FARGO Goes Back On Its Return

 Article first published as TV Review: FARGO Season 4 on Seat42F.

After a more-than-three-year drought, FARGO returns to FX for a fourth season. The latest installment in the anthology drama goes back to 1950 and is set in Kansas City, an oft-mentioned place in previous seasons, though not explored all that deeply. The story centers around two rival gangs, one African-American, one Italian, both considered minorities by the rest of the locals, as they try to gain control of illegal activity in the area.

As usual, FARGO’s season is in no hurry to get started, though the fourth season premiere provides quite a bit more historical exposition than previous openers. This may or may not be necessary, we’ll see as the rest of the run unfolds, but really sets up context for where this gang war comes from and how it might play out. Having glimpsed what the dominant faction becomes decades in the future, viewers will feel plenty prepared to get going by the time the title makes its appearance, about a third of the way into the premiere.

The gangs are stocked with plenty of familiar faces, as well as a few less so, as is FARGO’s custom, introducing us to new, terrific performers alongside talented veterans. Comedian Chris Rock (Saturday Night Live) heads one side as Loy Cannon, a family man whose people are not going to be pushed around anymore, and has ideas for legitimate business success if only a funder would take a chance on him. On the other side is Josto Fadda (Jason Schwartzman, Bored to Death), son of the long-time ruler who, at first glance, appears to be unable to live up to his father’s legacy, though he likely will surprise us. Standing out among the rest are Ben Whishaw (No Time to Die) as an Irishman who works for the Italians and Glynn Turman (House of Lies) as Loy’s elder advisor.

While gangsters are a staple of FARGO, three other types of characters usually make up the universe, as well. There’s the hapless person who sees themselves as good, but gets roped into the evil. This seems likely to be filled by mortician Thurman Smutny (musician Andrew Bird), though his daughter, Ethelrida (E'myri Crutchfield, The Kicks), has a larger part thus far, a rarity for a minor in the franchise. Second is the kooky weirdo, which is brillianty filled here with Nurse Oraetta Mayflower (Jessie Buckley, Chernobyl). And third is the noble member of law enforcement, which is completely absent from episodes one and two, though Marshall Deafy (Timothy Olyphant, Justified) may take up that mantle in the third hour.

By leaving out the cop, the fourth season of FARGO feels drastically different. The closest thing we have to a hero at the start is Ethelrida, but she’s not taking an active role in anything, and certainly won’t be solving any big cases. Funny that in a period piece, it’s this missing element that stands out more than sets or costumes as moving FARGO in a different direction.

I love the FARGO formula, and adored the first three seasons. I’m not sure it needed a shakeup, but perhaps creator Noah Hawley disagreed, as they really did follow the same pattern (delightfully) thrice. However, given the quality delivered previously, I’m excited to see what they’ve come up with this for the senior round, and hope for more in the future.

Only two and a half hours in (I plan to watch more as soon as possible), I am digging the differences and the tale unfolding. There are lots of interesting personalities, and while one major arc may be clear, there are undoubtedly many others slowly simmering that haven’t fully revealed themselves yet. The ending is only sort of known, given this year’s general tie-ins to other seasons, and it should be a fun ride.

FARGO returns Sunday, September 27th on FX and streaming the next day on Hulu.

JUSTIFIED Keeps "The Promise"

Article originally published as TV Review: 'Justified' - Series Finale - 'The Promise' on Blogcritics.

    “In the deep, dark hills of Eastern Kentucky,
    That’s the place where I trace my bloodline.
    And it’s there I read on a hillside gravestone,
    You’ll never leave Harlan alive.”

Those lyrics, repeated at select times on FX’s Justified for effect, hang heavy over the series finale, “The Promise,” that aired earlier this week. On a show where characters do die, the body count has never been higher than in this final season, and each of the three core lead characters begin the last hour in somewhat precarious positions. By the time that song is evoked a little over halfway through, it seems like it might come true for at least one of them. Thankfully, Justified defies expectation and lets them all live.

Justified is an underrated series and always has been. Inspired by a short story by Elmore Leonard, it is a high-quality, fascinating drama that maintains the spirit of Kentucky, even while being filmed in California. I’ve enjoyed each and every season, and will desperately miss it.

The hero is Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), and throughout, he circles his former friend, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), the man Raylan comes home to put away. The relationship between the two is a linchpin of Justified, and it is also the most important thing in “The Promise.” From Raylan leaving the state after his task is finally complete, to their showdown in the barn, to their final conversation – the last scene of the show – in which Boyd proclaims the reason for their deep, lasting connection is, “We dug coal together,” they are what fans most want to see, and the show satisfies.

“We dug coal together.” It’s a phrase worth repeating because it says so much about these two men and the setting they inhabit. It doesn’t matter how much they disagree, or that Raylan became a lawman while Boyd became a criminal. It matters that they risked their lives together, doing the dangerous work that their daddies did. It bonds them in a way that cannot be broken no matter what else happens, unique from practically everyone else they will ever know. It’s why they will always be a part of one another’s lives.

Which is not to say that they are friends, exactly. In fact, most of this final scene involves Raylan lying to Boyd. Raylan finds Ava (Joelle Carter), the woman they both care deeply about, and learns she has a son by Boyd. Asking Raylan not to tell this to Boyd, Raylan decides to show Boyd evidence that Ava is dead. This may be a kindness to both Ava and Boyd, keeping him from being obsessed over someone that will just get him into more trouble. But I’m sure Boyd would disagree with Raylan’s handling of it.

Ava is just a notch less central than the two men in Justified, but “The Promise” and all of season six show her importance. She lives in both worlds, breaking the law, but ending up getting her life together. Raylan intends to make her pay when he finally catches up to her, four years after she escapes the law, but that wouldn’t be fair to her child. Now a loving parent himself, Raylan understands this and leaves her alone.

