The man at the bar is allegedly meant to represent the myth of The Wandering Jew. If memory serves the man mocked and/or refused to aid Jesus as he carried the cross to his crucifixion and was cursed to wonder the Earth until Jesus returns. (Remember him telling Gloria on the plane how many times he'd already flown that week.) He repented and was "saved" and I don't know what powers he's supposed to have, but it seemed like Nikki was offered her own chance at redemption while Yuri had some sins to answer for. And the bowling alley setting was a nod to the Big Lebowski.
The creator of the series (Noah Hawley) likes to put a lot of references of the Coen Brothers (like the Fargo series itself)... every season Is a love letter to the Coen filmography
I read when this came out that the bowling alley scene was an homage to the Cohens, it was the same angle as the Big Lebowski and the cowboy scene from that movie.
The slow slide over to the reveal of a wise and enigmatic entity is pure Big Lebowski 🤩 Also, a couple in a car who witness a crime and meet a terrible end is from Fargo (the movie). Love the Coen nods in this season.
If you recall the first episode of the season, there is a scene in the Soviet Union where they are looking for a "Yuri Gurka" who had murdered his girlfriend (Helga Albracht). They obviously have the wrong guy, but the real murderer is the Yuri Gurka who works for VM Varga. The wolf head he puts on is in reference to the Wolves’ Hundred militia, which has been around since the fall of the Soviet Union - they have ties back to the Cossack militias at the turn of the last century. You can look into their history to see the litany of war crimes they've committed which, as another commenter noted, are some of the many sins the Wandering Jew has Yuri answer for in the bowling alley. He's also made to answer for the crimes of the Cossacks themselves, notably the Uman Massacre perpetrated by the Ukrainian Haydamaks (the reference to the Jewish mass grave and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov). If you want an even deeper layer, look into the annual pilgrimages to Rabbi Nachman's grave in Uman. It's said that Nachman promised to intercede on behalf of those who come to pray at his grave during Rosh Hashana (when God writes the fates of all for the coming year into the Book of Life), thus giving you better chance of making it through the judgement of Yom Kippur (when God officially seals your fate after you're given time to atone for your sins during the Ten Days of Repentance).
The Bowling Alley is The White Lodge. Those that have ears to hear, let them hear. And of course it's also a nod to The Big Lebowski...where The Dude is "taking it easy for all us sinners."
This show is full of references to other Coen Brothers movies. Besides the bowling alley scene, the scene of the eye-witnesses to the bus assault being run off the road and killed execution-style is a direct homage to Fargo the movie itself, right down to the way they are filmed ogling the scene as they drive by.
I love how each season has it's own adaptation of myth and legends, The first has the story of the devil coming to town to cause chaos, the second had the Aliens, The third Had the wondering Jew etc (I will leave it there as I don't want to spoil anything)
Like people have said, the bowling alley scene was a nod to The Big Lebowski and The Stranger conversation. I also noticed that the talk between the police and the marshal is extremely similar to the description of how that couple died in the original movie Fargo and how Marge explained it lol. The Fargo mini-series has a lot of refences to The Big Lebowski.
Ray Wise plays the man in the bowling alley. He also played Leland Palmer the most pivotal character in Twin Peaks. The bowling alley is similar to the red room and the man speaks in riddles and evokes the supernatural and the unexplained. Just like in Twin Peaks. Also the bowling alley may be a nod to the Big Lebowski.
Always been fascinated by Yuri as a character. Spectral, disturbing, we start the series regarding him, and it's a horrific act. I just wish they'd given him more, I'm gripped by that rich tapestry of history he talks of, when he does speak. Yuri Gurka, the Cossack of the plains, grandchild of the Wolves' Hundred. That sounds like more than just a henchmen to me. But he did have a presence. I mean, you would dressed like that, carrying a Nagyka everywhere. Can't really see him in that same threatening light as I used to though, not since a friend once called him - and I quote - her "beefy Cossack daddy in a wolf mask", and Gurka is Swedish for 'cucumber', so...
I’ve seen every episode of every season of Fargo multiple times. I just had some things brought to my attention I don’t know how I missed. I will only talk about seasons 2 and 3 even though there’s ties to 4 as well. The Kansas Mob Boss from season 2 is an important character in 4. Hanzee usurps the Kansas mob and starts The Fargo Mob. Then an oldHanzee is killed off screen by Lauren Malvo in season 1. Showing everything’s connected and the pointless cycle of violence.
It’s so funny to me three or four times now they’ve counted Nikki for dead. She’s out that’s probably the last scene of her. Nope she keeps coming back for more
I've been listening to every discussion with interest, I can now say at this point, I was amused how much you underestimated Wrench's presence and it was fun to see you surprised at how he (using your often used words) came in clutch as you were right, Nikki would've been done if she'd been handcuffed to anyone other than a total badass hitman. I was excited to see you watch the bowling alley scene, this season's 'weird' bit to see how you took it. I know at this point, you've been shook and no longer have any idea what'll happen next but enjoy, I can't wait to see you see it. 😃❤
Why are you so surprised that you were going to get more Wench? You said twice already in previous episodes that you were always waiting for them to throw a wrench in the works.
