"Sounding" - Justified - 6-05

"I got balls like Death Stars"

In some ways Raylan is a great marshal, and in some ways he is a terrible marshal.  He's an excellent marksman and quick on the draw (Do we need to explain?).  He has natural investigative abilities (Drew Thompson).  And he's able to talk to most anyone, fromt he worst crook (bail jumper) to white collar protectees (Coal Company Lady).  On the flip side, he antagonizes and escalates situations (Tommy Bucks).  He literally lost a prisoner he was transporting.  He inserts himself where he need not be and jeopardizes cases (Ava shooting Boyd).  Raylan walks and crosses a fine line between legal and extralegal, from drinking on duty, smacking around undesirables, working off the clock and under the table (bounty hunting) to straight out setting up a hit (Nicky Augustine).

So while he's not the best marshal in the world, the show has made a point to make Raylan an excellent lawman.  No coincidence that was the original title of the show.  I think the difference is that at the end of the day, Raylan stands clearly on the side of the good and the side of law and order.  He has a palpable disgust for career criminals, both the masterminds and the two bit hustlers which no doubt is born from his hatred toward Arlo.  The deputy marshal sometimes uses questionable means to justify an end.  Tommy Bucks was a bad guy.  Nicky Augustine was a bad guy.  In no scenario is the world worse without them.  On the other hand, Raylan keeps running into these situations and as Justified once said "if you keep running into assholes all day, you're the asshole."

Another important note, besides Raylan clearly picking his side, is that he does not do the things he does for personal gain or advancement.  The closest he comes to that is working side jobs for the specific goal of saving for the baby.  If he were really trying to cash in, he'd probably live somewhere besides a (possible free?) room in a bar.  He tries to set a counterfeit bill back into evidence to cover for Winona, not himself.  His set up of Augustine is in direct response to serious, immediate threats on his family where he has no other practical options.  But it is not unreasonable to say that Raylan is possibly the last person in the world who would take a bribe.

Possibly Raylan's best asset that allows him so much success in the areas he does excel at is his ability to not take things personally, and his empathy for those who did not get to go the path he did.  Criminals commit crimes.  That's what they do.  Lawmen catch criminals.  That's what they do.  If the Flintstone whistle went off in these professions, I think Raylan could have a drink with anyone on either side.  Growing up as Arlo's son, in poverty, and digging coal for a bit gives him a perspective on where these people come from.  He doesn't sympathize (he got out, after all), but he does empathize (understand and can talk to these idiots). 

Raylan somehow manages to understand that each time these crooks break the law, it is not a personal affront to him.  The relationship between him and the criminal can change as he encounters them, gets to know them, runs into them time and again because then a face is put on the law breaking/criminal catching transaction.  Most likely, Raylan states matter of factly to the criminal that they are breaking teh law or that he is going to put them away for breaking the law, and the criminal gets worked up and upset at Raylan.  Raylan stays calm and is able to separate his role as law enforcer/obstacle to the criminal from his life as Raylan Givens. 

The Episode

• Jeff Fahey, another Lost alumn, whose character doesn't strike me as someone who has a bank account
• Lost people, blowing up hatches.  Hmmm.
• Parading out the old gang who are still surviving, we get Limehouse (and Errol for that matter) and Constable Bob, and none of it feels forced
• Mike's hardward has been featured a lot in the past, from Johnny threatening Ava to Raylan trying to catch the kids who took the bag from Arlo's
• Albert Fekus is a perfect name for a little shit.  But as Tim said, he did take his medicine standing up, figuratively
• RIP Buddy Garrity
• Markham does not want your input
• Special circumstances here, but my fear of exploding manhole covers still is agitated here
• As indicated above, Raylan doesn't take things personally.  His investigative mind helps him find Ava quickly and bring the matter to a close, rather than escalate it, land her back in prison and blow their case against Boyd.
• Scrabble on both The Americans and Justified
• Bob's piece of paper is brilliant.  it says "feed hanna" which I assume is a rodent or a reptile and not a cat or dog
• Again, just like in the premiere and other spots this year, we are circling back to the pilot.  Mentions of Beaumon, Ava's cooking and "what you and me started" between Raylan and Ava
• Is there any other ending than a standoff between Boyd and Raylan?  Maybe even back at the dinner table?

