S01.E09: A Fox, a Rabbit, and a Cabbage

[cali1981]

Unbelievable episode.  The speed with which Malvo dispatched Stephen Root and company in the elevator was Johnny Ringo like.  Three down and out in how many seconds? If BBT and Martin Freeman don't get Emmy nominations for this show there ought to be an investigstion.  Freeman's transformation of Lester from doormat to killer, coniver and accesory to murder has been outstanding and BBT could convince you that Malvo really is the devil incarnate.  Hopefully both will get their just due next week but even if they do, I suspect that the collateral damage body count is going to be fierce.

Edited June 12, 2014 by cali1981

[Etta Place]

I too thought that Linda might wise up and realize Lester was setting her up, especially since she showed a hint of intelligence when she picked up on having to cover for Lester during Molly's interview. But nope, I think she was just very much in love with Lester and had the blinders on. Her story about her difficult upbringing kind of confirmed that she views Lester as her literal white knight. BTW, the story of the customer shitting in the box spring had me LOLing.

The thing I had to keep reminding myself of regarding Linda: she said she had a crush on Lester from when she first met him, but we really saw her attraction to him when he was stapling the faces of the Idiot Brothers. So that says something about her and her perceptions about Lester, I think.

[JudyObscure]

The speed with which Malvo dispatched Stephen Root and company in the elevator was Johnny Ringo like. Three down and out in how many seconds?

And all three were head shots where no one had the instinct to duck. That kind of thing and the hints that Malvo is supernatural are minuses for me. I just like a little more realism.

What I do like is Molly. Everything about her rings true for a nice, intelligent person. Her straight forward romance with Gus, her relationship with her father and step-daughter, her dumb boss who doesn't respect her -- that's someone I can really root for.

I also think Molly is very pretty and would be even more so in color. I'm really tired of the washed out film that all the self-important directors are using now.

[leighdear]

This all did take place in 2007.  They may not have had cameras IN the elevators back then.  I've read articles about how notoriously BAD casinos are about security cameras above the casino floor and in the hotel spaces.  Most even now have no cameras in the hallways.

 

I was thinking that Malvo actually was a dentist in his former life.  He's old enough to have graduated from dental school, maybe practiced a few years then swerved and embarked on his current career of murder & mayhem.  Dentistry is a tough business to fake your way through.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

Have y'all noticed in several media stories that we see a pic provided by the producers of Malvo and Lou sitting at a table in Lou's diner?  

 

Where did Malvo sit in that awesome scene in this ep?   I've not seen any promo shots of him at the counter.

 

I sure hope it's a giveaway that we will have another Lou/Malvo encounter!

[pagooey]

I swear the way Allison Tolman and Keith Carradine look at each other makes me long for my father.

bosawks, just your saying that made me choke up. <shakes fist weakly, then dishes up waffles>

 

And dear god, the tension between Lou and Malvo in their scene, all the while intercut with Molly's long, long, endlessly long slow drive to the diner. I was 98% sure Molly wouldn't meet her demise this way in the penultimate episode (I have seen TV before!)...but I was terrified that she'd walk in on a throwdown between her father and the sheer evil that is Malvo. Maybe, that Malvo would kill Lou right in front of her, beyond devastating.  I was actually yelping at the television: "Molly! Have a flat! Or a contraction for Chrissake!"

 

Crooks have a sixth sense about the police - don't know how but they do.

 

And vice versa, I'd think. It really did make me wonder how much Lou was "recognizing," in their conversation. Just a weird one? An especially sinister weird one? The primary weird one, from Molly's Collage of Evil? I want to believe Lou had his reasons for saying little and politely seeing Malvo outta there; will he twig to recognizing the man, like Gus? 

 

And Lester. Oh, Lester, you conniving, vicious little fucker! The difference between Lester and Malvo is that Lester just dabbles in being a badass; because he's gotten away with it thus far, he thinks the universe owes him one. Whereas Malvo knows: all is chaos and chance, and the man who doesn't actually care any more can be the baddest of them all, roll the dice, and fuck shit up just for kicks.

 

And then, in the midst of my terror of Malvo, BBT made me laugh my ass off with the hackneyed old Novocain story. The whole cast is outstanding, the show thrilling, straight up. Just wow.

[halgia]

Isn't practicing dentistry pure evil?

 

I kid, I kid..........