Raylan’s code is what drives him. From the first scene of the series, in which he shoots a man whom Raylan feels in the right to shoot, to choosing to let Boyd live and Ava keep her freedom, he makes decisions based on a moral code. It may not always align with the law, but it’s a strong system that makes him one of the more memorable characters on television this past decade.

“The Promise” contains lots of other gems. From a final showdown with this season’s Big Bad, Avery Markham (Sam Elliott), to a last glimpse of Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever), to learning Winona (Natalie Zea) has not settled down with Raylan in the future, to Raylan’s goodbye to his co-workers, every moment is full of authenticity and emotion. It does what it needs to do with the leads, and after a victory lap throughout the year, Justified closes its story with finality. I can’t imagine a more fitting goodbye for one of my favorite shows.

JUSTIFIED On "Right" Track For Finale

Article first published as TV Review: 'Justified' - 'Fate's Right Hand' on Blogcritics.

Justified begins its final season on FX this week with “Fate’s Right Hand.” Picking up just after last season ended, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) is sticking around Kentucky just long enough to take down his old frenemy, Boyd (Walton Goggins), then he’ll be off to Florida, where his baby daughter lives. There are thirteen episodes to play out before that can happen, though, so obviously the story won’t zip along, even if it starts out in an exciting manner.

The Raylan / Boyd relationship is the linchpin of Justified. They aren’t always together; in fact, they spend much more time in their own arcs than crossing paths. But keeping Boyd, who is only a recurring character in the first season, around is a brilliant move. Every time the pair come together, it’s explosive magic, and it certainly feels like this final season will give us more of that than ever, since taking down Boyd is the focus of Raylan’s final story.

This dynamic is served nearly right away in “Fate’s Right Hand.” Boyd is intent on robbing a bank and suspects Raylan of watching him. To combat this, Boyd dangles Dewey Crowe (Damon Herriman) out as a distraction to Raylan and the marshal takes the bait. It’s a very smart move on Boyd’s part, knowing Raylan isn’t supposed to go near Dewey and knowing Raylan won’t be able to resist doing so anyway. It doesn’t take Raylan long to realize he’s been played, but it’s just enough for Boyd to get away with his dastardly deed. It’s this deep understanding of one another that makes the game between them so intense, and while I root for Raylan to win in the end, I’m glad it won’t be easy on him because it’ll be an entertaining ride.

Stuck in the middle of the duo is Ava (Joelle Carter). She is done with Boyd, but is being pressured by Raylan to pretend that’s not the case so she can feed information to law enforcement. Art (Nick Searcy) tells Raylan he would have never have approved such an arrangement, and I’m inclined to agree with Raylan’s former boss. It’s true Ava is in a position where she can help, but there are too many messy emotions involved to trust her, or to trust Raylan’s judgment concerning her. In fact, in this premiere, she tries to play both sides, searching for a middle ground, before being told that’s not an option. It’s a risky move to allow this to carry on, and it is likely to not end well for one or more of the involved parties. Though, I’m heartened that Raylan is wise enough to seek advice from Art, even when he doesn’t have to listen to it.

I talk about messy outcomes, and there’s one teased at in “Fate’s Right Hand” as Boyd, having just killed Dewey, sits and stares as Ava as she sleeps. Does he suspect her of turning on him? He’s smart, and he knows her better than most people. And if Boyd does know that Ava is double-crossing him, does he still love her enough to spare her life? Or will he use her as a pawn in the continuing match? We know Boyd caring about someone does not preclude him for murdering that person. She’s in deep.

I didn’t mean to toss out Dewey’s death as a mere mention, as it is vitally important to Justified. Dewey is a long-standing, recurring player. Justified is full of such people, bringing in excellent actors and helping them create memorable roles, but Dewey is one who has really stuck because he fits so well in the setting. He’s been in a LOT of episodes. “Fate’s Right Hand” does off him a bit earlier than I’d have preferred, but it does it in a cool way.

Dewey leaves prison and still feels trapped. The life he used to enjoy is gone, and try as he might, he can’t get it back. He has no one to turn to, Boyd betraying him easily enough because he senses how unstable Dewey is. That’s because Dewey knows Raylan is in pursuit and he won’t find a moment’s rest. There can be no happy ending for Dewey, and he’s done enough bad things that one doesn’t really want him to get one, anyway. But the way things come together, culminating in the moment Boyd pulls the trigger, fits wonderfully with the show and the character, especially after giving Dewey deserved focus throughout the hour. Plus, it informs Boyd’s stare towards Ava, and chills viewers to the bone.

“Fate’s Right Hand” is an excellent installment of Justified, although I expect no less for the series which has yet to deliver a bad season. Justified is done with such a specific tone and style, unlike anything else currently airing, and adding to that the weight of the approaching conclusion, felt often throughout this episode, it all just clicks into something spectacular. This hour also makes good use of all of its cast, including Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel), who are often under-used. These next twelve episodes should be something very much worth watching.

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

JUSTIFIED Penultimate Season Finale Review

Article first published as TV Review: 'Justified' - 'Restitution' on Blogcritics.

FX’s Justified completed its penultimate season this week with a nice wrap up of this year’s arcs, and an excellent setup for the final go-round. In all, it feels like the series is not only coming full circle, but preparing the perfect batch of endings for its motley crew of players.

The season’s antagonists have been members of the Crowe family. In “Restitution,” the season finale, Kendal Crowe (Jacob Lofland) is about to be tried as an adult for the shooting of Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Art Mullen (Nick Searcy). Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) tells Kendal’s mother, Wendy (Alicia Witt), that the case will go away if she can get her brother, Darryl (Michael Rapaport), who is actually the guilty party, to confess. Wendy does so, killing Darryl in the process.

