The Blue Light Theory Of FARGO Season 2

If you want to make me your charity case, or "join the channel" as they say, follow this link / @fallopiumfilms
A big thanks to Alex Pruitt for helping me brainstorm. For me, season 2 of Fargo is very complex. Deciding which angle to approach this analysis from was no easy task.
Written, narrated and edited by Eric Nye.
Intro logo design by Ciara Waggoner.
Intro music by O Odious Ones.
#Fargo #FargoTvSeries #FargoSeason2

[@whatissheabird]

You’re videos on Fargo are by far the best I’ve seen. So thorough and well executed. I really hope you make more on seasons 3 and 4!

[@FallopiumFilms]

I'm working on a season 3 essay now. It's difficult though, considering I think it's about ambiguity. It's about uncertainty... but this is something better left for the video itself.... which will hopefully be out in a week or two.

[@ferise1]

*your videos

[@MrRiver08]

"This is tremendous work, Deputy. Impressive." Thank you!

[@michaelhenry3234]

I really enjoy your analysis of Fargo and I think your ideas for this season are on point, though I'm not sure you're right about what blue represents. I just watched the season 2 featurettes and at about 40 minutes in cinematographer Dana Gonzales says this about Ed's death scene: "There's that color that I used only when someone was gonna die. And that's cyan. It's prominently in the freezer scene when Ed dies." This fits. It's there when Rye murders in the diner. Peggy's cyan car kills Rye. Blue spotlights light the scene of Sprang's death. Betsy's cyan bridge is a bridge leading to death, as she looks toward a blue chair contemplating her cancer. The blue box holds a severed head. The cyan lit butcher's shop is being used to dispose of a body. The blue paint of Sioux Falls will be the site of a massacre. And the only two times the aliens make themselves known, they indirectly cause a death. Rye and Bear. It's easy to misconstrue the symbol of death just because there's so much death in season 2. But all this blue stems from the UFO, I think, which is a foreign force causing death. Fate, like you say. So your interpretation still stands. It's stronger, even, since we have confirmation the color cyan _was_ intentionally used. It represents death in the context of a fated series of events. Death outside our control.

[@kobalt77]

Too long? I would have loved it if this video was twice as long LOL, or maybe even a part 2. Absolutely outstanding work my friend, well presented and mind blowing ( for me anyway) information and analysis. 10/10. Jeez this series is way deeper than I realised, maybe that is why I loved it so much. As you say, as good as anything else of its genre, a 10 hour Coen movie, and dare I say, more Coen than Coen.

[@metallicarifflover]

I've always regarded Fargo as one of the best TV shows ever made. You just explained to me why. Keep up the tremendous work, chief!

[@samuelj2408]

Hitman from first season... Great connection

[@adamjohnson8726]

Your analysis and attention to detail is unreal. More film buffs need to see your content cause this is THE place to go for in depth film analysis. You the man

[@kidhelvetica]

Wonderful theory! I might take it a step further. Not only the blue light Fate; the blue Light is God. And the entire second season is a retelling of the story of Job. Consider: The judge begins the season with the story of Job’s misfortune (the Coens, who produce it, have always loved religious allegory). When the blue light first appears, it starts into motion Job’s ordeal (here Lou Solverson). The blue light reappears more subtly in the 2nd episode when Hanzee Dent, who represents the Devil) is piecing together the accident, to lead him on his path to wreaking havoc. That episode, Hanzee looks into the sky outside the Waffle Hut, and the blue light streaks across his face - the bet over Job’s soul between God and Satan is sealed. The blue light finally returns in the 9th episode - after Hanzee stabs Floyd. Did the Devil break the agreement by interfering directly in human endeavors? He’s already said he’s “tired of this life.” Then, when Job (Solverson) is at the threshold of death, we get a literal Deus Ex Machina. This time the “god from the machine,” as it translates, is the blue-beamed UFO. To top it off, we see Hanzee sitting miffed with someone in the season finale; the Devil is admitting defeat. The actor he speaks with is Philip Williams, listed on the IMDB credit only as “The Book.” The good book, perhaps? The Book tells Hanzee what he’s thinking, and hands him a new identity, “like the Phoenix, rising from the ashes.” The Devils storms off, leaving even the future Mr. Wrench & Mr. Numbers - and their bullies! - standing slack-jawed, awed and frightened by the malevolence that just brushed past them. But as you so rightly put, the nuance of the apparition isn’t important. Just the nature of it. Bravo!

