![Connecting the dots in Fargo Seasons 1-3](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2018/01/Background-66-1240x698.png)
12 January 2018
Connecting the dots in Fargo Seasons 1-3
Showmax now has all three seasons of black comedy Fargo (2014-current), easily one of the most intricately woven TV shows you’ll find. And despite it being an anthology, where each season features new storylines and characters, there’s an underlying theme and story arc that unites the instalments.
“If the first two [seasons] were chapters 1 and 2, this is a new book, but in the same series.” – Noah Hawley, writer and creator of Fargo, Seasons 1-3
“Each season starts with a kind of scenario,” explains showrunner Noah Hawley. “Season 1 had two men sitting in the emergency room and you want to know why they are there. Season 2 had a woman driving home with a man sticking out her car and you want to know how he got there. It’s a tricky process and I never want to be too cutesy about it.”
Season 3 begins with twin brothers Ray and Emmit (both played by Ewan McGregor) fighting over their inheritance that has seen one hitting personal and business highs and the other less so – and you want to know how Ray’s jealousy over his brother’s success is going to play out. Watch now »
Keeping it local
The seasons are all set in the same grey, snowed-out Minnesota and North Dakota scenery and in different years, but they are still one and the same show… more or less. Season 1 is set in 2006, Season 2 in 1979 and Season 3 in a more recent 2010. “We populate the world from season to season and find these links,” explains Noah. “Seasons 1 and 2 had the cop-versus-criminal theme, while this third instalment is linked through out-of-town business.”
Emmit is the self-proclaimed “parking lot king of Minnesota” and owns facilities around the state, including the settings of Seasons 1 and 2. But location isn’t the only link… Watch now »
Familiar faces
Without spoiling the fun, there will be a character or two from Seasons 1 and 2 popping up in this third season to help with the continuity. “The first three hours of Season 1 were completely unconnected to the original Coen Brothers movie [of the same name in 1996]. That gave viewers time to settle in and figure out who fits in where to the original premise,” says Noah. “Like the buried money that’s dug up… and then you’re like, ‘Oh that’s where it went!’” Fargo the movie is also on Showmax. Watch now »
While Season 3’s character links aren’t glaringly obvious, the connection between Seasons 1 and 2 is staring you in the face, says entertainment writer David Cole. “Season 2 centres around young police officer Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson). In Season 1, Lou (played by Keith Carradine) is the father of the central character Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman), who is about 10 years old in the second instalment. Watch now »
War of the (under) world
Being set almost 30 years after Season 2, Season 1 had tonnes of little references to past events, including the infamous blood battle ambush at Sioux Falls. That plays out in Season 2 in all its gory glory with bullets and bodies flying all over the place. Season 3’s connection here is also a little vague – because from the outside, the criminal organisation calling the shots with Emmit and Ray appears to have been operating in the state since the ’70s… which is when Season 2 takes place.
It’s not said outright but it’s pretty obvious that the organised crime family have ties to Season 2’s rotten apples, the Gerhardt Family. “Obviously our second season was a literal prequel, so the connections are obvious,” says Noah. “This year, I wanted it [Season 3] to stand more on its own two feet and start again. If the first two were chapters 1 and 2, this is a new book, but in the same series.” Watch now »
Sources: Bustle.com, Ew.com, Hollywoodreporter.com, Ign.com, Imdb.com, Nytimes.com, Quora.com, Reddit.com
Don’t have Showmax yet?
Original African stories by local talent
![Die Ondernemers on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDie-Ondernemers-2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Die Ondernemers
Die Ondernemers follows three entrepreneurs in the funeral business. Stream from 5 August, with new episodes every Monday on Showmax.
![Dark Side of Glory on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDark_Side_Of_Glory_S1_2024-798x445.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Dark Side of Glory
Dark Side of Glory tells the stories behind shocking cases of murder and unexplained deaths in the world of sport. Stream from 31 July 2024.
![One Weeks S1 on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FOne_Weeks_S1_2024-1-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
One Weeks
One Weeks follows Fana, a charming high-school dropout from Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating successful lawyer Lihle. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
![The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2F1920x1080-CLEAN-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is a brand-new Showmax Original reality series, following affluent moms in Durban’s Indian community. Watch from 8 August 2024.
![Beaulah Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2F1920X1080-2-795x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap
Meet Cape Town’s most charismatic drag queens in this eye-opening reality series. Now streaming, with new episodes every Thursday.
![016FM S1 is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2F016FM-S1-2024-798x449.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
016FM
016FM follows rival DJs at a beloved Vaal radio station threatened with closure, starring the late Mpho Sebeng, and Joseph Sedibo. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
![Jiji is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2FJiji_S01_2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Jiji
Jiji follows the lives of four girls in the streets of Jericho, forced into a life of crime to make ends meet. Stream now, with new episodes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
![Born Into Fame is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2FBorn-Into-Fame-Cast-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Born Into Fame
Born Into Fame follows six South Africans with famous parents, as they try to live up to their family legacies while discovering their own unique paths to success. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Die Ondernemers, coming soon
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
More Mzansi gold
![Empini S1 on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FEmpini-S1_Ndoni-796x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Empini Season 1 Episodes 19-20 recap: Shocking revelations and hidden agendas
In episodes 19-20 of Empini, Ndoni finally confides in her mother and the future of MPS’s leadership is in question as Khaya’s will is read. New episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
![Manila von Teez in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBeaulah-Queens-van-die-Kaap_Manila-1-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1 Episode 2 recap: Putting on a show
Ina and Madison go skating, the queens discuss how they came out as drag artists, and Manila puts on an epic show in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1, episode 2.
![Shamiso in Born Into Fame S1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBorn-Into-Fame-S1_2024-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Born into Fame S1: Shamiso confronts sincerity doubts and sets boundaries
In episode 6 of Born Into Fame S1, Shamiso confronts sincerity and sets her boundaries with Robbie. New episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.
![Die Ondernemers on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDie-Ondernemers-2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Must-watch trailer: Showmax reality series Die Ondernemers
See the trailer for Die Ondernemers, a Showmax reality series featuring three South African undertakers, premiering 5 August 2024.