1996
Desperate for money, car salesman Jerry Lundegaard hires two criminals, Carl Showalter and Gaear Grimsrud, to kidnap his wife, Jean, in order to extort a ransom from his wealthy father-in-law, Wade Gustafson. The kidnapping goes awry when Grimsrud murders a state trooper and two witnesses, prompting Brainerd Police Chief Marge Gunderson to investigate the homicides. As Marge methodically pieces together clues, Carl and Grimsrud hold Jean captive in a remote cabin, while Jerry struggles to maintain his composure and deceive his family and the police. The situation escalates when Wade, distrusting Jerry, attempts to deliver the ransom himself, resulting in a shootout where Carl kills Wade and escapes with the money. Carl returns to the cabin, where he and Grimsrud argue over the ransom money, leading Grimsrud to murder Carl and then Jean, before Marge arrives, arrests Grimsrud, and Jerry is apprehended at a motel.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Fargo follows desperate car salesman Jerry Lundegaard as he enlists two criminals to kidnap his wife in a bid for ransom money, while mild-mannered cop Marge Gunderson unravels the crime.
Open full beat sheetJerry Lundegaard is listed as Executive Sales Manager. Balding, paunchy, desperate, and financially troubled. In the parsed data, Jerry Lundegaard is connected to 23 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
23 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMarge Gunderson is listed as Brainerd Police Chief. Pregnant, observant, and methodical. In the parsed data, Marge Gunderson is connected to 15 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
15 scenes / 8 dialogue linesCarl Showalter is listed as Criminal. Short, slight, talkative, and volatile. In the parsed data, Carl Showalter is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesWade Gustafson is listed as Wealthy businessman. Jerry's father-in-law, vigorous, gray-haired. In the parsed data, Wade Gustafson is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesGaear Grimsrud is listed as Criminal. Dour, Swedish-accented, and violent. In the parsed data, Gaear Grimsrud is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 15.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJean Lundegaard is listed as Jerry's wife. Wealthy, unsuspecting victim. In the parsed data, Jean Lundegaard is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNorm Gunderson is listed as Marge's husband. Painter, quiet, and supportive. In the parsed data, Norm Gunderson is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 44.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesScotty Lundegaard is listed as Jerry's son. Twelve years old. In the parsed data, Scotty Lundegaard is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 38.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesShep Proudfoot is listed as Mechanic. Indian, parolee, associate of Grimsrud. In the parsed data, Shep Proudfoot is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 9.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesStan Grossman is listed as Business associate. Works for Wade Gustafson. In the parsed data, Stan Grossman is connected to 2 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLou is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, Lou is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 19.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJerry Lundegaard checks into a hotel under the alias Mr. Anderson.
Jerry LundegaardJerry watches the news in his hotel room.
Jerry LundegaardJerry eats dinner alone.
Jerry LundegaardJerry meets with Carl and Gaear to discuss the kidnapping plot.
Jerry Lundegaard, Carl Showalter, Gaear GrimsrudJerry returns home to his wife and father-in-law.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade Gustafson, Jean LundegaardThe family eats dinner while Jerry tries to pitch a business deal to Wade.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade Gustafson, Jean Lundegaard, Scotty LundegaardJerry deals with an irate customer over TruCoat sealant.
Jerry LundegaardJerry receives a call from Wade about the business deal.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade Gustafson, Jean Lundegaard, Scotty LundegaardJerry asks Shep for contact info for the kidnappers.
Jerry Lundegaard, Shep ProudfootJerry is pressured by a bank representative regarding loan documents.
Jerry LundegaardCarl and Gaear kidnap Jean.
Carl Showalter, Gaear Grimsrud, Jean LundegaardJerry meets with Wade and Stan, but the deal goes poorly.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade Gustafson, Stan GrossmanJerry has a breakdown while scraping his windshield.
Jerry LundegaardJerry returns home to find signs of the struggle.
Jerry LundegaardCarl and Gaear are pulled over by a state trooper.
Carl Showalter, Gaear Grimsrud, Jean LundegaardMarge is called to the scene of the crime.
Marge Gunderson, Norm GundersonMarge investigates the crime scene.
Marge GundersonMarge and Lou investigate the crime scene near the state trooper's car.
Marge Gunderson, Gaear Grimsrud, Carl ShowalterMarge and Lou discuss the investigation while driving.
Marge Gunderson, LouJerry, Wade, and Stan discuss the ransom situation.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade Gustafson, Stan GrossmanJerry talks to his son Scotty about the kidnapping.
Jerry Lundegaard, Scotty LundegaardGrimsrud and Carl arrive at the cabin with Jean.
Gaear Grimsrud, Carl Showalter, Jean LundegaardMarge eats lunch with Norm and discusses the case with Lou.
Marge Gunderson, Norm Gunderson, LouMarge interviews two hookers about the suspects.
Marge GundersonCarl and Grimsrud wait at the cabin with Jean.
Carl Showalter, Gaear Grimsrud, Jean LundegaardMarge receives a phone call from Mike Yanagita.
Marge Gunderson, Norm GundersonJerry receives a threatening call from Carl.
Jerry Lundegaard, Carl ShowalterMarge gets information about Shep Proudfoot.
Marge Gunderson, Norm GundersonMarge questions Shep Proudfoot.
Marge Gunderson, Shep ProudfootMarge questions Jerry at the dealership.
Marge Gunderson, Jerry LundegaardMarge meets Mike Yanagita.
Marge GundersonShep beats Carl.
Shep Proudfoot, Carl ShowalterWade and Carl have a shootout.
Wade Gustafson, Carl ShowalterCarl shoots Wade, retrieves the briefcase, and flees, nearly hitting Jerry.
Jerry Lundegaard, Carl Showalter, Wade GustafsonJerry narrowly avoids Carl's car.
Jerry LundegaardCarl exits the parking ramp.
Carl ShowalterJerry hides Wade's body in the trunk.
Jerry Lundegaard, Wade GustafsonJerry returns home and talks to Scotty.
Jerry Lundegaard, Scotty LundegaardOfficer Gary interviews Mr. Mohra about a suspicious man.
Marge GundersonMarge interviews Jerry, who becomes agitated.
Jerry Lundegaard, Marge GundersonCarl and Grimsrud argue over the money and the car.
Carl Showalter, Gaear Grimsrud, Jean LundegaardMarge arrives at the cabin and arrests Grimsrud.
Gaear Grimsrud, Marge GundersonPolice arrest Jerry.
Jerry LundegaardMarge and Norm discuss his stamp design.
Marge Gunderson, Norm GundersonWade, have ya had a chance to think about, uh, that deal I was talkin' about, those forty acres there on Wayzata?
What the heck, Jerry, if I wanted bank interest on seven hunnert'n fifty thousand I'd go to Midwest Federal.
I'm not sure I agree with you a hunnert percent on your policework, there, Lou.
Shut the fuck up or I'll throw you back in the trunk, you know.
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