10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
Insurance salesman Lester Nygaard's mundane life shatters when he encounters Lorne Malvo, a manipulative drifter. This meeting ignites a chain of violence, beginning with Malvo murdering Lester's former bully. Lester, in a rage, then kills his own wife. The season's central conflict revolves around Lester's desperate attempts to cover up his crimes and escape the consequences, while Malvo orchestrates chaos and destruction.
The situation escalates as hitmen Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers pursue Lester, and Deputy Molly Solverson, a determined investigator, begins to connect the dots. Key turning points include Malvo's brutal actions, such as killing Mr. Numbers, and Lester's increasingly elaborate deceptions, including framing his own brother. The season culminates with a violent confrontation where Malvo is killed by Gus Grimly, and Lester, attempting to flee, dies in a snowmobile accident.
Season 1 of Fargo covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 1, Episode 1: The Crocodile's Dilemma - A chance encounter between a meek insurance salesman, Lester Nygaard, and a manipulative drifter, Lorne Malvo, sets off a chain of violent events. After Malvo murders Lester's high school bully, Sam Hess, Lester's life unravels further when he bludgeons his wife to death in a fit of rage. The episode concludes with Sheriff Vern Thurman being murdered by Malvo, leaving Lester to stage his own assault to cover up the crime.
Season 1, Episode 2: The Rooster Prince - Following the events of the premiere, Lester Nygaard grapples with his wife's murder while being questioned by police. Meanwhile, hitmen Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers are sent to find Sam Hess' killer, and Lorne Malvo investigates a blackmail plot. The episode concludes with Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers drowning an innocent man in an ice fishing hole, and Molly Solverson being taken off the Nygaard murder case.
Season 1, Episode 3: A Muddy Road - Lester Nygaard's attempts to return to normalcy are thwarted as both Deputy Molly Solverson and the hitmen Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers close in on him. Meanwhile, Lorne Malvo takes over a blackmail scheme, escalating his torment of Stavros Milos by killing his dog and causing a shower of pig's blood to erupt, leaving Stavros in a state of religious terror. The episode concludes with Molly and Gus Grimly forming an alliance, realizing Malvo is the key to the murders.
Season 1, Episode 4: Eating the Blame - Stavros Milos's past is revealed, showing how he found the money that built his empire. Malvo, disguised as a minister, manipulates Stavros with psychological torment, leading to a bizarre "plague" of blood. Gus Grimly arrests Malvo, but he is released due to lack of evidence. Lester, attempting to escape Numbers and Wrench, gets himself arrested, only to end up in the same jail cell as his pursuers. Malvo escapes custody, and Lester is trapped with Numbers and Wrench.
Season 1, Episode 5: The Six Ungraspables - Lester, interrogated by Wrench and Numbers, reveals Lorne Malvo as their target. Lester is hospitalized due to a septic shotgun pellet wound in his hand. Molly Solverson, now convinced of Malvo's involvement, finally gains Chief Oswalt's attention. Meanwhile, Malvo continues blackmailing Stavros Milos, and Gus Grimly grapples with the danger of pursuing Malvo. The episode concludes with Molly observing a terrified Lester feigning sleep in his hospital bed, and Malvo being followed by Grimly.
Season 1, Episode 6: Buridan's Ass - In a blizzard-fueled chaos, Malvo orchestrates Don Chumph's death by police, then kills Mr. Numbers after a brutal interrogation. Meanwhile, Gus Grimly accidentally shoots Molly Solverson during a tense shootout. Stavros Milos, attempting to appease God, returns the blackmail money, only for his son and bodyguard to die in a bizarre fish-raining car crash. Lester frames his brother, Chazz.
Season 1, Episode 7: Who Shaves the Barber? - Lester successfully frames his brother, Chazz, for the murders of Pearl and Vern, leading to Chazz's arrest. Meanwhile, Lorne Malvo massacres the entire Fargo crime syndicate, including its boss, Moses Tripoli. Molly, recovering from being shot, deduces Lester's guilt, but he is cleared by Chief Oswalt. The episode concludes with Lester walking free while Chazz is incarcerated.
Season 1, Episode 8: The Heap - After framing his brother, Lester Nygaard embraces a new, confident life, even winning salesman of the year. Meanwhile, Lorne Malvo kills a hospital guard and frees Mr. Wrench, taunting him about Mr. Numbers' death. A one-year time jump reveals Molly Solverson is still pursuing the truth, while Lester, now remarried, is confronted by the terrifying reappearance of Malvo, signaling impending danger.
Season 1, Episode 9: A Fox, a Rabbit, and a Cabbage - Lester Nygaard, emboldened by his perceived success, confronts Lorne Malvo, leading to Malvo murdering his dentist colleagues and fiancée. Lester then manipulates his new wife, Linda, into going to his office to retrieve documents, resulting in Malvo murdering Linda. Molly Solverson receives validation from FBI agents regarding her investigation into the Fargo murders. The episode concludes with Lester having another dead wife and Malvo continuing his violent path.
Season 1, Episode 10: Morton's Fork - Lester Nygaard, having murdered his second wife Linda, attempts to escape Lorne Malvo's pursuit. Malvo, however, is tracked down and killed by Gus Grimly in a cabin. Lester, fleeing the authorities, crashes his snowmobile and dies after falling through thin ice, his hat floating on the surface. Molly Solverson is promoted to Chief, and Gus receives a commendation for his bravery.