[@IlayYoeli]

Great job man! You know thos season is a masterpiece when such deep-digging analysis like this one is only the tip of the iceberg

[@ohiotattoo1]

Love the breakdowns of my all time favorite show. With the Coens being my favorite filmmakers of all time I would love to see a video of all the easter eggs from theirs films in Hawleys TV series. I see new ones every time I rewatch the show. It really rewards Joel and Ethan fans. Everything from Lorens goofy hairstyle ala No Country to little ones l Norms Pizza shop aka Marge's husbands name in the Fargo film. Among too many others to mention here

[@xatr0z]

Wow very thorough analysis! Thanks, I really enjoyed this.

[@wolfy9549]

This is such a mindblowing and awesome theory/analysis

[@kaatskillserenade]

This is excellent work. Thanks for putting it together.

[@PR0MAN01]

I like this interpretation of the UFO and I like its inclusion, I just personally dont like how the characters KNOW it exists. It intervening to show it's in control to the audience is fitting, I just dont like how people like Ed and Hank walk away from Sioux Falls knowing aliens exist.

[@maxdanger2402]

What an awesome theory. While i noticed all the blue and red i never made the connection as a whole. Definitely giving it a rewatch. Also with the kitchen brothers, one is wearing a blue jacket and one is in red.. blue gets killed and red survives. I just love when films and shows use these themes to the extreme without ever acknowledging it.

[@monicariley4096]

I love your analysis of Fargo! I can't wait to watch your other videos. Thank you so much for sharing what you see when you watch these.

[@FallopiumFilms]

Thank you much

[@DrToboggan43]

This is the best video of the best season of the best show ever filmed. Truly the most mindful one I've seen. I can't look at this season again without the red v blue and fate v free will. Thanks for making this.

[@sprth-bc2ne]

Sir I think you have the most nuanced of all KZbin Fargo reviews

[@jiggy6193]

Well done, man! What a video

[@Fotboya]

Great vid, mate!

[@lovepeace230]

Great show, great analysis.

[@scriberothchild5335]

This is phenomenal 👏 well done

[@ejshelby5460]

one of the best film analysis i've watched so far.

[@keveardo]

I love your videos man, I’m a huge fan of the Fargo series, probably one of the best shows on TV

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

I love that Steve-o is doing Fargo videos now.

[@samantha7922]

This is excellent, I need to watch this season again

[@CristinaB228]

I've just watched all seasons of Fargo and... Oh my God! It turned me upside down and inside out. And your video is amazing at putting me back together, thank you!

[@StonefieldJim4]

This is superb. Thank you! So often we look, but don't see. You've shone a blue light on what my subconscious mind had only registered as shadows.

[@FallopiumFilms]

telling me exactly what I want to hear

[@GordonFreemanlvr]

Great video I’ve seen season 2 like 3 or 4 times and hadn’t picked up on some of the stuff you talked about.

[@jwychau]

sooo good!

[@evajoblackburn6059]

WOW.... brilliant!

[@DaveyFish1]

Amazing video.

[@harrystephanus4520]

i'm here from your reddit post, great essay. big up yourself. i'm going to abuse this channel now

[@FallopiumFilms]

it can take it

[@julijuls7271]

So interesting!

[@markvonsteiner3080]

You are an inspiration! I rarely say this in a KZbin comment, but thank you!

[@FallopiumFilms]

This comment Is an inspiration

[@dimitrisvarvakis7724]

Just rewatched season 2 these last couple of days and your video made me watch it in a completely different light (pun intended). Great job mate. Now I'm off to revisit season 3.

