"Fargo" The Birthplace of Civilization (TV Episode 2020) Poster

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8/10
Boom goes the colonel
ha77y73ad978 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
With not much happening in this episode we have a lot of time to focus on all of the intertwined relationships that have grown through out the series. Still my absolute favorite is the Marshal and the Detective these are the opposite of the police teams that we've seen through out the whole show so far. Hatred and deception are at the core of the story with these 2 and i love it.

Along with focusing on the family and Chris Rock taking over the story helps to build upon on the daughter who dare i say it may become one of the mob leaders from the later series? With writing like this where the conversations are at the forefront and the action is a by product of these conversations. The Italians in the Coffee shop these are so unpredictable! 2 shootings in 1 episode. The first was certainly just the stress of dealing with their American counterparts in the Mob and just needed to shoot someone.

Then the final conversations of Doctor Senator... no character is safe when you're the best character in the series. He will be missed in this series and creates a huge gap in Chris Rocks gang which could be the touch paper for all out war. Which has been on the cards for the true Italian mob.
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8/10
The best television this year
j_e_hill20 October 2020
This season's episodes are the best TV I've seen in a long time. Sure, the tone is different, and yes, there is a "political" agenda to the narrative (or, if you are human, a humanity story... it's not politics... this is really how we got here. Pay attention.) I find it funny that people lose their $%#! over a story about black people, but the one about Aliens?! ...well that was just fine.

