FX's Justified is part western, part crime drama, with procedural elements and season-long arcs involving the show's Big Bads. But most of all, Justified is a character-driven drama infused with complicated relationships and long-reaching histories between its main players.
Timothy Olyphant stars as Raylan Givens, a smart and somewhat troubled U.S. Marshal now based in KY. On the other side of the law is the equally charismatic Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), a criminal not-quite mastermind determined to fill the power vacuum that recently opened up in Harlan County. Givens and Crowder are two of the most fascinating, compelling, haunted characters on American television right now. The history between the two men is vast and complicated, as is the way they relate to one another. Boyd and Raylan are not friends, but they are not quite enemies, either. Both men would run the other down in pursuit of their goals, if it came to that. Olyphant and Goggins have a fantastic dynamic, both easily able to play the nuances in the relationship between their characters. And both actors are incredibly adept at making the show's outstanding dialogue feel smooth and natural. With stellar supporting players and memorable guest stars, Justified boasts one of the most talented, engaging casts on television.
Justified is one of those rare shows that gets better and better with each season, and the current one is no exception. Season 3 sees the introduction of two fascinating new villains, Neal McDonough's Robert Quarles and Mykelti Williamson's Ellstin Limehouse. The two actors, who once teamed on Graham Yost's Boomtown, have brought a new energy into the show and have blended well into the ensemble cast. Part of that is due to the talents of both men, but it can also be chalked up to the skill the Justified writers have in introducing new characters into the world of their show. The writers develop these characters gradually, carefully folding them into the fabric of the show without taking too much focus away from the established characters. As any television fan knows, this is not an easy task, and it showcases the show's subtlety powerful writing.
Yet, despite praise from critics and avid fans, Justified often loses out in its Tuesday-night timeslot. Perhaps that is because the show is in its third season and potential new fans are afraid to jump in, or perhaps it is because some people shy away from shows in which the main character looks more like a cowboy than a cop. Either way, the show is worthy of many more viewers and one of the few returning midseason shows worth taking a chance on.
Justified airs Tuesday nights at 10/9c on FX.