Justified does an excellent job of creating complex family relationships. Like Margo Martindale’s brood before them, the Crowes are developed quite deeply, and the shifting alliances and positions make sense to the story. Viewers may root against these characters because they are not on the right side of the law and hurt innocents, but rarely do we see bad guys so compellingly detailed as those in this series.

The ending, Wendy taking down the leader of her clan gang, is about a mother protecting her child, but also about making up for her own past wrongs and escaping a family curse. There is so much emotion that goes into that scene, and the authentic way Witt and Rapaport play the showdown is simply amazing. Let’s hope they follow in Martindale’s footsteps of at least being nominated come award season, as they deserve it.

It’s interesting to see the Crowes clean up their own mess, Raylan stepping back and pulling the strings from the sidelines. Usually, Raylan wants to be right in the thick of things. Perhaps having a baby convinces him that he must be more careful, giving him a reason for self-preservation. With his transfer to Florida to be near his kid imminent, Raylan doesn’t want to screw up his chance at happiness.

Of course, there’s still time for Raylan to make more mistakes as he helps with AUSA Vasquez’s (Rick Gomez) new mission, likely Raylan’s last in Kentucky: bringing down Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins). Boyd is a dangerous and tempting foe, his path with Raylan inexorably entwined throughout the show. They have been friends at times, which only serves to make their animosity more intense. It makes sense for Raylan to want to be present for Boyd’s comeuppance. Yet, there’s a nagging suspicion that Raylan won’t be as triumphant as he expects, and maybe he should just get out of town while he’s ahead.

It’s cool to see Rachel (Erica Tazel), now the acting chief, and Tim (Jacob Pitts) go hard after Boyd. They’ve often been under-utilized on Justified, but with their beloved boss, Art, taken out of commission, they show their mettle in working towards justice. The Crowes and the Crowders are responsible for a great many ugly things, and Tim and Rachel definitely step it up when facing these foes.

Raylan will need his co-workers’ help because Boyd isn’t exactly acting alone. His most recent alliance is with Katherine Hale (Mary Steenburgen), whom Winn Duffy (Jere Burns) introduces Boyd to. Katherine seems nice enough on the surface, but there’s an undercurrent in her role that is edgy and scary. Boyd teaming up with her immediately makes taking on Boyd a more risky venture, sure to increase the stakes and drama in season six. Hopefully, though, they will be the only bad major bad guys, instead of splitting screen time as other years have done, allowing the stories to focus even more on them.

The marshals do have a secret weapon in Ava (Joelle Carter), whom they spring from jail. Ava likely cooperates even though she cares for Boyd because the months spent behind bars have been rough on her, and every day she spends locked up is another day she could die, having made more enemies than friends in confinement. She’s also a good choice as a weapon because Raylan knows her well and Boyd is blinded of suspicion by his love her for.

The Raylan-Ava-Boyd triangle, sure to be a centerpiece of the final season, cannot end well. Part of me is rooting for Boyd and Ava to somehow escape and find a happy ending. The other part of me knows they don’t deserve to avoid justice any longer. What is worrying is that it will be surprising if all three survive, one or two likely to be killed off along the way. The problem is, they are all too dear to go without being a huge blow to the program. We’ve spent years getting to know them, and any deaths here will be rough on fans.

I’ve been a fan of Justified from the first scene of the show. Over five years, it has maintained a consistent high quality, if not raising the bar from time to time. This inspires confidence that season six will be quite memorable, and with the stellar fifth year finale, it’s already on the right track.

Justified will return to FX in 2015.

JUSTIFIED "A Murder of Crowes"

Article first published as JUSTIFIED Review on Seat42F.

FX’s JUSTIFIED gets a change of scenery in the season five premiere, “A Murder of Crowes.” It hasn’t left Kentucky behind, as that is where the episode begins, but the world is expanded a little as Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) travels to Florida and Boyd (Walton Goggins) and Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns, now a series regular) head to Detroit. It’s an exciting way to start the year!

Both of these trips are connected to the main story, as it has played out over the past few years. Boyd is missing some drugs he expected to be shipped in from Michigan, and so is trying to figure out what has happened. Fans of the series are familiar with the particular gang Boyd deals with (played by Dave Foley, Will Sasso, and others), and whatever happens, whether Boyd gets his supply or not, there will be implications back at home.

Boyd may be a little distracted since Ava (Joelle Carter) is still in jail and he’d like to clear her name. This cannot be done from several states away, and so it isn’t long before Boyd heads back, leading to a very tense confrontation near the end of the hour.

At the same time, Raylan goes south to find Dewey Crowe’s (Damon Herriman) family. Dewey’s brothers (Monk’s Jason Gray-Stanford and Boston Public’s Michael Rapaport) and sister (Alicia Witt, Friday Night Lights) have gotten mixed up with a Cuban (Amaury Nolasco, Prison Break) who is bad news. Partnering with Deputy Sutter (David Koechner, Anchorman 2, The Office), Raylan tries to play nice with the kin of his foe.

JUSTIFIED has never been stronger than when Raylan comes across a family of criminals. Margo Martindale headed up a fantastic clan of no-good scoundrels previously, and it looks like season five’s Crowes are poised to be just as enticing.

The casting choices for them are terrific and the story is open-ended enough to run for awhile. Plus, bringing in the Florida Crowes ties the tale to an important recurring cast member (who himself had good development this week), making it feel like a natural part of the established mythology.

Though, it’s also awesome when Boyd and Raylan clash, and that’s little in evidence in “A Murder of Crowes,” with the two on completely different paths. I assume that will come later in the season.

The other central figure in Raylan’s existence, besides Boyd, is Winona (Natalie Zea). Without giving anything away, the dynamic between the two of them has definitely shifted since the last we saw them together. It makes one wonder what kind of person Raylan is, and if he will always make the right decisions, as he usually seems to do. This, more than anything, illustrates Raylan’s flaws, Winona being a weakness for him, and that’s an interesting area to explore in our hero’s psyche.