 

From Little Shop of Horrors, "Dentist!":

When I was young and just a bad little kid

My momma noticed funny things I did

Like shootin' puppies with a B B gun

 

I'd poison guppies, and when I was done

I'd find a pussy cat and bash its head

That's when my momma said

 

What did she say?

She said "My boy, I think someday

You'll find a way to make your natural tendencies pay"

 

You'll be a dentist

(Be a dentist)

You have a talent for causing things pain

(Pain)

Son, be a dentist

(Son, be a dentist)

People will pay you to be inhumane

(Inhumane)

 

Your temperament's wrong for the priesthood

And teaching would suit you still less

Son, be a dentist you'll be a success

 

Lorne can pose as a priest (ok, minister) for an afternoon, but for a long-term alter ego, gotta go dentist.

[millahnna]

Ministers are way scarier to me than dentists.

[Ujio]

What an intense episode!  And what insightful posts by all y'all!  I agree with most of the sentiments expressed here.

 

To me, Allison Tolman is the biggest (and sweetest) surprise of the show.  I knew BBT, Freeman, Hanks, and Carradine could act before.  But I'd never even heard Tolman's name, let alone see her act.  I love how Molly's character is written and acted.  Sooooo authentic!  Just like it was mentioned upthread, there's not a single false note about her.  Reading Tolman's Tweets after a troll fat-shamed her has made me like her even more.  Bob Odenkirk's bemused look after the FBI agents complimented Molly's work was also priceless... 

 

I just hope this doesn't mean the show is setting her up to meet her violent end...

 

You know a show is unpredictable when you get a great character actor like Stephen Root and kill him off, like, 10 minutes later!  Seriously, nothing about this show is ordinary. 

[LittleIggy]

Here is a gif of that scene. He clicks the button to complete the purchase and the itinerary instantaneously appears and it says clearly:  One way, 1 passenger.

 

More than one page may have been printed, but Lester didn't even buy a ticket for her. I believe that even if Malvo hadn't been at the office, Lester was going to kill her anyway.

To quote Gordon Ramsey,"Fuck me!" Color me a freak, but I was Team Walter White to the bitter end. My Team Lester ended when he sent his lamb to the slaughter.

BTW, Keith Carradine and the Dude Jeff Bridges are two men who have aged beautifully.

[henripootel]

And vice versa, I'd think. It really did make me wonder how much Lou was "recognizing," in their conversation. Just a weird one? An especially sinister weird one?

There's a great line from Insomnia where veteran detective Al Pacino confesses to a stranger about planting evidence on child killer he knew was guilty the moment he met him.  But there wasn't enough evidence and he feared the jury would let him go, "Because they've never looked into the eyes of child murderer, and I have."  Experience shapes people.  I think Lou's radar was pinging hard, so he took steps to mollify Malvo, which he did.

 

More than one page may have been printed, but Lester didn't even buy a ticket for her. I believe that even if Malvo hadn't been at the office, Lester was going to kill her anyway.

Nice catch.  Would also explain why he was acting so squirrelly while printing it out, not wanting his wife to see. Lester, I officially don't care who gets to you first, so long as you end up mewing like a cur the way Jerry Lundegaard did when they caught up with him.

Edited June 13, 2014 by henripootel

[annzeepark914]

Lester, I officially don't care who gets to you first, so long as you end up mewing like a cur the way Jerry Lundegaard did when they caught up with him.

 

Amen!

[ghoulight]

I was discussing with my sister how Molly *just* missed Lorne at her Dad's place. And we realized that, while Molly knows plenty about Malvo, he doesn't know HER at all! Even when looking at the wedding pic, he recognized Gus but not Molly (other than "Diner owner's daughter.) He doesn't know about her murder board; he doesn't know that she's been on his & Lester's ass for the past year. I don't think Molly has crossed his radar at all.

Not being on Malvo's radar is going to be to her distinct advantage, I think.

Actually, if we looked back at the snowstorm shooting scene from Molly's POV (as shown at the start of the 7th episode), we could see that she and Malvo did stare into each other's eyes for a good few seconds. I was thinking Malvo, being Malvo, was deliberately avoiding coming right out and asking Lou who the woman was, instead attempted to (and did) get the info by casually dropping a question about the man in the photo.

(But then yes you have a point in that he wouldn't know just how much she has on him.)