[@FallopiumFilms]

My season 3 vid is the one I’m most confident. I hope you enjoy

[@dimitrisvarvakis7724]

@@FallopiumFilms well, now that I've rerun season 3 I must say it was very enlightening. 👍👍👍

[@Elephantnegotiationsociety]

Really great work here friendo

[@opuspenguin]

Really, really well done. I'm not 100% sold on the UFO = Fate or the precise distinction between blue and red being compulsion vs control. But I think you're definitely on the right track and the scene with Betsy between the blue chair and the red one is crucial to understanding all this. My wife and I are in the middle of rewatching S2. I'm going to keep this in mind and report back if I have other thoughts. I'm definitely 100% sold on the communication/miscommunication/noncommunication theme that pervades. Your analysis was excellent. The theme of ears and hearing and muteness run through this season in a way I hadn't put together before. The scene with Dodd trying to talk to a man who has no ears BECAUSE DODD HIMSELF REMOVED THEM becomes so much more poignant. Thank you. One of my favorite moments for this theme, maybe because it was in the episode I just saw, was when Ed talks to Peggy about his check to the butcher shop bouncing. He keeps saying, "We discussed this." And she finally says something like, "Well, if you mean that you talked and then after that I talked, then ya." Sums up the communication problem of S2. Is S3 up next? I'd love to see a similar video taking us through the theme of quantum uncertainty in that season. Gloria Burgle, the cop who is both married and not married investigating the murder of her father who is not her father and it all ending in a room where Varga is both caught and free to go and we won't know which until someone collapses the waveform by opening that door....

[@FallopiumFilms]

(copying comment from reddit) I’m working on how to approach my season 3 analysis now. It’s definitely about uncertainty but it also is probably the most ambiguous season. So I’m not sure I can really take the same approach as I’ve done with the first two seasons. 1 and 2 are relatively consistent to me, but season 3 is all over the place. In that, I find myself more often than not unsure of what they are trying to say with. But then again, that may be the point of it.

[@timabq7083]

I enjoy your videos about Fargo same as I enjoy Fargo. very much

[@emassproprivat5688]

insane, your a genius

[@Kufunninapuh]

I feel like I watched this season with my eyes closed after seeing this. Equally true for your analysis of the first season. Let's see about season three shall we! I'm not so sure it was as deliberately or well crafted but I hope to stand corrected in about a half an hour or so.

[@gavinjones6714]

One thing I don’t agree with, this video is too long. How did I miss so much… now I want to watch it again!!! Chapeaux sir!!!

[@wl7915]

OK then, this video is pure gold

[@LJ-bt8ry]

good video nice insight

[@calinconstantin2463]

very good.

[@YuYuuHakuNerd]

I've showed other people this video and your first season video and they essentially just dismissed it based off the fact that they say its just your opinion. They also said none of this is confirmed. I'm starting to realize that if you are not well read in philosophy or philosophical concepts, this show is literally just the narrative and nothing more, people literally just see the ufo and think "well that was weird" but don't try to figure out what it means and see the clues left blatantly throughout the show. I feel like fargo is a test for the superficial, it essentially weeds out the critical thinkers and leaves the superficial questioning and unsure what they just watched.

[@AE_2023]

you think too highly of your intellect. the show isn't meant for anyone in particular, don't get caught in an elitist trap. i like this video, but it IS his opinion, and tbh, there isn't much philosophy needed to comprehend what is going on, you just need to pay close attention. its clear the UFO is meant to be allegorical and symbolic and it doesn't take a philosopher to catch on to this. your post is so pretentious.

[@pabloexpulsado]

OH MY GOD!! I've just watched The Hudsucker Proxy! What color is the letter that sends Norville to the board meeting?? OH YEAH BABY!! You know it!!

[@Crazy-Horse-Tx.]

You are a Gawd !

[@sethdel5337]

Wow. Ive watched that season 3 times! You sir are a genius. Coen brothers are the best movie makers ive ever seen or heard of. Especially "No Country for Old Men"

[@FallopiumFilms]

Thank you! I suggest you check out my analysis of No Country For Old Men

[@bonedog5130]

Just finished season 2...holy cow!!!!!!

