Episode 1 of Fargo season 5 erupts into a frenzy at Scandia Middle School, a hub of activity in the heart of Minnesota, where the narrative of this season takes root, yet its scope extends beyond the city's borders. Dorothy Lyon, a stereotypical Minnesota ingénue, valiantly shields her daughter, Scotty, amidst a chaotic school board meeting that spirals out of control. Clutching a taser in her trembling hand, she frantically maneuvers through the commotion, first knocking out her math teacher, Mr. Abernathy, and then, to her horror, an unsuspecting policeman.
The realization of her actions quickly dawns on Dorothy, and she is promptly apprehended. Officer Indira Olmstead escorts her away, and Dorothy is processed with a growing sense of unease, wondering if her fingerprints will be entered into the national database, casting a mysterious shadow over her past.
Fortunately, Dorothy is soon bailed out by her husband, Wayne Lyon, the son of Lorraine Lyon, the millionaire CEO of America's largest debt collection company. Wayne promptly whisks Dorothy away to his mother's mansion, where the extended family gathers for a Christmas card photo shoot. Lorraine's husband, Wink, remains a silent presence, overshadowed by Lorraine's domineering personality. She exudes all the traits of a formidable leader: her dominance, assertiveness, and ruthless efficiency are unmistakable.
Lorraine enlists the help of family lawyer Danish Greaves to represent Dorothy, who is displeased that Wayne informed his mother about the incident. Dorothy tenderly tucks Scotty into bed, promising to make Bisquick pancakes for her the following morning. However, Wayne's tardiness and Dorothy's recent taser incident prevent Scotty from enjoying the promised treat.
That afternoon, Dorothy faces a far more dire threat at home when two masked assailants attempt to kidnap her. She valiantly fights back, managing to set one of them aflame in a fiery struggle. Despite her courage, her efforts are in vain, and she is taken away. Wayne returns home to find chaos and immediately calls the police, informing Lorraine of the situation. Officer Indira arrives to investigate and will serve as the Investigating Officer for the case.
Lorraine is indignant, resenting the prospect of paying a hefty ransom for Dorothy, a woman she neither respects nor cherishes. As the dust settles and the Lyons family braces for the fallout, the stage is set for a tense and thrilling season of Fargo that promises to unravel the secrets and consequences of Dorothy's actions.
However, Danish confidently assured her that they possessed sufficient cash reserves to navigate the unfolding situation. The true dilemma lay in deciding whether to involve the FBI or engage a private hostage negotiation team. Lorraine opted for the latter, preferring to keep the matter under wraps.
Our attention shifted momentarily to Indira. Her husband, apparently unemployed and an avid golfer, left most of their utility bills and mortgage payments overdue. Despite this, Indira steadfastly supported him, harboring the hope that his career would eventually pan out.
The two men handcuffed Dorothy, with the burn victim becoming increasingly concerned about contracting an infection, spurred on by Dorothy's words. Suddenly, a police vehicle chased them, as it turned out that the burned kidnapper had stolen the car from someone's driveway. But the other kidnapper was well-prepared, pulling out his automatic rifle as the cops halted their escape. Dorothy seized the opportunity to slip out the back and fled, sprinting towards a nearby convenience store at a gas station.
One of the officers fell victim to the kidnappers' bullets, killed instantly. However, State Trooper Witt Farr managed to evade the hail of gunfire. He too headed towards the convenience store, but not before a bullet grazed him. The cashier quickly pointed him to a first aid kit while Dorothy frantically struggled to free herself. Witt came to her aid, and Dorothy, displaying remarkable resourcefulness, cleverly set up traps at the store's entrance. She also spied a bathroom in the back with a window, her suspicions confirmed when the burned kidnapper sneaked into one of the stalls.
Dorothy slyly placed a pile of ice right outside the bathroom door, keeping a bagful at her disposal. As he emerged, Dorothy struck him, sending him tumbling over the icy surface. He hit his head on the commode, bleeding profusely. With one kidnapper neutralized, they were now faced with only one remaining threat.
The remaining kidnapper managed to enter the store unharmed, putting Witt on the defensive. But he wasn't prepared for Dorothy, who snuck up behind him and knocked him unconscious with a well-placed blow. She even held the rifle with an air of familiarity, as if handling such weapons was a common occurrence for her.
Dorothy then proceeds to assist Witt in securely bandaging his wound, ensuring it is properly tended to. As the reinforcements arrive on the scene, Dorothy discreetly exits the store, leaving Witt puzzled as the other kidnapper has also vanished.
Meanwhile, Wayne tucks Scotty into bed and takes a moment to rest in his office, only to be interrupted by voices emanating from the kitchen. It is Dorothy, appearing as though nothing out of the ordinary has transpired. She bustles around, mixing the batter for Scotty's pancakes with a nonchalant air. Despite Wayne's persistent inquiries hinting at her involvement in the kidnapping, Dorothy steadfastly denies any such occurrence, further igniting speculation about her true identity.
