RS
Ray Stussy
A financially struggling parole officer who believes Emmit cheated him out of the valuable part of their father’s inheritance.
ClearStory COMPLETE SEASON GUIDE · EPISODE 1
FARGO
SEASON 3
Episode 1 · The Law of Vacant Places
The setup
Minnesota, December 2010. This is a new case. Successful businessman Emmit Stussy and his struggling younger brother Ray have argued for years over their father’s inheritance. Ray and his girlfriend Nikki Swango want money for a competitive bridge tournament, while police chief Gloria Burgle is dealing with changes at work and home.
OPTIONAL REFERENCECharacters, places and useful termsContains story details. Open after watching.
QUICK REMINDER
8 peopleThe only names you need
NS
Nikki Swango
Ray’s clever fiancée and one of his parolees. She is a highly skilled competitive bridge player.
ES
Emmit Stussy
Ray’s wealthier older brother, known as the Parking Lot King of Minnesota.
SF
Sy Feltz
Emmit’s loyal business partner and adviser at Stussy Lots.
ML
Maurice LeFay
One of Ray’s parolees, a drug user Ray pressures into stealing from Emmit.
GB
Gloria Burgle
The practical Eden Valley police chief and Ennis Stussy’s former stepdaughter.
EV
Ennis Stussy
Gloria’s elderly former stepfather. He is unrelated to Ray and Emmit despite sharing their surname.
VV
V. M. Varga
A mysterious British businessman who arrives to discuss an old loan made to Emmit’s company.
WHILE WATCHING
Recap as you go
Open a recap only after the whole named scene has finished. If unsure, wait until the episode ends.
AFTER WATCHING
Key story points
Hidden because this section reveals what happens in Episode 1.
Content note: Episode 1 contains murder, suffocation, a fatal crushing injury, drug use, blackmail and strong language.
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