| "The Tragedy of the Commons" | |
|---|---|
| Fargo episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Noah Hawley |
| Written by | Noah Hawley |
| Featured music |
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| Cinematography by | Dana Gonzales |
| Editing by | Regis Kimble |
| Production code | XFO05001 |
| Original air date | November 21, 2023 |
| Running time | 56 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
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"The Tragedy of the Commons" is the season premiere of the fifth season of the American anthology black comedy–crime drama television series Fargo. It is the 42nd overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series creator Noah Hawley. It originally aired on FX on November 21, 2023, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "Trials and Tribulations".
The season is set in Minnesota and North Dakota in the fall of 2019, and follows Dorothy "Dot" Lyon, a seemingly typical Midwestern housewife living in Scandia, Minnesota, whose mysterious past comes back to haunt her after she lands in hot water with the authorities. One of those authorities is North Dakota Sheriff Roy Tillman, who has been searching for Dot for a long time.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.566 million household viewers and gained a 0.12 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, writing, new storylines and tension.