There are already quite a few guest stars listed in the preceding paragraphs, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. In the first hour alone, besides everyone mentioned above, we get Stephen Root (King of the Hill, Boardwalk Empire), Karolina Wydra (House M.D.), Sam Anderson (Lost, ER), and more. It’s a very impressive roster, and it means we’ll have a very full year of players and plot.

You may notice that several of these names are primarily comedic actors. That doesn’t mean they are used to lighten the mood on JUSITIFIED. As done with Patton Oswalt (who will be returning) last season, the series coaxes dramatic performances out of its funny people, showing range and skill viewers may be pleasantly surprised to find.

My only complaint about all of these new faces, other than that not everyone will get the opportunity to repeat their performance, is that it leaves little room for the main cast. Boyd, Wynn, and Raylan have screen time, of course, and Art (Nick Searcy) will continue to be important every now and then, but Rachel (Erica Tazel) and Tim (Jacob Pitts) are already seen so little that this can only be bad news for them. They deserve to be a bigger part of the show, too.

JUSTIFIED remains a great series, well worth watching, and “A Murder of Crowes” is a strong start to the fifth season. JUSTIFIED premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

Justified Haunted by Ghosts

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "Ghosts" on Blogcritics.

"Ghosts" is the fourth season finale of FX's Justified, which aired this week. Does the title refer to the ghost of Raylan's father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), recently deceased, whom Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) has always had a complicated relationship with? Or does it refer to the friendship between Raylan and Boyd (Walton Goggins), the men they once were, and the very different men they have become?

Justified works primarily because of the complex characters in the story. Raylan is a lawman, and only shoots the bad guys when he has a reason. His career is in stark contrast to his criminal father, and sometimes he struggles with the worry that he will turn into Arlo. This isn't helped when Boyd compares the two, something Boyd may be doing just to get under Raylan's skin, knowing him as well as he does.

But Raylan makes a huge decision in "Ghosts," and it threatens his good reputation. He sets up Nicky (Mike O'Malley) to be whacked by Sammy (Max Perlich), his rival in the Detroit mob. Raylan may not pull the trigger himself, but he is complicit in the act. It will weigh on his conscience, drawing him closer to the man Arlo was, and that's a huge sacrifice for Raylan to make.

Raylan does have a good reason for his actions. Nicky sends armed men into Winona's (Natalie Zea) home; Winona who is pregnant with Raylan's child, and whom Raylan still loves. Nicky vows to keep coming after them. Raylan does what he must to protect the mother of his child and his unborn daughter. However, in doing so, he gives away a piece of his soul.

This sort of no-win situation, the kind the tests a hero's mettle, is what makes defines a man. Raylan may be a flawed hero, but he is a hero. He rarely acts out of any selfish impulse. Even the foolish choices he makes are to protect others. He's stubborn and won't quit, even when suspended, but that just proves his dedication to justice and serving others. It's a complicated situation when a good guy disobeys the rules for the right reasons.

Obviously, murder is the greatest extension of that, and it's a good thing that no one knows about Raylan's actions. It may still come out eventually; Justified is the type of series to bring back something years later, when it's least expected. If this comes to light, it will ruin Raylan's career. It doesn't matter that Nicky deserves to die, or that if Nikky doesn't die, Winona very well could. It's the fact that Raylan took matters into his own hands and allowed the killing to take place that is unacceptable to the government.

This will jeopardize his chances for promotion, which Raylan is up for as Art (Nick Searcy) considers retirement, even while under suspension. This proves just how good Raylan's track record is. If the breach stays hidden long enough, Raylan may even get Art's job, at least for awhile. Though I hate to lose Art, it would be interesting to see Raylan in charge, even if Tim (Jacob Pitts) or Rachel (Erica Tazel) may have the better disposition for it.

One wonders how the Detroit men will hold this wrongdoing over Raylan's head. Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) is their man in Kentucky now, hiring Boyd to distribute heroin for them. Wynn may or may not know what Raylan does, but if he finds out, he will definitely use it to curry favor with Raylan. Will Raylan have to kill others to protect his secret, or will that be a line he can't cross, willing only to do bad to protect others, not himself?

Either way, as Raylan sips a beer and looks at his own grave stone, next to his father's recently buried body and marker, there is a lot going on, both for Raylan the character, and for the viewer. Olyphant plays such a sympathetic, layered man, you can see the various emotions roiling behind his eyes. And having witnessed everything Raylan has done, there's a lot for the fans to think about in that moment, too.

On Boyd's side of the story, things go as far south as they can in "Ghosts." He is at the brink of happiness with Ava (Joelle Carter), making money, keeping his enemies in check, and then world is ripped out from under him. He is betrayed by those he thinks he can control, and while Boyd escapes harm, Ava is put in jail for murder.

Even though Boyd is a scoundrel, the opposite of Raylan, fans still root for him. He is charming, and he has his own code, even if the moral compass is skewed compared to most. Boyd is more than just a troublemaker, trying to better his situation, and he really does love Ava. These things make him relatable on some level.

Sadly, Boyd's decisions mean that he will never have a happy ending. Sure, one can make all the right choices and still not get what they want. However, Raylan is the main character of Justified, and he is sworn to prevent some of the things that Boyd engages in. Either Boyd will eventually have to change his ways, or Raylan will have to stop him.

That day will be a sad one. In "Ghosts," Raylan forces Boyd to take him to Nicky. It's a unwilling partnership, but the interaction between the two is always magical. They have a long history, and even when they disapprove of one another, there is still a connection there that cannot be broken. I think Raylan arresting or killing Boyd would be the hardest thing Raylan would ever have to do. Hopefully, Boyd will choose to team up with Raylan instead.

