"Where Waldo?" On Justified

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "Where's Waldo?" on Blogcritics.

FX's Justified continues its second season this week with "Where's Waldo?" Art (Nick Searcy) is drawn into the mystery of Waldo Truth, whose name and bag are found in Arlo's (Raymond J. Barr) wall. When Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) realizes that Arlo killed a man in prison just because he overheard Raylan talking about the bag, the Marshalls decide that they need to pay Waldo's family a visit.

The tale of Waldo Truth, and his connection to Justified's characters, seems to be the main storyline this season. By the end of "Where's Waldo?" we know that Arlo probably helped cover up a fake death, and, for some reason, Art is interested in the case, which he seems to already know a little about. This is a deeper plot that first realized, with connections to the past of main players. It is a ripe fruit to pick.

Justified is sort of a cop series, but it's much more about people than action. The show has always taken the time to let the actors really dig into their characters, and present complicated individuals with convoluted relationships. While law enforcement types will probably figure out what crimes have been committed and who has committed them in the end, that's not really the point of the episode.

A great example of this is when Raylan, Art, and Tim (Jacob Pitts) go to confront Waldo's family. At first, they meet up with punk kid Milo (Ethan Jamieson, The Hunger Games), who just deserves to be smacked so hard! Then, they talk to the matriarch of the family (Beth Grant, No Country for Old Men, Jericho). Instead of getting the information that they need and leaving, the scene lingers, letting the personalities clash in delicious ways.

The reason Justified can get away with this is because they are able to cast such fantastic guest stars. No one who saw it has forgotten what Margo Martindale did in season two. I don't know if Beth Grant is being set up for a similar run, but she will most definitely be back, probably multiple times, and her bits this week are intriguing.

Besides the guests, though, watching Raylan, Art, and Tim is fun in and of itself. They aren't often working as a team on the show, but when they do, it's always superb. When one of the Truths tells them to get off their property in 10 seconds, and then five, Tim ribs Raylan that his line is being stolen. When Milo calls the Marshalls perverts, and then Raylan has to relieve the kid of his gun, the reactions among the various feds are great. These details are what keep viewers tuning in week after week.

I also love the increased story for Art. We know that he is nearing retirement age now, and he's out in the field in "Where's Waldo?" to prove he's still fit enough to run his department. This is a man who has pride, who is not ready to be put out to pasture yet, and who thinks that only he can handle his cavalcade of unhinged deputies. The scene where he talks about his people, listing their issues without naming their names, is a particular favorite of mine in this episode, catching you up with some of the more minor characters' stories, while also showing us something about Art.

The retirement plot isn't laid out overtly, but rather, Justified gives you the pieces and the viewer is supposed to put them together. There is no line where Art talks about his motivations, and his possible pending resignation from the unit is just briefly mentioned a couple of times. Yet, Searcy conveys a lot that doesn't need to be put into words.

Bottom line, it's not smart to play on your phone while watching Justified. You're going to miss something.

Across town, Boyd (Walton Goggins) makes a move against preacher man Billy St. Cyr (Joseph Mazzello, The Pacific, Jurassic Park), only to learn that the real threat comes from Billy's sister, Cassie (Lindsay Pulsipher, Hatfields & McCoys, True Blood). We are just beginning to get a glimpse of the religious fanatics. Billy seems sincere, so it's probably Cassie who is up to no good. We have not seen enough to figure out what she might want, though, and as Boyd is doing, it's wise to bide one's time and keep an eye on her, for now.

Besides, Boyd has other troubles when he finds drugs being dealt in his territory. It doesn't take long for the Dixie Mafia to come after their dealer who Boyd has taken hostage, and they send Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) to be their voice.

Wynn is a fantastic character, one whom Justified keeps finding ways to bring back. This latest tiff shows that Wynn is definitely a bad-ass again, his superior from last season no longer keeping him down and scaring the crap out of him. It is a bit thrilling to witness a villain returned to glory, even when we know it will only make trouble for the good guys.

Wynn's method of dealing with the situation is awesome, but it's a shame that he kind of shuts down Boyd. Boyd wants continued involvement with Wynn's employers, which would be nice for fans of the series, as it gives Wynn an excuse to return on a recurring basis. After Wynn refuses Boyd's offer, we're left in the dark about how he might be back next. However, there's the distinct impression that he will be, and sooner, rather than later.

I like that Boyd has Colt (Ron Eldard, Blind Justice, Super 8) working for him now. As great as Johnny (David Meunier) and Ava (Joelle Carter) may be as characters, they are not all that threatening, and with Boyd getting into plenty of scuffles, he needs a strong right-hand man to keep power. Colt is definitely that guy, violent and a little insane.