[@fredericofroes4197]

I would guess there may also be some connection between the significance of blue light and television, a known emitter of blue light and the medium for telling the show's stories. I noticed red was a very prevalent color in season 3, which led me to find out that Minnesota State Police actually have red uniforms IRL, but had never bothered looking into it beyond that. Interesting to see the use of the colors in season 2.

[@cenziclopedia]

Also, when she throws the suitcases into the back of the car, one was red and one was blue!

[@lesliesylvan]

I'll have the "Blue-Light" Special; thank you ~ SUBBED

[@Aktoto1]

Im huge fan of Twin Peaks, MillenniuM and i love Fargo

[@Warios4Christians]

Bro its called color correction. Youur post crew picks a pallette based on themes like youve pointed out. Then you correct the pucture chroma for that themes pallette. All films do it,but the Cohen Brothers are one of the early adopters. -used to work in a post house,in the dub room doung color correction.

[@FallopiumFilms]

I know they didn’t screw blue light bulbs into every set. I know what color correction is and I assume a majority of the blue tint was achieved this way

[@yuvalyul]

Great video! Why are you seemingly the only guy that talks about this show?

[@Theo_Theemuts]

Very interesting! Are you familiar with Paul Ricoer's work on time/narrative, emplotment and agency?

[@georgie9723]

I wish I wasn't colourblind so I could fully appreciate this in my own watching. The attention to detail this video implies the prop designers and cinematographers and everyone else involved put in is unbelievable. Great video :)

[@jimmymimsy8751]

Interesting theories but mixed in there is the "teal and orange" grading - personally I'm not convinced that every time the teal colour appears, it's not just a grading decision rather than an opportunity to insert a metaphysical layer. Agree the chairs in the hospital are interesting, impressed with the red colour signifying taking charge. Not convinced about the blue colour significance. Good video.

[@brianwotherspoon7976]

Such an interesting theory! Have you watched noah hawley’s other series legion ? One of the most mind bending show’s I’ve ever watched but they constantly reference blue & “why is it (random thing that shouldn’t be blue) answer “it’s always blue” even a song called behind blue eyes lol I’d love to hear your thoughts on that series! Best mcu show but not sure if it’s even canon to mcu

[@harleyblue999]

I liked very much,i liked Fargo to.

[@nav579]

Great video. I would’ve kept watching to the end if you had gone into the other themes. Your analysis is quality.

[@YogaLifeEtc]

sub from me....great content, great execution. Well Done!

[@JordanGurney]

Your videos are fantastic! The Coen constants are brilliant! Are you watching Szn 5 of Fargo? I imagine so... any video ideas?

[@FallopiumFilms]

I’ve liked what I’ve watched so far. So far im thinking it’s gonna rank better than s4 but not as good as the others. I’m sure I’ll get around to making a video but these things take time. I have to watch the seasons a couple times and take lots of notes. And then it’s around 100 hour of editing, sometimes more. If you or anyone has any ideas of what you’ve noticed in season 5, feel free to share your ideas

[@JordanGurney]

@@FallopiumFilms Oh man, I'll bet it takes that much time! I can't begin to tell you how much respect I have for your mastery of video creation/editing, etc. I've LOVED your vids, Blade Runner 2049/Pale Fire, all the Fargo szn's, etc. As far as my take on Fargo szn 5, I think it's biblical in it's intensity (sin-eating, debt, original sin). But it's also SOOO much more than that. I recommend this analysis, and this dude states it much better than I could in one YT comment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIvRh4J5h5Kdqqs

[@FallopiumFilms]

​@@JordanGurney this is going to sound terrible, but I kind of refuse to watch anyone elses video essays on things like this. I like to see if I can come to my own unique conclusions, maybe something that no one else has discovered if I'm lucky. However, I was open to it for season 5 when I wrote my original comment, because I had only watched a few episodes and nothing was popping out at me, but since finishing it could write a book on what I think it's about

[@JordanGurney]

@@FallopiumFilms hey, that's awesome. No judgement. That's cool. May I ask in general terms where you'd rank it compared to the first 4? I know you weren't a big fan of szn 4, and I get that - less philosophical, and more social commentary. Surely it's gotta surpass szn 4 for you? No? I only ask because I'd love to know while I wait for the inevitably long time I'm sure it'll take to do a whole video on it.... which I'm also keen to know if you plan on doing it, especially since you have so much you could say .