Boyd certainly doesn't take the right path in this finale. Despite Ava being locked away, and getting her out will definitely be Boyd's main focus next year, he agrees to work with Wynn, a new criminal enterprise for Boyd. He clearly doesn't learn his lesson, since doing wrong is what gets Ava in trouble in the first place.

Then again, with the people Boyd previously blackmailed now having something to hang over his head, getting the better of Boyd. It could serve him well to be backed up by a partnership with the Detroit mob, giving him the clout he needs to be back in the local game, after losing his self-earned cred in this installment.

The fourth year has been a typically stellar one for Justified. It may not have given us a new batch of guest stars to be impressed by, as previous seasons have done, but it made excellent use of its talented recurring cast, and added a few new, wonderful players to that lineup, such as Bob (Patton Oswalt). The mystery arc is a departure from previous outings, keeping the show changing and interesting, and the character development is, as usual, awesome.

Justified will return next year for a fifth season on FX.

Justified sidesteps the "Money Trap"

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "Money Trap" on Blogcritics.

Grade: 93%

This week's episode of FX's Justified, "Money Trap," is mostly a break from the season-long hunt for Drew Thompson. Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) sets out to talk to his father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), in prison to see if he can convince Arlo to give him a new lead on Drew. But since it's a task Raylan doesn't want to do anyway, he jumps at the first distraction that will take him away from the task.

Despite minimizing the large arcs, "Money Trap" is more than just a case-of-the-week installment. It puts Raylan back up against a foe we see in the season premiere, Jody Adair (Chris Chalk, The Newsroom, Homeland). It's cool that Justified continually builds up a cast of recurring players and pulls them out from time to time to keep the story interesting, rather than reduce itself to a typical crime drama.

Justified has never been suited to a formula. Each season is entirely different from the last, and each twist can spin the plot in unexpected directions from week to week. It's really a setting-driven piece, fleshing out a specific world in Kentucky that lies outside of the big city. Each character is a panel of fabric, some bigger than others, but sewn together in an intriguing patchwork.

Which means that often connections that are not obvious suddenly emerge. "Money Trap" has several of those, as the characters move around, encountering a number of people, including Raylan seeing a former lover. Justified never leaves its world, just revealing unseen corners as it goes instead, so there's an overarching sense of continuity throughout the entire series.

The side trip with Jody this week is a dangerous game between Raylan and a very hardened criminal, one who will not hesitate to kill Raylan given an opportunity. Most bad guys aren't this bad, matching wits and trying to get away with stolen goods or money, rather than committing murder. Sure, people are killed all the time on the show. But it's not usually the intent or stated mission of the shooter to take someone out permanently. Jody is different.

To illustrate this point, I refer you to Boyd (Walton Goggins) and Ava's (Joelle Carter) subplot in "Money Trap." They rub elbows with the rich and powerful of their county, only to find out they are invited to the party in order to more directly serve their masters. Boyd doesn't realize he's been allowed to operate his enterprise all this time with the permission of others. He is told if he wants to keep his business running, he needs to kill a man.

This disturbs Boyd. He isn't good, by any means, and we've seen him kill this season. But it's always incidental, and is never his first choice of action. People aren't useful to him if they're dead. He doesn't want to do what they're asking him to, and I think it's as much about whacking someone he has no beef with as it is not wanting to seem like a weak lackey, when he believes himself to be a leader. We'll have to wait and see what Boyd chooses to do.

Back to Raylan, we know that he is capable in a wide variety of situations. Jody is a new challenge, but one he is up to the task of. He takes the manhunt extremely seriously, personally protecting Jody's other intended victim, the young, hot Jackie Nevada (Shelley Hennig, The Secret Circle), while seeking out Jody.

Raylan doesn't rely on others too much, though he knows when he needs to, and is smart enough to ask for help in those instances. Which is why his lone wolf routine is rarely a problem, as it is for many a flawed hero in other stories, as he actually he is more talented than most. "Money Trap" shows us once more why Raylan usually prefers to operate by himself, able to move quicker and less noticed, as well as avoiding putting others in the line of fire. And he doesn't have to worry that Jody will find Jackie and hurt her while he isn't looking when he sticks by her side.

This eventually leads to a one-on-one showdown between Jody and Raylan, just downstairs from Raylan's home. Once more, we see Raylan's wisdom, recognizing when he must use his gun, knowing Jody will keep coming after Raylan or his loved ones, as well as other innocents, while he roams free. Raylan can see the evil in his eyes, and thus, he does what needs to be done.

Some would argue that Raylan killing Jody defeats the purpose of law enforcement. Cops (and marshals) should seek to apprehend, rather than take out. Yet, in this case, it's really Raylan's only option, as Jody would hurt people if allowed to live, even if he is in prison, which is a big 'if,' since there's no easy way to capture him here. Realizing this, Raylan operates with complete confidence, putting several bullets into Jody.

Raylan Givens is one of the coolest characters on television. It's not because he's violent, because he's not always, and never without cause. It's because he has an ingrained sense of right and wrong, and though his mettle is tested constantly, he almost always does the correct thing. He doesn't waste time doubting himself once he's done something, and he has the utmost faith in his own reasoning skills. For this, it's easy, as a fan, to get behind him.

Raylan isn't a brash, young man, though. We see in "Money Trap," when alone in a hotel room with Jackie, who is getting undressed to shower, he doesn't make a move. Raylan loves the ladies, but he's recently betrayed by one, and he admits to himself, and to Art (Nick Searcy), that he is an old man, one Jackie shouldn't or wouldn't be interested in. I don't think for a second that Raylan couldn't sleep with Jackie if he wanted to, but he doesn't, because he knows himself, and knows what he needs.

Now, Raylan does make mistakes, and often a woman is involved. I just think he's learning from those mistakes, making them less frequently, and being realistic about his love life. For that, he deserves credit.

