FIRE UP THE WOOD CHIPPER, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Fargo season five is here and we’re back to what makes this show so good–modern day Minnesotans (donchya know?). I was so excited to finish moving and finally dive into one of Jon Hamm’s weirdest roles yet.
The setup and characters in the first episode of season five felt like going back to the roots of the OG Coen brothers film and to the masterful season one that started it all. While we watched, this nerd took notes on the best life lesson learned from each of the ten episodes of Fargo season five.
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND
I cannot stress this enough. Do not proceed if you haven’t watched season five yet. You don’t want to ruin the experience. Fargo is amazing.
You don’t have to watch the entire show first (though you should watch it all) as each season is standalone, but watch at least season one before season five, as you’ll love the parallels. Like the car dealership and Wayne’s office there, which I’m 99% confident is exactly the same set from season one. Plus, season one is a masterpiece. Oh jeez, oh boy, you don’t want to miss Martin Freeman’s performance.
Also, can we celebrate how Steve from Stranger Things gets to wield a zombie killer baseball bat again, even though he plays a completely different character? *Chef’s kiss*
Life lessons learned from Fargo season five, one episode at a time
Episode 1: Sometimes the simplest and cheapest tool gets the job done best
In the opening episode, Dot’s would-be kidnappers are running around with fancy guns, but she takes them out with a lighter and can of hairspray paired with some glow sticks and a bag of ice. People are often tempted to go big or go home, constantly upgrading and updating, but most of the time it’s a waste of money and energy. I live my best life by the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Don’t have an ambulance or a full triage setup? Grab a plastic brush and some tape and cut that circulation off so the nicked artery doesn’t bleed out. A few dollars can not only stretch the budget, but they can save a life! Score one for being thrifty and fast thinking. (And sure, Bisquick and bloody feet? She’s clearly off her rocker. But that’s part of what makes it so fun to watch.)
Episode 2: Open communication is key in healthy relationships
Dot gets herself into quite the pickle with her kidnapping that’s “not a kidnapping.” It’s hard for her to be honest when the truth is she’s married to someone else and on the run. Makes it a little difficult to explain to her husband. Also makes it different to be happy with her new husband and daughter when she’s got a Gator chasing her around.
Having a secret past life and a husband you couldn’t divorce makes it difficult to explain to your current husband why you Home Aloned your house with a sledgehammer suspended from the ceiling and broken glass glued to the sliding door.
Lying is complicated and requires a lot of gymnastics and attention to detail. Maybe I’m just super lazy, but it’s not worth it. Be honest.
Episode 3: Boundaries are also important in relationships
If your mommy is still having her lawyer slap you in your office in your 30s, you need some boundaries in your life. Transitioning from a child-parent relationship to a mutual, fellow adults relationship is hard for everyone involved, but it needs to happen. Sooner, rather than later.
Otherwise, people will steamroll right over you, intentionally or not. Set clear boundaries in your relationships. And make sure you tell people what your boundaries are.
Like no slapping, please. (You can still be polite and respectful even while withholding boundaries.)
Episode 4: Sometimes the best financial offense is a good insurance defense
Look, you just never know when your husband is going to set off your bobby traps and fry his noggin. When you have to roll him out the second-story window to escape the fire the “faulty” wiring starts, you’ll be extremely glad you have both homeowners and health insurance.
Learn more about insurance on our adulting station. You can also check out additional advice we learned on insurance from watching Breaking Bad.
Episode 5: When you’re a debtor, you’re an animal in the zoo. But at least the animals in the zoo fight
Lorraine might not be the most likeable character at the beginning of the series, but I warmed up to her. She spits some mad truths, including this one here. (Plus, she’s just fun to watch.)
Having debt is like being in a cage. That obligation weighs on you, and 90% of Americans feel it.
Fact check: self reporting is hard to verify, and it’s hard to tell when they include mortgage debt or not, but it’s at least around 70%, if not the 90% Lorraine mentions in this episode. Still a lot.
Keep up the fight. Uncage yourself. Having walked the walk ourselves, I can honestly say there’s something so freeing when you escape the cage. And it’s hard to put a dollar value on that, even though it saved us a to of cheddar in interest.
Learn more on our debt free station.
Episode 6: “No” is a power word
So powerful, some people even blow it up and make it wall decor. I totally want to take Mrs. Lyon’s office homage to this word and put it on my kid’s bedroom wall ironically.
Bonus piece of advice from this episode, because Lorraine truly is so quotable mid-season:
Don’t apologize for things that aren’t your fault.
I’m guilty of this one a lot.
Episode 7: Having tenants isn’t all fun and games; it can be a real headache–or killer
Real estate can be a great way to build wealth. But it’s hardly passive income. In fact, it takes a lot more energy, and often more risk, than index funding and chilling. For instance, I’ve never been shot in the head and used as a decoy to throw the crazy sheriff and his equally crazy Gator son off my trail when buying the S&P Index 500.
If you are gonna have rental properties and tenants, at least run very thorough background checks. And get a hefty deposit upfront. Funerals for you and your deadbeat son aren’t cheap.
Episode 8: People are often more than willing to help, but you have to be strong enough to ask
Now granted, Dot knows the people willing to help her out are likely to get killed by her crazy husband, and the proof is outside her bunker window, so hers is not a normal situation. But the point’s the same.
Dot goes, truth in hand, to the local deputy investigating her case and asks for help watching her daughter. She knows there are parts of her journey that she must do for herself, but she’s also wise and humble enough to reach out to those she trusts in the areas where they can help. And, as Dot finds out, the help comes easily, even when it seems unexpected.
Seasons of life can be hard, and we aren’t meant to be solitary creatures. Sometimes, we need that support system, or even just someone to talk to. Never be afraid to ask for help, or to tell others what you need. It can leave you feeling vulnerable, but often the ones who love you are looking for ways to lend a hand. They just need to know how.
Episode 9: Consequences can be a bitch
Just ask Gator.
We live by several tenets in our household. One of the main ones is that while it is a free country and you can do whatever you want, that doesn’t mean your choices come without consequences.
The same is true with money, whether you’re stealing it from the crazy wackadoo trying to brand and blind you or you’re living the YOLO lifestyle, not worried about tomorrow. Tomorrow, and the consequences, will come.
Another tenet we live by when weighing if the consequences are worth it: you can usually do anything, but you usually can’t do everything, at least not all at once. The consequence of spending money on one thing is that you no longer have it for something else. The consequence of doing our cross-country move was that it’s going to be several years before we can get our truck and camper. But at least this way, we’ll be hiking in the snow in the meantime instead of sweating to death in a swamp. Worth the trade off.
But getting roped and dragged back to your family ranch, blubbering and crying for your daddy in your late 20s? I’d let that one go, junior.
Episode 10: You can’t change your blood, but you can choose your family
Nadine was never Gator’s ma, but she never gave up hope on him. Not really. And your in-laws may not be your blood, but you can choose to love them as such. Lorraine has such a heartwarming story arc with Dot.
Family is whoever shows up, who cares, loves, and supports you, in good times and in bad. Who forgives you, but who also isn’t afraid to push you to do what’s right. If you don’t have that family, make one. It’s worth the time and energy, I promise.
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Trying to make money and adulting fun? I feel ya! Hopefully, we can help. Check out these similar popular pop culture advice articles, or explore all the latest and greatest on our Hot Topics page.
Want to talk more Fargo? Feel free to blow up the comments below. I’m game.