I quite dislike when Fargo tries to get supernatural. I think it's the weakest part of their storytelling. Season 1 occasionally giving Malvo powers (the fish rain), Season 2 with all that UFO nonsense, and this season with the bowling alley. Not my cup of tea.
@@TheDaringPastry1313 Supernatural in the sense of it's intention. It is meant to represent the wrath of biblical god upon Stavros who broke faith with him and thus had his first born son taken from him signified by a plague of falling animals. One could just as easily argue the bowling alley was not supernatural because bowling alleys exist.
@@lkf8799 I think it's great in Indiana Jones, but more because Indiana Jones is meant to be fantastical where in Fargo the story is more grounded in reality and the supernatural elements don't seem to fit with the tone of the rest of the story.
Yeah it's just one of those things where you either like it or you don't. I really love the supernatural stuff, but then again i am Colombian so maybe magical realism just appeals to me lol. I think it really works, and it's always a surprising element (at least in the first three seasons). I don't blame you for disliking it though.
Last 3 weeks you've had 11 reactions but only 1 was worth watching. I like your reactions but it has to be a good movie (no tv series) for me to watch. I'll check in every few weeks in case there is a good movie.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
The man at the bar is allegedly meant to represent the myth of The Wandering Jew. If memory serves the man mocked and/or refused to aid Jesus as he carried the cross to his crucifixion and was cursed to wonder the Earth until Jesus returns. (Remember him telling Gloria on the plane how many times he'd already flown that week.) He repented and was "saved" and I don't know what powers he's supposed to have, but it seemed like Nikki was offered her own chance at redemption while Yuri had some sins to answer for. And the bowling alley setting was a nod to the Big Lebowski.
He's also based on the narrator that The Dude meets in the bowling alley at the end. Even the way the scene is shot is similar.
He also killed Laura Palmer
And was the Devil.
The creator of the series (Noah Hawley) likes to put a lot of references of the Coen Brothers (like the Fargo series itself)... every season Is a love letter to the Coen filmography
The line "Ray is a cat now" also harkens back to the Peter & The Wolf episode, where Nicki is The Cat 😻
I read when this came out that the bowling alley scene was an homage to the Cohens, it was the same angle as the Big Lebowski and the cowboy scene from that movie.
The slow slide over to the reveal of a wise and enigmatic entity is pure Big Lebowski 🤩
Also, a couple in a car who witness a crime and meet a terrible end is from Fargo (the movie). Love the Coen nods in this season.
"That was the couple that saw too much..."
Another nod to Fargo.
If you recall the first episode of the season, there is a scene in the Soviet Union where they are looking for a "Yuri Gurka" who had murdered his girlfriend (Helga Albracht). They obviously have the wrong guy, but the real murderer is the Yuri Gurka who works for VM Varga. The wolf head he puts on is in reference to the Wolves’ Hundred militia, which has been around since the fall of the Soviet Union - they have ties back to the Cossack militias at the turn of the last century. You can look into their history to see the litany of war crimes they've committed which, as another commenter noted, are some of the many sins the Wandering Jew has Yuri answer for in the bowling alley. He's also made to answer for the crimes of the Cossacks themselves, notably the Uman Massacre perpetrated by the Ukrainian Haydamaks (the reference to the Jewish mass grave and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov).
If you want an even deeper layer, look into the annual pilgrimages to Rabbi Nachman's grave in Uman. It's said that Nachman promised to intercede on behalf of those who come to pray at his grave during Rosh Hashana (when God writes the fates of all for the coming year into the Book of Life), thus giving you better chance of making it through the judgement of Yom Kippur (when God officially seals your fate after you're given time to atone for your sins during the Ten Days of Repentance).
I didn't know that German was spoken in the Soviet Union back then 😂
@@Nils.Minimalist Occupied East Berlin in 1988? Yeah, they would be speaking German.
I've always been baffled by people who dumped on this Season. I LOVED IT.
I think this season requires a wider general knowledge on the part of the viewer. And we all know how smart the average person is.
I liked it until the last ten minutes or so. Still better than Seasons 4 & 5.
The Bowling Alley is The White Lodge.
Those that have ears to hear, let them hear.
And of course it's also a nod to The Big Lebowski...where The Dude is "taking it easy for all us sinners."
Wrench doesn’t do cameos. When he shows up, he becomes a main character.
This show is full of references to other Coen Brothers movies. Besides the bowling alley scene, the scene of the eye-witnesses to the bus assault being run off the road and killed execution-style is a direct homage to Fargo the movie itself, right down to the way they are filmed ogling the scene as they drive by.
I love how each season has it's own adaptation of myth and legends, The first has the story of the devil coming to town to cause chaos, the second had the Aliens, The third Had the wondering Jew etc (I will leave it there as I don't want to spoil anything)
11:23 "Is this guy like Jesus or something?" -TBR
😆
“Is that what you see?”
Like people have said, the bowling alley scene was a nod to The Big Lebowski and The Stranger conversation. I also noticed that the talk between the police and the marshal is extremely similar to the description of how that couple died in the original movie Fargo and how Marge explained it lol. The Fargo mini-series has a lot of refences to The Big Lebowski.
