The Lord of No Mercy
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| "The Lord of No Mercy" | |
|---|---|
| Fargo episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | Dearbhla Walsh |
| Written by | Noah Hawley |
| Featured music | Jeff Russo |
| Cinematography by | Dana Gonzales |
| Editing by | Henk Vaneeghen |
| Production code | XFO03006 |
| Original air date | May 24, 2017 |
| Running time | 46 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Lord of No Mercy" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American anthology black comedy–crime drama television series Fargo. It is the 26th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Noah Hawley and directed by Dearbhla Walsh. It originally aired on FX on May 24, 2017.
The season is set primarily in 2010, in three Minnesota towns: St. Cloud, Eden Valley, and Eden Prairie. It follows the lives of a couple, Ray Stussy and Nikki Swango, who, after unsuccessfully trying to rob Ray's wealthy older brother Emmit, become involved in a double murder case. One of the victims is an old man with a mysterious past whose stepdaughter, Gloria Burgle, is a policewoman. Meanwhile, Emmit tries to cut his ties with a shady organization he borrowed money from a year before, but the company, represented by V. M. Varga, has other plans. In the episode, Nikki and Ray plot revenge against Yuri and Meemo, eventually discovering their connection through Varga. Meanwhile, Varga explains the next step in their expansion to Emmit and Sy.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.04 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received universal acclaim, with critics praising the performances, character development, writing, directing and ending.
Nikki (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) tells Ray (Ewan McGregor) about her beating. An angered Ray takes a gun and both intend to go after Yuri (Goran Bogdan) and Meemo (Andy Yu).
Varga (David Thewlis) explains to Emmit and Sy (Michael Stuhlbarg) about his plans for expansion. He uses real-life stories, like the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and the Apollo 11 Moon landing, with Varga suggesting it was filmed at a sound stage in New Mexico. Varga wants to expand by 16 garages within three months. Sy does not see his tactics as viable, as it would put them in a heavy debt, but Emmit is actually interested. Varga also has Meemo pose as Emmit's lawyer with IRS agent Dollard (Hamish Linklater), convincing him to leave Stussy Lots.
Gloria (Carrie Coon) and Winnie (Olivia Sandoval) question Emmit at his office. Varga joins the conversation and prevents Emmit from elaborating any further when they inform him of Ennis Stussy's death. After checking her police department, Varga orders Yuri to retrieve Ennis Stussy's file and orders Meemo to kill Ray and Nikki. As Gloria and Winnie arrive to knock at their door, Ray and Nikki are forced to flee to a motel room. Ray leaves Nikki in the room while he goes back to retrieve the $10,000 he took from Emmit's account and forgot during their escape. Unaware to both of them, Meemo has been following them.
Ray arrives at his apartment and finds Emmit, who offers to end the feud by giving Ray the framed stamp and offering to give Ray anything else he may want. Ray is leery, and they argue. As they shove the frame into each other, Emmit accidentally shoves it strong enough that the frame shatters on Ray's face, with a shard of glass severing his artery. A distraught Emmit stares as Ray bleeds to death. Desperate, he calls Varga for help in cleaning the scene. Varga tells Meemo to leave his mission at the motel room to help in cleaning the scene. Varga then stages the scene to look like Nikki murdered Ray after he abused her. While driving back home, Gloria decides to reverse course, instructing Winnie to meet her at Ray's apartment.
Production
Development
In April 2017, it was reported that the sixth episode of the season would be titled "The Lord of No Mercy", and was to be directed by Dearbhla Walsh and written by series creator Noah Hawley. This was Hawley's 19th writing credit, and Walsh's second directing credit.[1]