This weeks drink: Bacon Bourbon, straight.  It is "homemade" meaning I bought bourbon and added the bacon aspect of it.  Starting with Jim Beam and adding a whole bunch of bacon fat.  The letting it sit in cold and room temperature areas before straining it through cheese cloth a whole bunch of times to make sure there's no solid fat floating around.  It leaves a bacon-y taste.  Stored in this jar and drank out of the mason jar in honor of the Loretta and Mags last week.

Behind that is a just finished copy of Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard

"The Trash and the Snake" - Justified - 6-04

The Homestead Act
The modern day Western is in full effect this season, much like it was in Season Four.  Taking the concept of homesteaders being run off their land and updating it for the 21st century is a perfect way to end the show.  Meanwhile, the "Black Hat" going after the homesteaders is about to get it from the law, ambitious but lower ranked criminals, and the woman he's sleeping with. It's also a good way to get Boyd and Raylan on the same side, not necessarily by having the same goal but by having a common enemy.

Avery Markum
Markum may or may not be aware of Katherine Hale's angle.  He's shown a deep understanding of the landscape in Harlan despite his hiatus to Denver.  He's familiar enough with Mags to make Loretta test the apple pie, not to mention he knows the connection between Mags and Loretta.  He's probably informed Walker of this before he goes to Loretta's house, as he doesn't drink the apple pie.  Markum also intimates unsubtly he's familiar with Raylan's shoot on sight exercise with Tommy Bucks, even after he plays a bit like he doesn't know the Givens name.  Which may of course mean he's playing Katherine Hale as well in a labyrinth of mirrors.

Come Back Shane
Oh, the places you'll go...with Wikipedia. 

Trying to recall a movie, and I know there are several, where homesteaders are intimidated off their land brings me to Shane.  Which brings me to Pale Rider, which borrows from Shane.  Which brings me to Revelations, where the Pale Horse is ridden by Death, which brings to mind the Pale Mare, or the plague in A Dance of Dragons....which brings Death!  Jeez.

Lawman
We already know Raylan will take any excuse to avoid Florida.  There will always be something going on for the marshals.  He is infinitely more lawman than family man.  And if he can use Markum, thorugh pretty solid reasoning, as a way to dig around Kentucky some more, he will absolutely use it.  His rationale is similar to Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan when he has his squad assault the German machine guns, rather than go around them.  The argument is they can still locate Ryan without the risk of taking on the guns, but Hanks refuses to leave them for the next guys.

Ditch Story
Katherine Hale tells Ava about the Clintons seeing a gas station attendant in Arkansas.  Jed Bartlet tells a similar story in "Dead Irish Writers" when he's contemplating a toast for Abby's birthday.

Hollers and Hills

• Always good to see Dickie Bennet.  Specifically, him and Raylan spitting hate at each other
• More colorful tertiary characters, RIP Wiz Fieri
• Duffy's from Hawaii?  Explains the tanning bed?
• I appreciate the girl's snake so much more because it went completley unremarked upon.
• Boyd changes his mind again about leaving Harlan.  Ava is struggling being away for one day.  Granted, she has extenuating circumstances, but still.
• After Luther takes the fall for his son, we see Raylan giving fatherly advice to Loretta.  Even though he didn't know her father, which she points out.  But Raylan is speaking as a father, taking an educated guess as to what another father might think.  Despite Raylan stomping on copperheads, he does have a pull to Florida still.
• Many simiilarities between Walker here and Wolcott in Deadwood.  Number twos, advance men for the big boss, acquiring land for the big man's purpose, whether it be gold or weed.

Next week: Constable Bob!

This week's drink: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, in honor of Walker's preference at Boyd's bar

"Noblesse Oblige" - Justified - 6-03

"I'm gonna shoot your dick off."

