The Law of Vacant Places

"The Law of Vacant Places" is the third season premiere episode of the FX anthology series Fargo, and the twenty-first episode of the series overall. It was written and directed by series creator and showrunner Noah Hawley. The title refers to a method in bridge known as the principle or law of vacant places.

As each season of Fargo follows its own self-contained narrative, "The Law of Vacant Places", set in December 2010 over several towns in Minnesota, introduces a new storyline and cast; in the episode, probation officer Ray Stussy (Ewan McGregor), in need of money for himself and his new fiancée Nikki Swango (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), blackmails one of his parolees, the drug addict Maurice LeFay (Scoot McNairy), into stealing a valuable stamp from Ray's brother Emmit (also played by McGregor). Meanwhile, Emmit contacts a mysterious company he borrowed money from two years prior, wishing to pay them back, to surprising results.

The episode was first aired on April 19, 2017, and was seen by 1.42 million viewers. It was acclaimed by critics, with particular praise given to its writing, directing, and acting; McGregor's dual performances, in particular, were singled out.