Sociopaths Never Sleep The Movie Fargo was unequivocally 5 star cinema. The TV version is a derivative of that film, so it has quite a challenge to live up to. All in all, compared to the film, I would give it close to 7 stars and improving, especially with episode 6. Despite all the extra time to fill, the masks of evil portrayed are overtly simplified rather than fleshed out. Instead, the extra hours are crafted to showcase acts of violence: violence that is varyingly diabolical, cruel, collateral and/or tragic. I concede that the characters killed in graphic detail are those that are drawn as idiotic cartoon characters, while animals and "innocents" have been the spared the almost lewd blood gushing effects. However, from my viewpoint, all this violence does not intrigue but instead repulses. Fargo's "good" and lovable characters, Molly and Gus, have short quirky chats over meals and coffee. Imagining what's going on inside their heads is my favorite aspect of the series. Colin Hanks played a not wildly dissimilar character as a Dallas P.D. cop in short-lived TV comedy, "The Good Guys", 4 years ago, so he feels like an old friend. Mr Hanks is perfectly cast here, as is newcomer Allison Tolman as a heartfelt and intelligent Molly Solverson. Martin Friedman, whose central portrayal of Lester Nygaard is also excellent, despite being hard to feel much sympathy for (until episode 5 when his propensity for being a victim hovers on terminal). At the close of episode 6, Mr. Friedman has the truly brilliant understated acting moment of the series, so watch for it. Billy Bob Thornton plays Malvo (short for malevolent?) mostly in deadpan, but becomes astutely animated in a wicked bit as "The Pastor". As the most deadly of human animal species (the brilliant sociopath), Malvo seems invincible, like a human "terminator". He appears to have no urges that amount to human weakness, and I don't think he ever eats or sleeps. Maybe he's too overstimulated by his motivating talents: stalking "prey", simulating plagues, murdering people, etc. Not to mention practicing the fine arts of humiliating and terrorizing people. (Gee, what a fun guy!) Thornton's portrayal of the aloof Malvo is uncanny; Without BBT's uncommon skills, Malvo might be just another cold-blooded maniac. Despite high marks for the lead actors, the episodes I've seen have been hurt by a deluge of clownish villains and thugs,preposterous "biblical" terrors, and gratuitous violence with full-screen grisly murder detail. Very low common denominator stuff. Still, the story telling makes this show worth following, and it seems to be getting more imaginative with each episode.