Fargo - “The Myth of Sisyphus” Recap. The Standoffs.

Season 2, Episode 3

Air Date: Monday, October 26, 2015, 10PM E/P on FX Network.

Rating: ★★★★★

“You can’t just write a check.” – Dodd

FARGO -- ÒThe Myth of SisyphusÓ -- Episode 203 (Airs October 26, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: (l-r) Michael Hogan as Otto Gerhardt, Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt, Jeffrey Donovan as Dodd Gerhardt, Angus Sampson as Bear Gerhardt. CR: Chris Large/FX

Meetings with the capos.

Unaware of Rye’s (Kieran Culkin) fate, the race to find him intensifies as the mafia, police, and his family all try to find him first. With the body disposed of, one wonders if the tension will calm down over time or continue to escalate. Given Fargo’s history, it’s safe to assume the latter.

“The Myth of Sisyphus” opens on a snowy midwestern day as Ohanzee Dent (Zahn McClarnon) gently strokes a rabbit in the woods. Reminiscing about his childhood and the time a magician came to visit the reservation, all seems right with the world. The peaceful scene is interrupted by the sound of the rabbit’s neck snapping and Ohanzee heading back to the Gerhardt compound carrying dinner. The scene serves as a cautionary reminder of how swiftly things can go from peaceful to chaotic. As critical as I’ve been about the music choices this season, I enjoyed the rhythmic beat of Yamasuki’s “Yama Yama” during the opening.

Meanwhile, the Gerhardt crime family meets with its various capos to weigh the Kansas City mafia’s offer. While Floyd (Jean Smart) seems open to the hostile takeover, Dodd (Jeffrey Donovan) thinks considering the offer as a sign of weakness. Particularly with Dodd’s short fuse, Donovan is engrossing as he conveys the frustration building inside his character.

The first standoff.

Continuing his investigation into the Waffle house murders, Lou (Patrick Wilson) heads to North Dakota to compare notes with Fargo investigator Ben Schmidt (Keir O’Donnell). Schmidt is investigating whether Judge Mundt (Ann Cusack), who is based out of Fargo, was the target or a random victim. Schmidt was played by Peter Breitmayer in season one of Fargo and was Gus Grimly’s (Colin Hanks) commanding officer at the Duluth, Minnesota police station. It would be interesting to re-watch the first season to see Breitmayer’s portrayal in a new light now that his character has a backstory. Will we eventually learn why Schmidt leaves Fargo for Duluth?

I was totally fixated on my TV screen when Schmidt and Lou visit the Gerhardt compound. With the tension escalating, the writers do a great job of adding a surprising amount of humor into the scene. Wilson’s performance is captivating as Lou finally emerges from his drab midwestern shell and becomes the lawman I’ve been longing to see this season. It’s a turning point for Lou; I hope we continue to see this side of him.

Second standoff, Lou is having a bad day.

Dodd’s arrival home only adds fuel to the already uneasy situation. Although, I had a good laugh at Dodd’s response when confronted about Rye being suspected of killing a judge. “We own all the judges; what would be the point of killing one?” I can’t stress enough how masterfully written “The Myth of Sisyphus” is, especially when Dodd and Lou size up each other. The words exchanged between them during their stalemate have the impact of thrown punches. I doubt this is the last time the two will run into each other; or perhaps I should say, I hope this isn’t the last time these two will tangle.

Later, just as it looks like things can’t get any more heart pounding, Lou runs into mafia enforcer Mike Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) and his two henchmen, the Kitchen brothers (Todd and Brad Mann). The second epic standoff in only a matter of minutes demonstrates the toxic level of hostility building between the parties. Once again, the writers use humorous banter to de-escalate the situation but even that isn’t enough. Both confrontations, while nerve wracking, have an elegance to them, like a hostile dance that’s both beautiful yet dangerous.

Betsey knows too much.

It’s only a matter of time before Peggy (Kirsten Dunst) and Ed (Jesse Plemons) are drawn into the Gerhardt mess. After all, someone is bound to put together what happened to Rye. Peggy’s expression is priceless when Betsy (Cristin Milioti) shares her theory of what happened to Rye the night of the murders. Despite her perfect description of the events, Sheriff Hank Larsson (Ted Danson) isn’t as convinced as Betsy is, commenting, “It’s not like you’re going to just drive home with a Gerhardt in your windshield.” As a native Minnesotan, I have to agree with the sheriff.

At first glance, nothing of real significance takes place during “The Myth of Sisyphus” other than some intense discussions. It’s the encounters that take place that make the episode so enthralling. Casual conversation is continuously pushed to its limit, making it only a matter of time before something ignites. Schmidt sums it up best when he tells Lou, “When you put a dead judge, the Gerhardt family, and some hitters from Kansas City in a bag together, well, I go back to thinking it might be best just to confess to the crime myself.” I can’t even begin to imagine what that tipping point will be. What do you think?

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “The Myth of Sisyphus.”

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.