The black shades of Fargo!

Possibly the  thrillingly darkest seasons of Prime that will be remembered for its consistently black themes. Be it the sadistic murderer of Season 1 with a trail of murders that lures the weak or the ambitious fugitive couple of Season 2 drawn between the rivalry of syndicates or the feuding siblings of Season 3 tearing every character apart or the family war between crime empires of Season 4 that maintains the tradition of bloodshed of organised crime, each season is horrifyingly gripping. Each episode is chillingly crafted to keep the suspense running while the cliffhanger moments of some of the seasons provide foods for contemplations.

The pilots start with some seemingly trivial incident, sometimes violent in perspective of how episodes of ordinary series starts, but soon each turns to something bigger and more violent, due to the human interference, a very natural yet naturally error prone element of the pulsating world, which is realistically showcased with the grim eventualities that might automatically result. So the assassin, set loose, appears horrific as he strikes at the slightest provocation but when his influence converts the ordinary to commit murder, there the matter turns terribly frightening. Then there is the salon employer and her butcher husband trying to cover up the accident and following that, a murder, only to draw the police and a crime family on their trail. Nature and paranormal also finds place as tornados, UFO and ghost sightings occur at some critical places while The Almighty defines the path to clear the deadlock situations. Sibling rivalry is explored that turns too violent with double murders with the apparently callous brother trying a faster method to obtain a prized stamp of the collection that made his elder richer. Then there is the war for the turfs between crime lords, that, thanks to some offshoot sinister and psychotic interferences, becomes a murderous struggle for power that decapitates the members of hierarchy and defines organised crime in their ruthlessness.

Based chiefly on black themes, made intense by use of extended dialogues, the sudden turn of events keep the suspense intact. Some seasons overlap in characters and instances but these remain minor with regards to the main plot and serves, albeit unduly, to give a background to the characters and instances portrayed in the seasons spanning 10 episodes each excepting the 4^th that has 11.

Billy Bob Thornton in his portraiture of the sadistic assassin, Ewan McGregor in his double role of both the dim witted brother and his opportunistic elder that breathes relief and enhances the pace, Kirsten Dunst as the ambitious wife who convinces the husband who is butcher by profession but simpler at heart played by Jesse Plemons and last but not the least, Chris Rock in his uncharacteristic portrayal of the rational mobster head, the casting and the acting are both perfect.

Created by Noah Hawley who served as one of the directors, the other directors include Keith Gordon, Dana Gonzales, Dearbhla Walsh, Randall Einhorn, Colin Bucksey, Scott Winant, Matt Shakman, Sylvain White, John Cameron, Michael Upendahl, Adam Arkin, Jeffrey Reiner and Mike Barker. Though the episodes are grim but the series is recommended for the unique experience, which is primarily melancholy yet satisfying.