Season Five saw a lot of death.  Mostly anyone who wasn't Boyd or Raylan bit it and bit it hard.  From Sammy to Johnny to Picker, it was like they were clearing brush to give enough room to the two leads for their final showdown.  But the person stealing the spotlight this season is Ava who is living in limbo between Boyd and Raylan, jail and freedom, Harlan and getting out alive.  All that and she manages to bring the funny in her still drunk/badly hungover state with the marshals and AUSA Vasquez.

This week's episode was a master class in folksy, flowery, roundabout dialouge.  It could have easily been penned by David Milch.  When someone states their business is "none more lofty than to apprise you of the situation you find yourself" as a way of getting straight to business, you have to appreciate their loquaciousness.  The scene in the bar, a bar Boyd and Co badly need to remember to lock the front door to, is the early frontrunner in 2015 for best scene.  Boyd's exasperation at being bothered while the day is so early and while he is so hungover is examplified only in his tone but not his word choice or count.  Walker responds in kind, and suddently Boyd is transported to 1870s Deadwood.

Justified is the funniest drama on television.  Breaking Bad and Mad Men both punctuated their shows with occasional hilarity, but Justified brings it at a high level every week.  This was one of the best, as Boyd's crew retorts to the Buffalo Trace drinking Walker, "You best get walking...Mr.....Walker.  You and your beard."  The delivery, the dialouge and the overall low IQ of Boyd's henchmen all play into the hilarity here, as does Walker's reaction.

Another of the series' strenghts is the ability to play with your expectations.  When the two masked geniuses are going to rob their dynamite depot, it looks like it's going to end it tragedy for a decent guy.  Our expectations of the criminals being stupid and of what television tells us is supposed to happen make us brace for the nice man's unfortunate death.  It takes an immediate left turn when Raylan and Rachel are there waiting for these idiots.  It's hilarious because of course it makes sense. 

This week's drink: Wigle Rye Whiskey from Pittsburgh.  Named for one of the fomentors of the Whiskey Rebellion.  I feel like Boyd would like this.

 

 

"Cash Game" - Justified - 6-02

Boyd is robbing banks at the behest of Katharine Hale.  While I thought the ledgers were actually the draw at the deposit box, it turns out everyone is upset to have that rather than cash, about $3 million.  Katharine does raise a good point that there's little to keep Boyd from holding out on her, especially if he's looking to get out of Harlan.    

The target, Calhoun, is being approached from all angles.  There's the Tigerhawk team trying to buy up land (for whoever they report to) and the attempted robbery by Hale/Boyd/Avery/Duffy.  Meanwhile, Raylan is investigating the guy because he didn't seem too interested in the fact that he was robbed.  Poor guy, there's no way he makes it out of the season alive.

The pizza vault, and Eva's role in it, show us that Eva's not quite as under the thumb of Raylan and the marshals as we may have suspected.  I suppose the deed was being held by Calhoun on behalf of Ty, though it now belongs to Boyd.  The vault can't actually have anything it though at this point, can it? 

Curious to see how this band of thieves makes out from their pizza vault.  You have Rocky and Mugsy (Choo Choo and Seabass) doing most of the heavy lifting it seems.  Choo Choo is another great tertiary character we get to laugh at.  The entire exchange with Raylan "I'm not following you" and then his rationale for not killing the marshal are going to rank right up there with the rest of the dumb criminal exchanges from the series. 

• Raylan sharing his Florida plans with Boyd is unsettling
• Yes, go to Iceland
• Eva got some swagger back.
• Expect Dewey's necklace to come back into play, maybe as a clue to Raylan as to how to ultimately get Boyd
• Tigerhawk strikes me as both extralegal and extremely profitable
• People trying to buy land like that makes me think there's gas under there.
• Walker seemed disproportinally upset at the obstacles he encountered

Tonight's Bourbon: Bullet Bourbon, again.  1 Giant Cube.

Bests of 2014: Characters

No order or ranking.  Just my favorites. 

Gil John - Alpha House
The incredibly likeable but lazy senator from the great state of North Carolina suddenly got some presidential buzz after almost single single handedly passing a bipartisan bill, appearing on a reailty show, shutting down the party's wing nut standard bearer and winning a strong challenge to his seat.  Alpha House has a lot of things going for it, but John Goodman is probably the best among them.