[@joepagram8287]

Is it just me or do you sound exactly like Saul goodman sometimes 😂

[@rivermouthproductions3314]

YESS thank you, sad Saul Goodman and serious Videogamedunkey

[@BiggerDingus]

He really just needs to clear hos throat

[@DizzyDaDon]

I just wanna hear him say is “Hi I’m Saul Goodman, do you know you have rights? Constitution says you do”

[@gus6777]

He's gonna smack them lips and he's got it nailed

[@MrIhateyoutub]

No I dont think so, he just has a raspy voice, just like bob Odenkirk and also like Tyson Fury.

[@thealgerian3285]

I re-watched this season recently and I was wondering what the deal was with the UFO and the blue lights. Good catch.

[@janeburns7673]

Totally made it this far

[@deedunn1989]

I love when Sy calls him Mr. Varga and he goes “please Sy, call me V.M” as if he’s making it more personable when V.M is nothing but a hidden initial itself

[@davevalensky6327]

The Minnesota state troopers colors are maroon. That’s why he’s wearing maroon

[@rolanddeschain6265]

Another thing this video misses is the opening of episode 3 where hanzee kills the rabbit. This is major foreshadowing of both hanzee's ability to see through the bullshit and break out of the structure of fate, and foreshadows the moment later when he kills Constance in the exact same way as the rabbit. Fantastic video though, for my favorite series of all time.

[@raymeester7883]

I really wanted to hear more about Mike Milligan.

[@AE_2023]

I found the UFO reminiscent of the monoliths in 2001 in many ways. I think its somewhat representative of the screenwriters like you said, much like the monoliths are representative of a movie theatre screen, in a way breaking the 4th wall to the audience. There is also the chance that maybe the UFO isn't as cryptic as we think it is, although I think it certainly means something.

[@Ph.D_of_Lagomorph]

Every time I hear someone hates on season 2 because “they don’t see aliens in their fargoverse”🙄🙄🙄I love it so much exactly because of the ufos and the bowling alley guy😄

[@huskerjpg]

Another interesting analysis. I always felt sorry for Peggy's co-worker (was she really Peggy's boss?). All she wanted was a romantic relationship with Peggy and Peggy had no clue. I think all these Fargo tv shows and probably all or almost all the movies make our lives to be basically random. A car crash that leaves you in a coma is a co-incidence of events. A few seconds early or later and there is no collision. Just chance.

[@ejshelby5460]

I didn't realize Roman Roy is inFargo

[@sebsun]

Great video man! I loved the first two seasons of Fargo, but heard that the 3rd and 4th weren't really that good. Do you think it would be worth watching those seasons?

[@FallopiumFilms]

The third season is my favorite. I loved it so so much. The fourth season I found to be the weakest. Still though, the worst this show has to offer is better than the best of others. I'd recommend both, but especially season 3.

[@sebsun]

@@FallopiumFilms That's a pretty good endorsement! Thanks man

[@sebsun]

@@FallopiumFilms Just finished the 3rd season and loved it! Brilliant ending!

[@NikNewland]

Nice work bud!

[@Fallopia5150]

Just seen this and I've been intrigued by "Hanzee" Dent . In one shot Hanzee loses time as a spacecraft hovers near by. I've always thought that he was abducted and made a nemesis for all of the bad guys.

[@maxdanger2402]

I noticed that too. He saw the clock in the diner had stopped, then checks his watch later and noticed it stopped too. Very common way to tell that there was a "visit". However I don't think it means an abduction took place. I think it was more so a way to prove that the spacecraft was indeed very real and not just something that people thought they saw. Which is then verified when everyone sees the ufo at the motel.