At the end of "Money Trap," Raylan does go see Arlo, ready to stop avoiding things, choosing the right path once more. Arlo won't cooperate, of course, which does cause Raylan to speak to his father in anger, as Arlo can push Raylan's buttons like no one else, being the catalyst for a temper flare up. But the confrontation ends with little movement on the Drew Thompson story.

After Raylan warns Arlo that he will die in jail, I think that scares Arlo. I worry that it's foreshadowing for Justified, that Arlo will soon be gone with the last words from Raylan being cruel ones. Or, it could be the kick in the pants Arlo needs to cut a deal and finally start helping the marshals. Either way, Arlo won't just sit pretty and protected behind bars for much longer.

It is hard to talk about this episode linearly, and I couldn't even find a place in the flow to touch on the other subplot involving Johnny (David Meunier) and Colt (Ron Eldard). But that's because the series is so fluid and intertwined that it's just as hard to describe the story as it is to describe the lives of a village full of people. I think this is a testament to the quality and realism of the show, rather than a negative.

"Money Trap" is an excellent episode, not exactly super important to larger story of the season, but compelling in its own right because of the personal side of Raylan that we see. If this is Justified's version of a stand-alone installment, I welcome more of them from time to time.

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

"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

Season finale is 'Justified'

FX's Justified brings its third season to a close with "Slaughterhouse." With a state trooper dead, Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) seeks justice. The trail leads him to have showdowns with all of this season's villains: Boyd (Walton Goggins), Limehouse (Mykelti Williams), and Quarles (Neal McDonough). But in the end, the only one Raylan is able to arrest is his own father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), who may have tried to kill him.

What a slap in the face! Off his medication or not, it is pretty clear that Arlo thinks that he shoots Raylan to protect Boyd. While Boyd and Arlo have been enjoying a closer relationship than Raylan is ever shown to have with his father, it's the ultimate betrayal for the lawman. He has never seen eye to eye with his criminal parent; Raylan even shoots Arlo in season one, but only in the leg. For Arlo to fire a kill shot at who he thinks is Raylan, and then to exhibit no guilt or remorse for it, is a twist, indeed.

Not only that, but back in his right mind, Arlo takes the fall in "Slaughterhouse" for killing Devil (Kevin Rankin), too. Arlo is already going to jail, and as old and senile as he is, tacking a second murder charge on won't hurt him much further. Besides being a favor to his adopted son, and an apology for threatening Ava (Joelle Carter), though, it's a second insult to Raylan, as Arlo knows full well that Raylan is convinced Boyd killed Devil, and will be upset that Boyd can't be charged for it. This confession is almost a taunt, in that respect.

All of the performers in this piece are fantastic. There has always been good chemistry between Boyd and Raylan, and Raylan and Arlo. But the work being done in "Slaughterhouse" is above and beyond the call. These three male actors really define why Justified is such an amazing show. And when the plot boils down to personal drama between them, it's where these stars shine the brightest.

How much will Arlo's betrayal screw up Raylan? He is already suffering from Winona (Natalie Zea) leaving him with their unborn child. Now he knows that the only other person who should love him, no matter what differences they have, doesn't care one lick. This sets Raylan up to be in a very dark place come season four.

Also going dark is Ava. One can see how she falls in with Boyd, and begins to support his criminal activities. After all, it's what she's been around, and what she knows. Plus, it's not like Raylan is trying to save her anymore, so why not put her loyalties in the man that stands by her? But watching Ava slap a prostitute, establishing her authority as the one in charge, is something new indeed. It's in stark contrast to the Ava introduced at the beginning of Justified, and giving the dynamic growth we've seen in her already, it will be exciting to see where the characters goes next.

The only bad guy that gets what they deserve in "Slaughterhouse" is Quarles, when Limehouse chops off his arm and Quarles bleeds out. The cool thing about Justified is that recurring characters come back over and over again. Quarles has a full arc this season, and doesn't have any other place to really go on the series, anyway. By contrast, Boyd has no shortage of avenues he can take next, and Limehouse, introduced this year, will also likely remain a big player in future stories. Plus, viewers now know that Johnny (David Meunier) is betraying Boyd to Limehouse, so there's another war building. Justified finds just the right balance between stopping the criminals, and leaving some out to cause further mischief.

Awesome finale! Justified airs on FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To catch up on episodes or buy DVDS of Justified, please go to amazon.com.

A 'Guy Walks Into a Bar' on Justified

FX's Justified starts building towards a climatic finale this week with "A Guy Walks Into a Bar." Boyd (Walton Goggins) outsmarts Quarles (Neal McDonough), using a legal loophole to get his pick for sheriff into office. Quarles does not take it well, getting high and threatening Raylan (Timothy Olyphant). Raylan is ready for a showdown with Quarles, but the bartender, Lindsey (Jenn Lyon), diffuses the situation, earning her a place in Raylan's bed. Coming out of the confrontation, Quarles gets reckless with his life, and Raylan gets reckless in court, telling Judge Reardon (Stephen Root) to go ahead and free Dickie Bennett (Jeremy Davies). The judge reluctantly complies.

Last year, Margo Martindale won an Emmy for her fantastic recurring role as the villain in season two of Justified. Up 'til now, McDonough has been interesting, but has not risen to her level. "A Guy Walks Into a Bar" changes all that, allowing McDonough to relish the dark depths and borderline insanity of his character. Whether telling the tale of how he killed his drug-addicted father, who sold a child Quarles into sexual slavery, or facing down two men wielding guns with no seeming care for his own life, this is a new, desperate Quarles. McDonough expertly lets the inner feelings bubble to the surface in a tour de force performance, certainly putting him on the short list come awards season.