Simply the best direction, photography, acting, casting, scoring, and production value of anything on TV right now. The dark humor and despicable morons as characters are what make it Fargo-- and I suspect we'll see how some of it ties to the prior seasons, even if just by a thread, as the series goes on.
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6/10
Somewhat better than previous episode, but not close to the heights of previous seasons
lars-larsson19 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's not in line with how clever Doctor Senator is that he goes in unprotected to the meeting with Calamita (of course he doesn't know he will be there, but he knows the Italians are in turmoil and are gearing up for war, so why not take precautions?).
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9/10
"Can I get a Mnnn Hmnn!?"
SamMalone0721 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
(SPOILERS!!!) Fantastic episode. I see a lot of hate for Rock on these reviews but I think he's been phenomenal during this season and is actually coming into his character more every episode. Sad to see Glynn Turman's character go. I'm still not over him dying in Gremlins when I was a kid, lol, but I'm glad he's having a great late career resurgence. He absolutely stole every scene he was in during this season and his presence will be missed. Great call backs to previous Coen films in all these seasons, with this episode not disappointing (What's the rumpus?) Millers Crossing is in my top 3 Coen films and as much as this season has borrowed from it, I can't help but think we are going to get an epic homage to Albert Finney's amazing "Danny Boy" scene from that picture. They nailed Gaetano's likeness to Jon Polito, and his right hand man is definitely channeling "The Dane" (J.E. Freeman's character) I'm really enjoying this season and can't wait to see where it goes next! Also a shoutout to the two ladies that are playing complete copycats of John Goodman and William Forsythe's characters from "Raising Arizona" Fantastic work.
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9/10
The last few minutes are game-changing!
lolly_frak20 October 2020
This episode was so good that it reminded me of that feeling after watching certain eps of Breaking Bad that were epic. Where you just stare at the TV and it just stares back. I agree that Chris Rock is doing an amazing job but want to give mention to Glynn Turman's tour de force as he plays the hell out of Doctor Senator. If they keep up this momentum, this season may end up surpassing s1.
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6/10
A painful confession
josef65420 October 2020
I've been a huge fan of this show since the first episode aired back in 2014 and i have recommended this show to countless friends ever since, something i'm starting to reconsider. Every season so far has been pretty much perfect in my opinion but this season is truly lacking so far. The almost complete lack of things that made the previous seasons soo good (likable and intriguing characters, wit, suspense etc.) and the inclusion of PC propagand (such as the birthplace of civilisation being Africa, lol) makes for a pretty dull season. I hardly care for any the characters and what happens to them since they aren't properly fleshed out or simply dull and unoriginal (Dr Senator and Timothy Olyphant's detective being good exceptions). The villain is also trying way too hard to be intimidating in a Joe Pesci like manner but falls flat both in comparison to him but also to every other villain in this show who kept me intrigued by their mystery and charm. I thought the inclusion of Chris Rock would bring a lot of humor to the table but i feel that the funny side of him has been under-utalized so far. The plot is also very straightforward so far with little room for surprices and lack of characters to root for. Something i liked about previous seasons was that they, in spite of being often violent and dark, had warmth and tenderness to them (the romance between Gus and Molly in S1 being a good example of this) which balansed off the otherwise grim nature of the show, something that is lacking in this season. However i still have some faith left in the creators of this show that this season will pick up and the narrative threads will be interwoven in a convenient way so i'll keep on watching for now.
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9/10
People are not really watching!!
thebishop140529 June 2021
I am shocked by the poor reviews for this season! It's is brilliant in every way. I'm perplexed and considering that those that rated this poorly have some ulterior agenda! Brilliant stuff Fargo!
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The birthplace of Civilization
mohhhamad18 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Getting better episode by episode deserves to watch.
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6/10
PICKING UP A BIT
dollfacecrafter11 December 2020
But not much, should be called "bad show in Kansas City" , not "FARGO" , the first three were so good, i feel bad for recommending this to my friends, and waiting so long for season 4 to come out, it is such a disappointment. I love Timothy Olyphant in everything he does, so he is the only saving grace, too racially motivated. BLM, hmmmmmm................
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10/10
This just keeps getting better and better!!
evgenycaruana19 October 2020
I will not spoil anything but you have to see this one! It's truly amazing! Everything is just great again! Fargo's season 4 is not disappointing at all. I really love the acting here and the dark sarcastic nuances that it has. The story weaving paths that ironically intertwine with different main characters. Just brilliant!!
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7/10
Episode 405
bobcobb30118 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So, this season is different, and not in a good way, but this was pretty enjoyable. Some good jokes, some big moments here. Still better than most of what we get on TV.
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10/10
It's all coming together.
CulvertonSmith20 October 2020
I always love seeing the way that Fargo balances so many characters and situations, it's genuinely some of the most compelling tv on air. This season has already been great, but this episode just kicked it up a notch. Everything comes together and makes for a very memorable piece on the whole, with some of the best moments from this entire season. Great cinematography, great acting, great music, great tension, and just plain great television.
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4/10
Season 4 Episode 5 - distracting sound editing
wkscherer19 October 2020
Editing was rushed. Great show but fifth episode has weird, LOUD white noise sounds (I think they want it to be traffic outside) coming over top and in between indoor conversations. Total distraction. Editing is terrible when Defy goes up New Parie steps and Loy takes Zelmare and Swanee. Absolutely impossible timetable!
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9/10
Chris Rock Is Amazing
amkrkb19 October 2020
I mean all that dark comedy in Chris's character is so good. Dana Gonzales is doing an amazing job so far directing. Deserves the wait
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10/10
Chris Rock YOU ROCKKKKK!!!!!!!!
upsconly19 October 2020
The season 4 is getting better and better. I guess this season is the best one after the 1st one. The intense feel after the last scene of EPISODE 5 was fabulous. And the acting of Chris Rock is blowing my mind. That scene of him talking to his wife was sooo amazing for an act, tensed as well as a pinch of humor going throughout. Best episode of this season just ended. Keep going guys. Waiting for a MIND BLOWING FINALE.
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10/10
Ramping
Hitchcoc29 October 2020
More surprises, particularly at the conclusion. The voice of sanity meets the voice of brutality. Emotions outweigh rationale. But they also set the table for what's to come and it will be quite violent. When this is over, I will be back to see what I missed. Then, I suppose, wait another three years. The characters are both sad and frightening, and are trying to maintain superiority on their own playgrounds. Excellent television.
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9/10
People don't understand
mderiucrowley-5088926 October 2020
Africa was the birthplace of civilization and if you don't believe that you are in DENIAL! Regardless of the ridiculous reviews, this was a fantastic episode. I enjoyed the first 4 episodes, but at times I felt the subtlety of the past 3 seasons were absent. I really think this episode began to bring back that incredible nuance that made Fargo so damn good. So excited to see where it goes!
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9/10
Getting there
tgainey1419 October 2020
Finally started to pick up with the last 2. Im excited to see where it goes from here
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1/10
If I lost my cable...
QuackQuack19 October 2020
At this point, if I lost my cable TV and couldn't watch the rest of this season, it wouldn't bother me. I'm not intrigued at all. I'm actually kind of bored with all of the dragging out of scenes. It's like someone is trying to be cute or creative or something. It's not working. The plus is, when they edit these episodes down to an hour, there's plenty of fluff to cut out... long dragged out scenes or boring intros to characters etc...
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10/10
Andddddd its goooodd!
coreysilvavl19 October 2020
I dont even look at the overall rating of the episode because haters are giving it 1's just to get them through the day. This show is truly one of a kind. No one will ever be able to give a valid reason why this show is bad so just try. I dare you 😳 (Gaetano eyes)
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10/10
Imagine giving this season low ratings just by watch the first episodes...
katty32122 October 2020
Absolutely astonishing with how it's going right now. They were intentionally building the story in a consistant way since the start, and i feel like every episode is gradually getting better and better than the previous ones. Don't listen to the bad reviews, this season's gonna get another golden globe. I can feel it.
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10/10
Chris Rock IS Loy Canon, and it is glorious.
rmccabe-396952 December 2020
Solid Episode all around, every actor was golden, but Chris Rock is the stand out. He gives an explosive performance this episode.

The start of the episode was a bit slow, but that's required to build up the big moments. Without spoiling anything, the big moments DO come.
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10/10
"Take off your coat and make me some **** coffee!
MajorBob1722 October 2020
Chris is definitely thr beat in this episode! Totally enjoyed it!
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9/10
Overall Great Season
boomslice27 October 2020
The storyline is still awesome, I love this KC slant on mob operations & I can't disagree with their visualization. Great acting, Chris Rock & I'm newly introduced to Doctor Senator, looked up his filmology as I want to see him in other roles.
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2/10
BAD. NOT FARGO CALIBER
patrickhenry-5829320 January 2024
So I watched seasons 1-3, and 5. I just went back to watch 4.

I cant. I cant finish it. I gave it four episodes and turned it off midway through the fifth.

This is horribly slow and boring with little or no start or progression of a plot. Really zero resemblance to the style or interesting way of the other four. So uninteresting.

The lead for the Italian family is clownish and his brother is literally acting like he is in an old silent picture using his over the top fake "crazy eyes" for every line in every scene. Its unwatchable.

Chris rock...great comedian, horrible actor. Wooden personality on screen.
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