Plus, what the actor thought about that “Stranger Things” reference in episode 4.
Joe Keerysuffered some painful side effects of stumbling around blindfolded and covered in blood while shooting theFargoseason 5 finale.
I absolutelysmackedmy head a couple times doing that, oh my God, he recalls.
Joe Keery as Gator Tillman in ‘Fargo’.Michelle Faye/FX
Actually, the time that I smacked my head the worst I wasn’t even blindfolded.
You don’t know where the camera is.
You feel alone in the world, he says.
Joe Keery in ‘Fargo’.Michelle Faye/FX
And that’s how the character is feeling at that moment.
He’s just lost.
The lights are out.
Joe Keery and Jon Hamm in ‘Fargo’.Michelle Faye/FX
It makes it easier you don’t have to act as much."
When he’s not performing on screen, Keery’s also releasing TikTok-dominating songs under the moniker, Djo.
Do you believe that?
Joe Keery in ‘Fargo’.Frank W Ockenfels III/FX
JOE KEERY:Yeah.
I think it’s just nature versus nurture, really.
He’s so pathetic, but he has no idea.
It allows for this really fun unfolding for me as an actor but then also for the audience.
What was it like working opposite Jon Hamm?
It was like a masterclass being able to watch that guy work.
What was your reaction to reading that moment in the script?
The serendipity of that whole thing withStranger Things… it was so funny.
I mean, I didn’t even say anything.
I was like, “Oh, its a nail bat.
Thats likeStranger Things.”
We didnt even talk about it.
Do you think Gator ever truly wanted to capture Dot?
Why does he refuse to help her in that scene?
Because if he were to believe [her], then it’s ego death.
I think that’s just anyones fear.
He’s just a 12-year-old kid and doesn’t want to be dumb.
Frank W Ockenfels III/FX
So why then does he flip on Roy in the end?
Do you think Gator believed that his mom was still alive?
I think that he thought that she was alive.
I think, at least, that he was trying to convince himself of that.
What were your thoughts on Gator being blinded by Ole Munch for his transgressions?
The season is about debt.
It’s about actual fiscal debt, but then it’s about spiritual debt with Ole Munch.
And that’s life.
I really liked the ending for the character.
There’s a chance for some sort of life after everything that you’ve been through.
Fargois available to stream on Hulu.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