Raylan is also heading towards self-destruction. After Winona (Natalie Zea) leaves him, he appears to be itching for a fight, an urge that is growing within him every week. He won't be able to ignore it much longer. It may be a natural reaction for Raylan to deal with his sadness, but it's not a healthy one. Moving in above a bar and setting himself up in Quarles's path are not good signs of mental stability. Raylan can usually handle himself in any situation, and he shows the 'cool' factor that makes his character so great in his stand off with Quarles this week. But he also lets Dickie out, seemingly just so he can stage some kind of altercation again, and possibly kill Dickie this time.

Catching Dickie just might be something Raylan is not prepared for. Dickie has also crossed the ruthless, creepy Limestone (Mykelti Williamson). The best case scenario for the marshal may be that Limestone murders Dickie quickly and quietly. Should Raylan insert himself in the middle of their situation, and find Limestone backed by his gang, it's hard to imagine how the lone lawman could come out ahead. Raylan does better with one-on-one, or even two-on-one, battles.

The wild card here is Boyd. Boyd is the one that bested Quarles, even though Quarles's rage now seems pointed mainly at Raylan. Boyd also has dealings with Limestone, and would like to see Dickie dead. Not to mention Boyd's past with Raylan. Fully back in the criminal world, Boyd is the one with connections to everyone, but it's uncertain whether he is more valuable alive or dead to any given party. Or how his self-preservation instinct will balance with his business sense.

Also, if it's apparent that Quarles is about to go down, look for Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) to switch sides or flee, which could lead to another unexpected game-changer.

Justified was just recently picked up for a fourth year. It continues its excellent third season run Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To catch up on episodes or buy DVDS of Justified, please go to amazon.com

The devil is Justified

In tonight's episode of FX's Justified, "The Devil You Know," Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) hunts for Dickie (Jeremy Davies) and Dewey (Damon Herriman), who break out of jail with the help of a guard, Ash (Todd Stashwick, The Riches, Men of a Certain Age). Figuring that the trio (which is actually a sextet at first) is heading for Dickie's family money, Raylan goes after the holder of said money, Ellstin Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson, 24, Forrest Gump). Which results in misguided machinations, leaving Ash nearly dead and Dewey killed. Dickie, with some help, takes out two more of the group, and escapes.

Robert Quarles (Neal McDonough, Despeate Housewives, Tin Man) goads Devil (Kevin Rankin) into standing up to Boyd (Walton Goggins). Devil gets Johnny (David Meunier) behind him, but that doesn't stop Boyd from killing Devil first as soon as Devil makes a threat.

While Justified has been back on the air for three weeks now, it's a hard series to review, and getting harder all the time. That's because episodes, including "The Devil You Know," aren't about a certain event or complete story anymore. As the series goes on, plots get more and more serial, with each week just adding a piece to the larger framework, rather than standing alone. This is certainly not a complaint, as only the best shows are able to successfully do this. But it makes it quite difficult to review an hour at a time.
 
Justified reaches some awesome new levels in season two with the Mags story, and it's gratifying that there are continuations of that still occurring in season three. Yes, Mags is dead, but her money sets the sights of many a bad dude on her son Dickie. Dickie is now out of prison, but Limehouse tells him that there is little money left. Too bad that's not something that the people after the cash are likely to believe, especially with how untrustworthy Mags turns out be towards her neighbors. Dickie is still, and will continue to be, a wanted man.

The best thing that Dickie could do is let Limehouse keep the money. Now some may keep coming after Dickie, but it buys him time and leverage to not have the stash with him. Ash learns the hard way that it's not so easy to get Dickie's family's fortune. Others could repeat the mistake. Boyd, for one, is likely to try. But maybe by not keeping any of it, and possibly still having business with Limehouse, Dickie will have a little flexibility and protection from his enemies. Of course, Dickie is still hunted by the law as a fugitive, so there's that...

Speaking of season two faces, in "The Devil You Know" Raylan pays a visit to Loretta (Kaitlyn Dever) to ask for information. Fans get to see what has become of the girl. She may not be happy, but she's leading an honest life, helping with a family. This should teach her the right things and keep her on the straight path. That's really the most important bit of this small scene, as Loretta isn't getting involved in this season's issues, so she's not important anymore. That's good for the safety of her character, but bad for the viewers who enjoy her.

It's wonderful to see Dever again, even in this tiny, insignificant role. She has been wasting away on the sitcom Last Man Standing lately, and any reminder of what a terrific actress she can be is welcome on the TV screen.

What is Boyd going to do now? Presumably, he still wants Dickie's money, not realizing that it's gone. But knowing that others are going after it, Boyd is probably wise to lay low. Especially after a betrayal by a close lieutenant, which doesn't exactly put Boyd in the best position to go after any large score right now.

But the bodies are piling up around Dickie. So something is going to have to break in this plot soon.

What does Robert want with Boyd? By approaching Devil, is Robert looking to get into business with Boyd? Take over Boyd's territory? Is Robert testing the waters? Or trying to undermine Boyd? Does Robert want Boyd's cooperation, or want him out of the way? It's a real mystery. All that is known is that Robert represents an organized crime group, which wants to make at least part of Kentucky theirs. To what end? Well, we will have to wait for the rest of the season to play out. But he certainly a threat, even if an undefined one.

Which means that Raylan's job is quite a challenge lately. Raylan knows the score with Boyd. But he's just met Robert, and been thoroughly unsettled by him. And surely Raylan isn't comfortable with all of these familiar faces, such as Devil and Dewey, winding up dead. Sure, some casualties are to be expected on a series like Justified, but it seems that the herd of recurring characters is really being culled as of late. Which leaves room for something big and, likely, unpleasant. Even with the plot remaining murky, the anticipation level is building as viewers are left to wonder what Raylan's main challenge will be this season, and how he will cope with it.

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

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

To catch up on episodes or buy DVDS of Justified, please go to amazon.com

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "The Devil You Know" on Blogcritics.

