# Fargo S1E9 \[Open spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 11, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522 "2014-06-11T03:14:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/181 "2014-06-16T17:32:26Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > What was up with Chaz’s gun collection? Had they established him as a gun freak early on? And was he in possession of something illegal? That one gun hidden in the back was definitely illegal, and Chas. even said as much. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/182 "2014-06-16T17:55:23Z")
> [@The\_Fornicator](#): > > that scene in the diner between Malvo and Maggie’s dad > [@The\_Fornicator](#): > > redemption also for Maggie (for her conviction and pursuit of Malvo). I don’t know how she might nail him. Molly, not Maggie. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/183 "2014-06-16T18:01:04Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I like to “suspend disbelief” when I watch a movie (or TV series); those I like best are those I can imagine to be “a true story” – just like it claims at the beginning of each Fargo episode. > > But I was shocked and disappointed by the elevator shootings. The series suddenly “jumped the shark” for me (if that’s the appropriate expression); it didn’t seem realistic. It turned the series into a farce, like _Get Smart_ or 1960’s _Batman_. The tragedy is, there’s no reason to have these plot holes. The storytelling is so good, why not make the actual plot tighter? Malvo can shoot the people in any number of other more logical places. Why did the writers even pick Vegas? Instead, have them go to some other place which is not blanketed by security cameras. Some illogical details can be viewed as integral to the story (fish from the sky). But others seem like lazy writing (dragging the accountant by the necktie through the building). Fortunately, the storytelling is so good, I let these details slide. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/184 "2014-06-16T18:05:25Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Some illogical details can be viewed as integral to the story (fish from the sky). But others seem like lazy writing (dragging the accountant by the necktie through the building). Fortunately, the storytelling is so good, I let these details slide. The question to me is whether the writers have Malvo do these things because the writers just want something that looks cool and they don’t even bother to think about the plausibility of it, or because the writers are deliberately picking things for Malvo to do that aren’t quite supernatural but are clearly in the bordering-on-implausibility range, because that says something deliberate about Malvo. I hope it’s the second, because you’re right that if it’s the first it’s just lazy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/185 "2014-06-16T18:47:34Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > The tragedy is, there’s no reason to have these plot holes. The storytelling is so good, why not make the actual plot tighter? Malvo can shoot the people in any number of other more logical places. Why did the writers even pick Vegas? Instead, have them go to some other place which is not blanketed by security cameras. > > Some illogical details can be viewed as integral to the story (fish from the sky). But others seem like lazy writing (dragging the accountant by the necktie through the building). Fortunately, the storytelling is so good, I let these details slide. Murder in the casino elevator, where it is almost certainly videoed is essential to Malvo’s character, much like the dragging of the guy by the necktie. He wants to be recorded and observed because there is nothing anybody can do about it as far as Malvo is concerned. He rubs Gus’ nose in it. He rubs Lester’s nose in it. He tried taunt Mr. Solverson, but left frustrated. Same as Gus’ Duluth neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/186 "2014-06-16T18:52:28Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > The question to me is whether the writers have Malvo do these things because the writers just want something that looks cool and they don’t even bother to think about the plausibility of it, or because the writers are deliberately picking things for Malvo to do that aren’t quite supernatural but are clearly in the bordering-on-implausibility range, because that says something deliberate about Malvo. > > I hope it’s the second, because you’re right that if it’s the first it’s just lazy. The second is my guess, because (a) it’d consistent with other Coen Bros stuff, and (b) it’s consistent throughout the series so far. The story is set (in theory) in 1987? Videotaping was NOT so prevalent back then. While casinos may have had videotaping in the main gambling areas to prevent fraud and theft, I don’t think they’d have videotaped the inside of elevators. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/187 "2014-06-16T18:53:47Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > The second is my guess, because (a) it’d consistent with other Coen Bros stuff, and (b) it’s consistent throughout the series so far. > The story is set (in theory) in 1987? Videotaping was NOT so prevalent back then. While casinos may have had videotaping in the main gambling areas to prevent fraud and theft, I don’t think they’d have videotaped the inside of elevators. No, I think it’s 2006 (for the television series). ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/188 "2014-06-16T18:59:39Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > The story is set (in theory) in 1987? It’s 2006. We know at least that it’s during the cell phone era because Lester used his cell phone to call his brother when the Fargo hitmen locked Lester in the trunk. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/189 "2014-06-16T19:06:16Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > It’s 2006. We know at least that it’s during the cell phone era because Lester used his cell phone to call his brother when the Fargo hitmen locked Lester in the trunk. Ah, yes, sorry. Then it’s funny that there were no cameras in the evelator. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/190 "2014-06-16T19:40:35Z")