The only thing I'm not crazy about on this side of the series is the larger presence of Ellen May (Abby Miller) so far this season. It is likely because I'm not a fan of the character, and so I don't relish her extra screen time. She is definitely a pawn in the game, so she may just be held up to be expendable. However, while she is still alive, I'm getting a little annoyed about seeing her so much.

The other side trip in "Where's Waldo?" involves a man named Randall (Robert Baker, Grey's Anatomy). He has a brief encounter early in the hour with Raylan, and then the episode continues to follow him, even though he is no longer interacting with anyone familiar. It is kind of odd, but it's a good way to pique interest, teasing us with the certainty that Randall is important, but not revealing why until the end of the installment. I kind of wish that they'd kept the mystery going longer, but it's still a cool way to handle things.

"Where's Waldo?" doesn't have a ton of action, but a few key scenes, as well as stellar acting (as usual) make it a fine installment. Two episodes in, and already I'm hungry for more, wanting to know the rest of the story that the show will patiently spin out bit by bit over the next couple of months. Justified is a very well-made show, and with episodes like this, it's easy to see why.

Justified airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Justified finds a "Hole in the Wall"

Grade: 97%

After far too long a hiatus, FX’s JUSTIFIED returns for a fourth season this Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. Like in past years, the series holds off on showing all of its cards right off the bat, allowing viewers to adjust to where the characters are now, as well as dropping hints as to the major arc or arcs that the season will cover.

When the premiere, “Hole in the Wall,” begins, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) is still in a relationship with Lindsey (Jenn Lyon), and skirting the law. He doesn’t now break the rules in the name of justice or love, his past weaknesses, but instead, out of selfishness. This Raylan is more of a broken man, Winona (Natalie Zea) having gone, and his father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), whom Raylan has never had an easy relationship with, behind bars.

Right off the bat, though, this status quo is tested. Raylan picks up a not-so-good guy as a favor, then tries to keep him locked in his trunk while dealing with a mystery that has come up at his father’s house. It’s a call back to the righteous game, which we see very quickly does not merge easily with Raylan’s current activities. Thus, by the end of “Hole in the Wall,” it is pretty clear that Raylan needs to pick one path or the other.

I love that the mystery, which will definitely be a continuing story for awhile, features a heavily involved Arlo. Arlo has only been in about half of JUSTIFIED’s episodes, but his ornery ways are highly entertaining, and the way he shakes up Raylan’s calm demeanor, pushing his son’s buttons, makes for great television. Any way to bring Arlo more central does risk his continued presence, as death comes to many a villain on JUSTIFIED, but it also means that this season will have to be as fantastic as the others have been.

Raylan gets to step up and again be the man that fans love in this very first episode of the season. He may begin the episode on shaky ground, but despite his many flaws, Raylan Givens is a hero, and one of the genuinely coolest ones on television today. The way he handles negotiations, and faces down the bad guys, is unparalleled, and viewers are treated to some examples of classic Raylan almost right away in this installment.

Raylan’s restoration is also helped along by the crooks that come into Raylan’s circle. Cast lists are not yet available for the episode, making it hard to pinpoint who all of the performers are, but there is a young couple, as well as Raylan’s hostage, each of which contributes something interesting to the episode. Add to that, Raylan’s new cop buddy, Bob, played by the great Patton Oswalt, and “Hole in the Wall” serves as a satisfying return.

Lest one worry about the other important gang on the show, there is also plenty of Boyd (Walton Goggins) in “Hole in the Wall,” too, still being aided by Ava (Joelle Carter) and Johnny (David Meunier), as well as a new, unstable, very dangerous man. They will definitely be involved in whatever Raylan is getting himself into, but they also have their own stories, as Boyd continues his criminal enterprises.

These include running drugs, of course, and also the prostitution trailers that Boyd has taken over. The whores actually figure importantly into the first episode, when Ellen May (Abby Miller) makes a big mistake. Boyd uses this mistake to his advantage, of course, and will quickly expand his plot to encompass others, which should build up nicely over the next few weeks, eventually bringing them all back into conflict with Raylan and the law.

At some point, the balance that has kept Boyd in business while Raylan looks the other way will have to be broken. It may not be until the final season of the series, but something will draw enough attention to Boyd that he will have to be shut down. Until that day, he continues to be a fantastic character to have around, and the way that he manages to still do what he wants, and keep some kind of peace with Raylan, is a real draw of the series.

JUSTIFIED’s newest episode has everything one wants in the Western-influenced series. There are gun fights, show downs, boob flashing, drinking, conversations behind bars, at least one bad-ass killing, and some of the finest acting being done anywhere. Fans should not be disappointed, and if you’ve only been considering getting into the series, “Hole in the Wall” could serve as an enticing entry point.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted at Seat42F