Fargo - Season 2 Premiere - Advance Preview

For those seeking brevity, I’ll cut to the chase with this: there’s no sophomore slump here. The second season of Fargo is as wildly funny, inventive and insane as the first, and perhaps even more so. Having screened the first four episodes, I can say without a doubt that this is your best bet for both drama and laughs on TV this fall. The story is beautifully told, with sharp writing, fantastic visuals, and an unbeatable cast.

If you're craving a bit more insight before the premiere on Monday; here’s a look at episode 1, “Waiting for Dutch”. Much like season 1, the story setup is a masterful slow burn. There are a number of players to introduce, and series creator Noah Hawley really takes his time. The payoff is immense – I can’t think of a recent series that so successfully set up an entire world and got me so invested with just one episode.

Unlike other anthologies, this series doesn’t reuse any cast from the first go-round. Leading season two are Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, Jean Smart, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons. To say that they’re just the (incredibly talented) tip of the iceberg is an understatement; the supporting cast includes big names like Nick Offerman, Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Donovan, Bokeem Woodbine and Cristin Milioti. There’s also a fantastic group of lesser-known scene-stealers, including Mike Bradecich and Zahn McClarnon.

The story kicks off predominantly in Luverne, Minnesota, during the winter of 1979. While you don’t need any knowledge of the first season to appreciate this story, fans will recognize some characters: namely, a much-younger Lou Solverson (Wilson), originally played by Keith Carradine. Back in season one, Molly’s dad referenced a violent incident in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – and this season tells that story. It's incredible how unique the story feels, even while providing fitting tributes to past Cohen Brothers films (in particular, here, Fargo and Miller's Crossing).

It’s tough to write a review when there’s not much at all to critique. The premiere episode is brilliant from the bizarre, hilarious opening to the final climactic moments; the characters are vividly drawn, the dialogue is biting, and the story moves along at a perfect pace. This is certainly a case where if the entire season were available at once, it’d be virtually impossible to pull yourself away. But Fargo is exactly the type of show that thrives as long-form, weekly storytelling – suspenseful, fun, and full of heart (and murder… lots of murder.) This is, without question, your best bet on TV this fall.

Fargo premieres Monday night at 10 on FX. Hit the comments and let us know what you're most excited about this season, and feel free to follow my Twitter for more show updates and all my SpoilerTV work.