The elephant in the room

I hate to be negative about a show that I love (loved?) but...

The elephant in the room: are we big die-hard Fargo fans ready to admit to the fact that Season 3 has been rather underwhelming?

I just don't seem to care as much for what happens to these characters as I did in seasons 1 and 2. Not to forget, the antagonist so far has been way less interesting than the antagonists in the first two seasons.

So, a guy with bad teeth and eating disorder who talks a lot but whose body count has been 1 so far (the lawyer thrown from the parking garage)? That's not very impressive as compared to Lorne Malvo or the Gerhardts. By this point in seasons 1 and 2 the antagonists were making all hell break lose.

Sure, I still like the season and watch it (there are nice touches like the robot animation, Peter and the Wolf), but just thinking of how I think of it, as a "good" show, is very different from what I used to think of the first two seasons, that is, "great" and "best show on television."

Let's face it, it hasn't been the same. Not even close. Good but not great.

Two big mistakes in my opinion: 1. casting a too attractive female lead (not in tune with the Fargo universe where the policewomen protagonists looked like nerds) - 2. placing the action in 2010 rather than in the more distant past (except for the 1970's flashback in the previous episode, this robs Fargo of one its hallmarks, the period characterization).

One can also say that 3. the buildup is too slow this time. Sure, maybe it will improve and the "all hell breaks lose" will still come - I'd say, will certainly come; it's in Fargo's nature. But the pace has been off. Again, in seasons 1 and 2 by this point a lot had already happened. Here we are almost at mid-season and we keep getting these endless scenes with the rich brother and his shady lawyer being uncomfortable with Varga and his minions. Yes, we get it. Move on already, gee!

I'm afraid Fargo the Series is losing its magic.