Justified: The I of the Storm

I really liked this episode. The actor playing Boyd did a fantastic job really unifying the different experiences that character had gone through last season. I really liked that he still is trying to stay on the straight and narrow. We also got the return of Dewey Crowe, a regular from last season.

We start with Dewey on a church bus that gets hijacked in order to steal a bunch of oxycotin leaving a guy with a big hole in the back of his head. That sets up our “one off” element for tonight’s episode. However much like last week the plot of the day plays a backseat to elements of the season arc. I don’t know why but while last week’s arc bothered me a bit more tonight’s seems to flow a bit better.

As with last week there was a lot being setup for the season.

We discover that Raylan really wants to get back together with Winona but Winona is definitely a lot more nervous about their relationship. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear she wants to keep the relationship secret. Winona tries to explain this by saying that she’s not sure they’ll work out. And that’s understandable. Raylan’s probably a barrel of laughs. But is he husband material? That’s a whole different kettle of fish. However I’m starting to get the feeling there’s more going on than Winona is letting on. This isn’t just relationship fears.

While Raylan and Winona are at a club listening to some country music they spot Tim. I think we’re supposed to read more into that than is on the surface. The next day at a review of last week’s shooting Art asks Rayland how Tim is being affected by the shooting. Demonstrating the nuance and double layers so typical in the show, Rayland think’s Art is really talking about Winona and his relationship. Witty dialog ensues. However the impression is that more’s going on with Tim than appears. (He’s honestly been a very underused character on the show) Why this would be isn’t clear since he’s clearly shot people before. (I’m trying to remember, but wasn’t he and Raylan both firearm instructors at Quantico?)

Raylan is brought on to help the state police with the shooting at the bus. I can’t remember the state police officer’s name but he’s been in episodes before. (I like how they have a little continuity in these elements) Doyle Bennett shows up and we get that “corrupt cop” vibe. If anything they overplay that this episode. Every time he’s on screen he comes across as pretty slimy stereotyped corrupt southern cop.

Anyways, to make things shorter Dewey decides to rob the guys who stole the oxycotin by impersonating Raylan. (After a funny scene of attempting to buy a ski mask) This brings Boyd onscreen in some great little character pieces. Boyd clearly knows Dewey’s headed for trouble but rather than using Dewey as in the past he earnestly feels for him and wants him to stop.

We’re introduced to two new characters who appear to be trying to recruit Boyd back into the neo-nazi movement. It’s not quite clear what’s going on there. (Man, there really was a lot going on tonight) It does culminate in a pretty fantastic scene dragging a guy along side a car. (Even if it’s a bit jarring that it’s obviously the vastly overshot Griffin Park in Los Angeles – the illusion of Kentucky sure doesn’t work well in this episode)

Boyd is clearly a pretty conflicted guy who’s trying to stay on the straight and narrow. The closest other character I can think of to him is Jules from Pulp Fiction. I think Body had a similar moment but there’s always this violence being held in, ready to break out. I still feel though that there is something Body is hiding that will be revealed as time goes on. For one thing, why does he go drinking at a brothel? (Yeah, I know. Dry county. Still…)

I’ll say this though. I’ve loved the acting Timothy Olyphant brings to Raylan. However Walton Goggins has just kicked it out of the park with Boyd. Wow. What a fascinating character.

Oh, I should mention that we found out Ava and Boyd aren’t hooking up (from what we can tell) but are just roommates. Ava appears pretty cautious towards Boyd. But she’s also pretty pissed at Raylan. Of course she’s also just as willing to get back together. (Raylan appears to have that affect on women)

An other good scene is where Doyle Bennett really thinks that Dewey’s impersonation of Raylan was legit. So he kind of feels out Raylan to see if Raylan is crooked. Raylan sees through it of course and I think it’s at that moment Raylan has decided to take down the Bennett clan. You can see it in his eyes that a conflict is coming.

Getting back to plot, Dewey is easily caught by Raylan just as the original thieves show up at the brothel to kill Dewey. Raylan is hiding in a trailer when Doyle Bennet shows up, finds out the two thieves were working for his brother and executes them before they can talk. I’m pretty sure Raylan knows exactly what’s going on.

The big question. How did the thieves know Raylan was at the brothel? Maybe it doesn’t matter or perhaps someone (Boyd? Doyle?) informed?

Next week: one of the other Marshals seems to be focused on. This time it’s Erica Tazel who we’ve not heard much of for a while.

Other tidbits for the week:

The performer in the road house club was Dave Alvin who was apparently a big fan of the show. He’d sent his “Harlan County Line” song to the producers who were already fans of Alvin. So that whole beginning was just for the show.

Dewey is actually played by an Australian. I’m surprised.

Is it just me or are the exterior shots looking a whole lot more like California and not much like Kentucky? They need to be more careful with how they shoot things. I know they almost certainly don’t have the budget to insert CGI backdrops ala Alias or many other shows. Still I wish it felt more like Kentucky.