At the end of the Coen Brothers' film Fargo, Jerry Lundegaard was arrested. His desperate and ill-conceived plan to stage his wife's kidnapping for ransom money unraveled, leading to a series of escalating violent crimes and ultimately his capture.
Jerry's Downfall
Jerry's journey throughout Fargo is one of a desperate man making increasingly poor decisions. As a struggling car salesman facing financial woes, he orchestrates a plot to have two criminals kidnap his wife, Jean, so he can collect the ransom from his wealthy father-in-law, Wade. However, the scheme quickly spirals out of control:
- The kidnapping goes awry, leading to the murder of a state trooper and two innocent bystanders.
- The original kidnappers, Carl Showalter and Gaear Grimsrud, prove to be far more ruthless and unpredictable than Jerry anticipated.
- Sheriff Marge Gunderson of Brainerd, Minnesota, begins her meticulous investigation, slowly piecing together the bizarre events.
Jerry's attempts to evade responsibility and maintain the facade of innocence fail as Marge's investigation closes in. His lies and schemes eventually catch up to him, leading to his arrest in a motel room, where he is apprehended by law enforcement.
Key Character Fates in Fargo
The violent and tragic events instigated by Jerry's plan lead to dire consequences for many involved. Here's a summary of the fates of the main characters connected to the criminal plot:
| Character | Fate at End of Film |
|---|---|
| Jerry Lundegaard | Arrested for his involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murders. |
| Gaear Grimsrud | Arrested by Marge Gunderson after killing Carl Showalter. |
| Carl Showalter | Killed by his partner, Gaear Grimsrud, with an axe. |
| Jean Lundegaard | Kidnapped and later brutally murdered by Carl Showalter. |
| Marge Gunderson | Successfully solves the case and apprehends Gaear Grimsrud, restoring a sense of order. |
Jerry's arrest marks the conclusion of his involvement in the disastrous chain of events, bringing a bleak but definitive end to his character's arc in the film.
