Did You Do This? No, You Did It!
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Episode 7
- Noah Hawley
- Matt Wolpert
- Ben Nedivi
| "Did You Do This? No, You Did It!" | |
|---|---|
| Fargo episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Keith Gordon |
| Written by |
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| Featured music | Jeff Russo |
| Cinematography by | Craig Wrobleski |
| Editing by |
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| Production code | XFO02007 |
| Original air date | November 23, 2015 |
| Running time | 61 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
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"Did You Do This? No, You Did It!" is the seventh episode of the second season of the American anthology black comedy–crime drama television series Fargo. It is the 17th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Noah Hawley and consulting producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi and directed by Keith Gordon. It originally aired on FX on November 23, 2015.
The season takes place in the Upper Midwest in March 1979. It follows the lives of a young couple, Peggy and Ed Blumquist, as they attempt to cover up the hit and run and homicide of Rye Gerhardt, the son of Floyd Gerhardt, matriarch of the Gerhardt crime family. During this time, Minnesota state trooper Lou Solverson, and Rock County sheriff Hank Larsson, investigate three homicides linked to Rye. In the episode, Floyd is taken by the authorities and is offered a deal to exonerate her family. Meanwhile, Simone's cover is blown and faces consequences for her actions.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.24 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the character development, writing, cinematography and performances, particularly Jean Smart and Rachel Keller.
The Gerhardts bury Otto and Rye in their family graveyard, despite the latter's body being nowhere to be found. The family is also losing the battle against the Kansas City crime family, despite killing some of their associates. Lou (Patrick Wilson) and Ben (Keir O'Donnell) arrive at the farm and take Floyd (Jean Smart) into custody.
The police ask Floyd to cooperate with them in exchange for a deal: her family will be exonerated of their crimes if she helps them by providing crucial information. At his hotel room, Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) is reprimanded by his boss Hamish Broker (Adam Arkin) for his associates' deaths and tells him to kill the Gerhardts within two days. Simone (Rachel Keller) furiously confronts him for killing Otto and almost killing her and Floyd. Just as Gale Kitchen (Brad Mann) is about to kill her, Lou and Ben burst into the room, having been tipped off by Floyd. Ben escorts Simone out of the room but she hits him in the groin and escapes. However, she is seen by Bear (Angus Sampson) and his henchman Ricky G (Ryan O'Nan). Bear then tells her to come with him, while Ricky G takes her car.
Betsy (Cristin Milioti) arrives home and is shocked to find Karl (Nick Offerman) and Sonny (Daniel Beirne) there. Karl states that Lou asked them to watch over her while he works on the case. Meanwhile, Bear drives Simone to the woods and forces her to walk deep down the woods, revealing that he knows she betrayed the family. After reaching a certain spot, he forces her to kneel down as he prepares to shoot her. A panicked Simone asks for another chance and even suggests spying for them, but Bear is not convinced and kills her. He then drives back to the farm, where Ricky tells him someone called with information on Dodd, but Bear is not interested.
With her family immunity deal arranged, Floyd reveals how the Kansas City crime family operates. The police manage to take down most of the family's operations. Broker then calls a defeated Milligan, dismissing him and informing him that he will send an enforcer known as "The Undertaker" to fix his failure. Floyd is released and picked up by Bear and his henchmen. Hank (Ted Danson) informs Lou and Ben that Hanzee is wanted for killing two police officers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota while looking for the Blumquists. At the Solverson home, Betsy confides in Karl that she is taking placebo pills and wants Lou to move on after she dies. While visiting Hank's house, Betsy discovers strange symbol drawings in his study room.
Floyd and Bear return to the farm, where Ricky informs them that Hanzee has found out Dodd's whereabouts. The Undertaker (Markus Parillo) arrives at the hotel room with his security guards. However, Milligan and Gale easily kill them, planning to put the blame on the Gerhardts. The phone rings and Milligan answers, revealing Ed (Jesse Plemons) on the other end of the phone call. Ed reveals that he has Dodd in the trunk of a car. After hanging up, Ed drives away from the rest stop, with Peggy nowhere to be seen.
Production
Development
In October 2015, it was reported that the seventh episode of the second season would be titled "Did You Do This? No, You Did It!", and was to be directed by Keith Gordon and written by series creator Noah Hawley and consulting producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi. This was Hawley's 14th writing credit, Wolpert's second writing credit, Nedivi's second writing credit and Gordon's first directing credit.[1]
Writing
Originally, Rachel Keller would appear for only six episodes, but was notified that it would be extended by an episode.[2] On her character's death, she commented "I read it and I was equally terrified that I was the one who had to do the scene, but also so honored, because it was so well-written and sad."[2] The execution scene drew comparisons to Miller's Crossing, another film directed by the Coen brothers.[3][4][5]