Justifed ends in "Bloody Harlan"

     FX's Justified ends season two with "Bloody Harlan," which has a lot of death, and no shortage of action. All of the various plot threads come to a head, and tie up nicely, without much cliffhanger. The feud between the Bennetts and Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) explodes in a big way, with each group doing damage to the other. Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) risks his life and his relationship with Winona (Natalie Zea) to try to save Loretta (the unexpectedly very talented Kaitlyn Dever), who rushes straight into the hornet's nest on her quest for revenge. Art (Nick Searcy) must decide whether to stick his neck out for Raylan, or truly write him off.

     This season's baddies, the Bennett clan, will be sorely missed when the series returns for a third run. They are complicated and interesting. They're willing to engage in some wicked things to protect their family. They have morals that are tightly followed, but loosely defined. Plus, they are all portrayed be stellar actors.

     Coover (Brad William Henke) is first out, killed by Raylan weeks ago. The dumbest and least rational of the group, that makes sense. Doyle (Joseph Lyle Taylor), the cop, is a more tragic story, as he is ready to go straight. His family is switching to all-legal income, and will be moving away from crime and gang violence. Yet, Doyle is still enmeshed in illicit activity when Raylan finds him, and protecting his crooked kin earns him a bullet in the head. Dickie (Jeremy Davies), who is the baddest of the bunch, ends up in jail. Too bad he and Doyle could not have switched fates, as that would be a cheerier ending.

     The matriarch, Mags (the amazing Margo Martindale - give her an Emmy already!), is always the best, though. She is willing to kill, and also willing to sell out her neighbors, if it benefits her family. Her dream is to help Doyle's kids have a nice, clean life, but she takes what she thinks is the easy way navigating through it, by engaging in dark affairs to give them the seed money needed to start. This is her fatal mistake.

     Mags's final showdown with Loretta may be the single best non Raylan-centric scene in Justified yet. Loretta knows that Mags killed her father, and forces a confession out of her with a gun. She even shoots Mags in the leg. But as Mags is staring back at the teenager, there is a real moment of raw emotion between them. Mags cares very deeply for Loretta, at least as much as Loretta hates Mags. While Mags may fear for her life, there is just as much concern for Loretta's soul as Mags advises her not to finish the job. Mags wants Loretta to have a better life, much like she hopes for Doyle's family. Killing someone would be an act that would forever steal Loretta's innocence and goodness. I wouldn't go so far as to say Raylan is intruding in the confrontation, but his absence in the scene would have taken away nothing. 

     Justified loves playing with shades of grey, and both Loretta and Mags embody that wonderfully. While Loretta may have been justified (he he) in killing Mags, she made the right decision to not do it. But Mags also knows her time is up anyway, and so with a real sense of poetic justice, she offs herself the same way she killed Loretta's father - a poisioned glass of moonshine.

     Boyd has toed the line between rebel and do-gooder for two seasons. He seems to be leaning towards the former, as he does a splendid job in murdering almost all of the men the Bennetts send after him. Boyd is smart, at least as smart as Mags. Sure, she only agrees to meet with him to distract him, but he knows that, and is ready for her. With the Bennetts out of the picture, Boyd should have little trouble running Harland County next year.

     It's too bad that Boyd is going the way of a villain. He could make quite a nice partner for Raylan, even in an unofficial capacity. The two seem to have an understanding now, and do their best, especially on Boyd's end, to stay out of each other's way. Boyd will not provoke Raylan, but given the path he is on, sooner or later Raylan will have to take him out for good. Raylan may have taken pleasure in that before, but by the time it happens, I doubt either will enjoy the conclusion.

     Even more of a reason for Boyd to go over to the dark side is that Dickie manages to shoot Ava (Joelle Carter) during the fire fight. Ava has been portrayed as a good girl for the most part, but she keeps some seedy company, and always has. She knows what she is getting into by being with Boyd. Considering who her former husband was, she is right in thinking she has found a better version of him. Boyd has his faults, but he also doesn't usually shed unnecessary blood, and he has stood by Raylan when Raylan really needs him.

     The only real unanswered question in this episode is, did Ava survive the gunshot? Carter's twitter feed suggests that she did not, though she quickly backtracked. At this early stage in the game, the writers and producers may not even know if they will include her or not. She certainly doesn't have a whole lot to do this season, but neither do other main characters, like Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel). Each of the Bennetts have more plot than the three combined. It begs the question, is Ava necessary?

     Raylan is at a crossroads as this episode comes to an end. He has gotten serious again with Winona, and they have a baby on the way. Yet, she said she may not be there for him when he gets home, since he follows Loretta against her wishes. Winona can be a truly selfish person, and not letting Raylan go save a young, teenage girl that needs him is not her best side.

     Should Raylan have chosen Winona? In a way he did, asking Art for a transfer so that he can have a stable job, not one where he routinely risks his life. But Loretta is facing an immediate threat, and Raylan has an established a responsibility for her. Winona needs to understand that. Perhaps she is thinking of her baby growing up without a father, but had Raylan died, his death would have been noble. It is a debatable point, but she should have let him have this one last mission before taming the beast.

     Art, on the other hand, has already written Raylan off before Winona comes to him for help (her parting gift?). She is able to convince Art to go to Harlan, and he and the other marshals, as well as various other law enforcement officers, swoop in and save Raylan's hide. Does this mean that Art has forgiven Raylan? Or did he just see the nobility in saving Loretta's life?

     The series would suffer mightily if Raylan left the Marshal's office, so it looks likely that Art and Raylan will find a way to move past this. What their relationship will be like going forward is anyone's guess, as it is strained and tested repeatedly this year. Winona is a major source of that strife, so if she leaves, that may help patch up Raylan and his boss. But as long as there is a working relationship, things will go on as they have been.


     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     Justified has already been renewed for season three, and will return next year on FX.

     To catch up on episodes or buy DVDS of Justified, please go to amazon.com

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "Bloody Harlan" on Blogcritics.