Meanwhile there were cameras in the offices in which Malvo dragged the accountant to the parking lot. So why there but not (apparently) in the casino? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/191 "2014-06-16T19:46:10Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Meanwhile there were cameras in the offices in which Malvo dragged the accountant to the parking lot. So why there but not (apparently) in the casino? Because they are two totally unrelated places many hundreds of miles apart from one another. What does one have to do with the other? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/192 "2014-06-16T19:49:32Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Meanwhile there were cameras in the offices in which Malvo dragged the accountant to the parking lot. So why there but not (apparently) in the casino? They appear to be in the casino, just not _in_ the elevators. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/193 "2014-06-16T19:55:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Actually, honestly, Molly has very little on Lester. Her big evidence is someone \*maybe _overhearing a conversation with someone who_ could \*be Malvo. Her idea that Lester hired Malvo is ridiculous as Lester had no funds with which to do so, and no doubt Molly or someone had a forensic accountant (my speciality) check and verify there were no suspicious funds movement nor any funds to move. True, she did have a great flash of intuition there, but she has ZERO hard evidence against Lester. > > She has some good evidence about Malvo otherwise, but she keeps going back to Lester so her theories are correctly thought as off the wall. If she dropped his fixation with Lester and concentrated on Malvo (which would solve that other kidnapping/killing there at the start) people would listen. > > As it is, altho we know she’s somewhat right, her evidence against Lester is so very weak they are right to dismiss it. Very well done, sir. That is an excellent analysis. I don’t know if I have any answer to that. Probably not. Good for you! ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/194 "2014-06-16T20:04:15Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > There’s a line in the next episode about a tornado picked up the fish with the water, so it’s a “coincidental natural event.” The Coen brothers love coincidences, the whole show is a series of coincidences, some more plausible than others. As I said above, it’s somewhere between “absurdism” and “non-realism” – always possible, but highly improbable. What water isn’t frozen over? The hole the mob guys drilled? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/195 "2014-06-16T21:12:23Z")
So if there is a main character, who is it? In the first episode or two, I’d say Lester. Then Molly started to come to the forefront, but Malvo seems to be emerging as the character that the story is about. He is directing the action at this point more than any of the others. I’m thinking Malvo is going to skate through the next 92 minutes unscathed. I don’t see him facing the music unless another Cohen-style coincidence befalls him, like he’s broadsided in a freak car accident, or something. Which would be unsatisfying. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/196 "2014-06-16T21:39:05Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Ah, yes, sorry. Then it’s funny that there were no cameras in the evelator. I don’t know if we know that there were no cameras in the elevator, do we? We will presumably find out more tomorrow when we see what info Vegas PD sends to Bemidji PD. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/197 "2014-06-16T21:43:05Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I don’t know if we know that there were no cameras in the elevator, do we? We will presumably find out more tomorrow when we see what info Vegas PD sends to Bemidji PD. Lester would be under arrest as a Material witness. ---
**Author:** ![MsJinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@MsJinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsJinx)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/198 "2014-06-16T23:10:21Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > What water isn’t frozen over? The hole the mob guys drilled? Maybe near waterfalls: [Map of Minnesota](http://geology.com/waterfalls/minnesota.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/199 "2014-06-17T04:26:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > No, there’s nothing unrealistic about a man who kills for pleasure killing a “hot-looking” fiancée. I have to admit, a shallow part of me particularly regretted her snuffing it. She was beautiful, willing to stick her thumb up Malvo’s ass, and even sweet to Lester, in congratulating him on his salesman-of-the-year award just before she walked to her death on the elevator. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522/200 "2014-06-17T16:41:02Z")
That’s different from saying that it was unrealistic for Malvo to do it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fargo-s1e9-open-spoilers/690522.md?page=11)