Season 2 of Fargo proved to be another winner. I thought there was a major misstep in the penultimate episode, but looking back at the previous episodes, the event fits. I first thought it came out of nowhere and was used as a deus ex machina device which was especially shocking and jarring on such a well-written show. It was used at the start of the season and I had forgotten about it, so now I’m more accepting of it (I do think they could have left it out). Aside from that, a fantastic of mob story that was much different than last year. Phenomenal characters on both sides of the law and in between. Impeccable casting with a hell of a job turned in by Kristen Dunst.  I thought this season was going to be completely self-contained but there are character tie-ins to the first. Nice touch for the fans and it doesn’t take anything away from someone who only watched this season. A big break until season 3, but I’ll be there for sure. I expect this to go up for some awards.

Homeland has lost a lot of its original luster but I liked this season more than Season 4. Never the most realistic show, the plot with the Russians and jihadis was very grounded and well done. This season had it all. Information theft, a ton of spying, a nasty terrorist plot and our favorite characters put to the cast again. I especially liked the end, probably the most satisfying of the series as it had equal parts hope, pain, redemption, resignation and revenge. I expect next season to be another refreshing one as the slate has been wiped clean again.

Netflix’s black sheep original show, Hemlock Grove, never got much praise. It was, at least, interesting and had its moments (as vampires and werewolves can be) but I watched the final season more out of morbid curiosity than anything. Really sporadic season that felt stretched to hit 10 episodes. Major plot lines would fall to the wayside for long periods of time diluting any kind of momentum and threat it was supposed to carry (the entire Dr. Spivak plot). For some reason Pryce’s background was given a lot of time to flesh out and Olvia’s story, as good as a character as she was, goes on forever and really doesn’t end the way it was fortold (just a bite? That’s a cop out). Things do get resolved in the end at least which I always like to see. Not a whole lot of good happens in the town of Hemlock Grove I’m afraid. A stinger at the end teases a possible future, but that ain’t going to happen.