No shirtless/pantless Olyphant, but the episode opens with Boudoir Attire Raylan. So we’ve got that going for us. Dear Winona apologists, explain to me the “charm” behind “jokingly” throwing your infidelity in your ex-husband/baby daddy’s face. I don’t get it.
Oh, Boyd Crowder. Has anyone ever looked crisper in an orange prison jumpsuit? Walton Goggins exerts more charisma and energy sitting stock still in a Prison Visiting Booth than most other actors can muster in an entire feature film. Raylan finally catches wind of Boyd’s schemes and neatly solved the question plaguing you all last week. Crowder’s out of jail by the end of the episode.
As much as I dislike any episode that spends too much time outside of Harlan County, Art has certainly earned this extra time to shine. He and Marshall Bill Nichols have a great conversation about modern lawmen versus Old West gunslingers. When those two worlds rub together, they produce the friction that’s at the very heart of “Justified.”
Hair and make-up did an excellent job on guest actor Frank John Hughes. I nearly didn’t recognize the handsome “Band Of Brothers” actor as WITSEC Douchebag Terry Powe under all that hair grease and stubble.
Just over 15 minutes until we get Carla Gugino as Asst. Director Karen Goodall. We can assume Raylan makes much of her married name “Goodall” in order to drive home the joke that Gugino is essentially playing Karen Sisco. Ditto her references to Miami and her use of a telescoping baton. More of this please.
Way to use your disgusting, neo-Nazi tattoos to your advantage, Boyd.
Most Surprising Moment? Art crossing the moral line. Least Surprising Moment? Dickie Bennett weaseling out of yet another death sentence.
My distaste for Winona is constantly tempered by my love for Ava and Boyd. Their Bonnie and Clyde act is adorable.
Finally, looks like Mykelti Williamson (Limehouse) went to the Tywin Lannister School Of Menacing Character Introductions. Boyd better put some cover-up on his favorite Swastika tattoos.
Carnage:
Bill Nichols. (Cause of Death: WITSEC Douchebag Terry Powe.)
The two henchmen after WITSEC Protectee Mary Archer (Cause of Death: Tough to say, but some combination of Givens/Brooks/Mullen badassery.)
Deputy Marshall Rachel Brooks and Deputy Marshall Tim Gutterson Line Count
Rachel=11
Tim=0
Favorite Line:
“Well now, Raylan, you’re talking to a man who’s sleeping with his dead brother’s widow and murderess. So if you’re looking for someone to cast stones at you on this matter, I think you’ve picked the wrong sinner.”
The Gist: Not the strongest episode of “Justified.” Like I mentioned, I get antsy and bored when too much of the action takes place outside of Harlan County. That being said, it was wonderful to see more of Art. Also, Raylan and Boyd’s cat and mouse and Boyd’s subsequent jailhouse machinations were enough to keep me interested. I hope Dickie lives to weasel on for many seasons to come because I can’t get enough of Jeremy Davies. I was disappointed with how little an impression Carla Gugino made. Perhaps the inside jokes were enough for fans of “Karen Sisco,” but I’m not exactly clamoring for more. Unless, of course, it means less of Winona. Also, kudos to the writers for the connective narrative tissue between Mags and Limehouse. It feels very organic. And though we’ve seen the lye before in Fight Club and the butchering on “Game Of Thrones,” Gangs Of New York, etc., Mykelti Williamson’s performance was just the right blend of menacing and mythical. I’m all in. Finally, what do we think the “Cut Ties” title is in reference to? Raylan cutting ties to his past (e.g. showily smooching Winona in front of Goodall?), Art failing to cut ties to his past? Who else would be cutting ties?
Joanna Robinson would like to thank mswas for some White Hat Technological Assistance.