I am so ready for the finale showdown. Bring it.

Edited June 13, 2014 by ghoulight

[Applegirl]

 

And all three were head shots where no one had the instinct to duck. That kind of thing and the hints that Malvo is supernatural are minuses for me. I just like a little more realism.

 

I didn't think this was unrealistic - Malvo was in a situation where he knew who he was and he knew exactly what he was going to do. The victims had no idea who he was although of course they were unsettled by the transformation in front of them. They thought they knew who he was and I'm sure the whole situation was surreal. You can't react the way you would if you knew you were in an elevator with a contract killer - your brain can't process what your eyes are seeing.

[Dagny]

Ministers are way scarier to me than dentists

 

Dentists dressed up as clowns.

[Catherinewriter]

Henripootel, yes, Lou took steps to mollify Lorne, sensing that the guy was off, but he couldn't have known who Malvo really was or he'd have moved heaven and earth to keep Molly away from him. Warned her, tied her up and kept her safe until the police (oh, Odenkirk, well, some other police) could get there. That scene continues to trouble me, unless Molly is keeping the investigation close to her vest out of principles of confidence, or maybe even protecting her father. Don't know, just don't like it. And am terrified for next week's final.  

[Ohwell]

Have y'all noticed in several media stories that we see a pic provided by the producers of Malvo and Lou sitting at a table in Lou's diner? 

 

Where did Malvo sit in that awesome scene in this ep?   I've not seen any promo shots of him at the counter.

 

I sure hope it's a giveaway that we will have another Lou/Malvo encounter!

I noticed that, too, and I thought I missed something in the episode.  It doesn't look good for Lou.

[Spartan Girl]

My two cents on Linda: she didn't think Lester had anything to do with the murders, but only covered for him with Molly because she thought it would look bad if he admitted that it was his idea to leave in the middle of the night.  She probably thought it was a harmless white lie.

[JudyObscure]

You can't react the way you would if you knew you were in an elevator with a contract killer - your brain can't process what your eyes are seeing.

Malvo's fiancée saw him turn the gun toward the man and shoot him in the head, then turn the gun toward the other woman and shoot her in the head, then turn the gun toward her. I think she would have ducked from that gun instinctively, the way we would jump out of the way of a truck, no need to think about the motivations of the person behind the gun or driving the truck. Edited June 13, 2014 by JudyObscure

[Ottis]

I was thinking that Malvo actually was a dentist in his former life.  He's old enough to have graduated from dental school, maybe practiced a few years then swerved and embarked on his current career of murder & mayhem.  Dentistry is a tough business to fake your way through.

 

 

I think this, and the minister web shot from a ways back, show us just how far Malvo is willing to go to set up a cover to get his target. Lots of people in that church still think he is a minister, if any remain alive.

 

My only disappointment was that the show had Lester stand up to Malvo in the bar and elevator. As I posted in the prior ep's thread, I hoped they didn't go that way because it was too predictable. I would have prefered Malvo sidling up to Lester at the bar to explain how much better Lester's life has become since he was a "bad boy" and had the show go in more of a philosophical direction.

[millahnna]

Dentists dressed up as clowns.

You shut your filthy mouth.

[ChipBach]

And vice versa, I'd think. It really did make me wonder how much Lou was "recognizing," in their conversation. Just a weird one? An especially sinister weird one? The primary weird one, from Molly's Collage of Evil? I want to believe Lou had his reasons for saying little and politely seeing Malvo outta there; will he twig to recognizing the man, like Gus? 

 

My impression was just that...  Lou has been worried about Molly ever since episode one (I think they call it a Hostess).  I don't think Lou wants Molly anywhere near Malvo.  I think Lou might have thought Malvo was the killer in Sioux City and basically let him know it, also making it clear that he wasn't concerned with sharing that with anyone except Malvo.  When Malvo made the "garden of eden" remark, he was basically telling Lou, that Lou "got it"...

 

I watched this with my teenage son.  He yelled "What a dick!" when Lester sent his wife in to the store as trial balloon.  (He caught himself, never said anything like that in front of me before, he was so emotionally charged from the scene, it was a pure reaction utterance.  I gave him the hairy eye ball, then laughed my ass off)

 

It occurred to me that Lester made a point to print out the tickets, in front of the window, with his orange coat on.  Not only was he buying a single ticket, he was working to place himself in view wearing the coat while keeping an eye out that no one was close enough to shoot him...   Man...  What a dick....

