Who Rules the Land of Denial?
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| "Who Rules the Land of Denial?" | |
|---|---|
| Fargo episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Mike Barker |
| Written by | |
| Featured music | Jeff Russo |
| Cinematography by | Craig Wrobleski |
| Editing by | Andrew Seklir |
| Production code | XFO03008 |
| Original air date | June 7, 2017 |
| Running time | 52 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Who Rules the Land of Denial?" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American anthology black comedy–crime drama television series Fargo. It is the 28th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Noah Hawley and supervising producer Monica Beletsky and directed by Mike Barker. It originally aired on FX on June 7, 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 Mr. Wrench escape from the prison bus and flee into the woods to avoid Varga's henchmen from killing them. Meanwhile, Emmit's life continues spiraling while he feels strange events at his life.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.14 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the tension, writing, character development and messages.
Yuri (Goran Bogdan), Meemo (Andy Yu) and Golem (DJ Qualls) intercept the prison bus by placing a ramp in the road, causing it to crash. As they make their way through the prison bus, Nikki (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Mr. Wrench (Russell Harvard) break free from their seats, although they remain shackled to each other. Mr. Wrench holds off Golem from attacking them, allowing them to escape through the exit door and fleeing into the woods. As Yuri, Meemo and Golem leave the bus, a car passes by and sees their faces, forcing Meemo to drive after and kill the witnesses.
As they make their way through the woods, they are being followed by Yuri and Golem, with Yuri acquiring a crossbow after killing a father and son. By the next day, Nikki and Mr. Wrench find an ax and try to break their chain, until they are discovered by them, with both being hit by arrows. Sensing Yuri in the woods, Mr. Wrench throws his ax at him, cutting off his ear, and they use their chain to behead Golem. After breaking their chain, Nikki and Mr. Wrench manage to leave the woods and enter a bowling alley. While ordering at a counter, she meets Paul Marrane (Ray Wise). Marrane shows her a kitten, which he named Ray, also using the concept of gilgul to signify a kind of reincarnation. He tells her that she should use all her power to fight the evil in the world and grants her a car. Nikki and Mr. Wrench use the car to flee. After they leave, a wounded Yuri enters the bowling alley, where Marrane tells him he has a message for him from Helga Albrecht, revealing that this Yuri is the same as the one referenced in the first episode.
On Christmas Day, Gloria (Carrie Coon) is called to the witnesses' deaths and the prison bus incident, noting that Nikki wasn't seen in the scene. Meanwhile, Sy (Michael Stuhlbarg) visits Emmit (Ewan McGregor), only to find Varga (David Thewlis) and Meemo at his house. While talking with Varga, Sy is served a tea, while Emmit does not even acknowledge him. Back at Stussy Lots, Sy vomits, revealing that he was poisoned and is taken to the hospital, where he falls into a coma.
In March 2011, Sy is still in a coma. Emmit constantly visits him, while Gloria (now demoted to Deputy) and Winnie (Olivia Sandoval) try to question him as his business suddenly expanded. Emmit starts seeing weird events in his life: His car is stolen and replaced with his brother's Corvette, his office is now filled with portraits of the stamp, and waking up with a fake mustache while sleeping. He calls Varga for help, but he rebuffs his claim that an alive Ray and Nikki are involved. Feeling that Emmit's paranoia won't allow them to keep their partnership in place, Varga gives him a tranquilizer to calm him. However, Emmit is revealed to have faked taking it. He arrives at the police station, explaining that he is confessing.
Production
Development
In May 2017, it was reported that the eighth episode of the season would be titled "Who Rules the Land of Denial?", and was to be directed by Mike Barker and written by series creator Noah Hawley and supervising producer Monica Beletsky. This was Hawley's 21st writing credit, Beletsky's second writing credit, and Barker's second directing credit.[1]
