 500-year-old flashback in Wales, England (1552) shows a man giving penance before a small group of churchgoers by consuming a recently deceased man’s sins. The man agrees to accept his punishment and digs into the plate of food that’s been stored with the deceased’s body. One of the attendees referred to as Uncle (Stuart Bentley) makes him openly accept the punishment before force-feeding him wine. The ritual and flashback end with Uncle paying the man several gold pieces.
At Gun World, Dot not only impresses the clerk (Brendan Fletcher) with her selection, but she correctly identifies the weapons, she wields them like a trained professional. Her enthusiasm quickly and her attention turns to the pepper spray once she learns there is no skirting the weekly holding period.
Gator is shown listening to a heavy metal track alone in his room while stewing over Roy’s harsh treatment at the Gas-N-Go. He assures himself he’s a winner before he throws on his sheriff’s jacket and seemingly heads out with some destination in mind. Still on crutches, Deputy Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris) checks in with desk sergeant Pete (Nathan Crockett) at the North Dakota station. After a quick discussion about Iron Mike, Wiit finds Gator in the records room stealing evidence from the Donald Ireland investigation. Although Witt asks what he took, the only information Gator openly shares is a story about the time a football injury left him on crutches. Once Gator is gone and he discovers the entire evidence box empty, he returns to Pete and gets Gator’s left-behind business card. He later uses this card at a local diner to research him online.
Danish Graves (David Foley) and Lorraine Lyon (Jennifer Jason Leigh) meet with Minnesota Deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani) and her Captain, Muscavage (Paul McGillion) to discuss the investigation. Before Olmstead shares the overwhelming evidence connecting Dot to the scene, Danish quickly gets it on the record that the meeting isn’t an interrogation, but rather a sharing of information. Despite the evidence, Lorraine sticks with Dot’s story of her not being involved. At one point, she insults the Captain when she tries to downplay the entire event. He harshly reminds her of the dead trooper and brings up the possibility that the men may return to complete the job. As the meeting closes, Lorraine makes it known that she can protect her family and isn’t going to help the investigation. She insults them again on their way out by referring to them as nothing more than gatekeepers between the differing social classes. Once alone, Danish and Lorraine make plans to up security and uncover more about Dot’s past.
While eavesdropping on the local police’s radio communication, Munch overhears Roy requesting a meet with Gator at Hammurabi Pawnshop. Outside the pawnshop, Roy shares a troubling dream with Gator. Although he doesn’t go into detail, he stresses the importance of them remaining vigilant with the feds poking around. Despite his concerns, Roy says the opportunity to move on Dot tonight using the cover of Halloween mischief is too good to pass up.
While Gator, his men, Roy, and Munch prepare to make their move, Dot, Wayne, and Scotty (Sienna King) get ready for an evening of treat or treating. On her way out, Dot receives a call on the landline from Roy. She ultimately hangs up on him, but it appears she appears to recognize his voice and is on high alert. Later that night as the Lyons return home, Gator and his men arrive in the neighborhood. Dot’s switched road signs manage to slow them, but thanks to GPS they soon locate their target. The episode ends by revealing Munch to be the first to arrive at Dot’s after partaking in some strange ritual with Latin chanting. The episode ends.
Fargo Review
This wasn’t a horrible episode, although it did feel a bit slow at times. As far as setting the stage for what should be an action-packed episode 4, viewers couldn’t ask for more. The stage is certainly set for a showdown and it appears the Lyon’s house will be the battlefield. Despite this episode seeming a bit slow, a significant encounter like this with most of the major players almost seems a bit premature. Nonetheless, I’m excited to see how things proceed.
The 500-year-old flashback was a bit confusing yet intriguing at the same time. Was Munch the eater of sins and was that what his archaic ritual at the end was all about? I did enjoy Wayne and Dot’s short visit to Gun World and I can more than appreciate the fact that the story seemed to focus solely on the main characters. The episode deserves a solid 5.8 out of 10.
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