Oberyn Martell - Game of Thrones
Duh.  No one delivered more against higher expectations or a bigger backlash of casting.  Maybe the only person out there who can both politic and fight, besides Tywin.  Again, there are high expectations of certain Storm of Swards scenes,done expertly, as well as scenes created out of whole cloth, like handing it to some Lannister guards in the brothel.

Dufresne - Black Sails
One of the background characters brought to the forefront to pump up the drama on Black Sails, Dufresne became best combination of a well acted, well executed, dynamic character on the biggest surprise show of 2014.  Dufresne becomes the de facto star of the shows best episode ("V.") in a way that brings to mind Band of Brothers' rotating focus on different characters.  Sadly, the actor portraying Dufresne had to bow out of the second season due to his bout with brain cancer.  


Flashback Nucky - Boardwalk Empire
Much more than a Steve Buscemi impression, both actors conveyed with dexterity both Nucky's and Buscemi's mannerisms, as well as the events and motivations that made him the man he is, implicitly brought up again by his interactions with Joe Kennedy. 

Helen - The Affair
The easy way to portray the wife of a cheating husband his to make her a harping shrew.  The other way is basically anything else, and to get Maura Tierney to do it. 
 
Rust Cohle - True Detective
This being easy and obvious doesn't make it wrong.  The laconic detective.  The undercover in too deep.  The drunk.  The redemption seeking.  The conspiracy theorist.  The commando.  The guy who's usually right. 

Hannibal - Hannibal
We KNOW what's going to happen.  Both from the season premiere flash forward and from our own knowledge of the movies and books.  Then Hannibal throws us.  All season long.  He's portrayed as a brilliant man being pursued by other brilliant people, which is also a complement to the show and the full cast.  It's easy to make a character seem like a genius by making everyone else seem stupid, but Hannibal (both the show and the character) are done the right way. 

Honorable Mentions:
Allison - The Affair
Grief stricken and lonely despite being surrounded by people.  There's clearly a lot going on with her in the early episodes and it doesn't feel winky or overdone. 

Louse - Bob's Burgers
Single funniest character on television.


Jamal - Tyrant
Barry thinks he's so smart, doesn't he?


Stephen Colbert - The Colbert Report 
Swan Song for the character, new verse for the man

Sherlock and Watson - Elementary

Watson's growth and Sherlock's non cliched addiction struggles coupled with fun investigating make this one of my most looked forward to shows each week, year round.

Nora Durst - The Leftovers
Like Dufrense, star of a great episode - Band of Brothers style.  Intriguing and dynamic


Roger Sterling - Mad Men
Finally coming into his own as a leader

Abby & Illana - Broad City
Funniest Girls on tv.

"Fate's Right Hand" - Justified - 6-01

      Lots of "holler"ing back to the pilot in the sixth season Justified premiere.  Like a good novel, things are coming back together from how they were laid out at the start.  Justified does this better than anyone on a scene, episode, season and series level.  

Dewey pined for simpler times when he and the gang hung out with Boyd in the abandoned church as part of Crowder's commandos, as they did in the pilot.  Then Raylan came to town and since they everything's gone pear shaped.  

Dewey wasn't the only one rehashing the old times.  Boyd executed a suspected rat, as he did on the bridge in the pilot. And Raylan and Eva walked through her shooting Beaumon, which had taken place just prior to Raylan's homecoming in the pilot, and what she did to deceive him in the days leading up to it.  

But perhaps the most important conversation was between Raylan and Art, which only tacitly brought to mind the pilot.  Raylan can easily see a showdown where he shoots Boyd and heads off to Florida to see his baby girl...even if we know he's probably not going to live up to fatherly responsibilities based on the way he dodged any chance to see his daughter last season (and Winona's doctor appointments before that).

Art offered that Boyd could also shoot Raylan, but that doesn't seem likely to the White Hat.  He almost finds it comical that Boyd could draw faster than him.  So our minds automatically go to that other dinner at the Crowder house that ended in a shooting, when Raylan shot Boyd.  