[Milburn Stone]

It occurred to me that Lester made a point to print out the tickets, in front of the window, with his orange coat on.  Not only was he buying a single ticket, he was working to place himself in view wearing the coat while keeping an eye out that no one was close enough to shoot him...   Man...  What a dick....

 

Makes me wonder…Won't it be incriminating when it's learned that Lester printed out a single ticket before he had any idea his wife would be killed?

 

Edited to add: Oh, but I guess he figures that if he can get to Acapulco he'll be well outside the reach of the law?

Edited June 13, 2014 by Milburn Stone

[Rhetorica]

I hate clowns! Three words: John Wayne Gacy. Worse than Malvo.

[Catherinewriter]

The exchange between Lou and Malvo will continue to trouble us, I think. If I weren't so worried about Lou, I'd love to see another go round with the two of them.

 

Lester is a dick. Lester needs to die. 

[JudyObscure]

I hope they don't kill Lester. I'd much rather see him go whimpering off to prison where they know how to deal with guys who frame their brothers and use their wives as decoys.

[Veruca Assault]

Dentists dressed up as clowns.

That's a bannable offense there.

[LittleIggy]

 

I watched this with my teenage son.  He yelled "What a dick!" when Lester sent his wife in to the store as trial balloon.  (He caught himself, never said anything like that in front of me before, he was so emotionally charged from the scene, it was a pure reaction utterance.  I gave him the hairy eye ball, then laughed my ass off)

Your son is okay in my books! :-)

[shapeshifter]

When Lorne said no good can ever come from cherry pie, I figured it was a breaking of the fourth wall to say to the audience: This show is not your mother's Twin Peaks.

Molly's dad, Keith Carradine, is the only one to really be able to stand up to Lorne Malvo. If he dies, I predict it will count for something rather than just being collateral damage.

He might not only have seen Molly's murder board and have recognized Malvo, but he might have had his own murder board in 1974 with a younger Malvo on it, and, like Gus, have chosen to keep his daughter safe rather than pursue and capture him.

I see Malvo as a personification of the Devil and Lester as an example of how any of us has the potential for evil. Back in the hospital waiting room, Malvo tricked Lester into selling his soul to the devil.

I don't see Lester's transformation as realistic, because I don't see people really changing. Although I've never met any quite as evil as Malvo, he actually seems more plausible as a character.

In my job, the observations of myself and others who are low on the totem pole are often disregarded like Molly's. I see this as a world wide problem since the beginning of time. It will be nice to see the vindication of the wisdom of those without power.

The irony is that Malvo has consistently murdered/punished those who wield their power over others.

Back in the Pilot, Vern told Molly she would be the new Chief, not Bill, because, IIRC, Bill "cleans his gun with baby shampoo" or maybe it was "bubble bath." I'm guessing the "lost boy" he found was really something like a kidnapper of lost boys who took the identity of the one they were planning to adopt, and that he might kill Bill in his sleep or something.* If so, I'm not sure why the writers would use this vehicle to "punish" Bill for his hubris rather than having him become another victim of Malvo.

*On second thought, it seems more likely that Malvo, who has always acted as if it is only right to murder those who have power over others and use that power to make others suffer, will be murdered by the "Lost Boy" former child soldier, perhaps to defend/protect Bill from Malvo.

Edited June 14, 2014 by shapeshifter

[A Boston Gal]

In an ideal world, wouldn't Lester want both he and his wife to get away? Why not plan for that by getting two tickets (which I'm not 100% sure he didn't do) just in case Malvo doesn't catch up to them?

Edited June 14, 2014 by A Boston Gal

[shapeshifter]

In an ideal world, wouldn't Lester want both he and his wife to get away? Why not plan for that, just in case Malvo doesn't catch up to them?

Are you questioning why he wouldn't have bought her a ticket too? I'm not sure he didn't, but if he didn't, we saw in the hotel in Vegas that he intended to cheat on her with one of the women in the lobby (before he saw Malvo).

[JudyObscure]

When Lorne said no good can ever come from cherry pie, I figured it was a breaking of the fourth wall to say to the audience: This show is not your mother's Twin Peaks.