In the bowling alley, it could have been God, or an angel...But the only one who for sure was taken for their sins, was Yuri.
Ray Wise plays the man in the bowling alley. He also played Leland Palmer the most pivotal character in Twin Peaks. The bowling alley is similar to the red room and the man speaks in riddles and evokes the supernatural and the unexplained. Just like in Twin Peaks. Also the bowling alley may be a nod to the Big Lebowski.
Is that a UFO?
Close...very close. If a UFO can be a time machine, I'm sure it can be purgatory as well.
Always been fascinated by Yuri as a character. Spectral, disturbing, we start the series regarding him, and it's a horrific act. I just wish they'd given him more, I'm gripped by that rich tapestry of history he talks of, when he does speak. Yuri Gurka, the Cossack of the plains, grandchild of the Wolves' Hundred. That sounds like more than just a henchmen to me. But he did have a presence. I mean, you would dressed like that, carrying a Nagyka everywhere. Can't really see him in that same threatening light as I used to though, not since a friend once called him - and I quote - her "beefy Cossack daddy in a wolf mask", and Gurka is Swedish for 'cucumber', so...
I’ve seen every episode of every season of Fargo multiple times. I just had some things brought to my attention I don’t know how I missed. I will only talk about seasons 2 and 3 even though there’s ties to 4 as well. The Kansas Mob Boss from season 2 is an important character in 4. Hanzee usurps the Kansas mob and starts The Fargo Mob. Then an oldHanzee is killed off screen by Lauren Malvo in season 1. Showing everything’s connected and the pointless cycle of violence.
The stamps everywhere in Emmett's office reminded me of the old Twilight Zone TV series. Emmett could actually use a tranquilizer tbh...ha. 😎
It's only fitting that a show based on a Coen Brothers movie would do an homage of another Coen Brothers film
My favorite episode of this entire show!
Nikki is sitting next to an arch angel or God in the bowling alley, or purgatory.
Remember when Gloria Burgle talked to God in the bar in L.A.?
It’s so funny to me three or four times now they’ve counted Nikki for dead. She’s out that’s probably the last scene of her. Nope she keeps coming back for more
I've said it before, so many deaths and so much grief and effort could have been avoided by good old basic forgery.
This season is great. They all are, except 4 imo. I hope you two get to season 5 that came out recently. It's real good.
They already did season 5
5:02 it's like the movie Fargo
Lol to the clothes change
You guys should watch Severance. It’s as good as this series. The second season is finally coming in January
I've been listening to every discussion with interest, I can now say at this point, I was amused how much you underestimated Wrench's presence and it was fun to see you surprised at how he (using your often used words) came in clutch as you were right, Nikki would've been done if she'd been handcuffed to anyone other than a total badass hitman. I was excited to see you watch the bowling alley scene, this season's 'weird' bit to see how you took it. I know at this point, you've been shook and no longer have any idea what'll happen next but enjoy, I can't wait to see you see it. 😃❤
The man at the bar is one of the bad guys in Robocop.
I love the way you guys say word's like daaaamm
Or aaaannndd is this a west coast thing ?
You don't think it's VM messing with him, to keep him on edge, taking pills, etc. Looks like it back fired but it could have been him.......
My only question: how have you not seen The Big Lebowski?
React to the film: SMILE (2022), an excellent horror film, with genuinely tense and sinister moments. It's worth checking out.
Chilli naan
Love it
Denial = Daniel my first name 😮 (strange) rearrange the letters (a) (e)
Plis watch Hbo the Penguin it's just like the Sopranos 🙏
Why are you so surprised that you were going to get more Wench? You said twice already in previous episodes that you were always waiting for them to throw a wrench in the works.
Ouuut is another example why do you guys stretch your words out so much
I quite dislike when Fargo tries to get supernatural. I think it's the weakest part of their storytelling. Season 1 occasionally giving Malvo powers (the fish rain), Season 2 with all that UFO nonsense, and this season with the bowling alley. Not my cup of tea.
It's rained fish before from waterspouts, so I wouldn't call that supernatural at all.
I don't mind it. Reminds me a bit of Indiana Jones. Mostly grounded with a bit of the fantastic. Then again, sci-fi is my first love.
@@TheDaringPastry1313 Supernatural in the sense of it's intention. It is meant to represent the wrath of biblical god upon Stavros who broke faith with him and thus had his first born son taken from him signified by a plague of falling animals.
One could just as easily argue the bowling alley was not supernatural because bowling alleys exist.
@@lkf8799 I think it's great in Indiana Jones, but more because Indiana Jones is meant to be fantastical where in Fargo the story is more grounded in reality and the supernatural elements don't seem to fit with the tone of the rest of the story.
Yeah it's just one of those things where you either like it or you don't. I really love the supernatural stuff, but then again i am Colombian so maybe magical realism just appeals to me lol. I think it really works, and it's always a surprising element (at least in the first three seasons). I don't blame you for disliking it though.
Last 3 weeks you've had 11 reactions but only 1 was worth watching. I like your reactions but it has to be a good movie (no tv series) for me to watch. I'll check in every few weeks in case there is a good movie.