[@anonymoususer450]

Out with the old, in with the new, such as: Out with the monoethnic family run crime syndicate that pervaded much of the first half of the 20th century in the Fargoverse as told in season 4 (the Gerhardts who follow a similar story as the crime syndicates of season 4), in with the new bigger corporate crime syndicate that crosses ethnic boundaries

[@blindsightedkill]

One example you missed is when Peggy has red and blue suitcases and is wondering to go or sell her car

[@doingmybesthere3940]

also, the kitchen brothers wear blue and red trenchcoats

[@zzzzzzzzzzzzz490]

👌🏿

[@nicholasgalvan4901]

Legion also it has a similar example with the color red, the show was also created by Noah Hawley. If you can do a series review and breakdown, I would highly appreciated.🛸

[@TumzFestivalYT]

Hmm... I just don't understand it.

[@DinerLingo]

For me this season has a lot of thematic & symbolic similarities to Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five." Both have themes of fate, absurdity & cosmic irony. Both have humans being observed by aliens. Both have stories within stories & unreliable narration. (The book opens with a similar statement as the show, "All of this happened, more or less.") Just as the show has characters from other seasons, the book has characters from other Vonnegut novels. Both have a non-linear structure (the later episodes jump back in time & shed new light on things heard about in the earlier episodes; Billy Pilgrim is "unstuck in time" in the novel). Both speak to humankind's propensity towards violence. Both have characters unable to communicate with each other (for the show, what you stated in your video; for the book, no one believes what Pilgrim when through during WWII nor do they believe he was abducted by aliens). Etc etc.

[@FallopiumFilms]

I will be reading it now

[@DinerLingo]

@@FallopiumFilms I think you'll enjoy it!

[@rolanddeschain6265]

Of all these theories, this one rings the most true to me. The parallels between s2 and slaughterhouse-five are uncanny now that you've laid it out and Vonnegut has always seemed like a clearly major inspiration for the Coen Brothers to me.

[@codyrussell707]

Hey, your breakdowns are really good but I just want to point out that Lou wears a red (or maroon) uniform because that's the actual Minnesota State Patrol uniform in real life. The patrolman in the movie who is shot in Brainerd is in the same uniform. Doesn't refute your point though if that's why Lou was written as a Minnesota patrolman, so he could be in red instead of another color uniform like the sheriff.

[@samuelj2408]

Can you please do a true detective season video like this, thank you. Also the volume of your voice is low on your videos and maybe make your voice more smooth and crisp using audio edit/optimization.

[@FallopiumFilms]

you're right. but I'd rather be too soft than too loud. I hate the peppy voices that are right in your ear. But that's just me. I'll see what I can do about fixing the levels.

[@MegaMacReal]

In S1 I didn't want anyone to die, in S2 I wanted almost everyone to die.

[@geoskyr966]

Great review and analysis but it is odd when you say about the "red" characters. Since the whole story is already decided they are actors as well,they don't act on free will as the masterminds,if you may that pull the strings decided for them the "red" character.Also even if this distinction is true ed is a "blue" character according to your analysis but he is not passive like ben for example.He takes action killing rye etc.

[@aidengoodrich5974]

lesson of the day don't wear blue

[@1957smr]

The "hamster"@ 7:23 is a white rat..

[@FallopiumFilms]

as am I

[@truthseeker7867]

She’s wearing a blue hospital gown; a symbol of the cancer being inevitable. Yet she is wearing a red blanket, a symbol of her attempting to make a decision in her treatment. It’s a BEAUTIFUL shot.

[@ilayohana3150]

13:31 yeah me and my friend realised that in season 1 and honestly found it extremely pretentious, just like her character tbh.

[@Indomita506]

I think they were juat trolling us with that season. Nothing deep about it

[@jaymenjanssens720]

Another comment!

[@abandonedmuse]

It’s not THAT long. I can watch hour long vids with no problem

[@lawrenceragnarok1186]

I thought season two was about how feminism will destroy the west and that women are trifling

[@uuuuuuuuuuuuuugdsvjjgffty1037]

Why is this guy always whispering?