 

Shapeshifter, I took this to be one of the Malvo is the Devil hints. I really don't want the show to go that way but, more and more, that seems to be the way things are leaning. So, to me, Malvo was using  "Cherry pie," in its slang definition of  sex with a virgin.  Jesus was born of a virgin, etc.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Isn't practicing dentistry pure evil?

 

I kid, I kid..........

 

Even if he did not recognize Malvo he should've been suspicious of someone asking around for Lester.

I am surprised he did not tell Molly immediately about some weird guy asking around for Lester.

It wouldn't have been suspicious if Malvo had just asked about Lester, but he was so persistent about trying to get Molly's dad to disclose his location that it would have been really suspicious to even a non-law enforcement person.

 

Lester is an evil piece of shit. He sent his wife to die. My nitpicky question is this: were the passports really in the safe at work? If they are, Lester can't leave for Acapulco unless he's willing to enter a crime scene to retrieve his and risk getting caught by the police. I think even he knows it will look really suspicious that both of his wives were murdered.

[Catherinewriter]

"I don't see Lester's transformation as realistic, because I don't see people really changing. Although I've never met any quite as evil as Malvo, he actually seems more plausible as a character."

 

Shapeshifter, I'm not sure we're seeing a transformation so much as a realization. Lester's evil has always been there, he's just needed a spark to light it up. My opinion, obviously.

[Mindymoo]

Catherinewriter, though I hate to compare shows in this way, he is almost like Walter White. Walter White always had Heisenberg in him, he just needed a certain situation to bring it out. It's the same thing with Lester. That darkness in Lester has been brewing since day one, Malvo just helped him let it out.

[couldntresistagain]

'Lester is a dick. Lester needs to die'

 

No matter how evil other characters Lester is just as evil for his deceitfulness. Malvo is sly but more upfront-you can eventually sense what's coming from him. But not Lester.

 

Can't agree more. Even if his wife was a Malvo plant for the long con. Since Malvo has shown the patience to go under cover for months at a time I was kind of hoping Lester's new wife was a plant.

[shapeshifter]

though I hate to compare shows in this way, he is almost like Walter White. Walter White always had Heisenberg in him, he just needed a certain situation to bring it out. It's the same thing with Lester. That darkness in Lester has been brewing since day one, Malvo just helped him let it out.

I've compared and contrasted Lester Nygaard and Walter White in my mind and thought about them separately, and I just don't see in pre-Malvo Lester the germ of arrogance and need for power that we saw in Walter White, the high school teacher. If they decide to let Lester and the story live for another season, I would want to start a Lester Nygaard In Comparison to Walter White thread. But since there's just one episode left...

[Curious5]

Lester sells life insurance - yes?!  I'm sure he got the insurance from the first wife and probably  had a huge insurance policy on this one also.  Remember - saleman of the year award/

[annzeepark914]

Remember - salesman of the year award.

Oh sure, you betcha! I remember being astounded that of all the insurance salesmen at that convention, good ol' loserman himself, Lester, was the recipient of this award. So what in the world happened during the past year that enabled this dork to receive the Salesman of the Year Award?

 

[Catherinewriter]

Couldn't resist, it never even occurred to me that Linda was a plant. Yet, there are so many current shows that are full of moles. The thing is, I don't see Malvo as needing moles, he's skillful enough to carry off whatever occupation he's mimicking, etc.

 

And speaking of the Salesman of the Year Award, that timeline is unsettling to me. In just a year from the shootout and his brother being imprisoned for his crime, he's sold enough insurance to open his own office, remarry, sell his house and buy another, and win the SofY award? Seems a bit warp speed, no?

 

I'm trying to figure out why I'm more terrified of Malvo, but loathe Lester more. Wonder why. 

Edited June 15, 2014 by Catherinewriter

[bobright99]

I missed something when Lester and Linda drove by the office to pickup the passports and leave town.

I realize Lester did not want to stop in front because he suspected Malvo's presence in the office but what did Lester say to Linda as they drove by to explain his decision to park across the street. 

[Babalu]

I think he said the street was too icy to stop there.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Babalu

[Benito G]

Malvo is the fox. Lesters's wife is the rabbit. The "Murder" is the cabbage. Lester is the man in the boat. And well his boat is sinking. As the fox is now after the man, the cabbage is left wide open.

Yeah, Lester's gonna die (or at least in Coen fashion, he should. He's an asshole who started everything in motion and had every opportunity to end it, at the very least not start it up again!) Whether Malvo makes it out is another question. Which I'd rather just watch than speculate.