So I supposed we can expect the story to come back around and culminate in one of the standoffs that Justified has been so good at.  

You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive is the refrain that's ended most seasons, and an idea that many of the characters have tried to attain.  Even in "Fate's Right Hand" we see Boyd try to get Eva to pack up and leave if, part left unsaid, he can rob enough banks to set them up for life in Costa Rica.  Each attempt to get out of Harlan has failed because it is some sort of purgatory and they haven't carried out their sentences yet.  The question remains is if Raylan's shooting of Tommy Bucks in the first scene of the first episode, the sin that placed him there, is cardinal or venial.

Look-see

• Garret Dillahunt played two different characters in Deadwood, sharing the show with TO and many other Justified personalities.  His face was oh so punchable.  And kickable.  And pistol whip-able
• Boyd's tattoo is there to remind us he's a bad guy after all
• "Stupid looking" They nailed it
• I don't even know how to type the phonetic versions of Dewey's "negligence" and "maleficence"  
• Boyd mentions that Harlan was a boomtown.  Boomtown was another Graham Yost creation that featured Quarles, from Detroit, and Limehouse, from Noble's Holler
• "What's in the box?!"  Paperwork.  The best season of Justified started with another seemingly innocuous find.  In a wall no less.  Though there were no drawers in that wall.
• Was Raylan saying the Dewey Crowe was a waterskiing Goofy at Disney World?  Orlando makes sense, but the rest?  Just plain hilarious.
• Miller's Creek is between Lexington and Harlan. 

Tonight's drink: Bulleit Bourbon - Lawrenceburg, KY with one giant ice cube

Bests of 2014: Episodes

"The Children"

Game of Thrones

A show whose episodes are more known for being the episode where one particular scene happened than for the episode as a whole.  In the few cases where an episode is known for the episode as a whole, it's a result of most or all of the episode focusing on a single event.  "The Children" is the best example of Game of Thrones so far where an episode has multiple pieces and is greater than the sum of its parts.  It manages to wrap up storylines and lead them into future seasons in Kings Landing, The Wall, beyond the Wall and with Arya...all while melding them with other heretofore minor storylines (Stannis) or seeds planted in the past (Jaquen H'gar's coin).  Much time is dedicated to the far North, but rightly so as it gives time for Snow to process Ygritte's death as well as establish the new sherriff in town.

"The Secret Fate of All Things"

True Detective

While True Detective is most often praised for its six minute one shot sequence in the previous episode, it's when we see the narrative and the flashbacks completely diverge that the show really stakes its claim.  Functionally and structurally, it answers a load of questions while closing off the first act of the show.  Artistically, the acting from the two leads joined with the editing and directing to tell a story in the best possible way.

"Burdian's Ass"

Fargo

Similar to "The Secret Fate of All Things", "Buridan's Ass" closes off a few storylines from the first part of the season and launched into the second.  Somehow, Fargo allows us to feel sympathy for a fake and bake schmuck like Don or shock at Lester's simultaneously masterful and sickening plan when he escapes the hospital.  The premeditation brings him to a level we haven't seen before and well sets up the second half of the season, all while making us wait a week in agony to learn the outcome of the snowstorm.  Worth it for the drums alone.

"End of Watch"

Elementary

An episode that would have been pulled had it been scheduled to air the following week.  Sherlock and Watson investigate a random police shooting, and then a second random police shooting.  The investigation, like most episodes, has more layers than it initially seems but does enough to distract the viewer from finding it predictable.  The other element that elevates the episode is Sherlock's concern of losing anonymity, and more importantly confidence, at NA and the lengths at which he'll go to retain it.  We've seen a few dark moments from Sherlock ("I am not nice"), so we're set up for it.  And seeing him spell out his rationale for his methods comes of as solid characterization.

Honorable Mentions

"Episode Ten"

"Episode One"

The Affair

"Guest"

"Two Boats and a Helicopter"

"The Garveys at Their Best"

The Leftovers

"Waterloo"

"The Monolith"

Mad Men

"Form and Void"

True Detective

"Grimmy - Series Finale"

The Colbert Report