All posts tagged: Fargo

Sam Spruell on Maeka and Egg

Sam Spruell on Maeka and Egg

Published by Daniella Wilson

[This story contains major spoilers from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season one finale, “The Morrow.”] After Sam Spruell’s indelible turn on Fargo season five, it was only a matter of time before another high-profile television universe scooped him up. The British actor now finds himself as a prickly Targaryen prince on Ira Parker and George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. (Spruell also appeared on a couple episodes of Dune: Prophecy, which he shot before the world saw his portrayal of a “500-year-old sin-eater” on Fargo.) Spruell’s Prince Maekar Targaryen serves his royal dynasty roughly 90 years before the mothership series and nearly 80 years after House of the Dragon. He’s a widowed single father who’s badly missed the mark in raising his three sons, Daeron, Aerion and Aegon (“Egg”). He’s also long lived in the shadow of his more popular older brother, Prince Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel), the heir to the Iron Throne. Maekar’s personal shortcomings reach their peak in and around season one’s central …

‘Tales of Wells Fargo’ Actor, Dean Jones Wife Was 92

‘Tales of Wells Fargo’ Actor, Dean Jones Wife Was 92

Published by Daniella Wilson

Lory Patrick, who portrayed a neighbor of Dale Robertson’s character on NBC’s Tales of Wells Fargo and appeared on such other shows as Wagon Train, Dr. Kildare and Bonanza, has died. She was 92. Patrick died Jan. 26 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a publicist announced. Patrick was married to Dean Jones, the star of such classic Disney family films as That Darn Cat!, The Love Bug and The Shaggy D.A., for 42 years until his September 2015 death from Parkinson’s disease at age 84. Her first husband was late science-fiction writer Harlan Ellison; they were married and divorced in 1966, and she was the second of his five wives. Soon after signing a contract with Universal in 1961, Patrick appeared on an episode of The Loretta Young Show, then was hired to play schoolteacher Tina Swenson on Tales of Wells Fargo. Her character lives with her sister (Mary Jane Saunders) and their widowed mother, Ovie (Virginia Christine), on a San Francisco ranch next to one owned by Robertson’s Jim Hardie. Patrick appeared on 15 episodes during …

“Fargo” at 30: How “Minnesota nice” endures amid violence and unrest

“Fargo” at 30: How “Minnesota nice” endures amid violence and unrest

Published by Sam Flores

In the 30 years since its initial theatrical release, Joel and Ethan Coen’s comedic thriller, “Fargo,” has become so synonymous with Frances McDormand’s Oscar-winning lead performance that it’s startling to remember McDormand doesn’t appear until about halfway through the film. As the blunt but sweet small-town police chief, Marge Gunderson, McDormand shows up only when the audience is up to their eyeballs in snowy subterfuge. First, the Coens submerge us headfirst into the cold netherworld of a Minnesota winter, where criminals hope that a dusting of fresh, frosty powder will cover their tracks. Despite her occupation, Marge embodies the spirit of “Minnesota nice” — the phrase used to describe the overly polite, friendly and even-tempered manner of Minnesota residents. Car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is up to his eyeballs in bad loans. When he’s not strong-arming unsuspecting customers into hidden upcharges for their cars, he’s trying to gain some control in his meager, unsatisfied life. Jerry uses his “you-betcha” Midwestern accent to disguise his discontent, but beneath his charlatan smile lurks a rotten, …