We haven't seen a wood chipper yet!!!

[shapeshifter]

Alternatively:

Lester = Fox

Linda = Rabbit

Passports = Cabbage

And isn't cabbage--like lettuce--a metaphor for money?

[Etta Place]

I think Malvo's the fox, Lester's the rabbit, and Linda was the cabbage. The fox and the rabbit were on opposite sides of the river, but then the cabbage was sent across dressed as the rabbit and the fox killed it just like it would have the rabbit. The problem is if the rabbit still needs to get across the river or not.

[Curious5]

Lester turned evil?  Nah!  He was always that way but such a little wimp he didn't find the "strength" to fulfill his evil thoughts.  As far as this character's drawn, Lester was the kid who got picked on as a kid  'cause he did stupid things and tried to be one of the tough guys.    Hess and others probably was on his case for years.  Now he has been able to kill his wife and frame his brother.  He now has the power - in his mind - and gains a false sense of power. 

 

He can confront Malvo now because he has his false sense of machismo.  Once he witnesses Malvo in action again, he once again is on the run.  Just a little man who thinks only about himself.  People can overcome evil but others embrace it.  The only "conscience" Lester has is the fear of being caught.

 

I can hear Lester now explaining it to the police.  "Just wanted to avoid questions about the shooting in Vegas after what I went through when my dear wife had been murdered.  Linda (name of second wife?)  was just taking me to the airport - even had soup on the stove at home - and she was going to come later that's why she didn't have a coat with her."

[shapeshifter]

I can hear Lester now explaining it to the police. "Just wanted to avoid questions about the shooting in Vegas after what I went through when my dear wife had been murdered. Linda (name of second wife?) was just taking me to the airport - even had soup on the stove at home - and she was going to come later that's why she didn't have a coat with her."

I would love to hear Vincent D'Onofrio as L&O CM's Bobby Goren tear apart that alibi.

About the episode title's referenced fable, the AV Club review (avclub.com/tvclub/fargo-fox-rabbit-and-cabbage-205634) seems to suggest that there are several scenes in which writer Hawley must carefully plan the entrances and exits of the characters who would consume each other, especially the scene in the diner when Malvo exits just as Molly and the fibbies arrive. While the review doesn't state it, I like the idea of, in that scene, Lou being the fox.

Edited June 15, 2014 by shapeshifter

[henripootel]

I'm trying to figure out why I'm more terrified of Malvo, but loathe Lester more. Wonder why.

Malvo's a heartless killer who shot his fiancé without a glance back (literally) but Lester printed out a one-way ticket to Acapulco, put it in his jacket pocket, and sent his wife to her death wearing it.  Likely Lester's story will be that she was leaving him, and to make him even more of a shitbag, I'll bet there's a substantial insurance policy on her.  Little to choose from here but if I had one bullet, I'd shoot Lester first.  

[John Potts]

I don't think Lester is "Evil" so much as a weak man who leverages what little power he has gathered to bully others (well, you could say that is evil, but whatever). But the most vile I've seen him be was sending in his wife as a minesweeper - bad enough sending her in but to dress her in his coat and pull the hood up to conceal her identity... that's dark. I don't think he was deliberately trying to get her killed there, but it was certainly a case of "Better her than me!"

 

Though it was certainly a case of "Idiot Lester" re-emerging when he went up to Malvo. I was almost screaming (internally, anyway) "Why are you poking the bear!?" And he got those other people killed too, just for the sake of his macho pride. Sure, maybe he thought Malvo was there targeting him, but Malvo did offer to "take it elsewhere" rather than bring things to a head in the elevator.

 

Mama no life I assumed they had footage of Lester getting on the elevator, along with Lorne. But when they pulled up Lorne's registry, it was a false name.

 

That’s what I figured. They may track down Malvo eventually, but it's a lot more legwork to track down somebody who is presumably registered under a false name/identity than somebody who had no reason to conceal who he was.

 

Dagny It was like seeing two gunfighters meeting up in a bar. Without any introductions, they know who is in front of them and keeps the eyes open as they circle around each other.

 

I loved that scene! (Though the suggestions that Malvo is the devil are a little overdone).

[Catherinewriter]

Please don't kill Lou. Have had to suffer through one Keith Carradine murder this spring.